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Macnas

June 14, 2023

Lisa was a superb addition to the Macnas team during my tenure supporting the delivery of key projects,parades and spectacles locally ,nationally  & internationally- , engaging new audiences and hugely increasing the company’s profile across all media. 

An amazing addition to any project 

Noeline Kavanagh former Artistic Director of Macnas for 14 years

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O’Connell’s Galway release Signature Cask Whiskey

January 27, 2022

50 bottles to go on sale this Friday 28 January 2022

O’Connells in Eyre Square in Galway City are exclusively releasing their Powers 12-year-old Single Cask Whiskey.

The journey to here was born out of a natural opportunity, when O’Connells after many visits (to Midleton Distillery Cork, the home of Irish Whiskey) had access to the best of casks stored in the warehouses. This led to the selection process of finding the O’Connells Cask.

200 years of expertise means the people in Midleton know all there is to know about creating some of the best whiskey Ireland has. With their help and guidance O’Connells have chosen a wonderful example of Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

“We managed to whittle down the final line up to 5 whiskeys from 5 single casks. These casks were all over 12 years ago, some even longer. For our final tasting and selection day, we came back to our bar off Eyre Square, our choice of cask was fairly unanimous,” explained Paul Flanagan of O’Connells.

This cask was originally laid down to mature on the grounds of Midleton in 2007, released and bottled in 2021 and now available in 2022.  

Tasting Notes on the Whiskey:

The whiskey starts to introduce itself straight out of the glass. Toasted oak, sweetness of toffee and caramel along with the subtleness of fig on the nose. A great intro into what’s to come. The first taste has a silky texture with spices coming in gently at first then gradually building up. Touches of dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans and nuttiness hit the taste buds. On the finish the oak notes slowly fade allowing the sweet and nutty tones to linger until the end.

O’Connells Powers 12-year-old Single Cask Release (€295) is available to buy from the bar in Eyre Square from 1pm on Friday 28 January 2022. For more information pop into the bar or connect with O’Connells Galway on Instagram and at https://www.facebook.com/OConnellsGalway.

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Can It! Fishmongers turned Tinmongers

January 20, 2022


Ireland’s busiest online Fishmongers gets canned


Covid, Lockdown and Hungry fishmongers has led to the beginning of a new way to eat the best of fish here in Ireland, www.fishtins.com. The online fish tin shop is introducing Ireland to a growing selection of some of the oldest traditional and world most famous canneries from Pointe de Penmarch (1920 ) in Brittany, Pollastrini (1889) in Italy, Olasagasti and Agromar in Cantabria Spain, Conservas Norte in Portugal, La Brujula from Galicia or El Capricho overall Winner at “The world 101 best canned products of the world.

The business idea was born during the first Lockdown of 2020, when most of the country was at home, the people at www.eatmorefish.ie were busy filleting, packing, providing an essential fish supply to thousands homes countrywide.

Long hours, hard work and empty stomachs, they began rooting and looting their own store for healthy lunch options and eating the few fish tins selection. “As lockdown went on, we began craving more variety and started trawling the internet for alternative fish tins. So many species, flavours, producers… and unique designs… We wanted them all, and our tins collection started growing bigger and bigger,“explains Stefan Griesbach.

With the growing collection of fish tins, an idea of business was born. Fishtins.com is a partnership between Vincent Corrigan and Stefan Griesbach, who are the men behind the successful online fish market www.Eatmorefish.ie.

With a passion for Fish, Seafood, Gastronomy, Parisian born Stefan is the founder of Gannet Fishmongers in Galway with over 30 years seafood expertise whilst Long Island born ex chef and sea angler Vincent are a well-appointed mix of talents.

Fish canning started 150 years ago to preserve perishable foods, long before the introduction of artificial flavourings, food preservatives and wasteful packaging (#noplastic) (#100%recyclable)

Like good Wine, quality fish tins get even tastier as they age. Fish tins are packed with Proteins, essential oils and other nutrients so offer a really simple and tasty way to eat more healthily.

