Browsing Tag

Travel

Featured In the Media Love

Welcome to the neighbourhood- Galway Food Tours launches a true Galway buzz tour

March 27, 2024

Ramble through Galway’s neighbourhoods to experience life like a local

To get to experience Galway as a local you must cross into all the neighbourhoods. Experience the coffee, the beers, a gig, theatre, the street art, a burger, the best pizza in Ireland (fact), fish and chips, dessert, and of course the people.   With all this in mind the award-winning Galway Food Tours has launched their neighbourhood walking tours through the city of the tribes.

Taking in the historic charm of Woodquay, the bustling city centre streets and Eyre Square, through the Latin Quarter, onto Galways westend and then out to Salthill, the Galway neighbourhood ramble tour will introduce little nuggets of social and cultural notes as well as enjoying a refreshment or two along the way.

From Woodquay to Salthill, every step promises a new and different discovery of people, food, and stories. Get ready to go on a new adventure as Galway Food Tours introduces its brand-new neighbourhood walking tour that dives into the heart of Galway’s unique city areas.

The city is surrounded by water with the River Corrib holding pride of place and quick fact- it’s the fastest flowing river in Europe, so the tour begins at the midpoint between the iconic Salmon Weir Bridge and the new pedestrian bridge. Here, the ramble begins into Woodquay where you will enjoy the river from another viewpoint at the Commercial Boat Club, pop in Hughes for a pint, an Oyster at Galways only Oyster Bar in McSwiggans or a quick flutter at the bookies next door, and who knows, you might just walk away with a smile and an extra fiver in your pocket! 

Take a stroll up to enjoy Eyre Square, where the bustle of city life intertwines with the city’s famous park scape. New opening Mary Mullens is offering an Asian inspired outdoor oasis with Galway style Gyozas on offer- a must. The history of Galway can be seen on every corner but a pop into the 800-year-old Kings Head on High Street to learn even more about how the town became a city with the addition of a small matter of a beheading right at the door of a very famous King!

Crossing the bridges into Galway’s westend, this place moves to a different beat than the rest of the city, which keeps high street chains at bay and allows independent boutique businesses to flourish. Many businesses have been here for generations and supply the needs of the bountiful restaurants and bars that have won awards around the world and stamped the area on the food map even if you will not always find it on a tourist map.

Speciality tea and coffee cafes with hidden sun traps and vintage clothing shops have recently changed the day time vibe but no day is complete without a trip to Galways oldest grocery store to see Ernie or a drink in the Small Crane which used to be a potato market.

Heading out to Salthill for some fresh sea air, it’s time for a coffee in Kali or a small nip of something stronger at Tribe Gin school followed by a trip to the slots or the casino at the iconic Seapoint.

“Galway has so much to offer but when we travel, we are easily just drawn to main attractions. Really though we want to know where the locals are and what it is that makes a place special- so the neighbourhood tour of Galway is just that. Every person coming to the city can then get a real slice of Galway life. We love all the people and stories as well as unique Galway offerings so we want to show and share these with as many people as possible,” explained Sheena Dignam of Galway Food Tours.

Tours run throughout the day from 11am and are priced at €30. Book now at www.galwayfoodtours.com .

Featured In the Media Love

Galway’s Westend kicks off 2024 sustainable tourism campaign

March 27, 2024

Walking Tours: Unveiling a journey through Galway’s vibrant cultural hub

Galway’s Westend, the beating heart of Galway City known for its captivating culture, is kicking off their sustainable tourism campaign on foot with their neighbourhood walking tours.

After their inaugural walking tour program which launched in June 2023, the immersive tours are back allowing visitors and locals to delve into the rich tapestry of Galway’s Westend, revealing the hidden gems, unique stories, and vibrant atmosphere that make it a must-visit destination.

Galway’s westend is celebrated for its bohemian charm, artistic flair, and diverse community, making it a focal point of Galway’s cultural scene. Galway’s westend Walking Tours aim to showcase this captivating district, guiding participants through its picturesque streets, unveiling its historical landmarks, and providing an intimate glimpse into the thriving arts, food, and music scene that defines the area.

