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The Kings Head Wins Family Run Business of the Year

June 14, 2023

Outstanding Woman, Mary Grealish Honoured at the 3rd Irish Women’s Awards 2023

The King’s Head has won Family Run Business of the Year at the 2023 Irish Women’s Awards. This event is dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of women in Ireland, and Mary Grealish was honoured at the 3rd edition of the Awards held on June 2nd in Dublin.

The gala ceremony brought together women from various fields, highlighting their exceptional contributions and inspiring stories of success.

The Irish Women’s Awards serves as a platform to recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of women who have made a significant impact in their respective industries. The event aims to inspire and empower women, encouraging them to reach new heights of success and leadership.

Each winner has displayed exceptional talent, expertise, and dedication in their field. Their achievements not only serve as an inspiration to others but also contribute to the advancement of gender equality and diversity in Ireland.

The 800-year-old Kings Head pub has been owned and operated by the Grealish family since the late 80s, and it has long been one of the most beloved spots in the city. Mary’s influence, her creativity, work ethic and warmth can be found everywhere in the Kings Head, from her eye for interiors evident in recent decor upgrades, to her management of HR for 75 employees.

“It’s wonderful to win this award and to be recognised for The Kings Head and all that it offers in terms of food, drinks, live music. We have a team of 75 in house and we work with local suppliers, musicians, and artists.  WE are embedded into Galway and love to champion this wonderful city through our partnerships with Galway International Arts Festival, Druid Theatre Company, Connacht Rugby and the rebuilt Galway Hooker ‘Meaircín Joe’. We are gearing up for the summer of fun in Galway and this win is setting the tone for what will be a fantastic year ahead,” explained Mary.

A Spokesperson for the Irish Women’s Awards 2023 said: “We would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and finalists for their outstanding accomplishments and their positive influence within their industries and communities. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence.”

Pop into The Kings Head on High Street 7 days a week for food, drinks and live music. Get social online at www.thekingshead.ie.

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With cheese please
Meet the Maker series with Galway Food Tours gets cheesy

May 15, 2023

The award-winning Galway Food Tours who guide people through the food scene of Galway have added to their offering this spring/summer with a new program that will introduce the people behind the food. The Meet the Maker tour will combine food and the unique characters in Galway who bring the best of what is on offer to life.

Bringing in the cheese is Teresa Roche, the woman behind the award winning Kylemore FarmHouse Cheese – produced on Teresa’s family farm at the foothills of the Slieve Aughty mountains in Co Galway.

On Thursday 18 May she will share her journey on becoming a fourth generation dairy farmer and talk you through what is involved in getting her premium cheese from farm to table…while sampling her delicious cheese.

After meeting Teresa, you will take a short walk to one of Galway Food Tours special restaurants for a dinner and wine pairing…finishing the evening off with a nightcap in a very special local bar.

Tickets are €100 and are available from www.galwayfoodtours.com.

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SALT

May 4, 2023

An exploration of our connection to the sea, through the power of personal story, collective song, poetry, and light art

Over 2,000 people attended two multidisciplinary ritual beach performances that celebrated our ocean took place in Kinvara on Trácht Beach and Ladies Beach in Salthill, Galway City on April 30th and May 1st as part of Galway Theatre Festival 2023.

A Community Choir of 60 voluntary participants sung alongside a performing ensemble cast made up of professional performers Daniel Guinnane, Johanne Webb, and Sophie Hutchinson who performed with artist and vocalist Ceara Conway. 

The Salt Community Choir consists of members of the community in Kinvara and its surroundings, most of them sea swimmers themselves. Over an extended period of three months, the choir rehearsed with composer Robbie Blake and Vanessa Earl exploring together soundscapes of the sea and Ode. 

An exploration of our connection to the sea, through the power of personal story, collective song, poetry, and light art.

SALT, a collaboration between a community of sea-swimmers based in Kinvara, composer Robbie Blake, poet Mary Madec, and marine scientists, led and directed by theatre-maker Vanessa Earl and produced by Culture Works will celebrate our connection to the sea as a coastal community.

SALT, inspired by the powerful personal stories of local swimmers gathered during the pandemic, is about belonging, authentic connection, healing and empowerment. To belong, to be part of, and to be connected with ourselves, each other and the sea.  These themes have informed the creation of a 30-minute site-responsive, outdoor performance. 

