MAY 2018 // FREE // THISISGALWAY.IE
ISSUE # 8
Féile Amharclannaíochta na Gaillimhe
POSTER DESIGN AND ARTWORK BY JO LOPEZ
GALWAY THEATRE FESTIVAL
WEB TWEET FACE INSTA
www.galwaytheatrefestival.com @GwayTheatreFest GalwayTheatreFestival galway_theatre_festival
#GalwayTheatreFest
Image by Boyd Challenger
WHAT’S INSIDE 4-6
Izzy Wheels // Reinventing the Wheel
8-11
EAT // Fine Dining
12
HERTERICH’S ARTISAN BUTCHERS // Bringing the breakfast menu home
13-17
DRINK // Cosy gin parlours, Irish-made gin and international exports -- Galway can’t get enough
21-23
NEW FACES, FRESH PLACES // Galway welcomes an apothecary, antiques and more to its streets
23-24
LORDS OF STRUT // The Mullet Never Left
28-29
GALWAY THEATRE FESTIVAL // What’s Your Heart Made of?
26-30
WHAT’S ON // Bringing you all the craic in Galway so you don’t miss out
WHO WE ARE... Art Direction & Design Martin Browne info@thisisgalway.ie
Photography Boyd Challenger
Editor Caitlin Foley caitlin@thisisgalway.ie
Advertising Queries Maxi Browne maxi@thisisgalway.ie Ian Burke ian@thisisgalway.ie
REINVENTING THE WHEEL with Ailbhe Keane Ailbhe Keane, Galway girl and founder of Izzy Wheels, had one goal when she started Izzy Wheels: to make wheelchairs look nicer for their users. Interview: IAN BURKE Words: CAITLIN FOLEY
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nspired by her sister’s desire to personalise her wheelchair, Ailbhe wanted to put her own design experience to good use and bring fashion to the wheelchair. Now, Izzy Wheels company creates wheel covers with bright, bold designs, full of personality, flair and colour. Izzy Wheels is all about inclusive fashion, self-expression and promoting positive relationships between wheelchair users and their wheels, proudly proclaiming, “If you can’t stand up, stand out.” Here, Ailbhe talks about the nerves of starting her own business at 23, the power of social media, and Izzy Wheels’ plans to revolutionise the meaning of ‘inclusive fashion’.
Where did you get the idea for Izzy Wheels? The idea was always there at the back of my mind. [My sister, Izzy] was born with spina bifida and is paralysed from the waist down, so she’s always been a wheelchair user, but it’s never bothered her in any kind of way.
For a wheelchair user if someone says, “Oh, I love your wheels”, or “Your wheelchair looks so cool”, it’s such a big personal compliment to receive, because you immediately address the wheelchair in a positive way. When she started school, she still had a really positive relationship with her wheelchair. It was only as she got a little bit older, I suppose, people started to feel sorry for her, which is something that Izzy really hated. So for special occasions, she always loved decorating the wheelchair. People would always compliment her wheels. For a wheelchair user if someone says, “Oh, I love your wheels”, or “Your wheelchair looks so cool”, it’s such a big personal compliment to receive, because you immediately address the wheelchair in a positive way. As she got into adulthood though, there was nothing really there for her to be able to do that.
I studied arts at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, and I always wanted to do something to enhance the appearance of a wheelchair. In my final year, we had a self-directed brief, and my whole brief was about empowering wheelchair users. The simplest thing and the thing that people liked the most was just wheel covers. So I finished college in 2016 and I wasn’t ready to let go of the project. I started designing covers for Izzy’s friends -- she’s got loads of friends that are wheelchair users, it’s a very well-connected community of people -- and I opened up an online store called izzywheels.com, and started getting orders pretty much straight away.
