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Slow Cabins®  launches its first off grid cabin experiences at ‘secret’ Irish locations

July 12, 2022

The eco hospitality brand invites you to take a digital detox & escape hectic working life for a few days

Post pandemic, we have rediscovered the charm and benefits of nature in our own country. Slow Cabins have been recognising the need to slow down since 2017 and is now launching its first locations in Ireland to cater for growing demand.

The company designs and places off grid cabins at secluded secret locations in nature, all within a 2.5 hour drive of major European city hubs. The concept revolves around an eco-friendly ‘low impact’ stay at a secret location not too far from home. Take a break without (choice) stress, complexity and long travel times. The escape, designed for 1-2 people encourages full attention on living ‘the slow life’.

This summer, from August 1st, Slow Cabin’s first secret Irish location will launch with bookings now open. So, the question that everyone wonders? Where am I going?! Clients book without knowing the exact location of the cabin, letting the company take the ‘stress of the choice’ out of your hands. Then within two weeks of the trip, you’re provided with coordinates of the exact cabin location . Even when you arrive, you’ll park a short distance away and hike to discover your cabin, so come prepared!

So what can you expect? The cabins are sustainable by necessity, and encourage time to reconnect with each other and with the environment around you. Each Slow Cabin brings the outside in, equipped with a queen size bed and crisp white linen. There’s also a large log burner to keep you warm and cosy on rainy Irish days. This is all framed by large panoramic windows for full contact with the great outdoors. They’re each clad in shou sugi ban (Japanese charred wood) cladding, helping the cabins nestle neatly into their environment. Outside when the sun is shining, expect beautiful countryside, private space for a fire pit and grill and seats to watch the world go by.

“Recent European studies show that our resilience improves and stress levels decrease by up to 70% after a stay in nature. Getting away from it all brings peace, energy and a sense of perspective. And that’s where Slow Cabins have an interesting role to play in a fast ‘always-on’ society”, says Slow Cabins Ireland Director, Matthew Parkinson.

It is the complete return to nature, off grid living and to the simple draws of our physiology. Nature is healing. Moving away from the rush and fast pace of everyday life so you can completely switch off. This could be through hiking, cycling or enjoying some superb local food. On your stay you’re equipped with everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Slow Cabins are powered by nature’s resources-  through sunlight and water. When you arrive, you’ll have a charged battery, as well as a full tank of filtered rainwater. This allows you to live simply and self-sufficiently and with minimal impact. This is intentional and  comes back to their model of regenerative eco-hospitality. The goal –  to help sustain and improve a place through giving  back to local biodiversity projects at a host site. Slow Cabins even provide tips on how to manage your energy throughout and after your stay. It can take a little bit of a mindset shift but totally worth it! 

There is strict quality criteria in identifying and selecting a site for cabins. This includes a thorough impact assessment to ensure they’re working with the environment rather than against it. There will only ever be a few Slow Cabins at any given location. This ensures peacefulness and privacy for guests and respect for nature. Once there, guests will also receive all kinds of insider tips about the area to enjoy the locality as it is and should be.  A guilt free, thoughtful, stay in nature. 

(Slow Cabins Ireland have opened their bookings for 2022)

For more information check out www.slowcabins.ie.

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A Raven’ Street Feast for Galways westend

July 12, 2022

August Bank Holiday Weekend return for community based get together

The Galways westend Street Feastival is back on Sunday 31st July on Ravens Terrace. The fifth Westend Street Feastival is resuming after a short break* of two years and the ethos and the vibe is that of community, great local food and enjoying time together.

The area which is known for its food, nightlife and café culture is pulling out all the stops with a stellar food and drinks line up as well live music with the addition of a family face painting station.

Ravens Terrace will be pedestrianised from 12 noon and will be transformed into an outdoor dining plaza. The neighbourhood’s commitment to green is to the fore of the festival with a partnership with Walsh Waste ensuring that there is no trace and that all waste created is recycled and composted correctly.

Bring your appetite as the food vendor line up includes, Botown Burgers, Hooked on Henry Street, Murphys Ice Cream, Alainn, Space Cowboys Tacos, Handsome Burger, Ember Firehouse, An Tobar Nua, Tartare, Danny Donuts and Sweet Dreams confectionery. Drinks and the rest will be available from the Salthouse, McGuire’s Daybreak and Gourmet Tart.

