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Two strategic milestones for Galway’s Blue Teapot

April 3, 2023

An impressive week for Blue Teapot who welcomed Walter Balfe, QQI Head of Quality Assurance and colleagues Marie Cotter and Yvonne Agnew to join the celebrations of Blue Teapot Theatre Company in their successful re-engaging with QQI as a provider of quality assurance programme delivery.

Prior to this, Blue Teapot was a legacy provider under the FETAC umbrella on the national frameworks of qualifications. It is a significant milestone for the company which provides performing arts training at QQI Levels 2 & 3 to adults with intellectual disabilities.

 The rigorous process by Quality and Qualifications Ireland recognises the high-quality work in developing, enhancing and implementing quality assurance processes. It is a benchmark that has to be achieved by all institutional and independent providers of QQI programmes, and Blue Teapot has met that threshold at first time of re-engagement.

 Last year Blue Teapot shared the news they had bought their building on Munster Avenue. This was enabled by Clann Credo the Social Finance Foundation, a non-profit body that provides loan finance for community organisations around Ireland. The foundation reported a 29% increase in loans to the sector in 2022. The €26.6 million lent to 265 organisations from all 26 counties included a loan to Blue Teapot Theatre Company in Galway.

Commenting on how social finance made a difference to its operation, Blue Teapot Director, Petal Pilley, said: ‘’It has been a long-held aim to secure a permanent cultural home for Blue Teapot. Our vision is to be a centre of excellence for Disability Arts in the Western Region, this goal would not have been possible to achieve without the social finance provided through Clan Credo and facilitated by the Social Finance Foundation.’’

 For more information check out www.blueteapot.ie.

ue teapot
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The Kings Head Bistro Special International Women’s Day Lunch for Africa

March 6, 2023

Paul and Mary Grealish and the staff of The Kings Head Bistro at 15 High Street, Galway are inviting people to join them on Wednesday the 8th of March from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. They will host a lunch to celebrate International Women’s Day and to support the work of Self Help Africa with some of its Women and Family projects in Africa.

Tickets for this 3 course meal with all proceeds going to the charity are priced at €40.

International Women’s Day Lunch for Self Help Africa’ will be an opportunity for you to have fun, raise awareness and do some fundraising to support women and families living in some of the poorest communities in Africa. Self Help Africa works with these communities – provide women and families with the ability to produce more food, earn more from their farming activities and help mothers and fathers to provide a better life for their children. 

One of the guest speakers at this special event in The Kings Head Bistro will be Mary Sweeney of Self Help Africa who has worked on Women and Children’s projects in Africa for the past 30 years and she will share with you her great experiences and stories of some fantastic women doing great work to make life better for their families in some of the poorest regions in our world.

To reserve a seat or table for this event contact The Kings Head at (091) 566 630 or Ronan Scully at (087) 6189094 or email paul@thekingshead.ie or ronan.scully@selfhelpafrica.org

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Experience a pretty perfect Mother’s Day with Galway Food Tours

March 6, 2023

Fully Treat the mother in your life this year by spending time with them as you will roam through the streets of Galway enjoying the best of food, drinks and company.

The Mother’s Day Brunch kicks off in the afternoon with Galway food Tours guiding you to six of Galway’s hottest eateries and watering holes. From savoury to sweet and then a tipple of two, this afternoon will showcase how all Sundays should be spent!


Bring a friend, bring a girlfriend, treat your wife or someone who needs a day out.

See you there! Mother’s Day Tour is happening on Sunday 19th March, beginning at McCambridges on Shop Street. The tour is priced at €80. To book visit www.galwayfoodtours.com.

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Get flirty with Galway Food Tours this February

February 2, 2023

Experience the perfect blend of food and romance with Galway Food Tours

Galway Food Tours Valentines Food Tour on February 15th offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional Valentine’s Day and post the Hallmark pressure date! 

The romantically undecided can join for a fun-filled evening that will take them from Farmhouse cheese paired with delicious wine to an award-winning restaurant followed by a special seasonal Valentine’s cocktail.