Your social media presence is awesome. How did you grow that? Our social media following came very organically. We were a start-up, so we didn’t have a lot of money to spend on advertising campaigns. We made sure that anything we posted had really good quality photos, and we posted the meaning behind it. People want to follow something that has meaning to it. Izzy Wheels has that naturally anyway. Insider contacted me and asked if they could make a video based on our Instagram, which had little videos of Izzy dancing in her wheels, and I didn’t really know how big of a deal that was going to be. It got two million views in a day, 15 million in a week, and it pretty much went viral in America. I know that it sounds like it was really cool, but it was literally the most stressful week of my life. All these orders were coming in from America – we were getting more orders in a day than we’d been getting in a month. It was scary, but it was a really good way of getting our name out there. After that, the press started rolling in: Instagram featured us, celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Mark Ruffalo starting getting in touch and sharing our products. It was scary – but cool! It grew really, really quickly. Wheelchairs have been around for over a hundred years – why do you think no one else is doing what you’re doing? Well, wheelchairs are designed mostly for functionality by engineers and hospitals. There’s never really been a crossover between art and wheelchairs. They have been designing spoke art for years, but they’re big plastic covers that are built into the wheels so you can’t get them off. They’re designed poorly in that they’re a coloured plastic with a vinyl sticker over them, and after two weeks, it peels. You can’t change it, you’re stuck looking at it for the next five or ten years until you get a new wheelchair. You want to be able to change your appearance to go
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with how you’re feeling, or the time of year, and that’s been totally overlooked. There’s just not the view that a wheelchair is part of a personal style.
What’s been the craziest design request that you’ve received? At the beginning when I was saying yes to everything, we did some really wacky stuff, but there’s one request that stands out to me. A woman named Erin Clark asked if I could design her wheels for a dance competition she was in. She sent in a photo of a tattoo on her hand, a black and white pattern in a circle, so it was perfect. I said yes, I printed them off and sent them off to Spain. About two weeks later, I saw that the dance competition she was in was parapoling. I didn’t know what that was – I didn’t even know it was a thing! This woman is so amazing, she’s a champion on the pole! And she uses the wheels that I designed her on stage. She won first place in the Spanish Parapole Championships that year.
What’s the future of Izzy Wheels? We have two new lines every year, and we’re going to continue to collaborate with different designers. We collaborated with Orla Kiely recently, and we really want to work with more brands like that. Everyone loves fashion; and working with fashion designers is a route we definitely want to go down. We’ve got the wheels, but you’ve got to be able to complete the look. For a wheelchair user, going shopping in town is a really frustrating task. Nothing is designed for a seated person. The pants get bunched up, the sleeves get dirty. It’s
unfair. We want to create one shop where everything is designed with wheelchair users in mind. It’s not designed by hospitals – it’s designed by fashion designers and artists, just for them.
“ I know that it sounds like it was really cool, but it was literally the most stressful week of my life.” You were just out of college when Izzy Wheels took off – what advice would you give other young entrepreneurs? When you’re younger, you’ve got less to lose. There are so many options when you’re young. If you have a good idea, Ireland is a really great place to work on it. There is loads of training and funding available. Enterprise Ireland gave me all the resources I needed – I came to them with literally just an idea. I had no business skills, but they took me on. I got a sixmonth training programme, an office space, six months’ salary and mentorship to get my business started. That was amazing, and anyone can do that. You don’t have to do it alone – there’s so much help out there, and people want to help you. www.izzywheels.com
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Unit 4, Glenrock Business Park, Ballybane, Galway T: 091-755705 F: 091-755707 E: sales@isupply.ie
Arts/Science Building, NUI Galway T: 091-492350 F: 09 1-494571 E: printthat@nuigalway.ie
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Unit 1, Ballybane Industrial Estate, Ballybane, Galway. T: 091 725 875 E: sales@isupply.ie
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10-12 Sea Road, Galway T: 091-585770 F: 091-589089 E: searoad@isupply.ie
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Loam images by Julia Dunin
FINE DINING Treat yourself to something special in Galway...
