Search Results for 'King and Queen'

Week III. It took two years since Col Richard Martin’s wife Eliza eloped with John Petrie, a merchant, before the long process of divorce in the 18th century could begin. It promised to be a sensational case given the status of Martin, a larger than life character, one of the largest landowners in Ireland, his reputation as duellist, and his enormous popularity for his gift of mimicry and acting.

On the afternoon of July 14 1789 a mob unleashed its fury and frustration by forcing an entry into the Bastille, a medieval armoury, fortress and political prison in the centre of Paris. In the short but bloody battle that ensued some 98 of the mob were killed, as were three officers of the guard. Three more were lynched, and Marquis de Launay, governor of the prison, and the local mayor, Prevot de Flesselles, who had pleaded for peace, were stabbed to death and beheaded. Although the prison contained only seven inmates at the time of the storming, it was seen as a symbol of the monarchy’s abuse of power. It was the flashpoint of the French Revolution.

I have often wondered how the unusual name of Zetland found its way to the head of Cashel Bay in the heart of Connemara. It is, of course, the name of a well known hotel today. The hotel was founded in the closing years of the 19th century, by the son of a mountain farmer, JJ O'Loughlin, who had a canny instinct for business. The hotel was originally called The Zetland Arms, and before that The Viceroy's Rest. All these names allude to the hotel's distinguished patron Lawrence Dundas, Viceroy or Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1889 to 1902, in which year he became the Marquis of Zetland.

The recent royal visit of William and Kate prompted us to dig out this photograph of Williamsgate Street taken in August 1903. It was taken just before or after King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra passed through. There were more banners and flags up while they were in the vicinity. The Royals had sailed into Killary Harbour on the royal yacht, then toured Connemara and then travelled by train to Galway. Their visit here was full of pomp and ceremony.

A MIDSUMMER Night’s Dream, Shakespeare's magical comedy of transformation, jealousy, mischief, and mythology, recorded at London's Bridge Theatre, will be shown at The Eye this evening at 7pm.

THE OPENING show of this year’s Galway International Arts Festival is the Irish National Opera and GIAF co-production of Least Like The Other, which explores the tragic life of JFK’s eldest sister Rosemary Kennedy.

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden visited the Marine Institute headquarters in Oranmore tlast weekend as part of a three-day state visit.

It is almost Christmas and there is something magical in the air. And of course the magic runs into early January when our favourite fairy tales come to life in the form of the annual pantomime.

Galway will light up tomorrow night for the festive season when the city gets lit like never before. As the Christmas Market opens in Eyre Square, the city lights will be turned on at various points through the heart of the city, bringing an unique experience.

Galway businesses are joining forces to make Christmas extra special this year.