“The craic, fabulous food, and romantic zing in the air have already proven successful in the love department on previous Valentine’s tours – it’s certainly one of our best! It does tend to be a little female-heavy; we get a 70% female and 30% male interest, so we want to see more men join us this year! Let’s level the playing gents – can you help?!” smiled Sheena Dignam, Romance expert and owner of Galway Food Tours. 

The tour kicks off at 6pm and is priced at €85. To book visit www.galwayfoodtours.com.

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Galway Food Tours get crafty in 2023

November 17, 2022

Gifting experiences is THE gift of 2022

The award-winning Galway Food Tours who guide people through the food scene of Galway have launched their craft and food tours gift vouchers. The gift vouchers can be for one of their food and experiential tours or can be out towards joining their craft tours which they launched in November 2022.

Long after the festive season, you can enjoy a craft tour in Galway. This February 12th join Galway Food tours as they take you on a journey through Galway like no other. Beginning in Galways westend, In Plamas where a coffee and sweet treat from Kai is the order of the day before heading up the town to the hear and learn from the icon that is Anne O’Maille who runs O’Máille – The Original House of Style, founded in 1938 in the heart of Galway City. Famous for their unique Hand Knitted Aran Sweaters. Proudly showcasing Top 100% Irish Weavers | Contemporary designs for Men, Women & Home in natural fiber.

Then it’s onto one the city’s most iconic restaurant spaces, Ard Bia where lunch is served. The creative juices can then be awoken with a Weave workshop where you will make a St Bridget’s cross with Sarah Jenkins in the surroundings of the Galway City Gin Distillery and talk (and drink!) about Imbolc – Early Childhood with Claire Davey.

“People want experiences now, so we wanted to bring the best of fashion, craft, and food together. We are so lucky in the west to have all these incredible people, places, and resources. So, get your friends together or come on a date with us yourself, a brilliant day eating, chatting, a tipple or two and of course having conversations, getting creative and learning from the people that are around us. Perfection,” said Sheena Dignam Owner of Galway Food Tours.

Tickets for this tour are €85 pp. Reserve your spot with Sheena on 086-7332885 or galwayfoodtours@gmail.com.  Check out www.galwayfoodtours.com

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Galway Ranked 13th in Global Sustainability Index

November 17, 2022

Galway Named One of the Most Sustainable Business Cities

Galway has been ranked 13th in Europe in the latest Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index, a rating system designed to recognise responsible practices in the business tourism and events industry. The GDSI Results showed an improved score from 67.50 in 2021 to 73.16 for 2022.

Galway has also been named as the 30th most sustainable business city in the latest Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index for 2022, recognising the city’s proactive approach to responsible practices in the business tourism and events industry.

The rankings are designed to help MICE planners choose progressive destinations with top sustainability credentials. The index is compiled by measuring and comparing the social, environmental, supplier and destination sustainability strategies, policies, and performance of participating cities around the world.

Under the Convention Bureaux of Ireland brand, Fáilte Ireland provides both strategic and operational direction as well as funding via service level agreements.

Galway Convention Bureau, which led the city’s application, welcomed the news. Niamh Stack, of Galway Convention Bureau, said:

“We are delighted to have improved our score year on year. There were a lot more entrants in 2022 which is another positive step in ensuring that countries and this industry are not just playing lip service to the very real environmental problems we are facing. We have a lot of work done but we still need to do more in the area of sustainability. But we can now confidently market Galway as a sustainable destination to the global events industry which may help secure future sustainable conference business to Galway.”

“We are looking to improve at getting better all the time. Our aim is to see Galway breaking into the top 10 in the next 2-3 years. Working with our industry partners as a collaborative effort, and leading the way Galway can become a world leader and set the start for sustainable green business tourism.”

Ruairí Lehmann, Tourism Officer – ‘We are delighted to see Galway improve its scoring on the Global Destination Sustainability Index. This index showcases the great work being done within the sector and we would encourage more businesses to engage with the Galway Convention Bureau on improving their sustainability credentials. Galway City Council have a number of measures underway to improve the sustainability of the city and working together with the businesses and the Convention Bureau, we can continue to improve Galway’s position on the list.’

For more information check out www.galwayconventionbureau.com.

