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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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CreateHer with University of Galway IdeasLab International Women’s Day event

March 10, 2023

CreateHer with University of Galway IdeasLab International Women’s Day event at Druid Theatre Company

This year through my ongoing work with IdeasLab I was asked to moderate, MC and hold a panel discussion for International Women’s Day. As always my recommendation for this was The Mick Lally Theatre which is ran by the wonderful Siomha and is one of my favourite spaces in Galway.

We have talked alot about equality over the years and now we are looking at how we can move towards a more equitable society.

Simply put: Equality means everyone gets a shoe.
Equity means everyone gets a shoe that fits.

The passionate, captivating, and creative tour de force, Noeline Kavanagh who has brought so much joy and our imaginations to life through her work with the internationally acclaimed Galway-based theatre spectacle company Macnas – Spectacle Theatre Company agreed to be our keynote speaker.

She was the first female and the youngest person at 23 to ever direct the Macnas parade which happened in 2008. It was one of the largest parades ever – with over 500 community participants in it.

Driven by love, imagination, friendship, possibility, chance, choice, challenge, Noeline Kavanagh is a person that offers and delivers so much. Her words on the night lifted the roof and everyone in the room, it was in her vulnerability and honesty we saw her true character and what an incredible person she is. A true leader.

On the panel was Vanessa Creaven
Co-Founder + CEO Spotlight Oral Care
Dr. Natalie Walsh
Director of Entrepreneurial Development University of Galway
Mary Ryan
Deputy CEO WestBIC

These conversations began with defining personal success and how that is ever changing, how we can practically support each other throughout our careers, why being amped up and super charged on busy mode is so 2018 and what we have changed our minds about and why that is a very good thing. Nothing is as enjoyable as good conversation and connection with other people in real life.

This night was all of that.

Thank you Tribe Hospitality Group for the refreshments and WestBIC for sponsoring.

Martina Regan was on hand to capture the ,magic.

Lisa Regan Public Relations (Me) handled all pre and post communications and the MC’ing duties on the evening to which I take very seriously as I love nothing more than researching and being invested in those I am talking and listening to.

Thank you Lisa. 

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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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ITWD CreateHer at The Druid

March 6, 2023

IdeasLab at University of Galway are amplifying the female voice and action this International Women’s Day and you are invited to be part of the conversation.

The awe inspiring Noeline Kavanagh former Artistic Director at Macnas will deliver a Keynote speech that will lift you from your seat! Then a panel discussion with Dr Natalie Walsh, Dr Vanessa Creaven and Mary Ryan will give a real insight into career progression and how success looks and feels very differently to us all.

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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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Care, craft and innovation in the west

February 2, 2023

How it is all made? Beer in your glass, in a can, at home or enjoyed in OConnellsGalway

We never really think beyond what we are having of just how it all came together.

O’Connells Galway have been enjoying and working with The White Hag Irish Brewing Co. for years and were back with them in Sligo yesterday to sample some very exciting new flavours and some of the old favourites too.

The west of Ireland. What a place. See you soon.

Photos Declan Colohan Photography

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Galway Street Art Walking Tour

February 2, 2023

How community development can contribute to and influence social change?

Today I began my working day talking with Anna Daly a 4th year Social Sciences at University of Galway who for her final year dissertation, wants to look at how community development can contribute to and influence social change. In particular she’s interested in how communities can promote positive climate action?

We have been working on being a dynamic, inclusive and progressive community in Galway’s Westend through the businesses, through creativity, with the wonderful residents who are the heart and soul and with ensuring we are respecting our environment.

Anna nailed all of this in her words below and its so wonderful to get validation for all the work and in terms of driving our message through PR and Marketing this was such great feedback to get.

“I think that Galway’s Westend has huge potential to be one of these dynamic communities. It’s already one of the most proactive and eclectic neighbourhoods in the city. When you walk around the Westend it’s easy to pick up a vibe which is pro local businesses, pro creativity and pro sustainability and the collective marketing of the Westend through its website and social media has explicitly identified itself as a community that really values these principles.”

Today I joined the Galway Street Art Walking Tour with Finbar247 Shane O Malley Galway City Council to explore the city and how bringing artists and local government to work together to ensure Street Art is part of our street scape. The value to society through colour, creativity and the economy is only positive.

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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.