GALWAY NOW MAY/JUNE 2022

GALWAYnow.com MAY/JUNE 2022

THE CONNEMARA ISSUE

IT’S A KIND OF

CATERINA COYNE

MAGIC

People Culture Architecture Landscape and Islands

KEITH BARRY

Síle Seoige

* THE CONNEMARA ISSUE *

SAMHRADH SA SPIDÉAL

12

FATHERS DAY GIFT GUIDE

WAVES OF CHANGE

Father’s Day Gifts

MENS FASHION EDIT

IRISH DESIGNER

the west’s leading lifestyle magazine

CATERINA COYNE from Connemara to California

MAY/JUNE 2022

€4.90 INC VAT £4.10 STG

MANAGING AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Patricia McCrossan patricia@goldenegg.ie

EDITOR

Donna Reidy-Maguire editor@goldenegg.ie

GUEST EDITOR - CONNEMARA

Síle Seoige

Welcome to the May/June issue of GALWAYnow Magazine where we celebrate every kind of Dad

ART DIRECTOR

Linda Galvin design@goldenegg.ie

By PATRICIA MC CROSSAN

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Trish O’Sullivan digital@goldenegg.ie

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Deirdre Tarpey sales@goldenegg.ie

STAFF CONTENT CREATOR

Erin Grant erin@goldenegg.ie

ASSISTANT CONTENT CREATORS

Aisling Dowd Aine McGee Eva McCrossan

DESIGN ASSISTANT

Maria Bru design@goldenegg.ie

My earliest childhood memories are of me sitting on my dad’s lap and spending a lot of time with him following the arrival of my sister just one week after my first birthday. The limelight might have moved to the newest addition to the family, but I had my dad’s attention, and I wasn’t complaining. That time gave me an extraordinary bond with him and started a pretty great father-daughter relationship.

I have some lovely memories of time spent with my dad. I remember one very special day when he took me to my uncles to pick up a tricycle, albeit a well-used one made redundant by my older cousins. It was a gift that cost nothing but meant the world to me.

My father’s building business was beside our home, which meant he was always around to drop me and my three sisters and two

Tel: 091 384350

brothers at school, Irish dancing, or to the dreaded violin lessons every Wednesday after school. A teetotaller, his social life also revolved around the home with lots of his friends dropping in for their ceile. Not the traditional song and dance kind of ceile, more the chats and the cup of tea type.

Today he would be described as a father who is very present in his children’s life.

How lucky were my three sisters and two brothers and I, even if we didn’t realise it at the time.

For many of our current dads, family life has changed in the last few years. With remote working firmly established as a viable option, the daily stresses of travelling to and from work are gone for some, and many dads and mums have more time to spend with their children, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on all their lives.

There’s no such thing as the perfect dad, and as much as I adored mine, he certainly wasn’t perfect. So to all the dads, uncles, grandparents, godparents, guardians, and single parents, who continue to step up and be present - know that you are doing a fantastic job.

G A LWAY N OW.C O M

TRUSTWORTHY. RESILIENT. INCLUSIVE. COMMITTED. CONSCIENTIOUS. FEMALE-LED. WE ARE

CONTENTS

8

CONNEMARA SAMHRADH SA SPIDÉAL Guest Editor Síle Seoige

FASHION TIDINGS Waves of Change

31

ON THE COVER

INIS OÍRR’S NEW POD An Off-grid Artists Space

60 FOOD BELLISIMO BASILICO Authentically Italian From Farm To Fork

04

20 Designer: Caterina Coyne Photographer: Brian Doherty

CONTRIBUTORS

Conor Biggins

OUTDOORS BUZZIN’ BEE HOTEL Catherine Carton Kenneth Keavey

56

Sorcha Dunne

LIFESTYLE INSPIRED People, Places and Things Inspired by Galway and the West of Ireland

16 46

THE MAGIC OF KEITH BARRY Magic Man, Family Man

26

FASHION THE DESIGN QUESTIONNAIRE Caterina Coyne

23

CONNEMARA THE STORY OF ARAN Preserving a Timeless Tradition

34

WAY OUT WEST A Weekend in Connemara

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE Leah Beggs

50 BEAUTY SUMMER BEAUTY

Top Tips for Dewy Summer Skin

HEALTHY FEET 54 Foot Care Tips for the Summer Months THE HUNGRY GAP 71 Green Earth Organics NOW 74 WEDDINGS REAL WEDDINGS Local Couples Tie The Knot

Catherine Carton FOLLOW US

GALWAYnow.com for daily updates on fashion, beauty, arts & culture and so much more @galwaynowmagazine

@galway_now

@galway_now

© moodley brand identity

Beauty with Integrity Vegan.

Handmade.

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We are open every day … come and visit us The Burren Perfumery, Carron, Co. Clare, Ireland burrenperfumery.com AVOCA stores nationwide

INSPIRED

INSPIRED PEOPLE, PL ACES AND THINGS

From Galway and the West of Ireland

Sarah Jenkinson Baskets @sarahjenkinsonbaskets available at Ernie’s Shop, Sea Road and Etsy Sarah Jenkinson is a basketmaker and advocate of slow eco craft who weaves contemporary and traditional Irish willow baskets inspired by the colour palette of the Connemara landscape.

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INSPIRED

Lynsey De Burca @lynseydeburcamaker lynseydeburca.com Lynsey de Burca is a jewellery designer and maker who lives with her young family in the foothills of Connemara. Lynsey recently won the Best Product Award in the Jewellery Category at Showcase Ireland. Photgraphy by Julia Dunin

Hewn @hewnspoons hewn.ie Eamonn O’Sullivan of HEWN creates items from trees that are designed to be used and loved.

These handmade pieces are crafted at his studio in Ennistymon, Co. Clare.

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INSPIRED

Wild Irish Seaweed @wildirishseaweed wildirishseaweeds.com Wild Irish Seaweed has been harvesting wild organic seaweed from the west of Ireland for over 100 years. All their seaweed comes from the pristine nutrient rich waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of County Clare.

Sequoia @coyasauce coyasauce.com Sequoia is a self-taught abstract artist creating mesmerising alcohol ink art in the west of Ireland. The beauty of the world around us is distilled into paintings that ‘brighten your day and soothe your soul’.

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bespoke luxury handmade, custom-designed, carpets, rugs and wall hangings connemaracarpets.ie

T: +353 95 41010

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showrooms at the stationhouse, clifden, co. galway and merrion square, dublin.

FEATURE

Waves of

CHANGE For every man who injects personality and confidence into their style, these exclusive silks from Tidings have become the accessory of choice

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FASHION

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FASHION

Scarves are available at www.tidings.ie Seagreen, Dublin Sybil, Blackrock, Adare Manor Fortnum and Masons, London Director: Phello agency // @phelloagency Photography: Bang Bang visuals // @bangbangvisual Model: Lucas Marques // @pobrenairlanda Location: Laytown Beach, Corballis, Laytown, Co. Meath Styling: Niamh Gillespie and Phello // @niamhgillespiedesign and @phelloagency

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FEATURE

FOR

THE DAD Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Who’s always ON TIME Tag Heuer Special Edition Red Bull Watch, Hartmanns, €1900

Who loves his COFFEE

Delonghi, La Specialista Arte Manual Espresso Maker, Ryan’s Homestore, €499

Who’s FASHION-FORWARD Andre Shirt and Jeans, Wolf & West, Oranmore

Who’s ECO-CONSCIOUS Veja ,V10 Sneakers, Brown Thomas, €125.00

Who’s a WINE BUFF

Who’s SPORTY

The Wine Buff Selection Cuvee Ton St Emilion Grand Cru 2017 €49.99 & Chateaux Des Graviers Margaux 2016 €79.99

Connacht Rugby Hospitality Ticket, from €50

Who’s loves the OUTDOORS

Who’s a BOOKWORM

Stutterheim Becmholmen Hat Kindf-olk, Galway €65.00

Who’s a FOODIE

Born A Crime by Trevor Noah Kenny’s Bookstore, €13.99

Who enjoys SELFCARE

Who’s HAPPY

Acqua Di Parma Shaving Oil 30ml, Brown Thomas, €47.00 Happy Socks, 4 Pack Colourful Classic Socks, Anthony Ryans, €34.95 14 | M A Y / J U N E 2 0 2 2

Bespoke Father’s Day Hamper, Gran Grans Pantry, Kilcolgan, from €40 GALWAYNOW.COM

CELEBRATING FIVE BRILLIANT YEARS IN ORANMORE

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FEATURE

The

MAGIC

of Keith Barry In conversation with ERIN GRANT

K

eith Barry is known for his mentalism, acclaimed TV shows, daring escapes and spectacular performances that startle and delight audiences around the world.

His new tour ‘Reconnected’, which has two nights in Galway, offers the audience a much needed form of escapism after the last few years. With this purpose underpinning everything he does, it is easy to wonder; is the man behind the magic as driven as the one on stage? And, with few exceptions Keith is the same in private as he is in public; an individual, husband and father full of mischief who delights in the questions of life. In his recently released and much acclaimed book ‘Brain Hacks’, Keith shares vulnerable life lessons, putting himself out there so we can take the next step without fear. Chatting with Keith uncovered personal truths, tales of resilience and why for him, fatherhood brings its own kind of magic.

Many people know you as an entertainer, but you’re also a hypnotherapist and mind-coach. Why is that work important to you?

Anything I didn’t like in life, I stopped doing to be honest. I have been helping people since I was 22, using a whole host of different techniques. For me, I think it is really important to define your purpose, and I regularly redefine my purpose. Very often we are looking for a quick fix these days, and there is no quick fix -

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FEATURE

I’m not a quick fix either. I think we need to take a step back and accept responsibility for ourselves, so when somebody comes to me, I’m more than happy to help. I think most people just don’t understand their subconscious brain and how they can take control of or reprogram it and it puts a smile on my face when I see people using the techniques that I use. I am very grateful to be in a position to be able to help people better themselves.

everybody - the top athletes and top celebrities who I have worked with, suffer with confidence issues and imposter syndrome, just like us! The difference is they have learned how to control it and flip those nerves into positive energy to use in their favour.

It is important for people, and in particular men, to realise it’s okay to share their problems. We are born to have good, positive, productive lives and we deserve that!

How do you use these skills in your own life?

How would you describe your parenting style and have you brought vulnerability into this role?

All of the stuff I talk about in person, and in my book, I do on myself as well. A turning point for me was when I was in my life changing car accident on my way back from Jim Aitken’s funeral in Belfast. My leg was completely demolished and I was five minutes from amputation in the hospital. This was the first time I went to another place in my own head and self anaesthetised my leg using my brain - that’s when I realised first hand, how powerful these techniques can be! Similarly, I used these skills during a difficult period during lockdown when I wasn’t in the best possible head space. Of course, I’m human and I fail too. It’s important not to beat yourself up if you fall away from your vision as long as you don’t let the habit become the norm.

Well, I have an unorthodox parenting style (laughing) - I was only talking to my kids about it yesterday! My daughter said, “You are the fun Dad” and it made me very happy, but I’m not always a fun Dad, that’s the funny part about it! I try to be creative with my kids and get them to think outside the box. I don’t have all the answers, but I think there are a few important things; digital distraction is a massive thing right now so we’ve a ‘no phones at the dinner table’ rule. I’m not righteous about it, but for me it’s about encouraging behaviours that will serve them well as they move into their late teens and adulthood. There are behaviours they could be encouraged to engage in that have long term consequences, and we are aware of those. I have an open dialogue with my kids, and it’s important for people to know it’s okay to have those conversations.

“I try to be

creative with my kids and get them to think outside the box.”

Why was it important to share vulnerability in your book?

It’s important that people understand when you’re writing a book like that, to remember that we are all flawed human beings. I’ve read hundreds of self help books and the main issue in them is that the authors don’t go into their own flaws. As a result, they perpetuate this perfect lifestyle and I didn’t want that, I didn’t want people to think that my lifestyle is perfect! I have a very good life because I motivate myself and as a result, I’m way more positive than I am negative – but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have bad days or fail, and that I don’t have flaws myself.

It was very important to me to get that across in the book.

The Keith Barry we know on stage and the man behind the magic seem very similar. Are you the same and do you have any insecurities?

As much as I can, I try to maintain that the person you meet today is the person you would be having dinner with if you were at my house as a close friend. I’m human, I have vulnerabilities when it comes to confidence like everybody and I mean

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What is your relationship with your own Dad like?

Like any teenager, it was difficult in parts but for many years, we have been best friends. My Dad is an intellect and a genius with a wild side. I don’t know how my mother has contained him, because he is the party animal of the family! I go fishing with him all the time, and he is one of the lads, it is always us, and my Dad. We went to Sligo after lockdown, cooked up our dinner, and had a blast!

He inspires me, and we’re always getting into lighthearted trouble together, which is fun- if you’re going to get in trouble with anyone, do it with your Dad! Any chance I get, I spend time with him.