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EAT: FINE DINING
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Destination plates and where to find them
Irish cuisine is coming on in leaps and bounds, and there’s no better place to showcase that than some of Galway’s finer restaurants. Galway is home to Michelin stars and AA Rosettes, carefully-prepared menus starring flavours from the West of Ireland, award-winning wine experiences, stunning views, and elegant interiors that welcome you inside to relax and enjoy. Loam Founded by Enda McEvoy and his wife Sinead in 2014 in a disused building on Fairgreen Rd, Loam has since gone on to achieve great success, winning numerous accolades including a Michelin star after only 10 months in business. Loam is a large spacious premises which offers a small a la carte menu and a 7 or 9 course tasting menu. There is also a small wine bar where you can pop in for a glass of wine with cheese or charcuterie. Loam has a focus on modern ambitious cooking rooted in tradition. Seasonally driven, the kitchen works very closely with local farmers and producers, like Leaf and Root farm in Loughrea who supply most of the fresh vegetables and Castlemine Farm which supplies all the meat for the restaurant. Sustainability is very important, Loam being the first restaurant in Ireland to be awarded three stars from the Sustainable Restaurant Association in 2017. This is achieved through reducing food waste by using the whole animal/plant and using solely locally grown produce. According to McEvoy, using this challenge “you force yourself to be more creative and with that, you force yourself to find different flavours and different textures when creating a dish” and because of this the menu is constantly evolving. Paired with a wine list which includes organic, biodynamic and natural wines from all over Europe, sourced by small, independent importers who share a similar ethos, Loam is the perfect place to spend an evening. Opening times are Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm, with dinner service from 6pm. Geata na Cathrach, Fairgreen, Galway City // +353(0)91 569 727
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Aniar With award-winning chef de partie Killian Crowley in the kitchen of this Michelin-star restaurant, you’ll get a taste of the West of Ireland’s unique and celebrated cuisine. Aniar’s team, led by husband and wife team of JP McMahon and Drigín Gaffey, are dedicated to celebrating the local and the wild in their food. With an award-winning wine experience, innovative and contemporary cuisine and a gorgeous Scandinavian design, Aniar is top of the charts when it comes to fine dining in Galway. 53 Dominick Street, Galway’s Westend // +353 (0)91 535947
“ One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” - Virginia Wolf -
Restaurant gigi’s at the g Hotel The g Hotel has a reputation for opulence and elegance, and their Restuarant gigi’s is no exception. The sea-inspired restaurant, designed by Galway milliner Phillip Treacy, is both extravagant and comfortable, with seashell-shaped booths and bright, tropicalcoloured chairs promising something exceptional. The menu delivers, with delicacies like pan-seared scallops, perfectly crispy roast duck, and a cocktail menu that’s irresistable. Old Dublin Road, Galway City // +353(0)91 865 200
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Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites Located on the smallest of the Aran Islands, Inis Meáin Restaurant is inspired by the closeness to nature and the slow pace of life on a small island off the coast of Ireland. The restaurant itself offers ingredients given from the island including lobster and crab caught from local fishermen in currachs, vegetables and fruit from the kitchen garden and greenhouse. Their 2018 season is entirely booked up, which should give an indication of just how sought-after a relaxing break at Inis Meáin Restaurant is. If you want to be the first to know about their openings and availability, sign up to the newsletter on their website. Inishmaan, Co Galway // inismeain.com
West Restaurant You’ll find West Restaurant inside the Twelve Hotel, located along the coast in the charming village of Barna. They offer contemporary, beautifully-presented dishes with a nod to tradition, using only the best of local and seasonal products. The restaurant itself is elegant and beautifully lit, inviting you to take your time, relax and enjoy a gorgeous meal. West Restaurant have racked up all kinds of awards for their wine experience, so be sure to talk to their sommelier for a recommended wine pairing. The Twelve, Coast Road, Barna // +353(0)91 597 000
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HERTERICH’S ARTISAN BUTCHERS bringing the breakfast menu home Herterich’s is one of Galway’s oldest and best-loved institutions. Fred and Peg Herterich opened the doors on Lombard Street in 1940, and this small artisanal butcher has been on breakfast menus all over Galway ever since. And the best part is this: You can call into the butcher’s and bring your favourite flavours home in bulk! Old favourites like breakfast sausage, home cured hams, and the assortments of puddings are always available. But in 2018, the team at Herterich’s have started taking things in exciting new directions. Diversity and constant creativity is key to any good business, and this one is no different. They’ve introduced a range of gluten-free Mediterranean sausages to keep things interesting! Their sweet Italian sausage is their most popular, made with a blend of cracked fennel, rubbed sage and basil, and roasted garlic. They cover everything from spicy to savoury in their display. Each month, their team comes together to brainstorm fresh, bold new ideas. Most recently, they’ve come up with their Spanish Morcilla, and an Irish Coffee black pudding! With summer on the way, the shop will be stocked with all the barbeque essentials. Their own rubbed belly ribs, rolled legs of pork and their famous pork burgers will be showstoppers at your next cookout. Being an artisanal butcher means that everything they do is made with love and precision, for restaurant-quality products every time. The only things they buy in are locally-made sauces and marinades, to match their products. It doesn’t get any more Galway than bringing some Herterich’s home!