“Frigate Tuna, Skipjack Tuna, Albacore tuna, Blue fin, Bigeye or Yellowfin Tuna … Not every Tuna tastes the same,” says Vincent. “Some of our everyday Tuna tins are perfect for a quick pescatarian office lunch, but others are so exceptional they deserve to be opened as a special moment. Wait till you taste some of our Cantabrian anchovies or pickled Galician mussels” adds Stefan.

To see the full collection of Fish Tins simply check out www.Fishtins.com and order yours directly to your door.

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Walking to remember this September

September 28, 2021

The 16th Galway Memorial Walk in aid of Galway Hospice will take place this September. The annual walk, which honours and celebrates those who are no longer with us, is taking place on Sunday 12th September.

This year, Covid-19 again means we can’t all come together to walk the Salthill Prom so Galway Hospice is asking you to walk somewhere special with family and friends on 12th September.

Galway Hospice has continued to provide care throughout Covid and it needs your support now more than ever. Make it a walk to remember by registering now for the Galway Memorial Walk.

“This walk is so special for us and for people each year. It means we can have a day when we all come together and honour those who have been lost from our lives. Seeing people walking in memory of their family, friends and loved ones and celebrating their lives is always so poignant in Galway on the second Sunday in September. It allows us all to come together as a community to remember and to raise vital funds for other people who will need our help throughout the coming year,” said Mary Nash, Chief Executive of Galway Hospice.

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Galway Pizzeria named Top Pizzeria in Ireland and Best Takeaway Pizzeria in Europe for 2021

September 28, 2021


50 Top Pizza, The Guide to The Best Pizzerias in Italy and Worldwide have awarded Galway’s The Dough Bros two major accolades for 2021. The award-winning pizzeria located on Middle Street in the city has been named as the Best Pizzeria in Ireland and as the Best Takeaway Service in Europe. Not leaving the awards just there, The Dough Bros have ranked at 27th in Europe for their Pizza.

Speaking about The Dough Bros, Top 50 Pizza commented, “During the past 18 months which have been so challenging for the worldwide restaurant sector, two brothers from Galway have transformed the roadblock of the health crisis into an opportunity. They never lost courage but instead perfected their takeaway service and even created a kit to make at home. Even the kit will produce one of the best pizzas in the country.”

“To be named as the top pizzeria in Ireland by The Top 50 Pizza Guide is a huge honour. For us it’s never about being the biggest, we have always focused on being the best we can be and making a real impact in Ireland and putting Irish Pizza on the map. Seeing The Dough Bros Named as the Top Pizzeria in Ireland and No 27 in Europe alongside the likes of Beast in Copenhagen, 50 Kalo and Peppe in Paris (who was named No 1) felt like a real moment. Like we had arrived at a destination we have been working so hard to reach.

“Then to also be named as the best takeaway pizzeria in Europe alongside that was a great surprise. Last year when the restaurant closed, we had to switch to a takeaway and developed the kits also. When we opened as a takeaway, we did not want to do it for the sake of it, we aimed to provide the same level of standards and qualities we applied to the restaurant. It was challenging and hard work so to get this accolade as well as the awards above was the icing on the cake. We closed up for the night and watched the awards live with our staff. It was a night we won’t forget,” said Eugene Greaney.

In June of this year. The Galway Brothers pizzeria also featured as no 27 on another Top 50 Pizzas in Europe list by the hugely popular travel site, Big Seven Travel. Despite the challenges faced over the past 18 months it has been an incredibly successful year for Galway Pizzeria.

The success of the takeaway has changed the bros way of thinking. Now they hope to open a takeaway pizzeria in the city once they get their restaurant fully reopened. “We are coming out of this pandemic with a far more varied business model. Rather than rely on the restaurant model we hope to add a factory for our kits and a takeaway business so people can enjoy the Dough Bros pizza in different ways which is really exciting,” Ronan explained.