Keith Barry’s book ‘Brain Hacks’ (Gill Books) is available in all good bookstores. You can also follow him on Instagram @keithbarry or watch The Keith Barry Experience on RTE.

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FEATURE Reiss Woven Wide Brim Hat, Brown Thomas, €95

Silk Scarf, KDK Botanicals, €155 Prada Sunglasses, Optique, €POA

High Summer

STYLE At Home or Abroad

Inner Island Ammil earrings €120

Viguera Espadrilles, Sheneil Shoes €85

Whether you're jetting off to the Mediterranean for a few days of beach bliss or planning a summer staycation right here at home, our holiday capsule wardrobe will see you through your break in style.

Go effortlessly from day to night and beach to bar with these holiday style essentials.

Oversized Linen Shirt, COS, €69

Levis Ribcage Denim Shorts, Brown Thomas, €65

Peelo Tote bag €295

Hunza G Swimwear, Brown Thomas, €165

Birkenstocks, Greenes Shoes, €70

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Naya Layer Dress, Anthony Ryans, €154.95

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FEATURE

CONNEMARA and the Aran Islands

‘...Suddenly I began, In scorn of this audience, Imagining a man, And his sun-freckled face, And grey Connemara cloth, Climbing up to a place, Where stone is dark under froth, And the down-turn of his wrist, When the flies drop in the stream; A man who does not exist, A man who is but a dream…’ - W.B. Yeats, The Fisherman.

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onnemara is one of the most astounding places on earth, with its rich landscape, winding roads, traditional stone walls, and heritage, we are honoured to have it right on our doorstep. It is the people who live here that truly make this part of the world special as they offer insight, language and tradition that has been passed down lovingly through generations. One look across the Connemara landscape and it’s clear to see why so many artists throughout history have reflected on its beauty in their work or escaped to its solitude to gather their thoughts and sources of inspiration.

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Here you will find alien pods which somehow belong, craftspeople of both traditional and contemporary design, the perfect places to go on your wild west adventures, family businesses, hidden treasures, the story of the Aran knit, a love for island life, and much more.

Spidéal native Síle Seoige is our Guest Editor for the feature and we appreciate having her insight, fluency in the Irish language and love of the county and its people as a guiding light to these pages. We hope you enjoy exploring everything Connemara has to offer as much as we do and implore you to visit this wonder for yourself as soon as you can.

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FEATURE

Samhradh sa

SPIDÉAL SÍLE SEOIGE | GUEST EDITOR

Is breá liom a bheith sa mbaile i nGaillimh go háirithe i rith an tsamhraidh.

This part of Ireland has so much to offer, you are spoiled for choice for places to go, and there is always a great atmosphere on Quay street. I love crossing over the bridge to go to the West end of Galway city too.

I

Photo by Siobhan Coyne

grew up in the village of Spiddal (An Spidéal) which looks out to the Atlantic with Co. Clare on the left and the Aran Islands on the right. It’s not until I moved away and matured that I truly appreciated the upbringing I had. We grew up by the sea and like a lot of kids who grew up in the 70’s and 80’s in Ireland, we spent many hours playing outside. I suppose it’s the freedom I remember most of all. Our summers were spent with our grandparents in Rosmuc, where our Dad is from or on Inis Meáin where our Mom is from. We’d also spend time with cousins around the country or the odd caravan or holiday home break away in the likes of Kerry or Clare! I love taking a trip out to Connemara and popping into Gaynor’s Bar in Leenane for a pint and a toastie on the way home. For me, there is so much I love about Connemara, the landscape, the slower pace of life but most of all the people. A lot of Connemara people I know have an appreciation for storytelling, music and craic which make them great fun to be around.

Life has been busy lately, but brilliant! My cancer diagnosis ten years ago was ultimately a blessing as it helped me appreciate being alive. Being told you have cancer and luckily coming out the other side is a major wake up call and one I never take for granted. During the pandemic, I also worked on a documentary on the topic of miscarriage and it was such a cathartic experience for me. Having been through two miscarriages myself, I have had my fair share of dark moments but allowing myself time to process and grieve the losses was so important for me. And I know how lucky I am to have gone on to have another baby. We recently welcomed our beautiful baby daughter, Clíodhna. Damien and I have waited for baby number two for a few years, so we love every bleary-eyed second, and Cathal has taken to his new role as a big brother seamlessly. The transition from one to two is a juggle, especially as I am back working, and I know it will get busier again in the Autumn, but we’re getting there.

Being honest though, balancing being a mum of two with my work schedule is a struggle. If anyone has found the secret to a healthy life and work balance, please tell me!

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Searching for balance in life is a daily goal of mine. We currently live in Dublin and it’s hard not having help but the grandparents on both sides are wonderful and we’d be lost without them as they come up to stay every few weeks to lend a hand for a few days at a time. Also, she is such a happy baby, her smiles melt the tiredness away.

Amongst the madness I am making sure to stop and enjoy the magic moments.

Right now, I am enjoying working on my podcast. I adore ‘Ready to be Real’ and I’m delighted that it’s back after a four month break while I was on maternity leave.

The feedback I get from listeners is one of the most satisfying aspects of making the podcast. Knowing that the conversations you are facilitating are making a difference to people’s lives is so rewarding. Most of the conversations I’ve had stand out for their own reasons, but one that always stands out to me is the conversation I had with Tommy Tiernan in early May 2020. We were still in the height of restrictions of the first Covid lockdown and we spoke remotely. Tommy was in his shed at the bottom of his garden at home in Barna, and I was sitting on my bed in Dublin and we spoke for an hour and twenty minutes about so much, including religion, philosophy, meditation and his love of strong coffee! It was the first time I had recorded a chat with someone virtually and I was nervous beforehand but as soon as we started to chat, I got lost in the conversation and loved it. I hope to tick more and more dream guests off the list over the coming months and years ahead.

I try to get home as often as I can and now with two kids I want to head west more and more and I absolutely see myself moving back to Galway to live eventually.

For now though, I will do my best to share my love, appreciation and pride for the county through this issue of Galway Now Magazine.

Grá mór, Síle GALWAYNOW.COM

FEATURE

“Níl aon áit ar domhan

cosúil le Conamara. Bím ar mo shaimhín só in aice na

farriage agus in éineacht le

”

mo chlann‘s mo chairde

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ARAN The Story of

The Aran knit is something of legend; viewable as a living, breathing creation soaked in West of Ireland dew and wrapped around the minds of tourists as quintessentially Irish.

S

teeped in both a rich history of truth, as an instrument of cultural revival, and a method for women’s work to a plethora of myths; such as the jumper being the key item for identifying fishermen who were washed ashore, the Aran pattern wears its story well.

The stretch and impact of the Aran Jumper is powerful, having been featured as one of the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Arts ‘iconic fashion items’, while numerous local, national and international prestigious exhibitions have given it eminence within their collections. With this pride, history, and prominence in popular culture togged to its woollen threads, we explored the story of Aran through the lens of some of those most familiar with it.

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FEATURE

Photo courtesy of Michael Joe Ó Donncha Previous page photo: Colin Burke colinburke.ie

Máirín Ni Dhonnacha remembers growing up on Aran and learning to knit during the winter months in the island school while at home her mother would darn woollen socks and knit traditional Aran jumpers, something she still does today. It was through this experience and knowledge she obtained from an Island life upbringing that Máirín decided to start selling her aran knits and influenced pieces online. She describes her products as offerings of ‘Aran warmth and tradition in designs with a modern twist’. This incorporation and ‘nod to Aran’ is now being seen across design and there is a freedom to work with and incorporate the elements of this tradition which is shared within this close knit community. When asked why young designers continue to choose Aran, Máirín notes that she thinks these designers like the flexibility of this tradition, “It can be made to look very new and different by changing one element, such as a neon colour instead of a traditional báinín cream. Or by knitting in a different direction - having horizontal cables instead of vertical ones. It all rests on such a solid rock of the traditional patterns that there is the freedom to put your spin on it, and of course, “putting your own spin on things’ comes from working with wool in the first

place!’. As part of her design work and passion, Máirín has spent much time observing and understanding the popularity of Aran and notes that over the last number of years in particular it has had a resurgence in growth and interest as celebrities started actively wearing them. The design is loved the world over and the Aran knit is adored first and foremost by those who use it as it has a special place in the hearts of so many.

Marin says for her, it is all about heritage, innovation and community, ‘I really love working with Aran stitch patterns and traditions because they are connected to our heritage, but in such a way that welcomes change and innovation. A lot of Aran traditional stitches took their own inspiration from other traditions, like those in the Channel Islands and other fishing communities, and changed along the way as they passed through the hands of skilled knitters. I love this element of knitting, where you take something you like and figure out how to make it work for you’.

Máirín Ni Dhonnacha www.aranaccessories.net @ aranaccessories

“I really love working with Aran stitch patterns and traditions because they are connected to our heritage.”

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Aran knitting has been at the core of the Standún business, its history and heritage for over seven

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FEATURE decades. The Aran Sweater is steeped in Irish, and particularly Connemara, history and ingenuity. The people at the time created the most perfect garment to combat the harsh weather conditions that they endured living beside the Wild Atlantic Sea. As well as that, they were very resourceful, by creating this garment that is famous for its durability and warmth. Laragh’s grandparents were the first to export the Aran Sweater to The United States and in the 50s they were the largest manufacturer of aran sweater in Ireland, employing over 700 knitters throughout the country. Laragh says that she and her sister have a deep adoration for the Aran sweater in particular, ‘We are really passionate about the Aran Sweater as an iconic symbol of Ireland and because of our Grandparents’ association with the history of Aran Knitting’. In the past, it was unusual for younger Irish customers to purchase Aran Sweaters, however, over the last couple of years the team at Standún can see that there is a lot more interest in the Aran Sweater amongst younger people. Celebrities wearing the Aran Sweater creates hype each time and this has been seen throughout the decades with The Clancy Brothers, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, to Taylor Swift in more recent times. With hand knitting declining and machine knit taking prominence, Laragh worries about the future of the hand knitted sweater and the learning of this skill but she believes that the design is in for a revival as we change our consumption practices, ‘I believe that machine knit Aran sweaters will remain as popular, especially the traditional styles. As we all move towards longlasting and sustainable clothing I believe that the value of the Aran Sweater will be further appreciated’ and she continues by noting that young designers are moving Aran forward and keeping the tradition alive, ‘Designers often look for inspiration from indigenous designs and garments that have stood the test of time. The sweaters are fascinating for their versatility in shapes and styles, along with their intrinsic patterns. This gives designers so much scope to work with’.

Laragh Standún standun.com @standunireland

in for themselves, or for their family or for a treat. Also, life was quiet, women didn’t go out and have major social lives and in many cases their husbands had gone to work in many cases, england, families, pastime, but it was also almost a part of the culture at one point, knitting was done whether it was socks or gloves or hats or mittens or sweaters, someone was knitting for a shop like ours”. Anne says on the future of Aran that she is not convinced it will continue, “I don’t think it has a future. Very little knitting has been taught in schools in recent decades. I love to hear that there is some knitting going on in schools, but no one will come to me and knit a sweater from scratch because they don’t know how. I go all over the country now to find knitters because knitting is dying out and knitting at this level is really on its last run because my older knitters are getting tired and very few young people have ever learned to knit properly so soon I will not have any new recruits, and that is a desperate situation”. O’Maille’s however, perseveres and prestigiously delivers their high quality goods and there is still a major market for their products after all these years. Anne notes that this is because they have perfected the ingredients and method, “We stay with old-fashioned knitting on fine needles using the best yarn. It’s a great recipe! We do it in a certain way and that is perfect. There are no shortcuts”.

Anne O’Maille www.omaille.ie @omaillegalway

Photo courtesy of O’Maille’s

“It is up to us collectively to continue to promote the tradition.”

O’Maille’s on Shop Street Galway celebrated 84 years in business this March and they have worked directly with their team of knitters for those eight decades.

Owner Anne O’Maille is an expert in the area of hand knitting, having taught the skill both here in Ireland and in the United States, something she revels in doing, “I love to teach it because it is complex and it is difficult, and it is a challenge”. During Covid, Anne would send her knitters O’Maille’s Donegal spun yarn so they could continue to create at home safely by the fire. She says of the craft that it is challenging and for that she has the highest respect for the women she works with, regularly speaking with, and praising them daily. Anne continues by drawing on the history of why knitting is a largely women-based industry and pastime. “This was something that was absorbed and learned at home, and at the time all women knit, in the case of this industry women knitted to make a little bit of money to bring

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Upon exploring the winding story of Aran it remains true that this iconic design has never been out of style, and with young emerging designers continuously incorporating, alluding and actively pursuing the patterns, it seems that its legacy is hoping to be sustained. The fabric itself is hard wearing, warm, breathable, and suitable for working outside in the elements, boats or sea water. This list of accolades and qualities perhaps makes it one of the most tactile, emotive and confident pieces of design worth preserving. The future of Aran, is in our hands and it is up to us collectively to continue to promote the tradition so that this cultural celebutante remains to withstand, inspire and persevere for generations to come.