 Led by expert local guides, each Galway’s westend Walking Tour will take participants on a journey of discovery, exploring the district’s rich history, captivating tales, and fascinating anecdotes. From traditional Irish music venues to independent boutiques, award-winning restaurants, and artisanal food markets, visitors will immerse themselves in the unique ambiance that defines Galway’s westend.

 The tours will tell the tales of Irish-town (West End) versus the Norman/English town of Galway to being introduced to the home of Lady Gregory’s son, Major Robert Gregory, whose death in January 1918 inspired WB Yeats poem, ‘An Irish Airman foresees his death’. Where now lies The Galway Arts Centre, Galway’s only dedicated art gallery and Aras Na Gael – the Irish language experience with Dance, music, song, conversation, and a bar!

The tours will begin each day on Raven’s Terrace where the great Claddagh connection begins. Tour guides will touch on Pawnbroker, Fish on Friday, Claddagh ring, Claddagh fishing tradition and the Galway Hookers.

Then the connection to maritime history will be the focus of walks along The Eglinton Canal that lead to the University. Tour guides will draw on the Lock gates, bridges, tow-paths and how the Canals connect to Corrib with Water activities from past to present day.

As people step through the neighbourhood, they will be introduced to the socio-cultural fabric through food, people and place and of course nuggets of information like, did you know that the area is home to Galway’s only LGBTQIA+ Bar, Nova on Henry Street?

Back into The Small Crane where the History of the Galway markets, potato, hay, turf, vegetable, pigs, calves were held and now will be told. Right alongside here the stories of prolific Galway author Walter Macken and of Titanic survivor Eugene Daly from Raleigh Row will be highlighted to walkers.

The tours will be available three times daily, at 11am,  3pm and 6pm from Ravens Terrace. Participants will be treated to a captivating journey through the district, lasting approximately 75 minutes. Tickets, €20 + Booking fee can be purchased online through the official Galway’s Westend website or directly at the meeting point.

For more information about Galway’s westend Walking Tours, including ticketing details and the tour schedule, please visit www.galwayswestend.ie.

Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #GalwaysWestendTours and stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates.

Featured In the Media Love

County Galway artists to kick off new season of exhibitions at The Gallery

January 29, 2024

To launch the 2024 artistic season The Gallery Café, Gort will host their first exhibition by Artists Leonie King and Siobhan Percy. The exhibition will officially open on Sunday 18 February at 7pm. The two County Galway Artists whom are living in Oranmore and Athenry, have both lectured in the Art and Design Department at ATU as well as exhibiting together as members of the AKIN Artist Collective. The two initiated the imPRESSions Original Print Biennial together which was a regular feature of the Galway International Arts Festival.

Since college Leonie King has travelled extensively, having spent time in South America, India, and Morocco. Foreign images and colours are brought home and blended with those of the Irish landscape: its patterns and textures and mists. An awareness of the past transparently overlaid on the present is part of the underlying notion of her work and pertains to the sense of eternity, stretching both backwards and forwards.

Her work is an endless balancing of dynamics, of coloured texture over variant coloured texture. Her inspiration comes from an interacting of the emotional with reflections of the surrounding area, both present and past. The effervescent colour changes of the sea and land transpose themselves into multi-layered prints that are responses to a communing with soil, rock, and that which ekes out an existence on it, and underneath the surface of the earth. Leonie has exhibited nationally and internationally Including the Royal Academy Summer Show.

Sioban Piercy makes sculptures that she refers to as ‘books’ and her work is an enquiry into the construction we call ‘a book’. She is intrigued by this object that we use to tell stories to ourselves about ourselves. She draws our attention to the book as a physical thing made of unassuming materials such as paper and ink, but at the same time how both can be used to manifest something other than they are, where these assemblages of modest bits and pieces become contraptions of our meaning-making and are transmuted into structures of imagination and self-explanation.

