Arguably the coolest café in Galway city, the Secret Garden is every tea drinker’s dream. Tucked away in Galway’s West End, The Secret Garden is removed from the hustle and bustle of shop street making it the ultimate chill-out zone. Frequented mainly by locals and students, it’s certainly one of Gailimh’s hidden gems. https://www.instagram.com/p/BWKXfViDV4d/?utm_source=ig_embed The […]

7 years ago

Disney fans rejoice. Earlier this year it was announced that Disney+, the Disney equivalent to Netflix, would soon be hitting Irish shores. Hinting at a launch sometime in March, Irish fans were left without an exact date…until now that is – as it has just been announced that the service will launch in Ireland on […]

7 years ago

Visitor numbers have gone up by 54 per cent over the past four years. The Irish whiskey industry is booming at the moment, with it acting as a big pull for visitors coming to the country. Giving people the chance to experience Irish culture at its best, over a million people have visited Irish whiskey […]

7 years ago

Their outfits were fairly similar in fairness. Twitter came alive during last night’s episode of Aftersun, as usual. And in an unexpected turn of events, people think that Laura Whitmore gets her style cues from Marge Simpson. Appearing on the panel alongside host Laura was Roman Kemp, Raye and Stephen Bailey. As well as Eve […]

7 years ago

Sligo is quickly gaining traction with foodies as the place to be, and for good reason, it seems. The restaurant scene is thriving down in Yeats County, with options to suit every palate and dietary requirement…including vegan. One of my favourites? The Gallery Café on Grattan Street. Run by Laura, who learned all her cooking […]

7 years ago

Food for every mood – including Blue Monday. I usually start the week with the best of intentions, vowing to pre-prepare my lunches and avoid spending all my money on oat milk flat whites. While the intent is there, the follow-through isn’t. Especially because I tend to leave my grocery shop for the week until […]

7 years ago

Movie Mondays are something we can get on board with. In keeping with the theme of this month – Pixar month – Electric Arcade is screening the fan favourite Finding Nemo. Never seen it? I’m appalled…but here’s a plot summary for you (don’t worry, no spoilers): “It’s about a man whose wife is brutally murdered […]

7 years ago

For the stargazers and wannabe space explorers amongst us. Organised by Galway Astronomy Club, AstroFest 2020 is set to take place in the Harbour Hotel on Saturday, January 25th. An event centred around all things astronomy, there will be a series of talks, trade displays and photographic exhibitions to help delve into the mysteries of […]

7 years ago

It’s never too early to start thinking about your next holiday. I’m a firm believer in the joie du vivre, people. So where should be top of your list, I hear you ask? That’s easy – Valencia! Lying on the eastern coast of Spain, it’s the country’s third largest city. And while that may lead […]

7 years ago

I know that TLC said “don’t go chasing waterfalls”, and while I’m sure they had their reasons for such advice, I think that on this occasion you should disregard it. One of the original Seven Natural Wonders, Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world. Known to locals as ‘The Smoke That Thunders’, it […]

7 years ago

Desserts can be quite a divisive topic. Some people love jelly, others loathe it (I’m in the latter group, yuck). Some lean towards cheesecake, others choose ice-cream every time (combine the two and you’re winning at life). Donuts, however, are one of those things that everyone can agree on. The only thing to fight about […]

7 years ago

Few things can bring as much joy as a smiling alpaca. Take one look at that face and you’re bound to be smiling too. Happiness is contagious. Meet Cappuccino, Cusco and Jersey below. Now imagine getting to spend a whole two hours of quality time with some of Kenmare’s fluffiest residents. The Naked Sheep Lodge […]

7 years ago

Awards season is well underway, with the Oscars ceremony set to take place next month on February 9th. Movie buffs are in their element, knee-deep in prediction bets over who will win at the Oscars, who will be snubbed, who will make an inappropriate joke etc. Ireland’s own Saoirse Ronan is in the running this […]

7 years ago

Does that qualify as a reason for a cheeky G&T tonight? I think so. Micil Irish Gin, a local gin made in Connemara, has won big at the World Gin Awards. Nabbing the silver medal in the ‘contemporary style gin’ category, the luxury gin is handmade by the Micil Family using local flowers and herbs. […]

7 years ago

Yer one off the telly is pure gas. Laura Whitmore has changed her Twitter name in solidarity with this year’s islands. Whatever you make of her as the new present of Love Island, you can’t deny she has a great sense of humour. Showing her support for what must be a daily struggle, Laura added […]

7 years ago

In the words of the man himself, this would be shamazing. It’s not even 24 hours since Sandi Toksvig dropped the bombshell that she would be stepping down as host of the Great British Bake Off, but it looks like the rumour mill is already churning with news of potential replacements with fans rooting for […]