In this collective positive action of celebration, we will foster an understanding of our common humanity; reconnect to our natural home, foster conscious living through our love and respect for our ocean. This is Positive Intrinsic Cultural Activism. (PICA)

The long-term ambition for SALT is to perform on beaches at all four cardinal points in Ireland and ultimately, to share the ode and music with community choirs in coastal communities across the world to raise awareness of our intrinsic relationship to the ocean and the vital need to protect it and take positive action in order to do so.

SALT champions the work of FairSeas who are working to fully protect 30% of Ireland’s ocean territory by 2030, thus making Ireland a world leader in marine protection. Galway Bay has been identified as an area of special interest due to its’ high density of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoise and the 65,000 birds who breed here every year.

This project is funded by The Arts Council’s Arts Participation Project Award, Creative Ireland, Galway County Arts Office, Galway and City Council. 

SALT champions the work of FairSeas who are working to fully protect 30% of Ireland’s ocean territory by 2030, thus making Ireland a world leader in marine protection. Galway Bay has been identified as an area of special interest due to its’ high density of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoise and the 65,000 birds who breed here every year.

For more information get social on Instagram @saltprojectgalway and @cultureworks.ie 

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With cheese please
Meet the Maker series with Galway Food Tours gets cheesy

May 4, 2023

The award-winning Galway Food Tours who guide people through the food scene of Galway have added to their offering this spring/summer with a new program that will introduce the people behind the food. The Meet the Maker tour will combine food and the unique characters in Galway who bring the best of what is on offer to life.

Bringing in the cheese is Teresa Roche, the woman behind the award winning Kylemore FarmHouse Cheese – produced on Teresa’s family farm at the foothills of the Slieve Aughty mountains in Co Galway.

On Thursday 18 May she will share her journey on becoming a fourth generation dairy farmer and talk you through what is involved in getting her premium cheese from farm to table…while sampling her delicious cheese.

After meeting Teresa, you will take a short walk to one of Galway Food Tours special restaurants for a dinner and wine pairing…finishing the evening off with a nightcap in a very special local bar.

Tickets are €100 and are available from www.galwayfoodtours.com.

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Galway’s The Kings Head shortlisted for Pub of the Year

April 3, 2023

A celebration of Galway life on every plate at The Kings Head


One of Galway’s best known landmark pubs, The Kings Head has been named as a finalist for Pub of The Year with Good Food Ireland. After a judges visit, now the Pub of the Year award goes to a public vote, so The Kings Head needs Galway’s help!

Owned and run by the Grealish Family since the late 80s, this 800 year old Pub is located in the heart of Galway City’s Latin Quarter and comprises a Pub, Bistro, and LIve Venue over 3 floors.

The food at Kings Head is a celebration of the amazing ingredients that are on their doorstep. No surprise then that the menu features local seafood, lamb, beef and organic vegetables.

But it is in their dedication to the sea that the food at The Kings Head really comes to life, Crab Claws, Mussels, King Scallops, Oysters, award-winning Chowder, the catch of the day, Galway Hooker beer battered served with their signature chips (More on those later) and of course the now seasonal signature Lobster and Chips. The Chips at the Kings Head are fresh, hand cut and triple-cooked and are a stand-alone dish in themselves. 

For over 20 years Head Chef Brendan Keane has led the kitchens at The Kings Head and he has along with The Grealish Family been a driving force in championing local produce and producers on their plates. Whether you’re sitting on a bar stool or in the Bistro, the food philosophy is the same – if it’s fresh local and in season, it goes on the menu ! Using Local suppliers like Ali’s Fish Market, Sloe Hill Farm, Sliabh Aughty Honey, Friendly Farmer, Éamon Giblin Game, Kelly’s Oysters, Galway Bay Seafood and they even have their own Forager in Brian Gannon. Now how many pubs have their own forager?

At the bar at The Kings Head, you will find signature whiskeys, local gins, craft beers, cocktails, mocktails and creamy pints of stout. 

The Kings Head now have their very own Craft Beer appropriately named Blood Red Ale which is brewed locally by Galway Hooker in Oranmore. It’s a preservative free, small batch, traditional red ale which keeps its head, unlike a certain King ! 

With free Live Music every single night, Late Bars every weekend and a solid commitment to authentic local food and drinks, this historic family-run Galway Pub, surely deserves to be crowned Pub of the Year

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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.