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C FEATURE

Photography by Brian Doherty & Siobhan Coyne

Caterina Coyne

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THE DESIGN

Questionaire

For over ten years, Connemara's Caterina Coyne travelled the world as a principal dancer in Riverdance before following her dream to become a fashion designer. Now, based in Los Angeles, she creates the most unique and beautiful couture pieces. Patricia McCrossan recently caught up with Caterina to hear more about her next creative venture, seeing her open a shop in LA promoting Irish Design.

What is life like for you now that you live in Los Angeles?

I have been coming over and back to LA for years now. I spend half my time here and the other half at home in Ireland, so I feel very fortunate that I can do that. It allows me to appreciate what I love about both places. And, of course, Connemara will always be home for me. I love LA, but I miss Ireland and home so much, and that feeling never goes away. You can not beat the California weather! And it is a very artistic city, and they say that 1 out of every six residents that

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FEATURE live in LA works in the creative industry… so you are always meeting people doing creative work, which I love. The diversity is fantastic here, and you meet people from all walks of life doing wonderful things. Just when I think I’ve had the most LA moment, something else will happen, and I will think, wow, you don’t or won’t see that in Connemara!

quantities, just like many other designers featured in the store.

The idea is to start with a small section of the store purely allocated to Irish design.

Irish design has such a deep rooted history in craftsmanship that can not be found here in the USA, and that is a point of difference that I hope you will find in the store.

How was the experience of moving during the pandemic, and why did you make that choice?

Tell me about life as a child growing up in Connemara.

Where did you grow up, and what are your favourite childhood memories of growing up there?

My husband and I were at home in Ireland for the first 12 months, and things were not getting much better, with no easing of the lockdown in sight. We both work in the creative industry, my husband Mark is the musical director in Riverdance, so it affected us both pretty hard. He had just started the 25th Anniversary Tour in North America, and we were actually in New York in March 2020.

He was performing in Radio City Music hall when the world shut down. I will never forget how quiet, and silent New York got in the space of 48 hours!

So after some time, our friends in LA said things had started to open up, and that was when we decided to head there. The lifestyle and weather made it easier for restaurants and coffee shops to open quicker, plus theatres and events had started to happen again.

Thankfully, Mark’s Riverdance tours began again shortly after, so it made sense for us to stay.

I was almost 13, when we moved to Connemara from Surrey in the Uk. My dad is from Connemara, and my mum is from Skibbereen Co Cork. We would come over to Ireland every year for the whole summer, spending half our time in Cork and then in Galway.

We loved it. I have two sisters, and my fondest memories are of us playing in the fields with all our cousins. We loved the freedom of Ireland, and music and dance were always a big part of it. My cousins in Cork were all musicians and were big into set dancing, so we would tag along and join in. We had so much fun. I am so grateful we grew up in Connemara.

The West of Ireland is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and I have been to many places.

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Tell us a bit of your time with Riverdance, and does it still inspire you today?

I think you can see the contrast between soft and strong in my designs which are very much influenced by the landscape of Connemara.

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Where do I start? Riverdance and dancing, in general, were such a big part of my life and always will be. Dancing didn’t just give me the skill of how to dance; it taught me so much more, discipline, determination and drive. I can’t believe I was in the show for over ten years because it feels like ten minutes. A combination of lights and glamour and 10 hour bus journeys, trying to get off the bus first because the next hotel had a laundry facility! Certainly not as glamorous as people might think, but it was a wonderful experience. I got to travel the world, I met my husband, I think we were couple number 60 to wed from the show, and I got to do what I truly loved on the world stage. I love to design pieces that have fluidity and softness to them. I can also be inspired by strong, elegant styles which come from everything a dancer needs to be.

Congratulations on the opening of your new shop promoting Irish design. Can you tell us a bit about that process and what you hope to achieve with it?

Thank you. I am a member of the Irish Fashion Council. I spoke to our President, the wonderful Eddie Shanahan, some time ago about how I could use my time when in the states to promote my work and other Irish designers. I had always felt very proud to be part of a creative industry, both when I was in Riverdance and now in the fashion industry. I am definitely a cheerleader for anyone who follows their dream. It can be a hard path to go down and a lonely one.

Most of my pieces are made by hand or done in very small

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How often do you visit Ireland, and are your designs inspired by the west of Ireland?

I want to say I spend half my time in Ireland and half my time in the states!

I travel an awful lot. And if I have to travel anywhere outside of the USA, I will always stop at home. Mark was in Dubai for Expo 2000, which obviously happened in 2022! So I was home to Connemara before I went there, and to Monaghan, where Mark is from, to see all his family. I am really inspired by the landscape of the west and that of the lacemakers in Monaghan, as I use a lot of Carrickmacross lace in some of my couture pieces. Again I think you can see the contrast between soft and strong in my designs which are very much influenced by the landscape of Connemara.

Do you have any favourite restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, or book shops?

As much as Los Angeles has great restaurants, you can not beat the Irish food.

We are so lucky to have such fresh produce in Ireland. We have wonderful local restaurants like O’Grady’s on the Pier in Barna for special occasions, and a family favourite for lunch in Spiddal is Builin Blasta. My sister recently opened a beauty spa in the craft village, where she hand makes all her own beautiful skincare products and offers amazing spa treatments so any excuse for lunch and a facial is the top priority when I’m home.

What do you think of the Irish design landscape in Ireland at the moment? In your experience, is there enough support?

There is a lot of support for Designers in Ireland, and after spending this time in Los Angeles, I see how lucky we are to have this support at home. So much has changed since the pandemic. Even though there was a definite shift to buying local

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FEATURE and supporting homegrown talent before it, the pandemic forced people to look at what was on their doorsteps. Irish Fashion and design have always been stellar, and I think people now have a new sense of appreciation for the art and design world. I hope it will only grow and gain strength from here.

Taylor and Jacqueline Kennedy. She put Irish fashion on the map, and that was back in the 1950s. She took the red flannel traditionally used for petticoats in Connemara and turned it into huge billowing peasant skirts. Irish fashion is getting more notable, and I think the future is as bright as the LA Sunshine streaming in my window!

Who is your customer?

The pieces I design are definitely for the person that wants something special, for a special occasion or event. My artistic style is most certainly influenced by my time as a dancer and performer. I love to create stand-out pieces that make you look and feel your best. Often, when I was performing on stage, how I felt and looked played a major part in how I performed. If something felt “off” with my costume, it most certainly affected how I felt and how I performed.

And I think, in essence, if you feel good in something, that confidence will radiate from within no matter what you are wearing. My customers appreciate that some of the pieces they order are all handmade in Ireland, and there can be a wait for certain pieces. As I grow, I may look to produce elsewhere, but the unique made-to-order pieces are still made in Ireland, and I have a great team of artisans, pattern makers, and seamstresses that help me now.

What do you think is the future of Irish design?

Photo by Brian Doherty

I keep hearing that Irish Fashion and Design is having “a moment”... I don’t think that is the case. We have a long history of amazing Irish designers. Philip Tracy, described

by Vogue as the greatest living Milliner, is from Co Galway! And Sybil Connolly dressed Elizabeth

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Inis Oírr’s

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NEW POD Off the west coast of Galway on the rocky headland of Inis Oírr, the smallest of the Aran Islands, an off-the-grid artists’ studio space appeared almost overnight during the summer solstice in 2021. An alien pod that oddly looks as though it belongs to the island. This is Studio Drop, a unique project combining the talents of many creatives across Ireland with this one of a kind construction.

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riginally commissioned as part of the Galway 2020, European Capital of Culture, Drop Everything sought to create a calming and reflective space for week-long artist residencies that looked both modern and familiar. Mary Nally, the founder of Drop Everything, sought Dublin born designer and architect Jordan Ralph, to design the aptly named Studio Drop. Ralph and his team aimed to design and create a deployable piece of microarchitecture which would land on Inis Oírr and be used as a space for artists to participate in residencies for a week or two in relative isolation. The self-set challenge was to design something that felt both new, and concurrently indigenous to the land and people of Inis Oírr.

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Having spent time with local boat craftsmen on Inis Oirr and watching the restoration of the ‘Loveen’ Galway Hooker Fishing boat, Jordan was inspired.

Under the watchful eye of local Inis Oírr fisherman Joe Seogie, he ensured that traditional boat building techniques, designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the North Atlantic, were incorporated in the cabin’s design.

From the outside, the form of the pod is contemporary yet visually very native. Cylindrical in structure and clad with seaweed-coloured larch, the studio was built with a steel X-shaped skeleton onto which prefabricated timber

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INTERIORS

components were bolted. This makes the pod ideal for tackling gale force storms that frequent the Irish west coastline. For inspiration Mr.Ralph looked closer to home, honing in on the forms of native coastal structures like Martello towers, the beacons of West Cork, Clochán beehive huts and lighthouses.

These forms all share a tapering cylindrical composition, small windows and a sturdy footprint.

On the inside, the structure combines elements from the surrounding area. The interior of this perfect pod was co-curated by local Inis Oírr fisherman, Joe Seoige, using reclaimed trawler nets which washed ashore during a winter storm. The salvaged nets were used to create the round, hammock-style daybed, which can be raised and lowered, and to keep sheep’s wool secured between the wood beams. The designer’s vision was for the space to feel safe and womb-like, encouraging a sense of inward reflection. This would be very grounding for an artist allowing them to feel comfortable and excited to begin to ponder and create.

A bench wraps around the entire inside of the studio, broken only by the door and window. The window, framing the immense sea beyond, was placed at the same level as the seating allowing people to use the exterior sill as a seat. This window also allows a gentle light into the space, giving the resident artist a sense of connection to the time of day and weather outside.

The roundness of the studio avoids any corners or visual focal points, this allows the creator to work from a space they find most comfortable. By placing the cooking area outside and incorporating a ladder to the roof, the pod invites the outside while also maintaining a private and meditative space to design, imagine, write, and create.

Visual artists, writers, illustrators, musicians and photographers, have all participated in week-long residencies on the island already. Residents from Galway included Maria Somerville, a musician and resident host on NTS Radio, fashion designers The Tweed Project, sound artist Brían McNamara, and playwright Martin Sharry from Inis Oírr. For more information about this project and artist residencies please check out www. dropeverything.net

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I discovered Studio Drop when visiting Inis Oírr during the summer of 2021. I instantly felt this was something special and a place I wanted to spend time in. Attached to a gate outside the pod was a wooden box with the inscription: ‘Open Me’. Inside I found an MP3 player and a note from the musician Brian McNamara. He invited those Conor Biggins who were curious to take the music player, and listen to the sounds the Island inspired him to create in a comfortable place.

Conor Biggins is a graduate of the University of Limerick and works for the multidisciplinary brand Objective Gallery in New York. conorbiggins.com

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RENVYLE HOUSE HOTEL & RESORT connemara, co. galway

An award winning hotel for food, service and hospitality. This historic house is set on a 150 acre estate with a private freshwater lake at its front door, 1km beach on the shores of the Atlantic at its back door and an array of leisure amenities including fly-fishing, boating and canoeing, an outdoor heated pool, outdoor hot tub and tennis courts.

Delicious meals cooked to order, comfortable rooms and friendly service await you.

Here, the only stress is on relaxation T: +353 (0)95 46100 E:info@renvyle.com W: www.renvyle.com

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WAY OUT WEST A Weekend in Connemara Words by AISLING DOWD

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onnemara is the perfect place for an enjoyable weekend away. Whether you want to explore the cafes and colourful shops of Clifden and Roundstone, or experience the countryside with its beautiful remote beaches, mountains and scenery, there is something for everyone. We’ve compiled the perfect Connemara itinerary of our tried and tested favourites to guide you around this beautiful landscape.

The Quiet Man Museum in Cong.

Reopened recently, if you’re a fan of the Quiet Man film, this is a must. Take a walking tour around Cong to see all the film spots and visit the museum which is a replica of the White O’ Morn Cottage as seen in the film. The interior has also been replicated to match the Hollywood set.

Where? Circular Rd, Cong South, Cong, Co. Mayo @thequietmanmuseumandtour Ardnageeha Woodland Just a ten minute drive from Cong, Ardnageeha Woodland contains trails over 4km in length full of flora and fauna along with beautiful views out to Corrib lake. There are lots of areas and benches to have a picnic along with a pathway down to a stone beech with some excellent swimming spots.

Where? Cappacorcoge, Cong, Co. Mayo Books At One Letterfrack Books at One Letterfrack is located in a former Quaker workshop in the village, on the edge of Connemara National Park. It contains a wide, interesting library with up to date and eclectic books. Perfect for all the family with an excellent Children’s collection.

Where? Ellis House, 5, Workshops, Letterfrack, Co. Galway @booksatone_letterfrack

The Quiet Man Museum in Cong

Kylemore Abbey

The Whitethorn Gallery The Whitethorn Gallery is located in Clifden. One of the best art galleries in the west with 7 rooms full of art to browse through. Award winning artist and owner of the gallery, Anne Merrins, personally selects the work showcased in the gallery.