7 years ago

Twitter never fails to deliver when it comes to hilarious content. Trending on Twitter: not great for productivity levels – blink once and you’ll find yourself three hours deep in a thread discussing different conspiracy theories – but that aside it’s the place to go when you’re feeling glum and need a good LOL. ‘Seduce […]

7 years ago

Naked, nude, in the nip; put it how you will, it all means the same thing. An Irish company is looking to hire naked cleaners and they’ll reward you handsomely for your services. If you’re looking for a career change then this could be of interest. Recruiting both male and female cleaners, Naked Cleaners Ireland […]

7 years ago

Say it ain’t so. Sandi Toksvig has announced that she will be stepping down as co-host of the Great British Bake Off. Appearing on the show alongside Noel Fielding, Toksvig has appeared in 51 showstopping episodes over the past three years. All pud things come to an end. The upcoming series of The Great Stand […]

7 years ago

Sligo Tourism has released a stunning new video; proving once and for all why Ireland is deserving of its title as the Emerald Isle. Part of an off-season marketing campaign, the aim is to encourage families to opt for staycations over trips abroad. https://www.instagram.com/p/B5GHPsqB0eA/ And it makes for quite a compelling argument. Highlighting all that […]

7 years ago

Set to take place inside the hallowed 225-year-old walls of St. Michael’s Church, Ballina will come alive to the sound of music for two nights of incredible live performances. The second year of Other Voices in Ballina, organisers have announced the first four acts on the line-up – naming Elbow, Skinny Living, Denise Chaila and […]

7 years ago

Big 7 Travel has given the people what they want; a list of where to find the top burgers in Europe. Covering everywhere from tiny burger bars to hugely popular restaurants with a cult following, their top picks certainly make for a convincing reason to jet off on a weekend getaway ASAP. Prepare to drool. […]

7 years ago

Love may be a battlefield, but online shopping is a minefield. Imagine the following scenario. You’re browsing online, spend ages picking out a to-die-for outfit, order it and wait patiently for it to arrive. Only to put it on and realise that it looks nothing like it did on the website – for whatever reason. […]

7 years ago

Yoohoo big summer blowout. Reckon you have what it takes to make it in the villa? Well, this could be your time to shine as applications for the summer series of Love Island have opened. With the winter series currently underway, producers have now set their sights on the summer edition. https://www.instagram.com/p/B7T2gmKldPa/ On the hunt […]

7 years ago

Everything’s coming up Milhouse. No plans for the evening? Fear not, the Black Gate have you covered with a Simpsons-themed pub quiz. Taking place this evening, fans of the iconic TV series are invited to call in and put all their niche trivia knowledge to the test. Do you know the name of Homer’s lobster? […]

7 years ago

Valentine’s Day is coming up *cough, cough. I know it’s still a ways off -there’s approximately 500 days of January left to get through first, but one can never be too prepared when it comes to booking a Valentine’s trip away. The earlier the better…not only will you more than likely get a better deal, […]

7 years ago

The news ends weeks of speculation over when the general election would be held. The general election has been confirmed for Saturday, February 8th. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will travel to Áras an Uachtaráin this afternoon to speak with President Michael D Higgins and seek a dissolution of the 32nd Dáil. Under Irish law, a general […]

7 years ago

Many Love Island viewers seem to have changed their tune since watching the first Aftersun episode of the series. Love Island returned to our TV screens on Sunday evening for the winter edition of the popular reality dating show. Marking the first episode of the all-new winter version, the series also saw Bray native Laura […]

7 years ago

A swimmer who went for a dip at Salthill during Storm Brendan has sparked fury online. Storm Brendan hit the west coast early yesterday morning with Salthill in Galway experiencing high winds and strong currents. Overtopping at the prom in Salthill lead to the South Park being closed to traffic with the public being warned […]

7 years ago

Sweet suffering Jehovah! Derry Girls creator, Lisa McGee, has confirmed the news we’ve all been waiting to hear – a Derry Girls movie is definitely on the cards. This comes in response to a question put to her by a reporter for the Red Carpet News on whether fans will ever see the girls embarrassing […]

7 years ago

This is the Irish native’s fourth time being nominated for an Oscar. The Oscar Award nominations were announced today at 1:18pm Irish time. Saoirse Ronan leads the way for the Irish contingent, nominated for best actress for her portrayal of Jo March in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women. Congratulations to the Leading Actress nominees! #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/LSz3nymNVY […]

7 years ago

Be careful out there folks. Storm Brendan has arrived in force with a Status Orange Wind Warning in place for the entire country. Motorists are being warned of a rogue trampoline which has landed on the M7 just before the UL exit into Limerick. Blown into the route of oncoming traffic by the storm. Navigating […]

7 years ago

Northern Ireland is the last place in Ireland and the UK to legalise the practice. As of today, January 13, same-sex couples can legally get married in Northern Ireland – with the first ceremonies expected to be carried out by Valentine’s Day (couples must register their intent to marry 28 days in advance). Couples already […]