Photo by Boyd Challenger
GIN BARS & PARLOURS Of all the gin joints in all the world…
We got a chance to chat with Doug Leddin about Galway’s exciting new addition: Hyde Bar & Gin Parlour on Forster Street. What inspired the Connacht Group to go ahead with a gin parlour? After taking over the Forster Street Hotel, we saw a gap in the market for a more colourful, fun and open-space bar in Galway. [The Connacht Group] have An Pucan and 1520, which have their own strengths but they’re a bit darker, with a lot of live music and are more whiskey-focused. We wanted to give Galway a relaxed, bright social space that would be ideal for after-work drinks. The name is of course from Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde – Jekyl was your every day guy, and then the alter ego of Mr Hyde would come out at night. That’s the concept behind it.
every day, with quick, easy, and fun food. We’ll have healthy salads and nice, filling sandwiches for people that don’t have a lot of time. That’s our ‘Dr Jekyl’. And then at the weekends, we’ll have boozy bottomless brunches with prosecco and mimosas, fast and fun cocktails, all the ingredients that make up a fun and indulgent brunch. We’ll also have a late bar and DJ’s from Thrusday thru to Saturday. What can people expect when they head to Hyde for the first time? We hope they’re blown away by it – it’s kind of unlike anything in Galway at the moment. There’s a real attention to detail in the décor. Everything is botanically inspired, we have ‘live walls’ covered in flowers and colourful bespoke furniture. The attention to detail was paramount when we dreamed up Hyde and have made it a reality; everything from the staff aprons to glassware, USB points around the bar, and our floral, greenhouse-inspired meeting room our unique.
Going forward, what’s the vision for Hyde? We’re the biggest gin bar in Ireland; we have 508 different types of gin at the moment, from as far as Japan. We plan to hit over 1,000 different gins in the next twelve months. We eventually aim to be the biggest gin bar in the world.
We’ve applied the same attention to detail to our bar service. We have some of the best cocktail mixologists in the country working with us. We’ll have high end wines with a sophisticated carbon system – that enables us to pour a glass of high-end wine without damaging the cork.
Gin is the obvious focal point, but there’s so much more to it, too. In the way that Garavan’s seems like a whiskey bar at first sight, it offers so much more when you head inside, we want Hyde to follow that. We’ll be offering lunch from 11:30am to 4:30pm
Usually, you can’t buy high quality wine by the glass, you have to buy the bottle. We can pour the perfect glass but leave the rest of the bottle perfectly intact, and at very competitive prices. We want people to have an experience they wouldn’t have anywhere else.
Photos by Boyd Challenger
DRINK
O’Connell’s Bar: Take a stroll down Gin Lane O’Connell’s Bar is a traditional-style pub, with tons of energy and a warm inviting atmosphere. It feels like sitting inside a piece of history with most of its original fixtures and fittings still intact. Here you will find a wide selection of drinks to choose from including craft beers, premium whiskies and spirits from all around the world. They are known for their vast and ever-expanding gin portfolio, which currently has over 110 gins to choose from (and is still growing…). To compliment this portfolio they have a full range of premium mixers and garnishes to create the perfect serve for your gin. Another exciting project that they have recently completed is the launch of their very own craft beer called O’Connell’s 1862 IPA. This is a collaboration with the guys from The White Hag Brewery in Sligo. Visiting their large beer garden is a must, which includes an old Victorian street known as ‘Gin Lane’. The garden is partially covered and heated, making it the perfect venue to enjoy Galway’s long summer evenings and eclectic atmosphere every weekend. The Beer Garden also hosts a mixture of social events and regular live performances. The most recent being Kodaline’s exclusive gig at Easter. Their most notable visitor was none other than ‘Ed Sheeran’ when he popped by to shoot his video for ‘Galway Girl’. Every weekend sees local heroes ‘The Dough Bros’ serve their amazing pizza and a live DJ provides the soundtrack to a perfect night out 8 Eyre Square, Galway City // +353 (091) 563 634.