Where? Mainstreet, Clifden, Co. Galway @thewhitehorngallery Aughnanure Castle Located in Oughterard, Aughnanure Castle is perfect for history lovers. It is a particularly well preserved example of an Irish tower house. The grounds are fun to explore and have lots of space for young children to enjoy and the experienced guides are on hand with information on the history of the castle.

Where? Aughnanure, Oughterard, Co. Galway, H91 PX20 @aughnanurecastleopw

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Sky Road Clifden

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Dogs Bay and Gorteen strand

Kylemore Abbey Whether you want to take a stroll through the gardens or take in the history and beautiful rooms of the abbey, Kylemore is an essential part of any trip to Connemara. The story of Kylemore Abbey is brought to life through photographs, audio-visual presentations, displays of artefacts and beautifully restored period rooms. Explore Kylemore Abbey’s Victorian Walled Garden, one of the last walled gardens built during the Victorian period in Ireland, full of history, flowers, trees, glasshouses and vegetable and fruit gardens. Don`t forget the ancient native woodland at the heart of the Kylemore estate where the whole family can enjoy walks through the greenery.

Where? Kylemore Abbey, Pollacappul, Co. Galway @kylemoreabbey O’Dowd’s in Roundstone O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar, Restaurant and Cafe are located in the centre of Roundstone village. Widely regarded as the oldest pub in Connemara, O’Dowd’s serves fantastic local seafood at excellent prices. They also have a range of meat, chicken and vegetarian dishes using only the best ingredients.

The bar overlooks panoramic views of Roundstone Bay and the Twelve Bens.

Where? Main Street, Roundstone, Co. Galway @odowdsseafood

Ardnageeha Woodland

Aughnanure Castle

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Anchor Beach Named after a big ship anchor lying on the sand Anchor Beach is a small white sandy beach that’s perfect for sandcastles and an ideal swimming spot. Enjoy the scenic views as you drive to the beach along Aughrus Peninsula where you can find plenty of stunning and natural wonders. This spot is half an hour drive from Ballyconneely or Kylemore Abbey.

Where? Across from Aughrusbeg Lough Sweet Nothings cafe in Ballyconneely Located in Ballyconneely, this is a great place to stop for a break while exploring the roads and beaches of the west of Connemara. Sweet Nothings has both outdoor and indoor seating. They offer a great selection of tasty treats, smoothies, coffee and sandwiches which are vegan and vegetarian friendly. You’ll find products free from wheat, dairy, eggs and refined sugar.

Where? Ballyconneely, Co. Galway @sweetnothingscafe

Books At One Letterfrack

The Whitethorn Gallery

Dogs Bay and Gorteen strand Not far from the village of Roundstone you can find a hammerhead shaped tombolo with beautiful beaches. Dogs Bay, located at the west of the tombolo has fine white sand and calm waters which are great for swimming. The water gets deep gradually so it’s an ideal spot for children to swim in. Across the narrow piece of land that forms the neck of the tombolo, you can find Gurteen bay, a long stretch of beach which is also ideal for swimming. If Dogs bay is too windy, Gurteen strand is probably more sheltered. There’s also a caravan park available.

Where? Ervallagh, Roundstone, Co. Galway

Roundstone

Sky Road Clifden The best thing about Connemara is the picturesque views.

Take in the stunning scenery by driving The Sky Road in Clifden. The sky road is a loop about 16km long and takes you out west from Clifden, onto the Kingstown peninsula, and back into Clifden via the N59.

Where? Clifden, Co. Galway

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Ohh! By Gum Surrounded by the true beauty that is Connemara, it seems only natural that Ohh! By Gum would want to offer their customers collections that care for our planet and the people upon it. Ohh!

By Gum offers one of the largest ranges of sustainable clothing, gifts and homewares in Ireland. Whether you’re swimming in the Atlantic, dining with friends, or finding a gift they have all the family covered and pride themselves on great customer service both in store and online. ohhbygum.ie 353 (0)85 800 0377

Oliver’s Seafood Bar Oliver’s Seafood Bar is ideally situated overlooking the harbour in Cleggan Fishing Village with close proximity to Inishbofin and Omey Islands, Connemara National Park. This friendly local bar serves food all year round and is particularly known for its large selection of simple but delicious fish and shellfish.

There is something for every budget here from a light lunch of homemade Seafood Chowder, Sandwiches or Wraps to a fabulous Steak or Lobster dinner. Menus are fresh, local and seasonal so it is advisable to enquire in advance. booking.com 095 44640

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Renvyle House Hotel Renvyle House Hotel is a family owned, historic, 4 star hotel set on a 150 acre estate with its own freshwater lake for fishing and boating and 1km of beach on the shores of the Atlantic. It is an award winning hotel for food, service and hospitality. Leisure facilities on the grounds include an outdoor heated pool and hot tub with Atlantic views, tennis courts, woodland and garden walks. Their guests describe it as ‘the ultimate staycation’ and ‘a magical place’, making it the perfect holiday spot and a great base while exploring Connemara. renvyle.com 095 46100

Connemara Blue This family run business is based in Connemara, and creates carefully constructed high quality fused glass products. The team loves the feeling of visitors taking joy in the products they have made and the workshop is situated right beside the shop so visitors can learn first about how these intricate and beautiful glass creations are made. You can browse their range online from every corner of the world or take a trip out to Market Square, Clifden and see ‘The Pink House’ and all it has to offer for yourself. connemarablue.com 095 30782

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Clifden Bookshop Established in 1997, Clifden Bookshop also known as “The Room with the Books”, is a small Independent book lovers haven in Connemara. Máire, Nicole and team pride themselves on stocking titles both current and unusual which adds to the appeal for the discerning visitor. Writers, poets, artists and photographers visit Connemara for inspiration and always drop in to peruse the shelves. Clifden Bookshop may be one of the smallest bookstores in the country, but it brings boundless joy and many hours of enchantment to all who visit. They are open seven days a week and offer worldwide shipping. clifdenbookshop.com 095 22020

Ballynahinch Castle Summertime calls for picturesque picnics and Connemara adventures, and at Ballynahinch Castle, you can have both in style. Let the castle team do the work while ‘The Perfect Picnic’ (€250 for two sharing) is set up on the Terrace, overlooking Ballynahinch River. You can also enjoy the ‘Exploration Picnic’ (€30 per person), The ‘Walled Garden Picnic’ (€40 per person) or indulge in a wine and cheese hamper (€50 for 2 people) and enjoy your bounty of delights among the flora and fauna of the castle grounds. Browse the full selection and plan your picture perfect picnic today ballynahinchcastle.com 095 31006

Whistlestop Clifden A visit to WHISTLESTOP gifts & interiors in Clifden is a must when looking for a special decor item such as an original mirror, quirky table lamp or the perfect gift that requires a bit of thought! Among the fabulous brands stocked are ORTIGIA Sicily, Garden Trading, Yvonne Ellen, BRITA Sweden, Pigeon Organic Kids, Week-end a la Mer, Cote Table France, LSA Glass, La Bougie Candles, and Mervue Organic Skincare Galway. Now celebrating its 22nd year in business, Grainne is skilled in seeking out beautiful items that are practical and useful. WHISTLESTOP offers a personal instore and online shopping service (including gift wrapping and delivery) whistlestop.ie 0862304210

O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar, Restaurant & Cafe Located in the centre of Roundstone village, overlooking the harbour with panoramic views of Roundstone Bay and the Twelve Bens, The O’Dowd family has run the business for four generations since 1906. Famous for their excellent fresh local seafood and outstanding hospitality, a visit here is a must.

Odowdsseafoodbar.com 09535809

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Connemara Coast Hotel Spectacularly set on the Wild Atlantic Way and the shores of Galway Bay, the luxurious four star Connemara Coast Hotel offers visitors an ideal base from which to explore the spectacular scenery of Connemara and the vibrant city of Galway. With grounds that sweep down to the water’s edge, what better place to relax and unwind while taking in the stunning views across Galway Bay to the Burren of Co. Clare. This award winning hotel is superbly situated for those considering all events with an exceptional standard of food and service that is not to be missed. connemaracoasthotel.ie 091 592108

The Diamond Hair Studio The Diamond Hair Studio has been delivering the highest quality customer experience for over thirteen years. Their highly qualified and trained team of professionals make sure their clients get the best styling, colour, care, and cut available while using the most prestigious products. Catering for all events you’re sure to have the perfect locks, whatever the occasion. The Diamond team also travels to four hotels; Renvyle House Hotel, Rosleague Manor Hotel, Lough Inagh Lodge and Leenane Hotel for brides on their special day. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 until 6.

Book an appointment or consultation on (095) 41999

Maol Reidh Hotel The Maol Reidh Hotel, Tullycross is found in beautiful Connemara, on the Renvyle peninsula, beneath the gaze of the mountains and Connemara’s rugged coast. Nearby you will find a number of beaches, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara National Park and Killary Harbour. Walks are abundant; be it hills, shoreline or bogs. In the bar, chill and chat and later dine in style on a feast of local seafood and locally reared lamb. A short stay can offer a packed itinerary or the space to relax, unwind and let go. The emphasis is simple, enter this world and prepare to be minded. maolreidh.com 095 43844

Bulin Blasta After extensive renovation works Builín Blasta has opened its doors again, welcoming customers back to its fresh and vibrant new space. The renovation brings an expanded seating area and a new retail space including fresh food, Irish produce, gourmet gifts and a wine off-license. Builín Blasta is located in the Ceardlann Craft Village in Spiddal, Co. Galway, only 20 minutes from Galway city. With sweeping views of Galway Bay and a beach on its doorstep, it is the perfect destination café.

The menu features fresh, wholesome food all cooked in house with a selection of freshly baked treats. The menu is a mix of traditional Irish food with contemporary international dishes featuring seasonal, local producers. builinblasta.com 091 558 559

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Kylemore Abbey Nestled in the heart of Connemara, Kylemore Abbey is a haven of beauty, history, nature, and serenity. Visit the restored period rooms and multimedia experience in the Abbey, stroll the Victorian Walled Garden, embrace the romantic neo-Gothic Church, and explore the newly opened walks and trails throughout the 1000 acre estate. With locally sourced produce and traditional wholesome recipes, break up your day with a delicious lunch in their café followed by shopping in the Kylemore Craft & Design Shop. Kylemore guarantees visitors a full day of fun, exploration, and escape plus under 16s can attend for free.

Book now at kylemoreabbey.com 095 52001

Rí na Mara Rí na Mara, Irish Seaweed Cosmetics are a family business based in An Spidéal. The skincare range contains local hand harvested seaweed and botanical extracts packed with vitamins A, B,C, D, and E, proteins, amino acids, and a rich collection of minerals, iron, calcium, and iodine. Fan favourites are Face cream, Facial Serum, Eye cream, Facial Oil, Cleansing Water, Face Mask, Seaweed Bath, Shower Gel and Body Lotion.

Rí na Mara are against animal testing and all produts are free from parabens and harsh chemicals. rinamara.com 091 553 047

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Millars Millars Connemara has been delivering the ultimate shopping experience and highest quality customer service since 1890.

Millars Connemara first opened its shop on Market Street, and relocated to its current landmark building on Main Street in 1950.

To this day, Millars continues to provide this excellent service and is one of the most prestigious stores of its kind in Ireland.

Offering a wide range of designs and products from traditional to contemporary it is the perfect place to find unique, well made and timeless treasures and heirlooms. At the very heart of Millars is their customer service and the team ensures a professional and enjoyable shopping experience. millarsconnemara.ie 095 21038

Connemara Carpets Since the early 1970s, the Connemara Carpets team have been working with designers, architects and clients to handcraft unique and enduring carpets, rugs and wall hangings. Every piece is born from this unique partnership and the commitment to quality and craft results in carpets and rugs of the finest quality that adorn palaces, public buildings and beautiful homes worldwide. It is no surprise then that they recently won the Local Enterprise Office Enterprise Award. A must visit location, and the ultimate space of high quality design where art meets craft. connemaracarpets.ie 095 41010

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FEATURE

20 REASONS

To Visit Inis Oīrr This Summer SORCHA DUNNE | @sorchteresadunne

Inis Oírr is the smallest and most easterly of the three stunning Aran Islands, found off the coast of Galway. It is this natural landscape and distinctive old Ireland charm that has attracted so many travellers across the globe.

TO LEARN SOME IRISH Despite Irish being the official language of Ireland, the language is unfortunately in decline.

However, the 260 permanent residents of Inis Oírr speak Irish daily, and school pupils from the mainland frequently come to Inis Oírr to learn the language in an active environment.

TO EXPLORE THE ISLAND BY BIKE With little traffic on the island, cycling is one of the most popular ways to see everything the island has to offer. Rothaí Inis Oírr, or Inis Oírr Bike Hire, is the first thing visible when you get off the boat. So, no need to take up space in your car with your own!

