Race week off to a flying start

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

The eyes of the racing world are on Galway this week, as attendance figures are eagerly awaited by many involved in the industry. Almost 117,000 people attended over the seven days in 2022, and any decrease on this figure for the 2023 festival would be in contrast to overall attendance figures at race meetings for the first six months of this year. Statistics released recently by Horse Racing Ireland show a 7.6% increase in attendances for the first half of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.

Glitz and glamour takes the lead - Prom to Paddock at Salthill Hotel returns

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

From resplendent glamour to high-risk-high-rewards horse racing, the return of the Galway Races sees visors replace umbrellas, stilettos ousting runners and whimsy and adrenaline taking over from ordinary life. There is no better event to punctuate the transition that Galway, and its people go through each August, than Prom to Paddock at Salthill Hotel, which returned this year after a three year hiatus.

Style stakes were high at Racing for Rosabel

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

Galway Race week is in full swing and as always, the style did not disappoint. The only place to be to kick off the week was the Connacht Hotel where Racing for Rosabel in aid of Rosabel’s Rooms was back for its sixth year.

Make sure your style is in the winner’s enclosure with Stitches

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

Race Week is upon us, so racegoers can give new life to their wardrobes ahead of the stylefest that descends on Ballybrit this week.

Stitches, Galway’s favourite bespoke alteration service have the creativity and the expertise to add zest to your outfits. For more than four decades, they have been helping customers win the style stakes at Ballybrit.

Best tip — Go racing in comfort by booking at The Arches

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

Overcome the hassle of getting to and from Ballybrit or worrying about where you are going to have your pre-race of post-race meal, by taking a look at the fantastic offering at The Arches Hotel in Claregalway.

Golden rules for dressing for the races

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

1. Wear practical shoes. You may be tempted to opt for skyscraper heels but these are a definite no-no. You will have to walk from your car/bus/taxi to the stand and may be on your feet all day, so by the end of the evening (if not sooner) you will be in pain. You may also be standing on the grass at some point and that comes with a risk of sinkage. A chunky heel combines style with support and may be your best option if you are heading to Ballybrit. A flare heel which has a wider base at the bottom, tapering to a thinner point at the top, is another wise choice, especially if you have wider feet. It provides style, stability, and support. If you would like your legs to appear longer, opt for slim, medium heels.

Experience the upgrade of Galway Bay Golf Resort’s clubhouse

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

Galway Bay Golf Resort’s clubhouse, restaurant, and bar have been refurbished – and they are inviting visitors to experience the makeover for themselves. The Renville-located golf resort, outside Oranmore, offers the newly named 2 Iron Bar & Restaurant, a contemporary Pro Shop, and a fabulous function area – the Bay View Suite.

The 2 Iron Bar & Restaurant not only features a new name but has been re-designed into a fabulously contemporary space ideal for enjoying stellar cuisine and smooth beverages.

If walls could talk, what would they tell us?

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

As National Heritage Week approaches, organisers have embarked on a major advertising campaign to encourage members of the public all over Ireland to celebrate their ‘living heritage’ throughout the week which runs from August 12-20 2023.

Plan to ease Roscam rush-hour chaos welcomed by McDonnell

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

A new plan to ease rush-hour traffic chaos faced by people living in Roscam every morning has been welcomed by city councillor Declan McDonnell as ‘a good compromise’.

New upgraded bus stop sign for Ballyloughane Road

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

Bus Éireann plans to upgrade more than a hundred bus stops around Galway City, to include real-time bus arrival information, Independent City Councillor Terry O’Flaherty has been informed.

Would you be brave enough to jump out of a plane?

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

Staff, members and volunteers from Galway School Leaver Service IWA will be doing exactly that to raise vital funds for their school leavers service in Galway.

The Ardilaun Hotel Autumn Wedding Showcase next month

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

Due to the success of the hotel’s summer showcase, the excitement is building as the team at The Ardilaun Hotel are busy preparing for their Autumn Wedding Showcase which takes place on Sunday September 3 where couples planning their wedding can see the hotel’s stunning garden venue first hand for their Special Day.

Even though it is a fun time for couples, wedding planning can be time-consuming, especially when you have lots to do! Time to prioritise …. choosing your perfect venue has got to be top of the list and The Ardilaun Hotel is the perfect four star Garden Wedding Venue in Galway to host every couple’s Big Day.

Mannion clan to gather in ancestral village of Menlough

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

The Tenth Annual International Gathering of the Mannion Clan is scheduled to take place in the Clan’s ancestral village of Menlough in East Galway on the weekend of Friday to Sunday August 11-13, at the beginning of National Heritage Week 2023.

Leisureland café latest to join ‘Use Your Mug!’ cup deposit and return scheme

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

Galway City Council’s returnable coffee cup scheme has gained a new partner with Brazco Coffee Academy in Leisureland becoming café number ten in the scheme. Customers who ‘Use Your Mug!’ pay €2 to ‘borrow’ a fresh reusable cup, which can be returned or refunded in any participating café – saving the hassle of washing between use.

Solidarity through swimming as Sanctuary Swimming comes to Galway’s beaches

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

BY DECLAN VARLEY
A first-of-its-kind Solidarity-through-swimming initiative has come to beaches across Ireland this summer in a collaboration between the Sanctuary Runners organisation and Swim Ireland.

A first-of-its-kind Solidarity-through-swimming initiative has come to beaches across Ireland this summer in a collaboration between the Sanctuary Runners organisation and Swim Ireland.

Migrants in Galway pave the way for diverse leadership in Irish society

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

Five future migrant leaders from Galway were among 31 migrants graduating from political and leadership programmes, at a ceremony run by the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI).

Covid-19 outbreak puts pressure on bed capacity at UHG

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

A Covid-19 outbreak coupled with high emergency department attendances is putting increased pressure on bed capacity at the west’s biggest hospital.

The Big Beach clean — Furbo operation removes 20 bags of marine waste

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

Marine litter is a blight on our coastlines. What we find on our beaches is not the full extent of the marine litter though. It is estimated that 70% of marine litter is on the seabed, 15% is floating in the water column and 15% is what we find on our shores.

Galway soprano Clare Quinn awarded prestigious NCH bursary

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

Galway soprano Clare Quinn has been named as the recipient of the National Concert Hall Bernadette Greevey Bursary.

The prize of €5,000 and a concert recital in the Kevin Barry Recital Room has been awarded to Ms Quinn for her stunning performance which included Mahler’s Ich atmet’ einen linden Duft and Philip Martin Bruch’s Lake Isle of Innisfree.

Camogie legend Aoife Donohue urges players and fans to go up the hill for Jack and Jill

Thu, Aug 03, 2023

Galway camogie star and member of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), Aoife Donohue, is urging people to become charitable All-Stars for a great local cause this summer and go Up the Hill for Jack and Jill.

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