The Street Feastival will run from 12 noon until 6pm and is weather dependent of course, it is wheelchair accessible and there will be live music happening throughout the day.

For all things Galways westend check out www.galwayswestend.ie and of course on Social channels.

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Connection, Compassion and adventure in Finding Victoria

June 27, 2022

New Book to help when things don’t go according to plan

Parenting small children can be challenging at the best of times. There are hundreds of books out there listing things for parents to do, but what happens when you’re in the real world, and things don’t go as planned?

Finding Victoria is Peter Pan meets Mary Poppins…with the science. This book written by Kristin Ruane (who is from New Jersey but has been living and working in Galway for the past eight years) is a training guide to the science of Applied Behavior Analysis written as a novel. The idea is to bring some awareness of the science to parents in an accessible, yet enticing way, by adding context to the lessons through relatable characters, and unexpected plot twists.

Finding Victoria is a book for anyone who enjoys a story about connection, compassion, adventure, and magic! The story follows Victoria, an adorable, yet stubborn child who meets her match when her mother, Valerie, decides to call a behavior analyst. Kay is an experienced therapist who has been working with families for years, but she’s never met a girl quite like Victoria. Kay works hard to untangle some of her challenging behaviors, and to teach Victoria her most hated task – writing. Therapy takes a sudden turn when Kay immerses herself in Victoria’s play world and discovers her secret – she’s magic.

The book is for parents, teachers, behaviour analysts, psychologists, and pretty much anyone who knows children.

“For a long time, I wrote fairytales. It never occurred to me to write about what I did for a living, until one day, I was talking with a parent that I was working with, and she told me, “You need to write about this!” It was then that I realised I could combine my love of writing fairytales with my love of psychology, teaching and behaviour analysis. I’m hoping the book will help to increase awareness of the field of ABA, and offer support to parents that need it,” explained Kristin.

“This book is a great example of how to humanize the science of behavior and allow the general public to appreciate what wonders it can do for us. Kristin Ruane perfectly blends scientific knowledge and years of experience of its application to solving human problems with a deep sense of compassion and empathy for her subject and packages this in a beautifully-written story of progress and hope. Thoroughly recommended!” Dr. Ian Stewart NUIG.

“As the mother of an energetic four-year-old, I found this book to be incredibly valuable in learning how to manage my son’s tantrums and to help improve his listening skills. It is written in a way that is both engaging and informative, making it a worthy use of any busy parent’s time.” Megan Gibbons, Mother.

Practical, insightful, compassionate – a lifeline for the modern family.” Niamh O’Regan, Mother.

“I’m fascinated by connection, it’s why my research was what it was, and it’s why I’ve written this book. The world has changed so much, and I think we’re unaware of how much we’re disconnecting from each other, and ourselves. We probably all have a lot to learn about why we do the things we do, and if we’re honest with ourselves, we probably all need a little hope and magic in our lives, too,” Kristin said.

People can support the project by pre-ordering a book from the Kickstarter website. The books are offered at a discounted price on Kickstarter (€15/€18) retail price is €20.

For now, you can find the book at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/findingvictoria/finding-victoria , or on Instagram @kristinruane, or @princesscottonfairy. The hope is that it will be available at all of the local book shops.

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MACNAS BRASS AND WIND WORKSHOPS

June 27, 2022

Macnas are starting a spectacle music troupe lead by Matthew Berrill, brass/wind musical wizard!  If you are a  brass/wind musician who has an interest in improvisation, experimental sounds, performance, and play and is excited about being part of outdoor spectacular events then come join their weekly workshops happening in September 2022.

Brass has been an integral soundscape within  Macnas’ epic works over the last decade and as part of their ongoing artistic program they are excited to work with the next generation of musicians for spectacle Theatre.

Open to musicians 14 – 20yrs

How to get involved:

Email victoria@macnas.com with an expression of interest, let us know what instrument you play and how many years you are playing. There is more info here https://www.macnas.com/works/macnas-spectacle-youth-theatre. 

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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.