TO GAZE AT THE CLIFFS OF MOHER FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE The Inis Oírr Light House was completed in 1857 and is still used today. While the lighthouse is situated to the back of the island, it is worth a trip out to see it. It also offers beautiful views of the rugged Inis Oírr coastline, and you’ll get a full panoramic view of the extraordinary Cliffs of Moher.

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TO HAVE A PADDLE AT AN TRÁ Inis Oírr is home to some beautiful beaches.

The biggest of them is known as An Trá, which is located adjacent to the pier. In the summer, the sand is mainly white and the water particularly clear - you won’t believe you’re still in Ireland!

TO HAVE A PINT OF GUINNESS AT TIGH NED | @tighned If you’ve arrived to the island on a late ferry, stopping by this much-loved pub located down the road from the pier for a pint of Guinness will help settle you in. Tigh Ned also offers some delicious food, particularly meals including freshly caught fish, crab and scallops.

TO STEP BACK IN TIME AT CNOC RAITHNÍ This Bronze Age burial mound that can be found a few steps away from the beach dates back to 1500 BC, making it the earliest sign of settlement on the island. Sand covered the site before it being exposed by a storm in 1885.

That same year, it was excavated, and cordoned cinerary urns with cremated bones and a bronze awl was found.

TO TRY OUT YOGA AS GAEILGE | @ seafitnessaran Sea Fitness Aran is run by Áine Seoighe, who was born and raised on the island. Áine describes her two passions in life to be movement and the Irish language, which led her to the inception of Yoga as Gaeilge. She aims to open a space for people to come and move together, even if you are new to yoga, or feel your Irish is a little rusty, all are welcome.

TO HOP ON A PONY AND TRAP While we recommend exploring the island by bike, pony and trap rides are the easiest way to get out to the highlights if you’re short on time. You can jump on a trap upon arriving, or you may be picked up along the way as you start your journey. These traps are driven by islanders who will talk about the island and answer all your questions about island life.

TO VISIT CILL GOBHNAIT Stories told of Saint Gobhnait claim that she was originally born in Clare in the 6th century but later fled to Inis Oírr to escape a family feud.

Later, following a visit from an angel, Gobhnait founded a church at Ballyvourney, Cork, at

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FEATURE which point her search had come across a herd of nine white deer grazing. On Inis Óirr, a small ruined church, Cill Gobhnait, remains on the island as evidence of her time there.

TO PICK UP A HOMEMADE MCQUILTIES QUILT | @mcquilties McQuilties is run by Mary McCarty, an American woman who has made patchwork quilts since 1992. However, since moving to Inis Oírr from Madison, Wisconsin, over a decade ago, she’s been making quilts in her studio on the island. She also puts together custom quilts!

TO TAKE IN THE VIEWS AT CAISLEÁN UÍ BHRIAIN The ruins of Caisleán Uí Bhriain are perched at the top of the island, which will most likely be one of the first things you notice as you approach Inis Oírr. Caisleán Uí Bhriain offers some of the best views of Inis Oírr, as well as its sister islands, Inis Meáin and Inis Mór.

TO ENJOY A SLICE OF CAKE AT TEACH AN TEA | @cafearan Teach an Tea is known to serve the finest cakes on the island along with freshly baked scones, homemade soup and sandwiches. Lots of the ingredients are grown in the family’s garden using seaweed and sand (the island tradition).

They also raise free-ranging hens and ducks for their fresh eggs and a Teach an Tae brownie is a must!

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TO UNWIND AT THE ARAN SEAWEED AND SPA | @ aranseaweedbaths The Aran Seaweed and Spa is a place of peace, calm and tranquillity and is run by Annette O’Flynn. She uses handpicked seaweed from the island for various treatments such as her popular seaweed baths. She also offers deep relaxation massages, hot stone treatments, soothing facials, holistic reflexology, beauty treatments and pamper packages.

TO MAKE A WISH A TOBAIR ÉANNA Tobair Éanna is a holy well built in honour of the patron saint of Inis Mór, Saint Éanna. Although now it is in ruins, the well is still greatly respected by the islanders.

TO LISTEN TO IRISH MUSIC AT THE ÓSTAN | @ostaninisoirr The Óstan, also known as Flaherty’s Bar, promises a great night out to all. With Irish music played here nightly during the summer months, come at the right time, and you might catch one of the impromptu sing-alongs that go on here regularly.

TO GET ARTSY AT ARAS ÉANNA Áras Éanna is Inis Oírr’s Arts and Heritage Centre. Throughout the year, they hold various concerts and exhibitions, as well as handmade arts and crafts classes, such as knitting, quilting, weaving, basket making, carpentry, and poetry.

TO TAKE A LOOK AROUND THE PLASSEY SHIPWRECK On a dark night in 1960, this cargo vessel in the Irish Merchant Service ran aground off Inis Oírr, prompting an intense rescue effort by the community. Thankfully, nobody was hurt, but the ship hasn’t moved since and has become a popular tourist spot on the island.

TO ORDER A PIZZA AT THE SEAWEED CAFÉ | @theseaweedcafe The Seaweed Café offers a full menu of homebaked treats, fresh scones, and delectable cakes daily, but they’re most known for their delicious homemade pizza. Knitting Classes are also available and are based on the unique patterns and styles of knitting that have been used in Inis Oírr for generations.

TO EXPERIENCE ARAN ACUPUNCTURE Aran Acupuncture is a Chinese Medicine practice run by Trish Conneely. Trish treats all kinds of issues and also offers specialist treatments for skin and facial rejuvination.

TO TAKE A MINUTE TO REFLECT AT TEAMPALL CAOMHÁIN Teampall Caomháin is a church built in honour of the island’s patron saint, Saint Caomháin, and is located in the island’s graveyard, opposite the airport. The picturesque ruins of the church must be uncovered annually as its floor is well below the level of the sand.

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FEATURE

Leah Beggs ARTIST IN RE SID EN CE

This month our artist in residence is Leah Beggs who speaks about her creative practice, and the inspiration she has found in the wilds of Connemara which informs her impressive, considered and emotive body of work.

Photography by Firechild Photography

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B

Hearing The Birdsong

FEATURE

orn and raised in Dublin, from her earliest memories, Leah was drawn to the arts and started her journey in Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design (now IADT). In the first year, she was encouraged to explore various art forms and had always thought that the realm of sculpture would be her focus, but after trying her hand at the painting module, she knew that this was going to be her passionate pursuit. After leaving college in 1996 with this vision of painting asserted, but a need for financial stability, Leah continued to paint while working part time, and then subsequently returned to college to study Interior Design, with the hope that she would have a steady paycheck coming in, something that could afford her the time to be creative and pursue her first love at the same time. After working in Interiors and applying for numerous exhibitions and bursaries, upon moving to Galway in 2003, Leah’s big moment came when she was offered a group exhibition in The Kenny Gallery, “In 2007 I was offered a group exhibition with The Kenny Gallery in Galway and things took off from there”. This success continued to bloom when Leah revealed her first solo show there in 2009.

In the same year, she also had work selected for a solo show in the Linenhall Arts centre in Castlebar and the Signal Arts Centre in Bray. To say this time of her life was busy would be an understatement. Experiencing these milestones alongside motherhood didn’t come without its challenges, and as things continued to grow when her second child was born in 2011 she had to give up the studio in Galway as she wasn’t able to get the time to drive in and out from Oughterard.

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FEATURE

Instead, she began painting from a home studio and found this allowed her to create a harmonious balance between motherhood and her job as an artist more easily. This change in routine along with combination of intuition and necessity provided the space for Leah’s work to flourish and in 2013 her work was selected for an open exhibition with Dunlaoghaire Rathdown County Council. This moment, and a meeting with the curator Tara Murphy, who is the director of the Solomon Gallery, paved the way for Leah to be able to proudly call herself a full-time artist today, “Tara Murphy who is the director of the Solomon Gallery was curating the show and afterwards, she approached me about showing my work with the Solomon Gallery. I have just opened my fourth solo show with them and I think it’s safe to say that I am a full-time artist!”.

For Leah, the decision to move out West was an easy one, “In 2003 we decided to make the move to Galway. We settled in Oughterard, it was the best decision we ever made, for both our family life and my artistic life. Connemara is literally on our doorstep and we get to enjoy it every day”. It’s true that there is no place in the world quite like Connemara, the living and breathing landscape, winding roads, stone walls, rugged textures and changeable weather captivates you, for many their first journey through this part of the world is like stepping into an oil painting, something artist Leah understands all too well having made it a place to inspire her work nearly two decades ago.

“The Connemara landscape has had a huge influence on my work. Before moving here my work was more structured and formal.

Now it has a certain energy or exuberance that portrays the feeling of vitality you get when you’re out in the wilds here”. Not only does the atmosphere inspire Leah but the light there further brings something unique to her practice, “Artists have long talked of the quality of light in Connemara and they are right, it is really really special. It is constantly changing offering all sorts of spectacular results. I get to experience it daily and it is hugely awe-inspiring”. Through observing Leah’s work, which is constructed through the use of oils, and richly absorbs this Connemara environment, it’s apparent that her inspiration for many finished works began in this part of the world.

Preferring to work on large canvases, her textures are painted in a layering process. She starts by creating a ground with thinned-out washes of oil paint, creating drips and splashes along the way. Describing herself as an “intuitive painter” she will work on several canvases at the same time, each one informing the next. With thicker, more opaque paint she begins to uncover the piece, “I paint out certain areas or enhance others, constantly editing until a composition begins to emerge.

I use brushes, rags, my fingers or palette knives to create soft layers that result in an illusion of texture. These built-up layers eventually develop into an abstracted view of the landscape. The more you look at them, the more entities you see,

resulting in a different take on it each time”. This interpretation of her work and the elements of the landscape that are often drawn from their observation is something which Leah notes yet for her the paintings are also about the process of painting itself and the feeling it gives her, “Whilst my paintings are informed by the Irish landscape with a subtle representation of elements such as rocks, bog, sea and sky etc. When you take a closer look at the work you can appreciate the layers and textures that lie beneath the surface. The paintings are as much about the medium of paint and the process of painting as well as an interpretation of the Irish landscape. In its essence, I suppose I am painting a landscape that I feel, rather than one I see”. Often an afterthought for many, a process which is vital and really important to her work is in choosing a title for her pieces, she keeps a notebook of them as she thinks them up. When finished a painting Leah will refer back to her nurtured list, but sometimes they present themselves differently, “Other times the title just comes organically as I look at the finished piece. I feel that referring to the title subtly opens another element to a painting that you may not have seen or thought about”.

In her paintings we see this inspiration from landscapes and the natural world, with ‘Sea Swim’ and ‘Wide Open Spaces’, yet there is room for the viewer to draw their own experiences, reflections and conclusions. Perhaps the beauty in Leah’s paintings can be found in this innate ability to hold space for others to submerge themselves in her work. This trait of facilitating others’ growth stretches further with Leah offering some astute advice for emerging artists around working in this profession, which is never easy but highly rewarding, “ Remember that the business of your art is just as important as creating it. Professionalism and a positive attitude are a must in my book. Be prepared to put yourself out there, be able to talk about your work, and be authentic. It requires a lot of self-motivation, but if your heart’s in it then that bit is easy”. www.leahbeggs.com @beggser

“In its essence I suppose I am painting a landscape that I feel, rather than one I see”

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BEAUTY

Dewy

YSL Rouge Volupté Candy Glaze Get the benefits of vitamin E and hyaluronic, mango oils and lasting visible shine in this medium coverage luxurious lipstick.

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SUMMER

Less is more when it comes to Summer Beauty.

We cover the essentials you need from SPF to blush to enhance features and achieve a natural looking dewy finish

Isle of Paradise Hyglo Face Self-Tan Meet your everything serum! Hyaluronic acid instantly hydrates, whilst the perfect amount of gradual tan leaves skin with an illuminated, glowy finish. This serum is powered by pure, vegan hyaluronic acid leaving skin looking brighter, plumper & dewier with each use.€28, boots.ie

Skingredients Skin Good Fats Ditch dryness, kick the itch + bring balance to skin anarchy with Skingredients Skin Good Fats Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturiser. This product creates a butter soft barrier balm that melts into skin and doubles as a rich moisturiser + night cream in one €55, skingredients.com

Sculpted by Aimmee Cream Blush Think dewy, think radiant, think Summertime with pops of Pink Supreme Blush. Ideal if you love a pink tint finish to any makeup look.

You can also apply it to the lips for the perfect pout making it versatile and convenient to carry with you on Summer adventures. €18, sculptedbyaimee.com Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand The Hollywood Contour Wand in Light is the perfect lightweight, blendable, buildable formula to create a well-contoured face. It has a lovely lightweight & dry feel upon application for easy blending and is ideal if you want to create a buildable, natural contour. €35, brownthomas.com

Sosu by Susanne Jackson, CC Me In Foundation This weightless, liquid Foundation combines medium to buildable coverage.

