Here in the town on the shores of Galway Bay my perfect pub exists - but I’m not telling the world exactly where it is – I fear it might get too popular and be destroyed forever for the fraternity who...
I’ve had a fascination with world geography since I was in short trousers. A part of my brain enjoys being a repository of trivia and useless facts. I find it hard to remember colleagues’ names but ha...
Tweed flat caps have really made a comeback in recent years and for good reason, they’re a classic design. I’ve found in recent times that fashion trends have gone back to the traditional because ther...
We needed an Interval Act to kill time while judges were making up their minds deciding which neighbouring country they would vote for in the Eurovision Song Contest – Cyprus, in particular, always sp...
We had an abundant supply of snakes in Ireland until 1972. We had Adders and Vipers, Asps and Constrictors, Rattlesnakes and Cobras. You couldn’t turn over a rock without disturbing a snake. Every pat...
We’ve had explorers and navigators zig zagging across the globe for thousands of years. They were just going to have a look around and had no intention of conquering places (unlike some of our Europea...
Hurling, lovingly known as the “fastest game on grass” is an Irish sport that’s been played for over 3000 years. There are two teams of 15 players (called “hurlers”) and two H-shaped goals, similar to...
In 1759, a young Arthur Guinness signed a 9000-year lease for a disused brewery at St.James’ Gate in Dublin, where production began in earnest of “the black stuff”. Arthur went on to father 21 childr...
We have noticed a much stronger demand for cufflinks over the last few years. The shirts with fold-over double cuffs are very much in fashion and can be beautifully accessorised with a nice pair of cu...
If you’re ever feeling old beyond your years, just remember that Connemara marble is over 600 million years old so you’re not doing too badly.Connemara is a region just outside Galway city in the West...
THE CLIFFS OF MOHER WERE MADE FOR A MOVIE (allegedly!) Nobody talked about the Cliffs of Moher before 1965 – BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T EXIST! Walt Disney had wanted to make a movie about The White Cliffs of...
One of Ireland’s most famous design classics is the Claddagh Ring. The design is comprised of a Heart symbolising Love, Hands for Friendship and Crown for Loyalty. If the ring is worn with the Heart...
As the theory goes, St. Patrick took a symbol important to the pagans, the circular sun symbol and blended it with a Christian cross to make a Celtic Cross. He used the Celtic Cross to introduce Chris...
Pocket Watches Pocket watches are one of the most popular items in our Galway store. They are a much-appreciated gift and tend to be kept for a long time. The tradition of carrying a pocket watch goes...
