~ KnockMa & The Autumnal Equinox ~The time of the Autumnal Equinox is now, and coincidentally it was traditionally celebrated in Ireland on a small mound in North Galway, better known as KnockMa. Just as Newgrange is the place of ritual significance for the Winter Solstice, KnockMa (known locally as Castlehackett Hill) was a place… Read more »

I’m just next door I stood by your bed last night; I came to have a peep.I could see that you were crying you found it hard to sleep.I spoke to you softly as you brushed away a tear,”It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here.”I was close to you at… Read more »

Ibec launches Budget 2021 campaign  Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, today launched its Budget 2021 campaign (see document attached) at which it called on Government to ensure that emergency supports, which are due to be withdrawn from the economy in the first half of 2021, are followed by a new stage of policy measures to support… Read more »

Dear Fellow Gardeners,In September we often have the best weather but so far this hasn’t materialised – at least not in the North-West.  It seems to have been a good year for root crops though.  Our parsnips and carrots are very good.  It is too early to harvest them though if you want to store… Read more »

The death has occurred of Eugene GavinGortatleva, Claregalway, Galway / Mullingar, Westmeath 10.01.1945 – 11.09.2020 (75 years) Eugene passed away (peacefully) at home surrounded by his family. Beloved husband of Maura and father of Adrian, Damien, Deirdre, Vincent and Alan. He will be sadly missed by his wife, sons and daughter, his sister May, his… Read more »

Hospice Stories David Cribbin on Pastoral Care My journey as a chaplain in Galway Hospice has been a long and very varied one. For 20 years I was a priest in The Philippines and in Ireland. For eight of those years, I was chaplain in the Galway University Hospital and it was a role and… Read more »

 Galway Advertiser, Thu, Sep 10, 2020 In the year that is in it, when we have all been twisted and turned this way and that by the vagaries of this awful disease, there are moments which sum us up as a nation which make us smile and realise what a great little place we can… Read more »

DNA testing can help you find every person worthy of inclusion on your family tree and make sure that all that information is accurate. DNA Testing and Family Trees Nearly every school in the country gives students a family tree assignment. The idea is that they can go home and get help from their parents… Read more »

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Genealogy The idea of doing genealogy research might make you cringe because you imagine yourself spending hours trapped in a library or a town hall as you dig through dusty books and tall shelves. You can now do much of the research that you like from home.  The internet made… Read more »

The death has occurred of Bernadette Carr (née Daly)Carnmore, Oranmore, Galway Predeceased by her husband Mark. Dearly loved mother of Patrick, Alison, Jason, Mandy, Fiona, Paul, and Stephen. Sadly, missed by her grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, extended family, neighbours and friends. Reposing at her residence for family and relatives on Wednesday, 9th September, from 4 o’clock until… Read more »

~ The year that had everything ~1998 was one of the most eventful and action packed years of my life… great highs, great lows and great adventures. It had joy, love, travel, death, grief, a whirlwind of emotion, my first panic attack and my own near miss experience. 1998 was a whopper!It started on a… Read more »

August Routine JobsHappy Friday GIYers, Time is one of the biggest obstacles people face when setting out to grow food. It may seem like a lot of work, but getting into a regular routine makes these small jobs quicker, easier, and ultimately part of the joy of growing. If you’re currently growing here are some… Read more »