For this exhibition she is showing a series of drawings which are studies for a new set of books she is presently working on. In these, she plays with our perceptions by making marks that suggest writing or a handwritten text but in fact are documenting the world – in this case seascapes- in quite a different way. In so doing toys with our ‘reading’ of the drawing and the book.

The exhibition runs for two months from 18 February at The Gallery Café, The Square, Gort, Co. Galway and is open during restaurant hours. See www.thegallerycafegort.com for more information.

Featured In the Media Love

University of Galway IdeasLab Stanford University Innovation Fellowship

December 4, 2023

University of Galway IdeasLab students have joined with students from across 67 educational institutes in 15 countries to become University Innovation Fellows. The University Innovation Fellows (UIF) program empowers students to become agents of change at their universities. 

Fellows work to ensure that all students gain the attitudes, skills and knowledge required to navigate a complex world and build the future.   These student leaders from schools around the globe create opportunities to help their peers build the creative confidence, agency, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to address global challenges. Fellows create student innovation spaces, start entrepreneurship organizations, facilitate experiential workshops, work with the university community to develop new courses, and much more.

– Mia Shanley-Brookes, BSc Medicinal Chemistry, 2024
– Sophie Spellissy, Computer Science and Information Technology, 2025
– Ciaran Cox, Biomedical Engineering, 2028

The inaugural fellows in University of Galway are Mia Shanley Brookes (Medicinal Chemistry, 2024), Sophie Spellissy (Computer Science and Information Technology, 2025) and Ciaran Cox (Biomedical Engineering, 2028).  Mia, Sophie and Ciaran are working as advocates for lasting institutional change with university leaders, lending the much-needed student voice to the conversations about the future of higher education and entrepreneurship. 

The students participated in a 6-week training experience during which they learned to analyse their campus ecosystems and identify opportunities for change related to innovation, entrepreneurship, design thinking, and creativity. They worked to understand the needs of peers on the University campus and apply this new knowledge and perspective to design new educational opportunities for their peers. In early 2024 the student team will prototype a new programme that focuses on shadowing start-ups and early stage companies to better understand how firms work and what types of roles students may wish to undertake once they are finished university and moving onto their next chapter.

The Fellows programme is run by Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d. School). With the addition of the new Fellows, the programme has trained more than 3,100 students since its creation.   Leticia Britos Cavagnaro, Co-Director of the University Innovation Fellows programme ‘Fellows Mia, Sophie and Ciaran have developed new ways to help students at the University of Galway enhance their innovation skills, connect their learning with real-world applications, and gain access to essential resources. We’re so proud of the hard work they’ve done already, and we’re excited to see the impact they continue to have’.

Dr Natalie Walsh a Faculty Innovation Fellow with Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school) and the Director of Entrepreneurial Development in the University of Galway stated that ‘We are delighted to join the University Innovation Fellowship community and support our students to design new experiences that support all students to develop the skills and mindsets necessary to navigate these uncertain times and to shape the future they want to see.  The partnership aligns with our values of excellence and sustainability, and we are excited to launch a new programme designed and delivered by Mia, Ciaran and Sophie in early 2024’.

 University of Galway is the only Irish University who have taken part in the UIF programme.  A core theme of the programme supports responsible futuring and the team look forward to travelling to the University of Twente in 2024 to build skills and expertise and connect in person with the UIF community of over 2,000 faculty and students from across the globe.

Featured In the Media Love

Global reach of local event honoured at Fáilte Ireland Awards

November 27, 2023

Wexford native FRESH Street conference brought 21 countries to Inis Oírr Galway

Fáilte Ireland celebrated the outstanding contributions of 104 conference ambassadors, including renowned academics and industry leaders, at an award ceremony at the Intercontinental Hotel.

Wexford native and ISACS (Irish Street Art, Circus and Spectacle Network) Director Lucy Medlycott was there to receive the Fáilte Ireland CARA award for bringing a conference, FRESH Street 2019, to Galway and for its contribution to the region’s economic impact.  The event took place from 22 – 24th May 2019 in Galway City and Inis Oírr and brought together over 280 delegates from 21 different countries and from 4 different continents. Making it a local event on a global level which examined the incredible power of making artistic work for public spaces.