The Dough Bros Restaurant on Galway’s Middle Street is ran by brothers Eugene and Ronan Greaney with a team of 25, it’s not the first time the Dough Bros’ talent has been recognised at an international level: last year, they made history by being named in the prestigious 50 Top Pizza (Europe) for 2020, the first time the west of Ireland was featured in the awards.

Stay connected with The Dough Bros check them out across all social platforms or in house on Middle Street in Galway, or order The Dough Bros at Home Pizza Kits from TheDoughBros.ie.

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Tuam Artist inspired by Australian coastline launches latest collection

September 28, 2021


West Coast Artist inspired by Australian coastline launches latest collection



Tuams Ciara O’Neill brings 2021 vision to canvas

Galway Artist Ciara O’Neill who specializes in contemporary art is releasing her latest series that has been inspired by the warm Australian climate and coastal life. With a degree in Interior Design O’Neill latest collection, includes Apollo, an acrylic and oil series which will be released October 1st and Mirage, a round resin series which will be released October 8th. Both releases were six months in the making.

Apollo is a series of 19 acrylic and oil paintings starting from size 40 x 40cm up to size 153 x 123cm with lots of sizes in between and will be framed in solid oak frames

Mirage is a series of 35 round resin paintings in sizes 30cm, 40cm, 60cm and 80cm, all framed in white wooden frames.

A waitlist has been created for both series on the website’s home page, www.ciaraoneillart.com where you can scroll to the bottom to join. A presale email will be sent out to subscribers the day before each release where people can reserve a painting.

The photo shoot was a collaboration with Artist and photographer Enda Burke.

For more information and to pre-register your interest check out www.ciaraoneillart.com or connect on instagram @ciaraoneillart.

Apollo
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Irish Nail Company uses technology to give customers perfect manicure

June 16, 2021

Add colour, style and a bit of glamour to your look at home this year with Semilac Nail products. The Irish Company nail distribution company based in Athlone is launching their spring/summer products for nail care. This year the nail company is using technology to help you get the best from your polish at home. Semilac nail formula has been adapted to different types of nails and purpose. To make it even more user friendly, customers are prompted to take a quiz online to make that base selection even easier, which leads to you getting longer from your polish.

The new gel polish collection, Closer Again (Hoping soon we all will be back together and living life) will bring out those bright pastel colours that will brighten up any hand and look this summer.

“We wanted to bring freshness and energy to the nails.  Life right now is very hard and we are all trying to master each day as best we can. Our customers have become almost nail technicians over the past 12 months, it is so great for us to see people starting to love the process and becoming so good at their nails themselves. All the polish names for this season refer to the activities we cannot wait to get back doing, like Travel, Escape, Go out and Dance with Me, “Explained Piotr Kuznik of Semilac Ireland.

Semilac offer a large selection of products, over 300 gel polish colours. accessories, nail effects, devices. It has become a one stop shop for customers to get everything they need to get their nails looking beautiful.

The online nail platform allows people to get everything they need for their nails.

In 2020 the Semilac.ie website grew in users by 100% from their 2019 visitors and customers, growing from 42k to 85k.

The at home manicure might seem complicated or people simply like getting their nails done, but Semilac have developed a simple step hybrid manicure program and a starter kit that make it easy and possible to do at home. “All you need is a little practice,” said Peter.

For the perfect hybrid manicure, the base coat that connects the nail plate with the varnish as the first layer is the key and it often depends on it whether the manicure will last long.  Semilac offers a large selection of various gel polish base coats. To check out the full Closer Again collection or to shop the brand log onto www.semilac.ie or get social across Instagram and Facebook.

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Connemara Brewing Company launch beer line

June 16, 2021

Located in Carraroe ,Co. Galway, Connemara Brewing Company have launched their beer line for 2021. With a focus on niche beer making, this year people can enjoy their Ale and Lager in a 330ml can.