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The Skeff: An essential part of your night out in Galway Located in the heart of Eyre Square and part of the historic fabric of Galway City since 1850, The Skeff Late Bar & Kitchen is an entertainment institution. Their five bars include the 1852 Whiskey Club and Gin Parlour to suit any taste! Their Gin Parlour boasts over 120 gins, predominately from London and Edinburgh but also including Irish gins, which have come to the table over the last few years. They also offer Fever Tree tonic, from Mediterranean to Elderflower which really open up the gin flavours and botanicals. Garnishes range from fresh strawberries to grapefruit and the ever-popular Juniper berries. Their house gin, Beefeater Gin, have recently released their very own Pink Gin which you’ll find at the bar. In addition, they’re creating a tasting range of Gin flights so be sure to pop in and keep an eye out for their Gin of the month offerings! Being the largest bar in the west of Ireland means that The Skeff can happily cater for a number of different groups at the same time. With a live music band and DJ every night of the week they offer the atmosphere, the space, great service and quality food to make your celebration unforgettable. Whether it’s a leaving party or simply a team get together, a sit-down meal with wine or more casual gathering with finger food and drinks, The Skeff have you covered! For group bookings call 091 563 173 |@theskeff | theskeff.ie 27 Eyre Square, Galway City // +353 (091) 563 173
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On Eyre Square: The Gaslight Bar & Brasserie bring gin experiences and great food to your next gathering The Gaslight Bar & Brasserie at Hotel Meyrick are known for their premium Gin range. Their new cocktail list includes highlights like their “Galway 2020” cocktail, which includes a mix of Galway Gin, white chocolate syrup, fresh raspberries, blackcurrant jam and a fresh squeeze of lemon juice for the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Their Gin tasting experiences guides you through a flight of three very different premium gins: Beefeater 24, Monkey 47 and Plymouth Gin. It’s the perfect start to a night out in Galway and can be pre-booked for groups of eight or more for €15 per person. The Gaslight Bar’s extensive selection of cocktails, gins and wines is paired by their offering of delicious food. With views of Eyre Square, the Gaslight is the perfect place for celebrations big and small. To enquire or book, call 091 564 041. The Gaslight Bar offers guests an extensive selection of the finest cocktails, gins and wines as well as great food! With an unrivalled location in the heart of Galway, overlooking Eyre Square, the Gaslight is the perfect venue for celebrations from engagements to significant birthdays. To enquire or book – 091 564041
EXCELLENT COCKTAILS PREMIUM GINS & WINES BRUNCH • LUNCH • DINNER RIGHT IN THE HEART OF GALWAY CITY
Book your next Celebration by calling the team 091 564041 or email reshm@hotelmeyrick.ie
overlooking eyre square at hotel meyrick
The Gaslight Bar & Brasserie at Hotel Meyrick, Eyre Square, Galway City. www.hotelmeyrick.ie
Schweppes Elderflower Advert 265x340mm.pdf
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DNA: Clubbing in style at Galway's newest late-night venue DNA is Galway’s new, premium club venue, located in the heart of Galway city, Eyre Square. Designed with style in mind, DNA boasts a premier sound and lighting system which has played host to top DJ’s. Its sophisticated and chic surroundings are unrivalled to anywhere else in Galway. Find yourself in the VIP area, celebrating an epicurean life beyond the queues. The VIP area boasts a private entrance which is tailored for guests who wish to chill out with the best hostess service and private smoking terrace. With a modern feel and overlooking the dance floor, it is a favourite among guests. This area comprises of semiprivate booths and a state of the art bar where guests can indulge in some late-night partying, includig bottle service and table service. This area is available for bookings and private parties DNA Galway is a place to party and a place to appreciate incredible cocktails, which are innovative takes on your favourite classics. DNA Galway App - download for free from Google Play / App store. #loyaltypays Once you have experienced a night out with us and discounts straight to your phone, you will wonder how you ever lived without the app. Being Social – It’s in our DNA.