“ISACS are beyond thrilled to receive this award out of the blue for the wonderful FRESH Street event which we held in partnership with Circostrada and Galway 2020 back in May 2019. ‘It feels particularly special to get this kind of recognition for an event whose significance was slightly eclipsed by the ensuing pandemic. We are super grateful for the acknowledgment of the value of these art forms in our cultural landscape by Minister Martin and Failte Ireland and especially the Meet in Galway team,” said Lucy Medlycott Director of ISACS network.

“Every year we bring professional international programmers, festivals, and arts managers to Ireland to meet with the ISACS membership. This year alone we hosted over 15 arts professionals with the support of Culture Ireland. And next year we have some exciting plans once more for the international development of this most democratic of art forms. ISACS will in fact be hosting Circostrada – the European Network for Contemporary Circus and Outdoor Arts – in Ireland once again, during summer of 2024, with their DIVE programme. Details will be released soon.”

FRESH Street brought over 260 delegates attended from 21 different countries, across 4 continents. In advance of the seminar, a 2-day private meeting was hosted by the Arts Council of Ireland for policymakers across the world. Over 12 policymakers arrived from the UK, Belgium, Ireland, Sweden, Latvia and France to share and discuss topics of mutual interest. The Circostrada Network facilitated this, and it was highly influential in mapping out means to establish data and to grow knowledge of this rapidly developing art form across the territory.

The ambassadors were acknowledged for their expertise, industry knowledge and unwavering commitment to successfully hosting an international conference in Ireland between 2018 and 2022. Collectively these conferences have contributed €125 million to the Irish economy and have made a positive impact on our nation. 

Fáilte Ireland’s Conference Ambassador Programme was developed to support individuals who want to host an international conference in Ireland. The programme provides assistance and financial support at every stage of the event, from the initial bidding, through to the marketing and promotion of the event. Ambassadors are sector leaders or influencers in their field and since the programme was established in 2009, Fáilte Ireland has supported almost 3,000 ambassadors in their bids to host conferences and events worth more than €2 billion.

To find out more check out www.isacs.ie.

Featured In the Media Love

Kristy Verenga explores Who Am I? in Gort

November 9, 2023

The Gallery Café to host New York Artist exhibition

Experimental artist Kristy Verenga has opened her Who Am I? exhibition which combines media to explore the question at The Gallery Café in Gort. Kristy uses painting and sculpture to build the world that she calls home, these abstract and symbolic narratives are an expression of her daily experience.

Using oil paint on a wax ground and sometimes a texture like sand which also lets the drawing remain visible as part of the dynamic whole, she makes her own paper clay for the sculpture, which process emerged as a pandemic palliative. The images in her work are both playful and expressive of this interior dialogue.  

Kristy Verenga studied modern dance and music and this feeling of movement is present in her work. She lived in Manhattan for 15 years where she had a fashion business, art gallery and taught yoga.

In 1999, she moved to Barcelona and had a studio in Tecla Sala, a gallery and work space for artists. In 2005, she received a residency grant with solo exhibit at the Roscommon Arts Centre which prompted the move to Ireland. She received a travel bursary (The Irish cow vs. the Indian sacred cow) which took her to Sanskriti Kendra in New Delhi, India. She now lives and works in Kinvara.

The exhibition will run until 7th of January 2024 and all pieces are available to buy in house. Pop in or check out www.thegallerycafegort.com.

Featured In the Media Love

Because the night belongs to us…Nostalgia of the 90s lives on

November 6, 2023

Jezahel ignites the spirit of the night

After captivating audiences with its debut performance at The Blue Note in Galway’s Westend on Culture Night 2023, Jezahel will make its way to Galway’s Town Hall Theatre in December, promising a night of humour, nostalgia, and an intoxicating blend of class As craic!

This production, written by Malachy Duggan and directed by Emily Ahern is not your average theatrical experience; it is a wild ride through the past, mixing laughter, memories, and the energy of a bygone era.