Connemara’s water quality is noted as being one of the best in the world, which combined with the quality raw materials, and crafted by the know-how of their world-class brewers, brings together a refreshing beer like no other.

All Connemara Brewing Company beers are made from scratch in the Carraroe Brewery, using traditional recipes and as many local ingredients as possible which are sourced directly from carefully selected producers.

This summer’s signature lager is best described as a refreshing, clean and robust lager. It features a pleasingly spicy and floral bitterness from its Žatecký hops, backed up with a slight maltiness from a blend of Irish and continental grains, and a crisp clean finish from the specially selected yeast and open fermentation process.

Irish ale has a long and dignified history. The Connemara Ale is juicy and full of flavour. A perfect hop medley and yeast blend provides our ale with a flavour that will make you want more.

“We’ve kept to those traditional values by producing an open fermented ale with a reddish hue and a beautifully sweet palate that is bursting with hop flavour while remaining low in bitterness. It’s like Connemara sunset in a glass, “explained Aine O’Hora Chief Brewer at Connemara Brewing Company.

This summer Connemara Brewing Company is part of Aldi and Bord Bia’s “Grow with Aldi” program, which means their beers will be available in stores throughout Ireland from June 6th. Connemara Brewing Co are one of a small number of select suppliers chosen as part of the 2021 Grow with Aldi program.

“Working with Aldi and being in store gives us such an opportunity to be visible as a brand and to hopefully get new customers to drink our Ale and Lager. We are right now in independent retail and hospitality venues throughout the west, which has really enabled us to understand our customers more. Through a huge supermarket chain like Aldi we will be in the mainstream and in view to the shoppers of Ireland, we couldn’t be happier with this really brilliant opportunity,” said Aine.

Connemara Brewing Company commitment to taste and quality comes through in their sustainability ethos from brewing to sale. With state-of-the-art technology enabling them to use as little water as possible in their brewing techniques as well as returned grain to farming lands in the locality for a lessened environmental impact. The company also decided on using cans instead of glass bottles as to ensure to lessen their landfill footprint.

The brewery is led by Aine O’Hora who is one of the foremost brewers in Ireland. Aine moved home to Galway following a successful and diverse career in brewing. She has been brewing continuously since finishing her science degree almost 20 years ago (further complimented by a Masters in Brewing & Distilling). She has started and ran both start-up craft and large international breweries and now invests all that experience and skill into producing what we believe are some of Ireland’s best beers.

Originally from Dublin, Cormac Lynch moved west to set up the brewery up and running. His family had a small wine company, which led him to study Horticulture in UCD, eventually pursuing his interest in homebrewing and hop growing. After college he moved to London where he worked in a cask ale brewery followed by a stint in a malting facility in California. He moved back to Dublin where he worked in the customer facing side of the beer industry before deciding to move again to Galway.

For more information and a list of locations where you can get Connemara Brewing Company, check out https://www.connemarabrewery.com, email info@connemarabrewery.com or get social across Instagram and Facebook.

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Traditional material meets modern colour palette to reimagine the bathroom space

June 16, 2021

Concrete embodies strength, is adaptable and durable, combining this traditional material with a modern colour element, A Glyde concrete basin is raising the style stakes when it comes to making a statement in the bathroom.

Made in Ireland, every unit is a bespoke, hand-made and hand-finished piece. Glyde Concrete basins deliver excellent value, style and substance. As all Glyde basins are pre sealed, this natural material is then ideal for hard working and busy bathrooms . Glyde can sink into a one piece look to combine the basin and vanity top, or form a pedestal with the concrete basin making a Glyde basin the star of your bathroom.

The Glyde basin collection includes various shapes, colours and sizes. With the August Basin, customers can choose from two height options. The gentle curve brings elegance and sophistication through its style, shape and substance or with The Joseph, which is a space saver sink ideal for tight areas. It has a flat surface to the side of the sink will allow you to either mount a tap on it or use as a surface to keep soap etc.