Group Bookings: Tel: 091 500330 // E-mail: hello@dnagalway.com // Social: @dnagalway
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Summer sunshine in Snoozles
Summer is fast approaching and the fun-loving team at Snoozles Tourist Hostel are ready to welcome you! Located in the city centre, just beside the New Coach Station, Snoozles is one of Galway’s most popular hostels. It really is the ideal base for any summer getaway. They offer a wide range of newly renovated rooms ranging in size from 10, 6 and 4 bed en-suite dorms to their private twin, double and family rooms, making it ideal for those on a budget. Snoozles Tourist Hostel has everything to cater for people travelling to Galway, from individual travellers ready to see the sights to groups of all sizes geared up to enjoy Galway’s nightlife. Their facilities include chill-out areas for the worldweary traveller, a fully equipped guest kitchen, free wifi, laundry services, towel hire, computer access, discounted parking and a free continental breakfast. Their knowledgeable, energetic team are available to guide guests on what’s happening and where to go, and can help guests tailor their trips to suit their own interests. Their social hours in the evening including open-mic nights, tapas evenings, pizza and movie nights and board games -- and with all of Galway City on the doorstep, you certainly won’t be short of things to do. Forster Street, Galway City Centre // +353 (091) 530064
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FRESH PLACES NEW FACES Brand spanking new businesses to check out in Galway!
Hyde Bar & Gin Parlour This bright, colourful bar needs to be on your list for after-work drinks, boozy weekend brunches and late-night G&Ts. They’re serving healthy lunches during the day and some seriously delicious cocktails in the evening -- and with 508 gins and counting, the possibilities are endless! Forster Street, Galway City // +353 (091) 564111
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Galway Designers Studio House This fashion-based boutique is a place for Galway’s creatives to come together and brainstorm, design, and promote their unique products to the world. Galway Designer’s Studio House is full of locally designed clothing and jewellery, all made by Galway’s designers. They also have a studio space, available for rent by the day or long-term, where sewing machines, cutting tables and other equipment are ready to go! 14/15 the Cornstore, Augustine Street, Galway City // +353(0)91 561 840
Spiced of Barna This might just be your new favourite for Indian in Galway. Offering quick and easy takeaway in substantial portions, as well as a warm, family-friendly dining experience, Spiced Barna is ticking all the boxes. Their naan bread is divine, coming in a range of new flavours, and they have specials on most weeks. Their traditional Indian menu offers plenty of options for vegetarians along with all your favourite curry and rice dishes, samoas and other favourites, made to perfection. Unit 14, Barna Village Centre, Barna // +353(0)91 596 497
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Athenry Antiques Formerly Galway Crafts and Collectables, the team at Athenry Antiques have moved not too far out of town! Their new shop, Athenry Antiques, is full of vintage items and collectables, brick-a-brack and one of a kind furniture, as well as a selection of handmade crafted items. 8 Church Street, Athenry // +353(0)86 600 8886
Senses of Nature Treat yourself to some of the gorgeous handmade products found inside Senses of Nature. They offer body products, tea, candles and more, responsibly sourced from Cambodia and made to promote health and well-being in your everyday life. On any visit, you’ll receive a warm welcome and help finding a product that matches your needs. 5 Middle Street, Galway’s Latin Quarter // +353(0)87 606 4800
America Village Apothecary & Tasting Room This unique bar and shop combines a love of drinks, nature and herbalism, and community. Using a combination of unique, locally foraged flavours and carefully sourced ingredients, the team at America Village create syrups, elixirs, tinctures and bitters, which they serve with craft drinks and food in the bar. Through their tasting events and products, they hope to encourage the community to “connect with the healing, potent and magical elements of nature.” It’s also a really beautiful space to sit down and relax in Galway’s Westend! 31 Dominick Street Lower, Galway’s Westend // AmericaVillage.com SOCIAL WHITE:
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LORDS of STRUT: Lords of Strut are brothers, Seamus and Sean. They work at Tony’s bistro, but they mainly love two things: changing people’s lives through dance, and the 80’s. You might recognise them from Britain’s Got Talent, but their live shows take it to a whole new level. They’re coming to Galway with their laugh-out-loud funny, super-impressive dance show RELEASE THE FREAK on May 12. Hold onto your bottoms and prepare to have your life changed for good First question: where do you find such a stunning array of lycra and hot pants? Well, it’s not easy, but a lot of fun scouring the Internet’s dark corners to find the hottest, brightest and tightest bum huggers. My main requirement is they got to make me feel good, if I feel good, I look good. 2. Tell me about the neon mullet - does it come off? Are we looking at a 2018 Mullet Comeback? (Hope so) First things first, if something never goes away then it can’t comeback, and the Mullet came, stayed and is now currently living in my house, forever. The neon does wash out, so it’s a daily regimen of flouro shampoo and conditioner. Take care of the hair, the hair takes care of you. 3. Did either of you get any formal dance/ acrobatic training? A lot of people think we are trained dancers, and they are wrong. All self taught, not formal training or education -- in fact, no education at all. 4. You’re touring two shows at the moment but Release the Freak is coming to Galway. What kind of craic can we expect? How much freakier can it get?