The perfect foundation to go from day to night making it great for those Summer parties that last that little bit longer into the night. €24.99, sosubysj.com

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Kiehls Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF PA ++++ High Protection A non-comedogenic lightweight sunscreen for the face with SPF pollution protection. The formula contains Vitamin E and Baicalin which helps moisturise the skin and keep it looking fresh, sunkissed and glowing. €34, boots.ie

KASH Beauty Liquid Silk Face And Body Illuminator Liquid silk is a versatile face and body illuminator. What makes Liquid Silk different is that it dries down to a matte formula, giving the glow without the stickiness, making this the perfect companion for those warm Summer days. €19.95, kashbeauty.com

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BEAUTY

PURE JOY

Joy Colleran has a lot to be excited about! As the driving force behind Galway’s Purejoy Skin Clinic she has seen a lot of changes in skincare technology over the past 22 years but the latest innovations are impressive to say the least.

J

oy is extremely proud to be bringing the following new and ground-breaking skin treatments to the West of Ireland:

Tamara, Joy and Hilary

Focus Dual: This is a combination of two pre-existing gold-standard skin treatments with impressive results. Focus Dual marries radiofrequency micro needling and HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) which allows practitioners to lift, firm and tighten the skin at every layer, from non-surgical facelifts and eyebrow lifts to jawline sculpting and scar treatment.

The science behind the treatments is straightforward.

Micro needling encourages the production of new collagen and elastin fibres whilst increasing the rate of skin cell turnover. In addition, the release of radio frequency energy heats the skin and stimulates the body’s natural healing response. The result for the client is a noticeable reduction in fine lines and more supple skin. HIFU also plays an important part by using a different method to stimulate collagen production.

Ultrasound energy targets the deepest layer of the skin, and these deep tissues produce new collagen and effectively target a range of skin aging concerns.

Focus Dual is the treatment of choice for clients who want to see excellent results for skin rejuvenation and total revitalisation.

OBSERV 520x: Another cutting-edge innovation that is available

Joy in treatment room with Focus Dual

Hilary with Observ 520

18 MAINGUARD ST, GALWAY | 091 530540 GALWAYNOW.COM

in the Purejoy Skin Clinic is the OBSERV 520x. This is a powerful skin consultation tool which is used to assess the client’s skin from the perspective of texture and topography. The key area of focus for the OBSERV 520x is pigmentation and redness which so many Irish skin types suffer from. This scientific approach to skin care analysis ensures that the Purejoy team of skin specialists can examine what is happening in the various layers of the client’s skin and thereby allows them to recommend a personalised Treatment Plan which incorporates lifestyle, diet, supplements and of course skin care.

The Purejoy team have the knowledge and the powerful treatment combinations to ensure that every person that comes through the door has sensational skin.

The Team: Joy has built up an amazing team around her.

The Purejoy family consists of Hilary the manager and skin care expert “par excellence” who has been with Purejoy for over 17 years. Hilary’s clients benefit from her mastery and expertise. Tamara is another skin specialist who brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, her skills are greatly requested by the Purejoy clientele. With Megan front of house ensuring everyone gets the appointment they need you know you are in good hands at Purejoy.

To book your skin consultation call Purejoy on 091 530540 or check out https://purejoybeauty. ie and all social media platforms.

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

9 TIPS

TO KEEP YOUR FEET HEALTHY We know that many of our body parts need daily TLC. We brush our teeth and cleanse, tone, and moisturise our face regularly but a body part that tends to get overlooked in our routines is our feet! After all, they serve as the foundation for our entire body in support, balance, and posture.

SORCHA DUNNE | @sorchateresadunne 1. Examine your feet regularly for problems Feet are incredibly complex and with 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons, they’re bound to run into some trouble from time to time. So aim to start examining your feet daily for cuts, bruises, discolouration, callus build-up, or anything abnormal. If you struggle to see the bottom of your feet, use a mirror, or ask someone to help you.

2. Wash your feet every day in warm water Wash your feet at least once per day with warm water and soap to maintain proper hygiene and prevent irritation using a flannel or a bristle brush can also help when washing your feet to remove any dead skins cells. However, please note that soaking your feet may increase your risk of foot problems by drying out your skin, which can also cause cracks to form and lead to infections.

3. Keep your feet dry After washing your feet, make sure to thoroughly dry them, particularly in between each toe. The space between your toes is an ideal environment to hold in moisture, and fungal organisms love moisture. If the feet are kept moist and warm after washing, bacteria and fungus can begin to grow and lead to conditions such as athlete’s foot and fungal nail.

4. Moisturise Moisturise your feet daily with lotion, cream, or petroleum jelly. It’s imperative to do this as we get older because the nerves that control our feet’ sweat and oil glands can get damaged. When they no longer work, it causes our feet to get dry, leading to peeling and cracking.

5. Cut your toenails As simple as it may seem, cutting your toenails properly is essential and can save you from rather painful nail problems, such as broken toenails, ingrown toenails, and infections. C9ut your toenails straight across with a pair of clean, sharp nail clippers, leaving them long enough so that the corners lie loosely against the skin at the sides. Cutting the toenails straight across will ensure the toenail continues to grow forward, though you can file any sharp corners or jagged edges away.

6. Go barefoot Spending some time wearing no shoes can allow foot reflex zones to be stimulated, which benefits the entire body. With

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time, the muscles in your feet will also begin to strengthen, and your toes and tendons will stretch out. Other benefits include better control of your foot position, improvements in balance, proprioception, body awareness, and better foot mechanics.

7. Wear supportive footwear While it can be beneficial to go barefoot from time to time, you don’t want to start going on hikes or long walks or doing strenuous labour in unsupportive shoes. This can be dangerous for your feet and put you at a higher risk for back or knee injuries. Instead, find shoes with good arch support that don’t constrict the natural shape of your foot.

Foot conditions resulting from unsupportive or constricting shoes include bunions, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and ingrown toenails.

8. Rotate your shoes It is essential to rotate your shoes to change up the forces on your body. This ensures that you use your muscles differently (because of the different shoe shapes) and prevents overuse and underuse of other muscles.

In addition, the shoe rotation allows you to dry out your shoes thoroughly, reducing the mould and fungus that can proliferate in sweatladen shoes.

9. Know when to see a doctor Like most health issues, the longer you leave it untreated, the worse it will get, and the longer it will take to mend.

So, if you suspect you have a foot issue, do not wait to seek attention from a professional, especially if you have other medical conditions.

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FEATURE

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Bellissimo Basilico!

Authentically Italian From Farm To Fork

W

e can talk endlessly about what makes a restaurant successful but if you ask Fabiano Mulas and Paolo Sabatini, from Basilico in Oranmore, they will both say that for them, it is the people. A business cannot be successful on any level if the people who work there are not valued and appreciated, they say ‘our staff are Basilico’s driving force’ and each and Fabiano Mulas and Paolo Sabatini every one of them brings something unique and special to the customer experience.

Despite the challenges of the last two years Basilico has succeeded in retaining the majority of their staff which is a phenomenal achievement and it’s simple to see where the core values behind this Oranmore Italian restaurant originate. Fabiano and Paolo both believe in investing in their staff and creating an atmosphere where everyone can be creative and contribute to the success of the business.

Now in its fifteenth year, Basilico is a staple on the food scene in Galway. They are also a much-valued local business in Oranmore as a large employer in the village, and the place you go when you want an evening that is all about family and food. This is very much in keeping with their food philosophy where their dining rooms both in the bistro and the restaurant are places where families often come to celebrate together.

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Fabiano Mulas is from Ogliastra in Sardinia which is a famous blue zone for the longevity of its people.

When you talk about family traditions and food you could not meet anyone more steeped in these values. Their wine is made on a press which has been in their family for 150 years.

Fabiano comes from a rich tradition of bread and pasta making and he was reared almost entirely on food produced by his parents and extended family. During lockdown Basilico used the challenges it presented as an opportunity to re-group and re-imagine. They established their own pasta factory which produces all of their pasta for the restaurant and they use organically milled flour which makes their pasta more easily digestible. These additions are a further example of how they strive to always do their best to deliver high quality products to their customers. They also work with the vineyard Cantine Lavorata in Calabria to produce selected wines for the restaurant and now supply other restaurants in Galway with a wide selection of exclusive wines.

Recently, Fabiano and his wife Valerie have turned their already busy lives towards farming for the restaurant.

Derrykeel farm has been a passion project of theirs where they have produced food for the restaurant daily over the summer months which form the freshest salads and

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FOOD vegetables available. In addition to this, they also compost their cardboard and vegetable waste from the restaurant at their farm.

Chef Paolo Sabatini from Viterbo, Italy, has more than 20 years’ experience in Italian Cuisine. Along with the help of his Head Chef Lukasz Kwiatkowski, Sous Chef Cristina Gemini, Sous Chef Simone Codonesu, Sous Chef Riccardo Trento, Pizzaiola, bar manager Cathal Lynch, restaurant manager Cristian Mulas, floor supervisor, Saoirse Burke and the entire Basilico team, he prepares new menus for every season inspired by his favourite recipe books and regional specialities. Paolo’s unique interest in food goes back to his training at the age of fourteen in Italy. His culinary journey has taken him to America and eventually to Ireland where his passion for new tastes and innovation with food continues to reach remarkable heights. He opened Basilico at the age of 23 with Fabiano. Paolo grew up on a farm where his Grandmother cooked for him daily with love and passion and this shows in his dedication to his food and his restaurant. He is still very much connected to Italy and has an insatiable interest in keeping up to date on what is happening there on the food scene.

Paolo is also the only Italian chef in Galway to be member of the prestigious “Euro-Toque” Ireland, and has been credited with “the best Italian food in the west” by a gastronomy food critique from “Taste of Ireland”. His cuisine is recommended by Sally and John Mckenna of the Bridgestone Guide,

by Georgina Campbell, by Lucinda O’Sullivan’s ‘Best Places to Eat in Ireland’ and further recommended by the Italian Chef’s Federation in Ireland. Since 2016, Basilico has retained the AA and it is the only Italian Restaurant in County Galway to be present in this prestigious Food Guide. Basilico is also a member of Good Food Ireland.

In addition Basilico has just been listed by the Sunday Times and The McKenna Guides in the top 100 restaurants in Ireland Basilico would like to say a huge thank you to the people of Oranmore, Maree and the surrounding areas for their continued support - grazie!

Recipes The Basilico team have selected some of their specialty recipes for you to try! Bring Italian flavour, cuisine and culture into your home with their delectable Arancini or fresh Galway Bay Lobster dishes.

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Galway Bay Lobster and Prawn Tagliatelle with sweet cherry tomato and chilli sauce Recipe for 4 People: Ingredients for 4 portions: 600g of fresh tagliatelle Pasta 2 whole lobsters 300g peeled prawns 200g vine cherry tomatoes cut in half 300g tomato passata 10g chopped fresh chilli 10g chopped fresh garlic 50ml olive oil salt & pepper 100ml fish stock 100g garlic and herb butter 50g chopped fresh flat parsley to serve

1. If you are buying live lobsters, cook them first in boiling water for 5/6 minutes and chill in ice water (if you’re using frozen lobster, you can skip this step).

2. When the Lobsters are cold, cut them in half

and devein, then spread over the garlic butter and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

3. To prepare the pasta sauce, place olive oil in a hot large pan and fry the prawns with garlic, chilli for 1 minute.

4. Add the fish stock, passata sauce, cherry tomatoes and some seasoning, gently cook for 2/3 minutes and set aside.

5. Heat the oven at 200C Fan and then warm up the Lobsters for 5-6 minutes and keep them warm.

6. Cook the Pasta in Salted Boiling Water (follow packet instructions) and then finish cooking the pasta in the prawn sauce for 30 seconds (you can add some of the cooking water if the sauce is too thick to loosen).

7. Plate on the side of a warm plate and serve with half lobster and a sprinkle of chopped parsley and olive oil.

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FOOD

Arancini with Porcini Mushrooms and Toonsbridge Smoked Scamorza Cheese Recipe for 6 People: 400g arborio rice 50g finely chopped onion 5g fresh thyme 25ml white wine 1L of warm vegetable stock to cook rice 30g dried porcini mushrooms (rehydrated in 200ml of boiling water and drained - keep the stock) 100g Toonsbridge smoked scamorza cheese (grated) 50g parmesan cheese Salt and pepper Dry breadcrumbs Eggs Olive oil Vegetable oil for frying

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1. Sweat the onions, thyme and chopped porcini mushrooms in olive oil until soft.

2. Add rice and stir thoroughly until all grains are well coated with oil, then add the white wine and let it reduce.

3. Add a little boiling stock and 1 scoop of the mushroom stock and gently cook adding more vegetable stock as required.

8. Mix your arancini balls in the egg wash mix, then coat them into the dry breadcrumbs and chill immediately for at least 1 hour before cooking.