“Working with Concrete in the home allows your home to have a personality in rooms that sometimes can be overlooked. We spend a lot of time in our bathrooms and it’s where some of our most peaceful and relaxing moments of the day are. Having always loved the use of natural materials in renovations and home builds, Glyde has a nod and respectful link to Ireland’s concrete traditions. The use of concrete in Ireland can be traced as far back as 1850, in the foundations of a bridge crossing the River Glyde, in Dundalk. As the benefits of this material were realised, concrete was increasingly used as a solution to construction problems at the time. Now we are back to using concrete for all its positive factors such as its flexibility in colour change and its hard-wearing properties” explained a spokesperson for Glyde.

Glyde has also partnered with Carbon Offset Ireland to plant one tree for every basin purchased. This will sequester more carbon than used in our production process.

For more information or to order your Glyde Basin log onto https://www.glydeconcretebasins.ie/ or follow Glyde on Instagram for design and style inspiration.

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Light installation goes on maiden voyage on the River Shannon

June 16, 2021

Launching today and running until 20 June, Light Ballet, presented as part of Brightening Air, will transform the skies and surrounding landscape of eight counties with a light installation floating down the River Shannon over eight days. Light Ballet will be visible from up to seven kilometres and covering almost two hundred kilometres. The journey begins each night from dusk (approx 10.15 pm) starting off in Co Roscommon on June 13 and travels through Leitrim, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Tipperary, Clare, ending its journey in Co Galway. Light Ballet is presented as part of Brightening Air | Coiscéim Coiligh, a nationwide, ten-day season of arts experiences brought to you by the Arts Council, for June 2021

Created by Irish Light Artist Mick Murray and Lighting Designer Matthew Cregan, the installation is accompanied by a newly composed soundscape by David Kitt. The light installation and soundscape are synchronised in real-time allowing audiences to experience the soundscape at home, along the edgelands or those in-between places through their phones, tablets or computers. Audiences will be able to access the soundscape via the Culture Works (https://cultureworks.ie/light-ballet/) and Brightening Air (https://brighteningair.com/experiences/light-ballet) website from June 13. The artwork will run on a seven minute cycle for four hours each night from dusk and the full show cycle can be seen at any point along the route.

The newly composed soundscape by David Kitt uses a familiar Irish musical time signature, intermixed with words from Poet Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe and Kitts own vocal. David Kitt brings us on a journey through, river, ‘spirit land’ and the surrounds. Once entwined, these lands, the people, the river and their connection in music, words and song deliver us to a new place, a spiritual journey along the river through its edgelands, to a familiar place. Drawing inspiration from William Butler Yeats’s own Song of Wandering Aengus, the soundscape for Light Ballet was created by David Kitt, with words from Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe’s poem Wandersong in collaboration with Mick Murray and Matthew Cregan.


For regular updates and to experience Light Ballet digitally, follow Light Ballet on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and at https://cultureworks.ie/light-ballet/ or Via https://brighteningair.com/.

For those who do not get to experience the artwork in person, Light Ballet’s journey will be Live Streamed as well as being documented and shared online afterwards.

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New Delicatessen and Wine Shop opens on Galway Docks

June 16, 2021


Ruibin on the Docks in Galway City Centre is temporarily popping back as a Deli and Wine Shop. Since opening their doors in 2019, Ruibin has quickly joined the illustrious Galway ‘Must eat’ locations and throughout 2020 they kept their customers fed through their local market boxes which champions the best of what is on offer with Irish produce.

Now, Ruibin is back but with a slight twist of course to adapt to where hospitality is at. The Deli at Ruibin will be a place where you can get lunch to go and your evening dinner too, (Although this will require you to heat it up once you get home!) The Deli will be stocked with homemade filled bagels, Cold and Hot Healthy Bowls filled with fresh veggies, salads, fresh fish, meats and of course all plant-based options. To hit the sweet spot Ruibin bakes will include homemade Sourdoughs, Focaccia, Dulce de Leche Brownies and Cookies. Ruibin are introducing their home line too with house made Marinades, sauces, vinegars and date ketchups.