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The Mullet Never Left People will know us from winning Britain’s Got Talent last year, but when it’s after the watershed, which Galway certainly will be, we let all kind of freak out on the dancefloor. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but we’ll be having a guest appearance from the US President, a bin bag wearing lip-snyc, and our Mother will be making one of her surprise visits on the boys, and unsuspecting audience. Getting freaky is all about the live show, and live show is where Lords of Strut live, so get yourself to the Roisin Dubh to really find out how much freakier it can get. 5. When you come to Galway, what do you get up to? Any favourite places or things to do/ see/eat? The last couple of times we been up in Galway we been hanging out with mates, yes we do have them, and really Galway is about that. Hanging with mates wherever the craic is, and there is plenty of it. And then of course it’s the early morning sun down the Claddagh, that is one must when up West. 6. How do you come up with content for new shows? Mainly the creative process is made up of three things, 1 complete dedication to changing people’s lives with dance, 2 complete self doubt from Sean and 3 pulling it out of the bag at the last minute thanks to Seamus. Other than that it’s all natural stage presence, which is genetic in our family. 7. If you could have one super power what would it be & why? The ancient ability of shape shifting, and not just one animal, but two animals at once. Imagine the majestic combination of a moose squirrel, the fearsome power of the wolf salmon, or the confusing snake badger. Words: CAITLIN FOLEY Lords of Strut play Róisín Dubh on May 12th
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WHAT’S going ON?
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MAY HIGHLIGHTS
Lords of Strut
King Kong Company
No further introduction needed, right? Brothers Sean and Seamus are here to release the freak. Expect 80’s ballads, lycra and dancing that will change your life.
Hailed as one of the best live acts in Ireland, the King Kong Company bring dance music and a festival vibe anywhere they go. They have their own Buckfast-infused beer called ‘Commotion Lotion’ and if that doesn’t convince you to go to the gig, nothing will.
Saturday, 12 May // Róisín Dubh Saturday, 19 May // Róisín Dubh
Gospel Rising Festival
Ed Sheeran
Gospel choirs from around Ireland will be converging in Galway for Ireland’s biggest gospel and choral festival! It will be a weekend of workshops, gigs and gathering.
After sharing his love for Galway last year, our favourite ginger fella is heading to Galway this month for two sold out shows at Pearse Stadium. The Latin Quarter are even throwing an Ed Fest if you really want to get into the spirit of things.
18 - 20 May // Various locations 12 - 13 May // Pearse Stadium
Narcos: A Conversation With Steve Murphy & Javier Pena The real-life DEA agents who investigated Pablo Escobar and the Medellín Cartel and inspired the events of the popular television series “Narcos” are coming to Galway! For any Narcos fans, this is one not to miss. 20 May // The Galmont Hotel
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GALWAY THEATRE FESTIVAL
The Galway Theatre Festival are putting their heart into this year’s festival, their tenth anniversary. They’re asking the question: What is your heart made of? Céard a chothaíonn do chroí? Theatre is about being present in the moment. It’s about the human heart: what awakens our childlike sense of wonderment? What makes our hearts swell with joy; What makes it ache for human connection? We’ve chosen some of this year’s highlights, from the shows that deal with our sense of health and well-being in very practical ways, to the shows that speak to our souls and invite us to expand our hearts with those around us. There are children’s shows, live music, adult theatre and of course the festival clubs so get tuned in and experience the tenth year of the Galway Theatre Festival! For more, or to book tickets, head to GalwayTheatreFestival.com
The Streets Are Ours
The Only Jealousy of Emer
Galway-based company Fregoli Theatre champion new Irish writing and give voice to a silent Ireland. ‘The Streets Are Ours’ chronicles the nighttime activities of a group of aimless 20-somethings in a small town in the midlands, and their reunion with an old friend as they reconnect and attempt to heal old wounds.
