Commenting on the new ‘Tickled Pink’ package, Triona Gannon, the newly appointed General Manager of the g Hotel said, “with couples busy lifestyles, it’s very easy to get caught up in the every day monotony of life, so we wanted to create a fun new package that couples who are in need of some well earned rest and relaxation could enjoy. What better place to do that than some alone time together at the glamorous g hotel. Our hotel has all the ingredients, expertise and a few tricks up our sleeves for what will be a truly fun filled, memorable stay with us”.

The five star g Hotel is 'Tickled Pink' by a visit from Rosanna Davison to announce its couples leisure break package!

Voted as the number one hotel in Ireland by Travel + Leisure, the award winning hotel is the perfect destination for an amorous escape, set along the majestic coastline of Galway Bay. Leave the stresses and strains of everyday living behind as you arrive at the g and check-in to a complete haven of intimacy and sensuality from the unique design to the lush interiors.

Venture from the opulent surrounding of your guestroom to explore the intimate dining options of the g’s restaurant, reconnect with a couple’s treatment in the glorious surroundings of ESPA or let the hotels resident mixologist shake-up a love potion cocktail as you cozy-up in the signature lounges!

Reignite your passionate side with the ‘Ticked Pink’ trip to the five star g Hotel and remember what happens at the g stays at the g..! For additional details or booking information visit: www.theghotel.ie call (091) 865200.

Exclusive to Limerick in The Spa @ No.1, the pampering Payot facial treatments have developed a cult following across the globe because of the visible results that keeps the face looking youthful, energetic and firmer in the long term. The exclusive Payot philosophy practiced @ No.1 is based on the famous 42-movement facial modellage that combines the specialised technique of movement with beauty products by Dr. Payot – one of the world’s first female doctors!

During a trip to New York in 1917, Dr. Payot discovered the first beauty institutes and made the life-changing acquaintance with famous ballerina Anna Pavlova. Dr. Payot was struck by the youthful appearance of the dancer’s body and the signs of ageing on her face, thus developing a beauty philosophy based on movement, facial “physical culture” (exercise), and essential skin care products, which is evident in the therapies available in The Spa @ No.1.

The Payot facial collection @ No.1 includes seven treatments including the purifying ‘Rituel Purete’ facial, incorporating a green coffee blend to eliminate imperfections or the ‘Rituel Life Absolute’ facial that uses calcium to firm & remodel the oval shape of the face. Gentlemen are also No.1 with a dedicated Payot ‘Rituel Optimale’ facial tailored specifically for male skin conditioning.

“Payot is an iconic brand that we are thrilled to introduce to The Spa @ No.1. The facial techniques & product range devise specialised treatments that revitalises the soul, renews beauty, restores harmony and the all-important balance between mind and body, which is essential for the hectic demands of everyday living” explains Emily Reen, Manager of The Spa @ No.1.

Nested underneath the stunning boutique hotel, The Spa @ No.1 boasts an extensive and affordable brochure of treatments for hotel guests and day visitors to experience. The spa itself was formally an underground cavern that has been sensitively transformed into Ireland’s largest organic urban retreat. Priced from only €50 the Payot facial collection must be your No.1 treat! For further details visit www.oneperysquare.com or call (061) 402 402.

Each week the menu will be varied, offering seasonal and traditional dishes prepared with the highest quality ingredients and locally sourced produce. The g’s restaurant is overseen by head chef, Regis Herviaux, who was selected as the ‘Best Chef in Galway’ at the prestigious Irish Restaurant Awards in 2010. Chef Herviaux and his team have also designed a children’s menu with an activity booklet included to keep them entertained.  The g’s restaurant is very spacious allowing plenty of room for buggies and highchairs. Full baby changing facilities are also available in the hotel.

”We have prepared a range of delicious traditional dishes for our new Sunday lunch menu. It’s a wonderful opportunity to visit us at the g and try out our award winning food. The menu that we have created is diverse and offers a range of fresh meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, giving mums and dads a well deserved weekend break from the kitchen”, states Regis Herviaux, Head Chef at the g Hotel.