9. Warm up the vegetable oil into a large pan and gently fry the arancini until golden and hot in the centre.

10. Shake off excess oil and serve with some garlic mayo (optional) and a glass of chilled white wine.

4. Cook rice for approximately 14-15 minutes, once cooked season rice and pour into a shallow tray and let cool down.

5. Once the risotto mix is cool, add 2 whole eggs, the Scamorza and parmesan cheese and mix well.

6. With wet hands prepare little balls of approximately 45g each and put them in a separate tray.

7. Whisk 3 eggs and leave them aside, prepare another tray with the breadcrumbs

BASILICO, MAIN ST, ORANMORE (091) 788 367

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IN SELECTED TESCO IRELAND & AVOCA STORES AS WELL AS IN JOYCE’S

A ll of th e Flavo ur Non e of th e Fuss.

SWEET + JUICY TOMATOES

PROTEIN-PACKED GREEN LENTILS

ZESTY LIMES + LEMONGRASS WWW.ROOTSANDSHOOTS.COM

A TASTY, HEALTHY & CONVENIENT RANGE OF MEAL BOWLS. GLOBAL FLAVOURS CRAFTED IN GALWAY PLANT BASED, LOW CALORIE, GLUTEN & NUT FREE.

SPICY GREEN CHILLIES

FEATURE

H

ere, I’ll lead you through the steps to creating a safe bee house. I’ll also tell you about some beefriendly flowering plants that will attract them to your garden, give them food to eat and promote pollination.

What you need Outdoor timber or recycled wood Measuring tape and pencil A saw Wood glue and outdoor screws A drill Square blocks or logs Chicken wire A wire cutter

Buzzin’ Bee

HOTEL

Did you know that some shop-bought bee hotels can do more harm than good? If they’re not properly maintained and checked for mites, mould and rot, they can actually be dangerous for bees.

I decided to make my own bee house, which would have removable parts to make it easier to clean and check for mites.

Words and Images by CATHERINE CARTON

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• The wood I used was 4 ¾ in (12 cm) wide. Choose wood that can withstand the weathers, as we don’t want the bee house to rot.

• Use your measuring tape to measure the wood for the frame. I cut two side pieces to 23 ½ in (60 cm); the top and bottom pieces and two shelves to 16 in (40 cm); and the two ‘roof’ pieces to 17 ½ in (45 cm). Carefully cut the wood pieces and assemble them using both wood glue and screws.

• I used thick blocks of wood inside the hotel, cut to size and drilled with holes for the nesting tunnels. To encourage an equal balance between male and female bees, I drilled holes with a depth of both 4 in (10 cm) and 6 in (15 cm). If you wish, you can line your tunnels with paper straws to make them easier to clean at the end of the season.

• I also used logs from my garden and cut them to size. You can use bamboo but bear in mind that it takes longer to dry and therefore can cause mould.

• I covered the front of my bee house with wire, which I secured with screws. I have lots of bird feeders in my garden, so I wanted to deter the birds from picking at my bee hotel.

Most birds prefer to eat slow-moving insects rather than bees, but check what birds are in your area and if they are a threat to your bee hotel.

• The back of my bee hotel is open, as it is attached to a wall. This makes it easy to clean in winter, as I can lift it off the wall and remove damaged blocks from inside.

If you are not securing your bee house to a wall, add some wire to the back to stop the nesting blocks from falling out. You can unscrew the back piece of wire when you need to clean the bee house.

• When positioning your bee house, place it in a sunny south-facing spot, at least one metre off the ground and clear of shrubs and vegetation. Make sure it is secure and not swinging from a tree – bees prefer to live in a solid and sturdy home.

• Keep in mind that it can take a while for bees to come to your new hotel. I positioned mine in my back garden, which has lots of wildflower buckets and bee-friendly plants.

A natural way to bait the bees is to rub your bee house with a lemon balm plant – they love the scent.

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FEATURE

Bee-friendly Plants Here are some bee- and butterflyfriendly flowering plants that you can plant in your garden. These provide nourishment and encourage pollination, so including them among your blooms is a great way to help the local environment.

Bee balm: Also known as wild bergamot, bee balm has an attractive, aromatic flower that attracts pollinators. These plants prefer a sunnier part of your lawn and bloom during the spring and summer.

Foxgloves: These tall, slender, multiflowering plants are always surrounded by bumblebees. The tubular shape of the flower makes it easy for bees to crawl inside and get to the nectar. They collect pollen from the flower at the same time, which is used to feed the younger bees.

Foxgloves are biennial, which means they will flower every second year.

Bluebells: These lovely flowers bloom in early spring and are constantly surrounded by bees, butterflies and hoverflies.

Rosemary: Bees love to suck nectar from rosemary flowers, so not only is it good in the kitchen, it’s good in the garden too.

Cosmos: These simple-looking flowers give the bees an easy route to their nectar, so they are one of the best annual bedding plants for bees. They are also very easy to grow from seed.

Lupine: This bee-friendly plant produces tall, spiky flowers in late spring. Lupines love the sun, so make sure to place them in the sunniest part of the garden.

Lavender: One of my favourite plants in the garden, lavender smells delicious and the bees adore it too. I have some lavender shrubs in my border and some in pots, and they are always swarming with bees when they are in flower. You can dry your lavender and use it for other projects in this book.

Extract from Dainty Dress Diaries - 50 Beautiful Home-Crafting Activities to Awaken Your Creativity by Catherine Carton.

Published by The O’Brien Press. In bookshops 16th May 2022.

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FEATURE

Supporting Local

IN GALWAY AND THE WEST OF IRELAND Introducing The New Cedarwood Spa at Wineport Lodge A serene and intimate space, the recently opened Cedarwood Spa fits seamlessly into the heart of Wineport Lodge and complements its cosy, peaceful atmosphere. The spa’s intimate and unique design - featuring its deep outdoor seaweed baths and iconic Infinity Pool - takes full advantage of uninterrupted lake views and makes it the perfect port of call for comfort, pampering and relaxation.

The Cedarwood Spa team have created a spa experience like no other, featuring luxurious signature treatments using Irish skincare brand Voya, and the premium French skincare brand Yon-Ka. Cedarwood Spa is a natural addition to Wineport Lodge’s existing array of relaxing, wellness experiences for guests to enjoy during their stay from sunrise Yoga and lake swimming, to bike hire, boat hire and paddleboarding. For more information, visit wineport.ie.

Find the perfect outdoor rug at Tom Dempsey Flooring With summer now very firmly on our minds, it’s time to create the perfect outdoor space to enjoy those long balmy evenings.

The new indoor-outdoor collection from Brink & Campman brings you bold, durable and weatherproof multi-functional rugs for your garden, terrace or balcony that can also be used inside your home. Create the perfect cosy outdoor entertaining space with one of the many eye-catching designs in the extensive collection.

With designs ranging from luxe neutrals to bright, bold stripes and tropical inspired statement prints there is an outdoor rug to suit all tastes this summer. tomdempseyflooring.ie

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Supporting Local

IN GALWAY AND THE WEST OF IRELAND

Watch Your Garden Grow with McD’s

Traditional Elegance from Tubs & Tiles

Summer is the perfect season to spend time in the garden, and with a wide selection of plants, gardening equipment and outdoor furniture available, McD’s has it all. Entertain guests around one of their deluxe dining table and chair sets or cosy up in a swinging Provence Rattan Hanging Egg chair. As we welcome the warmer weather you can add the barbecue to your space and invite family and friends round for a party. MCD’S proudly create magic in every home, and help you get the most out of your space. For more information and to browse the full selection of must-haves, visit their website and enjoy nationwide delivery. mcds.ie

Inspired design and expert craftsmanship combine in the Roseberry bathroom furniture collection by Utopia. The painted timber of the unit uses specially formulated paint which offers the durability and resilience necessary to withstand the wear and humidity levels in the bathroom. The Roseberry open washstands feature solid oak towel slats for an authentic rustic feel and soft close drawers with solid Eton Oak interiors. This is an extensive collection with a variety of wall hung and floor standing vanity unit formats, colours, basin styles, countertops and handles so you can customise the look for your bathroom. tubstiles.ie

It’s Barbecue Season at The Galmont Hotel & Spa

Step Into Summer with Mervue Organic

What do you and your colleagues look forward to each year?

The Summer BBQ, of course! At The Galmont Hotel you can enjoy delicious and decadent BBQ food, a private indoor lounge with terrace and an unbeatable atmosphere in the heart of the city. The Galmont team will look after you and your friends in style while you unwind, enjoy their magnificent drinks menu, and experience everything this luxurious four star establishment has to offer. €29.50 per person. thegalmont.com

It’s Summertime and Mervue Organic has your skincare routine covered. Enjoy the soothing, nourishing and healing properties of their organic vegan products which protect you and the planet. Their Hydrating Floral Mist with organic aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, or Superfruit Body Lotion with organic shea butter and cranberry are the perfect solutions for those warm Summer days. Mervue Organic products are certified by the Soil Association (approval to the Cosmos Organic Standard), and are registered with both Leaping Bunny and the Vegan Trademark. mervuenaturalskincare.com

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GALWAY CRYSTAL | LOUGHREA

Creating magic in every home...

Our incredible team has been busy ensuring our gorgeous Garden centres are full to the brim of beautiful flowers perfect for every garden. We’re hoping that the last of the winter frost has passed and now is the perfect time to begin planting bedding plants. Hanging baskets are also the perfect addition to any garden and here at McD’s we have a beautiful selection of pre-planted baskets ready to take home.

Alternatively, our team is happy to assist you in choosing a suitable range of plants specific to your needs.

The sun is out and the flowers are blooming at McD’s Loughrea and Galway Crystal as we prepare for the glorious summer season ahead.

Just in time for the rise in temperature, our 2022 range of outdoor cushions has finally arrived. While we take great pride in all parts of our business, we think this range of cushions, seat and bench pads and outdoor rugs are sure to wow you.

With a design perfect for everyone, the unique range is sure

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to add an extra bit of sparkle to your outdoor lounge sets. To top it all off, this collection is exclusive to McD’s, meaning your garden is unlikely to look like any other. You can now view the full selection in store, in both locations, or order online via McDs.ie.

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Garden Bistro Sets

Our extensive range of garden furniture is now on full display in both stores, meaning you can call in, get a feel for the sets and find your perfect match. For dining, lounging or even having a cup of tea, we’re sure to have the perfect set for you. All sets are also available for nationwide delivery.

Parasols

To complete the whole design, our huge selection of parasols are an excellent addition to any garden. Ideal for adding a pop of colour and matching to your beautiful cushions or choose a more subtle option to create a haven from the heat in what we hope will be a blistering summer.

Gardening Tools

Make preparing or planting easy with our supper range of Garden Tools. Whether it’s veg, herbs or flowers you want to grow McD’s have all you need to get you started – tools, containers, pots, seeds or plants.

Zero Gravity Chair Grillstream BBQ Soak up the sun in a zero gravity chair.

Portable and lightweight meaning it’s easily transported around the garden to follow the sun while still being durable enough to endure those surprise summer storms.

Its reclining feature means it is also ideal for relaxing.

Get Grilling with our incredible range of ‘Grillstream Barbeques’. Beginning with two burners ranging all the way to the gourmet six burner hybrid barbeque. Grillstream offer the Hybrid System which allows the convenience of gas with the unique option of charcoal. You can decide on gas or charcoal each time you cook!

We’re hoping that the incredible range of items available in both McD’s Loughrea and Galway Crystal and online at McDs.ie will aid you in making the most of what is sure to be an incredible summer this year.

So get growing, get gardening and start enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

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SUMMER AT THE GALMONT What do you and your colleagues look forward to each year? The Summer BBQ, of course! Delicious BBQ food, private indoor lounge with terrace, buzzing atmosphere with a city centre location.

We tick all the boxes

€29.50p.p.

THE GALMONT HOTEL & SPA, LOUGH ATALIA ROAD, GALWAY | 091 538 300 meetings@thegalmont.com | thegalmont.com 68 | M A Y / J U N E 2 0 2 2

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FEATURE

Welcome to

PAVILION OUTDOORS The home of garden luxury

The West of Ireland now has the perfect solution to transform our gardens and hospitality areas into outdoor living and dining spaces in breath taking style.

The well-known Galway company Pavilion Marquees had 2 options when Covid closed down the events and wedding industry. Either wait it out or look at new opportunities.

‘Pergolas and awnings for gardens were something that we had been looking at and just never got the opportunity to carefully research. Covid certainly gave us the time to look at the various offerings and to partner with the right companies and designers’ says Noreen Cassidy of Pavilion.

‘Our vision is to offer a complete package and so we concentrated on the 3 areas we believe can totally transform GALWAYNOW.COM

a space into an outdoor living place. And we can proudly now say that we offer pergolas, a range of stunning outdoor kitchens and exquisite Italian furniture.

A lot of the collections for example with the furniture is totally exclusive to Pavilion and offers a really different style to the traditional rattan square boxed furniture we have only been able to get in Ireland’.