W.B. Yeats’ poetic dance-drama focuses on the three women surrounding the great hero Cuchulain on his deathbed: his wife Emer, his lover Eithne, and Fand, an evil creature of the Sidhe. May 5 - 7 // 5pm // O’Donoghue Centre, NUIG
May 4 - 7 // 9pm // Mick Lally Theatre
Cleite / Feather
The Little Prince
Presented by Brú Theatre, this site-specific story told through song, mask and music is inspired by the fisherwomen of the Claddagh, waiting for their sailors to come home with the Atlantic wind.
Presented for children, Morgan Creative bring a dramatic re-imagining of Antoine Saint Exupery’s The Little Prince. It uses multiple different art forms to bring this magical, planet-hopping story to life and explore what it means to live in this crazy, beautiful world.
May 9 - 12 // various times // Katie’s Claddagh Cottage
May 5 - 7 // various times // Mick Lally Theatre
WHAT’S ON SOCIAL WHITE:
The Words Are There Nth Degree Productions brings a compelling piece of innovative physical theatre that delves into a lesser learned side of domestic abuse. Written and performed by Ronan Dempsey, the show received five star reviews in May 2017 for its powerful and sensitive telling of a taboo subject. May 10 - 12 // various times // Nun’s Island Theatre
Fuzzy Air Described as bizarre and brilliant, this Galway band returns to the stage with tons of energy and their signature electro-folk sound to blur the lines between gig and theatre. The result is a ‘live music video’ experience -- it’s ‘Fuzzy Air’. May 5 - 7 // 7:30pm // An Taibhdhearc
Made in Galway - Una, by Elaine Mears Weaving recorded interviews, found photographs, film and movement together, ‘Una’ begins to uncover the hidden life of one of Galway’s legendary figures, Una Taaffe. Her story has captured Galway’s imagination for decades, and the performance in her memory is an attempt to find the real human being beneath the layers of myth-making and perception that surround her. 13 April // Róisín Dubh
Made in Galway - The Crom Project Galway’s beloved Macnas Youth Ensemble are developing a new show, starring a nomadic giant, wandering through a visceral world of predatory shadows. Set in Macnas’ unique, fantastical world, where the real and surreal combine, it’s sure to be a macabre, bizarre, and one-of-a-kind experience. May 12 - 13 // 7:30pm // The Macnas Workshop
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WHAT’S going ON? WE RECOMMEND Connemara Mussel Festival Concerts, family fun, artisan markets, talks and tastings and of course lots of mussels await you in the gorgeous surrounds of Connemara. The Connemara Mussel Festival invites festivalgoers to explore Connemara’s landscape and dive into the food and culture available in the West. Find more at ConnemaraMusselFestival. com 4 - 6 May // Connemara
Biteclub Disco Brunch Delicious cocktails, two rounds of tasty streetfood brunch and some amazing disco tunes pumping through the rooftop Garden will give you festival vibes all morning! It’s the perfect way to get you into summer festival spirit in Galway. 6 May // Biteclub
Dancing at Lughnasa Electric Presents Skream Ollie Johnson, aka Skream is an underground club music institution. He’s been turning heads and challenging ears for a long time. The key to his success? “Leave whatever afterparty I’m at to miss my flight, get the next one, have a couple of quick bevvies, then turn up and smash it.” Sound. 7 May // Electric Garden & Theatre
Brian Friel’s masterpiece is one of the greatest and most-loved Irish plays in existence. Blue Teapot, a unique and pioneering Galway company, are making Irish theatre history in their production, presenting a deeply authentic version of the Irish classic. 24 - 26 May // Town Hall Theatre