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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 based artist Lorraine Fletcher launches new collection

November 17, 2022

Time & Place exhibition symbolises the impacts of relationships and memories

Galway based artist Lorraine Fletcher who creates a series of wildlife inspired prints and giftware showcasing the beauty and strength in animals through colour is launching a new collection titled Time & Place.

Time & Place has been created from her workshop at The Burren Nature Sanctuary with her trusty dog Amber, Lorraine has developed a distinct style of work. Her paintings are a combination of vivid colours and focus on the subject. Beginning with an initial sketch and finishing with an original acrylic painting. A select range of originals are then captured to produce limited edition giclee prints on fine art paper using archival inks.

The paintings within Time & Place are symbolisms of relationships and memories, the people and the impact they have had over the years. The subject matter is Irish wildlife and in particular the hare, a song written by Dick Gaughan “The Granemore Hare”,which tells a tale from where she grew up.  

Expressions, stance and compositions of each piece are what tell the story of what Time +Place means to me as an artist, individual, partner, mother, friend, musician, and family explains Lorraine.

Time and Place has different meanings to the three artists within the exhibition, none of which have seen each other’s work or will not until opening night. “For me it has a strong link of home from home. I have lived in Galway since 2002 on and off going travelling but always returning. The place is Galway to Armagh and back, I could drive these roads with my eyes closed. The journey is imprinted at this stage.

Expressions and compositions are important in Lorraine’s work, with an importance on the beauty and strength in each animal, from the elegant stag to the curious and beautiful fox. If you love wildlife and colour, you have found the right place.

Time & Place exhibition will be opened in Armagh Marketplace Theatre on 11th November 2022. Lorraine has created 15 paintings all of which are acrylic on canvas or board in varying sizes. The entire collection will be available to view from www.lorrainefletcherartstudio.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 Bar wins best Outdoor Space in Ireland

November 17, 2022

O’Connells Beer Garden best in the country

O’Connells Bar in Eyre Square has been named as The Best Outdoor Space in Ireland at the Irish Pub Awards held in Dublin on Wednesday 16 November. After being named as Connacht Regional winner in September, the Galway bar went on to represent the west nationally and last night took home gold as they were named as the best Outdoor Space on the Island of Ireland.

The former Grocery Store that has been solely a pub since the 1970’s has become one of Galway’s most loved places to meet, have a drink and eat.

Inside the bar, the décor has all original features including tiled floors, antique lighting, stained glass windows, solid wooden seating and a pressed tin ornate ceiling in the main bar. Nostalgia fills every corner with historic photos lining the walls. 

Then outside, enter the O’Connells Beer Garden. The mock street outside is the ideal place to eat the award-winning Dough Bros Pizza and new addition to the garden Pratai Chips whilst enjoying the best of cocktails, pints of Guinness or sampling one of their many bottles of whiskey as well as live music. 

A custom-built bar was installed as well as retro fit vintage neon signage to bring the garden beautifully from day to night.

The bar also released exclusively their Powers 12-year-old Single Cask Whiskey in 2021. 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. This cask was originally laid down to mature on the grounds of Midleton in 2007, released and bottled in 2021 and now available in the bar.

Pop in and enjoy O’Connells in Eyre Square 7 days a week or get social on Instagram at OConnellsGalway.

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Blue Teapot – Owning the Space!

October 12, 2022

Blue Teapot Theatre Company has launched its Strategic Arts Plan 2023 – 2027 ‘Owning The Space’ which sets out the company’s vision for the next five years. This is their first arts strategy that is built on three key priorities of Production, Progression and Provision and is a response to the positive development of disability arts in Ireland over the last 20 years.

CEO Artistic Director Petal Pilley said, “We are proud to present our 5 year Strategic Arts Plan ‘Owning The Space’ which reflects a coming of age for Blue Teapot Theatre Company and the unique talent and contribution our artists make to Irish cultural life. With over 25 years performing on the main stages of Ireland, it is all about the artists who can engage and develop on their own terms through three distinct programme strands. They own the space.

Fortuitously, we also recently became the new owners of our theatre premises on Munster Avenue that we have inhabited since 2008. We are thrilled to have a permanent home in the heart of this very special neighbourhood in Galway City. It is time to celebrate!”

Creating the strategy involved the company artists, staff and Board Directors and was developed in consultation with arts advisor & cultural planning specialist Mary McAuliffe, who has over twenty-five years’ experience working in the public and cultural sectors.

Blue Teapot has worked consistently to radically transform theatre practices by telling stories through the lens of disability and pave the way for inclusive practices to become the norm. Particular focus is given to how the company is positioned today at local, national and international levels.