“Opening Ruibin up as a Deli allows us to continue to be in our business creating food that people can enjoy when they are in Galway City or when they get back home. We designed a menu so that Ruibin can still be enjoyed al fresco or at your kitchen table. Creating Ruibin for retail means customers can get the best of kitchen sauces, marinades and condiments that can add to their kitchen cupboards and to their foods at home. Lunch here is all about grabbing something really tasty and heading to the Long Walk, Salthill or around Galway City Centre. We are now so used to the outdoor life, so we thought we could bring a little comfort and flavour to your afternoon eating! Our evening meals range means all you have to do is collect it and heat it up once you get in the door home. Ideal and easy! explained Alice Jary Head Chef and Co-Owner of Ruibin.

The Wine Shop focuses on small producers from around the world, with the story of the vineyard and wine grower plays an important part in this collection of wines. Working with La Mission Wines and Wine Lab, the Ruibin Wine Shop has an extensive range of organic, natural and biodynamic wines that will pair beautifully with your summer plans. “We will be there too of course to help pair wine to the cook at home meals that are on that evening or for that summer al fresco picnic we will all be pros at by the time mid-summer arrives! “said Richie Kennan Co-Owner of Ruibin.

Rúibín is open from Tuesday to Friday from 12noon to 6pm, on Saturday from 11am to 7pm and lunch is available from 12noon to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday. For more information check out www.ruibin.ie/, email info@ruibin.ie or phone 091-399200. Get social with Ruibin on Instagram and Facebook.

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West of Ireland inspired line Launches capsule gold collection

February 2, 2021

NCAD graduate and west of Ireland inspired Jewellery Designer Lynsey De Burca who creates minimal aesthetic jewellery pieces has launched a Gold capsule collection.

Living in Moycullen in Galway, Inspiration is found in her surroundings and from her studio there she runs a business that now has an International customer base.

Lynsey marries metal works and captivating gemstones into her creations.  “Through my NCAD Metals Degree I have a wide knowledge of metalworking- specialising in jewellery making and precious metals. This was where I was encouraged to develop my individual craft and design skills. Gold has always been such a love of mine and this year I wanted to celebrate it with its own collection,” explained Lynsey.

After further study at NUIG where she gained a diploma in Gemmology and also a greater draw ad knowledge to make informed decisions when incorporating gemstones into several collections “The Gemmology course provided me with an education in laboratory-based techniques used to identify gemstones and also provided me with hands on experience in identification protocols using a comprehensive collection of gemstones.”

Life experiences, education and a clear passion for creativity has led De Burca to gain a very loyal following. Her online and her pieces are stocked at independent jewellers and retailers across Ireland. For creating her work, she combines many different skills like Piercing, Soldiering, Roller Mill Texturing, Forging and Electroplating,

“For my jewellery; every piece is created in sterling silver and using centuries old craft techniques, each link from every one of my collections is hand forged in my studio in Galway. The links have their own unique fingerprint – they are all different, organic. Each individual one retains an untouched raw texture on the outer edge contrasting against the smooth high polish of its flat finished front. This reflects the rough texture of the rocks along our coastline in repose against a sometimes flat and tranquil silver tide.

For creating her work, she combines many different skills like Piercing, Soldiering, Roller Mill Texturing, Forging and Electroplating, “With over 14 years’ experience in retail that has proved invaluable to me. These experiences in high-end jewellery galleries, applied arts galleries, antique jewellers and fashion boutiques just ignited my love for making beautiful things,” said Lynsey.

The Gold Capsule Collection includes a Pendant, Earrings, and Rings starting from €80.  To shop the collection log onto https://lynseydeburca.com/ or get social across Instagram and Facebook.