Focusing on innovative design, superior quality and excellent customer service, Pavilion Outdoors aim to bring the ultimate in contemporary style and sophistication to your garden, terrace, or outdoor space.

‘We have a range of spectacular pergolas that have motorised retractable and louvre roofs with options for glass walls or screens that give you an

outside lounge that with a touch of a button becomes a watertight room with a range of lighting options. Our collections of bespoke Italian outdoor furniture bring a new level of style and design to your garden, terrace or outdoor space.

Outdoor kitchens are a relatively new concept for Ireland but make perfect sense if you want to go that step further than the traditional BBQ setting’.

Pavilion Outdoors are opening a ‘viewing room’ in the Corbett Court Centre in Galway in May where you will be able to meet with the team to discuss your garden plans and see the furniture collections and pergolas. They also work closely with interior and landscape designers for hospitality or commercial projects.

To book an appointment call Pavilion Outdoors on 091 876550 www.pavilionoutdoors.com MAY/JUNE 2022

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FUEL CENTRE NA FORBACHA, CO. NA GAILLIMHE

Local Friendly Service

091 867433

LARGE RANGE OF PLANTS AVAILABLE

COVERING KNOCKNACARRA, SALTHILL, BARNA, FURBO, SPIDDAL, INVERIN AND SURROUNDING AREAS 70 | M A Y / J U N E 2 0 2 2

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GARDEN

The

Hungry Gap WORDS BY

KENNETH KEAVEY

greenearthorganics.ie

I love this time of the year; the days are lengthening, there is warmth in the air and the fields are filling with crops. It is a strange one then, that the months from April to June can be months of local food scarcity.

There is even a name to describe this time, it is called the ‘Hungry Gap’.

I

f you have never come across this term before, don’t worry, you are not alone. Historically it is the bridging period between the finish of the old season crops and the start of the new and most of us will be blissfully unaware of it, thanks to the always full shelves in the supermarket aisles.

Our beautiful country has so much to offer, and we have a long history of producing our own food, especially vegetables. It seems that maybe, just maybe, we are missing something by having an always on, full access to whatever food we want culture.

I, being the impatient individual that I am, can sometimes expect that we should have more local food at this time of the year, especially when the sun shines and our fields are full of maturing crops. But nature and farming cannot be rushed, they do not work like that.

For me, this idea is coupled to a question people often ask: “why do you produce your own food? Why do you grow it when it is so much cheaper to import it?”

It is very easy to answer this, and the reasons are twofold: I love what I do, it is in my blood (we are third generation farmers) and I would not do anything else.

Secondly, it is simply the right thing to do. Having food grown locally makes sense, it cuts down on carbon

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emissions, it is fresher, it tastes better, it provides local employment, it improves biodiversity, and we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to do it.

Can you imagine if we were to stop eating tomatoes when the season finishes in October and was not to start again until the Irish season began the following July? Yes, we would certainly miss them but imagine the anticipation and delight that we would have around that first red tomato.

We still have that connection here in Ireland with two crops: strawberries and new potatoes, both of which are eagerly anticipated. This tradition has been kept alive and relished and we all know what a delight that first bite into a new potato feels like, or the taste of those first new season Wexford Strawberries. The taste, the abundance of flavour and the freshness are incomparable to anything we get in a supermarket.

Today, as I write this after a day in the fields, I feel lucky to be a farmer. Days do not come much better than this. The sky is blue, the sun is shining, the birds are singing and we are on schedule with our planting.

In the West of Ireland days like today are to be relished and enjoyed and it won’t be long before we are once again immersed in a season of plenty.

Kenneth Keavey and his wife Jenny started Green Earth Organics box delivery scheme in 2006. Farming on 40 acres of organically certified land with another 10 acres split between a wild life biodiversity area, native woodland forestry (3000 trees) and red clover/grassland, Kenneth is the 3rd generation of his family to farm these lands.

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FEATURE TRAVEL

Discovering

Castilla-La Mancha The Land of Don Quixote WORDS BY PATRICK MCCROSSAN

About an one-hour drive south of Madrid stands the beautiful and picturesque city of Toledo, the spiritual capital of Spain.

A

UNESCO world heritage site, it has a rich and intriguing history of culture woven from the Romans, Visigoths, Muslims, Christians and Jewish peoples. This area exhibits an engaging variety of architecture and art through the ages with an array of monuments from the different cultures and religions that have left their indelible mark for all to see. Affectionately known as the ‘City of Three Cultures’ it rises high above the Tagus river displaying all its natural strategic defences.

Among the Moorish-Modejar-Jewish buildings, is the marvellous Sinagoga del Tránsito along with many Renaissance buildings of note including a Gothic cathedral; however the

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building that dominates the skyline is the Alcázar, a fortress since Roman times. As the hometown of El Greco many of his paintings can be found in the city, including his masterpiece, ‘The Burial of the Count of Orgaz’ in the Church of Santo Tome.

Famous for the quality of its swords and knives, Toledo was the source for most of the armoury used in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films. Having booked into the Hotel Boutique Adolfo in the heart of Toledo, we enjoyed an exquisite lunch by the well-known and highly-recommended chef Adolfo Muñoz.

Having spent the afternoon touring the streets of Toledo we paid a visit to Puy du Fou Spain which is a live and unique experience through Spanish history. There are shows from

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FEATURE TRAVEL

different eras for all tastes and it is certainly much more than a traditional theme park. To finish out the first day exploring it was off to The Carlos Rooftop Terrace, on the fifth floor of Hotel Carlos V for dinner to enjoy panoramic views of the Alcázar, the cathedral, and all that makes Toledo the special city that it is today.

The following morning we strolled through the streets of Toledo exploring more of the history and enjoying the really chilled and relaxed atmosphere that it offers. Then it was time to move on to Campo de Criptana. Driving through one of the most sparsely-populated regions offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the Spain that existed long before overseas visitors first descended on the Costas. A vast plateau, the landscape is dotted with crumbling castles, working windmills, and large lagoons. This land is famous for its arts and crafts, for the unique monuments to be seen in its towns and cities, and for being the setting for the adventures of the famous literary hero Don Quixote of La Mancha. After a delicious lunch in Restaurante Las Musas, we took a tour of the famous windmills and were treated to an unexpected performance from Don Quixote and Sancho Panza!

As La Mancha is the largest wine-producing area of Spain it was fitting to visit the family-run Mont Reaga Winery to taste some of the locally produced vino. With some daylight left we set off for Belmonte and arrived at The Palacio del Infante Don Juan Manual Hotel & Spa for some aperitifs and dinner. On the third day it was an early start with a visit to the Belmonte Castle, with its pentagonal exterior stone and its proud Castilian structure. On the inside things are different; we were surprised by the triangular shape of its parade ground

and the gothic design of its fireplaces.

The World Heritage City of Cuenca overlooking the Júcar river with its cobbled streets and ancient buildings is a delight to walk through and an awesome sight to gaze on with its houses perched high upon the rocks and hanging as if they defied nature. On our visit, the iron footbridge of Puente de San Pablo was closed but it certainly provides an amazing angle to view the hanging houses. Other places worth noting are the Plaza Mayor, with the arcaded Town Hall and the pretty Cathedral, which was begun in the late 12th century. We had lunch in the award-winning Raff San Pedro restaurant and it most certainly did not disappoint.

The former Convent of San Pablo, now a Parador is another example of wonderful architecture and looks stunning viewed from angles but especially under the floodlights was to be our home for the night.Awakening on our last day it was time to say goodbye to Cuenca with our first stop on the way back to Madrid being Segóbriga Archaeological Park. In Roman times Segóbriga housed a theatre and amphitheatre, which was used for big parties, public baths, temples for the imperial cult and markets. It became a point of reference on the plateau as a Romanised urban lifestyle. Nowadays, all of the following can be visited: the aqueduct, necropolis, city, theatre, wall and main gate, cryptoporticus of the forum, theatre baths, basilica, forum, basilica hall, monumental baths, acropolis, the house of the mine procurator, amphitheatre, circus, and Visigoth basilica.

Finally, we had just enough time to stop at the wonderful Finca La Estacada for lunch and our visit had come to its end but such is the allure of Castilla La Mancha I have no doubt that I’ll be back again.

HOW TO GET THERE: We flew from Dublin with Ryanair and returned with Iberia Airlines.

There are over 70 flights per week in peak season from Dublin to Madrid from a range of airlines.

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Síle Horan & Greg Martin were married recently in St. Joseph’s Church, Galway followed by a beautiful reception at the Glenlo Abbey Hotel.

Flowers: Keanes Florist with Niamh Hair : Collette Costello MakeUp: Orla Duffy Make Up Artist Dress and Veil: Belladonna bridal Suits: Corless Formalwear Venue: Glenlo Abbey Photographer: Angela Farragher Photography

Cliodhna Ní Cheallaigh & James Devereux were married in Galway Cathedral followed by a reception in the Salthill Hotel, Galway.

The Dress: Tracy Bridal The Bridesmaid dresses: Folkster, Dublin Flowergirl dresses: Leanaí, Athlone The Cake: Carol’s Cakes Galway Photographer: Bartosz Kotulski magicialmemories.ie Honeymoon: Hotel Seaside Los Jameos, Puerto Del Carmen.

Caroline Glynn & Stephen Fahy were married recently at Drumraney Church, Co. Westmeath followed by a beautiful reception at the Glasson Lake Hotel.

Venue: Glasson Lake House, Westmeath Dress: Vows Wedding Store, Cork Bridesmaids dresses: Little Mistress Suits: Guy Clothing, Tullamore Jewellery accessories: Rosie & Dot Hair: June Murtagh, Mullingar Make up: Ruth Cassidy, Mullingar Cake: Lillies & Pearls, Gort Video: Days to Remember Honeymoon: Ice house & Lough Erin with the Maldives to follow Photographer: Sean Lydon photographer info@Lydonimages

Louise Sharkey, Guest Speaker Yvonnne Tierney and Shauna Quigley

Joanne Murphy, President of BPW Galway Annette Fitzgerald and Bridget Cheasty

BPW CANDLE LIGHTING SUPPER was held at Galway Golf Club with guest speaker Yvonne Tiernan.

PHOTOS BY TOM TAHENY

Ann O’Donoghue and Marguerite Fallon

Amy Kelly, Mary Pat Kavanagh and Ashling Kelly

Annette Hassett and Evelyn Cormican

Jane Walsh and Mary Wyer

Jean Hughes and Cathy Hughes

Maureen Mooney, Collette Nugent, Carmen Taheny and Marie Reilly

Amy Kelly and Treasa Hanniffy

Ciaran Gallen, Laura Gannon, Aoife Carbin and David Duffy

Lisa Lambert, Ronan Lardner of Galway Bay FM and Patricia Lambert

WALK IN PINK Members of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute Galway voluntary fundraising committee held a 7km walk from The Claddagh Hall to Blackrock and back on Mother’s day.

All monies raised went to the charity based at NUIG. PHOTOS BY SEAN LYDON

Caroline Healy with her daughter Jessica and Peggy the dog.

Joleene Cummins, Meabh Hall and mum Ruth McKenna

Martina, Sheila and Rosie O›Brien

Kate Cameron, Helena McMahon, Maria and Marie Skehill

Caroline Stewart with her baby Lucy and Anna Flannery

Siobhan and Una McDonagh, twins Cadhla and Lily Ryan, with Andrea and Patricia Fox

FEATURE

GET TO KNOW

Michaela O’Shaughnessy @lifeofaladybear

Oranmore native Michaela O’Shaughnessy is the editorial lead of the Creator Marketing team at Instagram in New York. Her role involves overseeing channels which are aimed at educating creators around the world on how they can be successful on the platform. Prior to joining Instagram, Michaela worked in audience development and social media at MTV, Teen Vogue and Glamour Magazine.

Describe yourself in three words: Thoughtful, hardworking, persistent.

Vogue, Glamour and Instagram has been hard work but so rewarding.

What is something our readers might not know about you? If anyone follows me on social media then they definitely know this about me, but if not then it might be a surprise to hear that I’m absolutely obsessed with Formula 1. It’s the highlight of my weekend to watch the races and keep up with what’s happening with all of the drivers.

What is your proudest accomplishment? I’m really proud of the career I’ve built! Moving from Ireland to New York with no connections or real work experience and being able to work my way into some amazing brands like MTV, Teen

Who is your biggest inspiration? My parents!

Both of them are the loves of my life and they inspire me every day to be the best version of myself both professionally and personally.

“Moving from Ireland to New York with no connections or real work experience has been hard but so rewarding.”

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Tell us something you love about Galway: I love everything about Galway, it’s home for me! My favourite thing to do in Galway is walking from Renville Park along the water out past the Galway Bay Sailing Club, bonus points if it’s during sunset! I also live for a bag of chips from McDonagh’s and a stroll past Yes Flowers to see their gorgeous window display.

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