Speaking at the launch, Chairperson Fiona Coffey said, “The Board of Blue Teapot is delighted to be presenting such a visionary and progressive Strategic Arts Plan. Delivering on its goals and objectives will nurture and progress the skills and talents of the company artists and help inform arts and disability policy in Ireland. We look forward to ambitious and exciting times ahead”.

Commenting on the building purchase Chairperson of Galways Westend Traders Association, Simon Heaslip, “Everyone in Galways Westend is ecstatic to hear the news, that our beloved neighbours Blue Teapot, now have a permanent home in our area. This very welcome news only adds to our reputation as the cultural quarter of the city.”

Owning The Space purposely aligns with the Government of Ireland Culture 2025 policy and the Arts Council’s 10-year strategy Making Great Art Work. It informs the development and delivery of artistic programmes and shapes Blue Teapot’s role as influencers in the longer-term for disability arts across Ireland. 

The plan is available to view on their new website at www.blueteapot.ie  which includes accessibility controls for those who are visually impaired.

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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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Baboró’s Back, Baby

August 11, 2022

First look at Baboró’s return to fully live festival in Galway this October

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children
Galway | 14 – 23 October 2022

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, Ireland’s flagship festival devoted exclusively to children and families, has announced that the 26th annual festival will take place from Friday 14th to Sunday 23rd October, 2022. Taking place across theatres, galleries, schools and communities in Galway City and County, Baboró returns to a full programme of over 50 live events for an extended festival of 10 days.  

The international festival, which celebrates children, families and community through art in all of its forms, will be welcoming companies from all over Ireland and Europe, including Belgium, Italy, Norway, Denmark,Scotland and England. Events for children of all ages will include a special collection of European work for early years children (0-6 yrs), residencies in special schools and child-led projects. 

Children aged 8+ are invited to join the surreal world of ‘Der Lauf’, where nothing is quite as it seems. Two circus performers from Belgian company Le Cirque du Bout du Monde, compete in a series of bizarre challenges as they juggle blindly, spin plates wildly and stack glasses wearing boxing gloves. As the glasses rise, so do the stakes. The children, as their only guide, help lead them to safety or towards further peril. 

Ballet Ireland will present ‘The Glasshouse’, a dance performance for children aged 6+. It is the story of earnest, young Fiach, who is on a mission to repopulate the world with plants and turn it green. This fun and compelling show, by exciting young choreographer Róisín Whelan, is about the courage of the human spirit, friendship and life’s determination to survive. ‘The Glasshouse’ is a feast for the eyes and senses, with moments of suspense and joy, exhilarating dancing, vibrant costumes and magical music to enthral children and families.

‘The excitement is building in Baboró HQ as we put the finishing touches to this year’s festival programme. We just can’t wait to welcome thousands of children, their teachers and families from across the city and county back to the festival. Baboró’s bumper programme has something for everyone, from tiny babies to older children as well as the young at heart. So, chalk down the dates and get ready for the excitement of a full festival again.’ – Aislinn O’hEocha, Executive Artistic Director, Baboró.

Branar, one of Ireland’s leading theatre companies making work for children, will present their new co-production with New International Encounter (UK/Norway) ‘Grand Soft Day’. A charming and curious new show for children aged 3-6 years, ‘Grand Soft Day’ celebrates the wonder of the world around us. It is a show of all seasons – splashing in puddles, wind whipping your hair, crunching frost under your feet and rain dripping on your nose. 

Theatre, dance, visual art, literature and creative workshops will feature in the full festival programme which will be announced when the box office opens in early September. For information about purchasing tickets, show announcements, and more sign up to Baboró’s newsletter, follow on social media or visit www.baboro.ie.

This year’s festival is supported by Medtronic, TG4, The Ombudsman for Children’s Office, and the businesses and venues of Galway City. Baboró is funded by The Arts Council of Ireland and Galway City and County Councils.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Baboró’s mission is to inspire children to engage with the world through their experience of the creative arts, and the festival is grateful for the support of its family of funders, sponsors, donors and partners who make it possible to deliver on this mission. This year’s festival is supported by Medtronic, TG4, The Ombudsman for Children’s Office, and the businesses and venues of Galway City. Baboró is funded by The Arts Council of Ireland and Galway City and County Councils.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children will launch its programme in early September, at which time tickets will go on sale. For the latest programme announcements follow Baboró on social media or subscribe to their newsletter.

Newsletter: bit.ly/baboronews
Facebook: facebook.com/BaboroGalway
Instagram: @Baboro_Festival
Twitter: @BaboroGalway
Website: baboro.ie

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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.