7 years ago

This comes in an attempt to cut down on the number of single-use plastic bottles used in the country. Galway’s Westend has launched a corn starch plant-based reusable water bottle to combat the need for plastic bottles. According to Drinks Industry Ireland, an estimated 183 million litres of water were bought in the Republic of […]

7 years ago

The Salthill prom has reopened this morning, having been closed off last night ahead of stormy weather hitting. The country is battening down the hatches for the onset of Storm Brendan, which hit the west coast of the country early this morning. Met Eireann has extended a Status Orange weather warning for the whole country […]

7 years ago

The first episode of the Winter edition of Love Island premiered last night with mixed reviews to the new host. The ITV2 show returned to TV screens last night for a 90-minute special to introduce the islanders. Laura Whitmore also made her debut as the new host of the series, taking over from Caroline Flack […]

7 years ago

Anyone else feel like it’s the 51st day of January? January just seems to last forever – by far one of the gloomiest months of the year. While most people start out the year with the best of intentions – vowing to stay off the drink for as long as possible, I’d say more than […]

7 years ago

The secret’s out; Dermot’s got that power over us. Official charts released a list of the country’s top 50 biggest songs of 2019 with Dermot Kennedy claiming the title of most listened to Irish artist. https://www.instagram.com/p/B6dJ5rlAvk9/ Lewis Capaldi’s Someone You Loved was the biggest song of the year racking up 26.8 million streams over audio […]

7 years ago

Pulling on our heartstrings. 16-year-old Molli Meaghan-Tresson has set the bar quite high; showing us the importance of paying it forward. A regular busker around the Dun Laoghaire area, she entertained locals with her musical medleys over the festive period. And proving to be quite a popular addition to the East Pier, she managed to […]

7 years ago

Making sure you get all of your five a day can be harder than it sounds. It’s usually not till evening time that you realise your diet is seriously lacking in greens and by then you’re probably halfway through a curry cheese chip anyways. Fresh juices are a handy way to get sneak some fruit […]

7 years ago

Cycling has really taken off in recent years as one of the most popular ways to keep fit. Not only is it a great way to stay active, but it’s also a great way to get out and do some sightseeing. People are opting more and more for holidays that incorporate some sort of physical […]

7 years ago

Renewed interest in the Irish rebel song, Come Out Ye Black And Tans, has shot it the top of the charts. The Wolfe Tones have announced that they will donate all proceeds made from the sale of their hit Come Out Ye Black And Tans to charity. Currently number one in the iTunes Charts in […]

7 years ago

A real-life game of Cluedo…without the murder of course. Avid fantasy world fans and board games aficionados (bonus points if you’re fond of both) will love this murder-mystery game. And as it’s witchcraft and wizardry themed, muggles need not apply Organised by CluedUpp, the giant game of magical Cluedo is set to come to Cork […]

7 years ago

Fun fact for yiz – I was named after a Thin Lizzy song. No prizes for guessing which one…Sarah, in case that wasn’t extremely clear. Monroe’s, one of Galway’s best late-night venues, is gearing up for their annual remembrance gig in honour of Phil Lynott. https://www.instagram.com/p/B5s6MAJqe23/ Marking the 34th anniversary of the passing of the […]

7 years ago

The line- up for this week’s Late Late Show has been announced. Ryan will be joined by a host of familiar faces including Brenda Fricker, Richard Corrigan and Kodaline. There will be a segment dedicated to Oscar Award-winner actress Brenda Fricker (she won best supporting actress for her role in My Left Foot). Joining Ryan […]

7 years ago

No, vegans don’t just eat salad. Being vegan is tough work. A lot of meal-planning is involved because trust me, there’s nothing worse than arriving home STARVING only to find the fridge empty (the same applies whether you’re plant-based or not). Luckily, finding tasty vegan eats is no longer half as difficult as it used […]

7 years ago

“Rock and roll is a risk”. Sing Street, the Irish musical based on the indie movie of the same name, is headed for Broadway. Set in 1980s Dublin, the stage-adaptation adheres to the same plotline as the movie. Telling the story of Conor Lawlor, it follows a group of teens who form a band – […]

7 years ago

Let me set the scene: You’re passing by the local deli when a sudden wave of hunger washes over you. The smell of food wafts out the open door, enticing you in for some grub. You wait in line, get to the counter and go through the usual rigmarole – plain or spicy? Cut in […]

7 years ago

Get your brunch on in aid of a good cause. Vocho is putting on a brunch with a difference this Sunday. Their first venture into the brunch world, they’ve chosen to do it free of charge – encouraging customers to donate to COPE  instead – who have a shelter just around the corner from the […]

7 years ago

The one where they all go for brunch. No weekend would be complete without a spot of brunch – it’s as much about the socialising as it is the food. And this Friends-themed brunch is the perfect mix of both. Sittings last 90 minutes and include a delicious breakfast spread, with projectors showing some of […]

7 years ago