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Galway Food Tours launch winter tour program

October 4, 2022

Fashion, food and getting crafty this winter in the west

The award-winning Galway Food Tours who guide people through the food scene of Galway have added to their offering this winter with a new program of tours that will combine food, fashion and craft through a vibrant tour of Galway city. 

Happening on Saturday 26th November, on this tour guests will get to discover some of Galway’s eco-conscious businesses and get the opportunity to meet some local entrepreneurs whilst taking in some of Galway’s best known and secret food haunts.

Beginning in Galways westend, In Plamas where a coffee and sweet treat from Kai is the order of the day before heading up Henry Street to The Tweed Project studio to meet one of its founders Aoibheann McNamara. The Tweed Project creates handmade, one-off pieces that combine beautiful Irish fabrics with modern tailoring for a truly authentic expression of Irish design. Their collections are made entirely of Irish fabrics, in Ireland for the world. Operating from a small Atelier in Galway, the collection is hand made from specially selected cuts of premium Donegal Tweed and Irish Linen.

Then it’s time to cross the river to one the city’s most iconic restaurant spaces, Ard Bia where a two course Lunch (with wine!) will be served. From here it’s onto Merchants Road to Galway City Distillery where Grace O’Connell owner and designer at Carve will lead guests through a fun and creative silver ring making workshop. Here you can design and sculpt your own unique ring out of jeweller’s wax, that will then be Cast in Silver for you to have forever. This activity will of course be paired with a Gin Cocktail.

“People want experiences now, so we wanted to bring the best of fashion, craft and food together. We are so lucky in the west to have all these incredible people, places and resources. So, get your friends together or come on a date with us yourself, a brilliant day eating, chatting, a tipple or two and of course having conversations, getting creative and learning from the people that are around us. Perfection,” said Sheena Dignam Owner of Galway Food Tours.

Tickets for this tour are 125€pp. Reserve your spot with Sheena on 086-7332885 or galwayfoodtours@gmail.com. Galway food Tours will be bringing more exciting creative tours in 2023 so stay tuned to their social channels or at www.galwayfoodtours.com

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Galway’s first Oyster Bar opens in Woodquay

October 4, 2022

McSwiggans cracks open Oyster Bar ahead of International Oyster Festival

One of Galway’s best loved bars is celebrating the Oyster in true style by officially launching Galway’s first Oyster bar. The launch is to mark their involvement on the Seafood Trail as part of the Galway International Oyster Festival 2022.

The festival kicks off this Friday 23rd September, with The McSwiggans Oyster bar being shucked open at 4pm. The Oyster bar will be fully stocked with Dooncastle Oysters over ice and customers will be able to enjoy Oysters as is or with a mignonette dressing.

Dooncastle Oysters are the main Oyster supplier for McSwiggans and will be on hand all weekend as part of the Seafood trail. Pair the oysters with a creamy pint of Guinness or choose from the McSwiggans extensive wine cellar. The launching of the Oyster Bar downstairs in McSwiggans is to celebrate seafood and to offer people in Galway the opportunity to enjoy Oysters in a very casual setting. Pop in for one or six, enjoy on a high stool or seated throughout the bar where suits you.

Irish Seafood will be king this weekend with a crock of Mussels served with the twice cooked skin on fries or a plank of prawns served with the very traditional Marie rose sauce. The menu will also include fish and chips as well as Seafood Chowder and their home made brown bread.

The landmark bar and restaurant has been a part of Galway life for over 30 years, evolving from a lively country store trading potatoes in the iconic Woodquay Market to now being a welcoming place to eat the best of what Ireland has to offer on a plate. Working with local suppliers and producers like Dooncastle Oysters is why McSwiggans has held its place on the very reputable Galway food scene map.

“I began as an assistant to oyster farmers, learning how to maintain and care for stock. In each farm I worked in I was taught something new and from this I developed my own technique. I decided rather than mass producing I would bring quality to the market, through this my oysters acquired their unique flavour, “explained John McHugh Owner of Dooncastle Oysters.

McSwiggans Oyster Bar will be open from 4pm this Friday 23 September and will be a feature within the bar post festival. For more information pop in or check out McSwiggans across social media channels, www.mcswiggans.ie or phone 091-568917

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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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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.