Can a group of aging ravers defy the odds and stay up past their bedtime one more night to save the day? With a B-movie concept 30 years in the making, it is a play that would have the legendary Roger Corman spinning in his grave – that is, if he were already six feet under.

This feature-length play delves deep into 90s nostalgia and masterfully fits a square peg into the circle of life, exploring the journey of a group of kids from the 90s who have grown old, left without a roadmap for their lives. And the youth of today? They find themselves in a similar predicament, with all the nightclubs gone. Jezahel is a celebration of culture that comes alive after the sun sets, an experience that bridges the generational gap and ignites the spirit of the night.

Jezahel prompts the audience to reflect on the importance of preserving spaces for cultural expression, social interaction, and the party. The play highlights the need for fostering vibrant and diverse nightlife options in Ireland.

“Jezahel is a theatrical spectacle that transcends generations, a must-see for anyone looking to rekindle their youth, share a laugh, or simply experience the electric energy of the 90s once more,” smiled Malachy.

Tickets for Jezahel are priced at €16 and are available www.tht.ie or www.jezahel.com. The performance is happening on Thursday 7th December at 8pm.

Featured In the Media Love

Take a look- Baboró

October 18, 2023

The 27th Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is officially underway, here is a look at some of the magic captured by Anita Murphy at Universe and I See you Like This 

Throughout the festival, families and children will have the opportunity to explore a diverse range of performances, from theatre and dance to music and visual arts, all thoughtfully curated to engage, entertain, and educate. Baboró 2023 invites everyone to embark on an adventure into the world of creativity, where there are no boundaries to imagination

Featured Lifestyle

Sustainable Development Goals, Partnership, people, planet, prosperity

September 26, 2023

I have been accepted onto Sustainable Development Goals, Partnership, people, planet, prosperity at ATU Galway City

The aim of the programme is to introduce the theory and application of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) with a particular focus on their application in the regional context.

The programme aims to encourage knowledge of and reflection on how the SDG framework can be applied in a local context to encourage the implementation of environmentally sustainable, living and working practices, that support a just transition to more equitable society.

Communication and action is where I find purpose. I lead communication efforts that promote sustainable development, preserve Galway’s Westend unique values, and foster an environment that respects and supports the residents and businesses that call the Westend home. As the area undergoes growth and development, there is a need to preserve its distinctive character, promote sustainable practices, and maintain a strong sense of community.

Through collaboration with local businesses, residents, community organizations, and local government bodies to gather insights and perspectives that inform

I am interested in the learnings from this course to further inform a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with Galway’s Westend’s commitment to sustainable development and community preservation.

Featured In the Media Love

 ‘I See You Like This’ 

September 26, 2023

Asking questions through art is a creative and different way of us seeing each other. Have you ever wondered how your child sees you? Well, the answer might lie within the ‘I See You Like This’ exhibition. With our ever-growing appetite to document our lives through photos and selfies, children are often the reluctant subjects of adults’ cameras – asked to smile, look natural and come in closer. In I See You Like This, Australian artist Jessica Wilson, flips the camera around giving the children control while their significant adults become their subjects.

Facilitated by Jessica in a private session the week before the festival begins, children will design and direct a creative photoshoot of their significant adult, captured by photographer Julia Dunin. The resulting portraits will create the exhibition. If you would like to be part of this exciting exhibition you can book an appointment for you and your 7 – 14 year old child with Jessica via baboro.ie. In the appointment Jessica will ask the child questions about how they see their adult’s personality and then design and direct their own photoshoot using unusual objects to express how they see their adult.

Featured In the Media Love

Galway Food Tours Named Among the ‘World’s Tastiest’

September 25, 2023

Galway Food Tours has been named in the prestigious list of the ‘World’s Tastiest Autumn Food Experiences’ by Sunday Times Ireland. This exclusive compilation features 25 extraordinary food adventures from around the globe, highlighting Galway Food Tours’ exceptional contribution to the culinary world.

Galway Food Tours stands out as a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts looking to savor the flavors of autumn in Ireland.

The list showcases an array of adventures, ranging from an Italian chestnut festival to foraging for German forest mushrooms and indulging in New York state wine and cider doughnuts. Galway Food Tours is part of this esteemed selection, representing Ireland’s rich gastronomic culture and the city’s vibrant food scene.

Galway Food Tours has been recognised for its commitment to providing an immersive and unforgettable culinary journey through the heart of Galway. The tours offer participants the opportunity to discover the city’s hidden culinary gems.

Founder of Galway Food Tours,Sheena Dignam, “We are honoured to be included, this acknowledgment is a testament to the dedication of our team and the incredible culinary talent we have in Galway. We look forward to welcoming food enthusiasts from around the world to join us in experiencing the magic of autumn in Galway.”

For more information about Galway Food Tours and to book your food adventure, check out www.galwayfoodtours.com.

Featured In the Media Love

A Toast to Autumn: The Gallery Cafe in Gort unveils exciting new menus and an Autumn wine shop

September 21, 2023

This autumn, let The Gallery Cafe in Gort be your destination for memorable culinary experiences that capture the essence of the season, with the launch of enticing new evening and brunch menus, alongside the debut of their wine shop.

The Gallery Cafe, located in the historic market town of Gort, County Galway, is more than just a cafe; it is a restaurant and art gallery nestled within a beautifully restored building dating back to 1820. Founded in 2005 by artist and designer Sarah Harty, The Gallery Cafe celebrates local flavours through thoughtfully created food and art.

Start your autumn evening on a high note with baked Wicklow Blue cheese with roasted grapes and sourdough crisps, or succulent scallops paired with courgette, papadum, and a buttery sauce that is nothing short of divine.

For the main course, the menu boasts champions the land and sea, the humble cauliflower no more as it is served with black bean mole and beetroot pico, or savour the flavours of a striploin steak pappardelle accompanied by black kale and chestnut mushrooms for a hearty and satisfying dish.

Wrap up the evening on a sweet note with dessert options like a rich dark chocolate mousse, baked plum and walnuts, or a blackberry and hazelnut frangipane tart complemented by whiskey crème.

Do not miss their Sunday brunch experience, served from 10 am to 4pm, with a rotating menu that keeps things fresh and exciting every week. Some of the brunch stars have included Eggs in Purgatory – poached eggs with roasted tomatoes, chili, local kale, crumbled feta, and toasted sourdough. Or, if you are craving something richer, then it must be the Guinness-braised beef cheek McMuffin* with smoked cheddar, a fried egg, spiced apple, and leafy greens. And for those with a sweet tooth, the apple crumble French toast, tossed in cinnamon sugar and served with whipped cream and toasted almonds, is sweet perfection. Pair your meal with a specialty coffee or a mimosa for the perfect autumn brunch experience.

The Gallery Cafe Autumn wine shop is where wine enthusiasts can discover a curated collection of wines that pair exquisitely with the dishes created. From rich reds to crisp whites, expertly chosen by Argentina Sommelier Gabriel Perez Levitzky. The wine list features mostly organic wines from some of Europe’s finest wine-producing regions, including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Austria. Explore a diverse range of terroirs, climates, and altitudes, from sparkling Blanquette de Limoux to Austrian Pet Nat Roses, classical French Sauvignon blancs, and modern Gruner Veltliners. Sip on oaky Riojas Reserva or elegant Spatburgunders (Pinot Noir) from Germany that only elevate the flavourful creations of Head Chef Hannah O’Donnell.

“We are thrilled to welcome autumn at The Gallery Cafe,” says Owner Sarah Harty. Our new menus reflect the essence of the season, highlighting the finest ingredients and flavours that autumn has to offer. The addition of our wine shop allows our guests to enjoy the perfect wine pairings with their meals or to take home to enjoy.”

The Gallery Café, The Square, Gort, Co Galway is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm with evening menus on Friday and Saturday until 9pm. They have two sittings 6pm/6.30pm and 8.30pm.  For reservations and more information, call 091-630630 or connect on Instagram and Facebook at The Gallery Cafe. Visit www.thegallerycafegort.com to explore menus, events, and more.