The g’s restaurant has become one of Galway’s most popular restaurants amongst locals and visitors alike. Having received numerous accolades, including; Condé Nast, Travel & Leisure, Irish Restaurant Association, the Gold Medal Awards and TripAdvisor as well as being in receipt of very impressive reviews from some of the country’s leading food critics, it’s the perfect destination for a relaxed Sunday lunch. For bookings or further details please call (091) 865200 or visit our www.theghotel.ie

It’s a double celebration for the Corcoran family and the team at the Plaza as its sister property, the Castlecourt Hotel is also listed at No. 21 on Traveller Choice Awards having recently been awarded 4 star status by Failte Ireland!

Speaking of the accolade, Joe Corcoran, proprietor of the Westport Plaza Hotel commented “Needless to say we are thrilled to be ranked so favourably on the TripAdvisor Traveller Choice Awards as it’s the primary outlet for those planning their holidays. All of the reviews are from guests who have experienced the resort first-hand so it’s a true reflection of their trip. Continued investment and improvement is so important in all aspects of the hotel from interiors to service while always taking customer feedback into consideration. We thank each and every person who took the time to review their stay and we now look forward to increasing our ranking for 2013!”

Trip Advisor is the leading travel website across the globe for assisting customers in gathering travel information, posting reviews and opinions, along with travel-related content and engaging in interactive travel forums. In seeking a welcoming ambience, friendly staff, fabulous spa facilities, spacious guestrooms, delicious dining options, central location and excellent value for money, guests found it all at the Westport Plaza. Reviewers described the hotel as ‘sheer bliss’, ‘absolutely superb’, ‘such a treat’ and stated ‘if I could live here I would’ to quote just a few of the honest reviews.

Located in the heart of the thriving tourist town, the Westport Plaza & Castlecourt Hotel creates a real home away from home atmosphere with all the luxuries of a 4 star resort and above all a real Irish welcome for guests. For further details visit www.westportplazahotel.ie  / (098) 51166 or www.castlecourthotel.ie / (098) 55088.

Brides-to-be will have the opportunity to emulate Pippa’s style advice & fashion industry tips, along with asking any questions for planning their own special day! The fair will also exhibit everything for the wedding aficionados out there – the rings, the dresses, the hair, the make-up, the invitations, the cake, the honeymoon and much more!

The dedicated team of wedding planners at the 4 star Resort will be on-hand to personally meet with couples to guide them through the range of bespoke wedding packages from intimate civil ceremonies to extravagant receptions. Boasting over 40 years of expertise, the award winning Resort will ensure your wedding day is an affair to remember.

Mark Sunday 19th February 2012 into your diary as the Wedding Fair at the Westport Hotels Resort is a must for those planning their nuptials! For information visit: www.westportplazahotel.ie  / (098) 51166 or
www.castlecourthotel.ie / (098) 55088.

Over 1000 thrill seeking sports enthusiasts are set to descend upon the West of Ireland on Saturday, 12th November 2011 for the ultimate adventure race challenge – ‘Westport Sea2Summit’! Set amid the breath taking scenery of Croagh Patrick and the backdrop of Clew Bay, the pinnacle quest pushes participant’s limits to the extreme with a mix of road running, cycling and mountain hiking. As the last Adventure Race of the 2011 season, sports and adventure race enthusiasts of all fitness levels are invited to participate, catering for advanced to beginner adventure racers. Thrill seeking athletes can participate in a choice of two race options – Spirit or Supreme.
The summit awaits you in the adventure capital of Ireland!

Seen as an exemplar tourism initiative by event organisers the Westport Plaza & Castlecourt Hotel Resort, Junior Minister Michael Ring officially launched the Adventure Race, with the momentum amongst adventure race enthusiasts already building ahead of this years Sea2Summit challenge. ‘Twice the number of participants are expected to enter the 2011 event following on from the success of last years inaugural event’ says Race Director, Paul O ‘Brien. Westport Sea2Summit incorporates the Western landscape beginning with an on road run taking participants to the new Greenway route, followed by an 8K cycle to the foot of Croagh Patrick. The challenging mountain hike is intersected with a hilly cycle completed by a brief obstacle course & finishing with the Greenway Run’ explains O’ Brien.

As the last Adventure Race of the season, an unforgettable post race bash is planned including a celebratory prize giving ceremony for participants, their family and friends at the bustling resort and race HQ of the Westport Plaza & Castlecourt Hotel Resort. Make it a weekend to remember staying at the race hub and enjoy a 2 night break with breakfast each morning, adventure race registration, high carbohydrate 2 course meal on Friday night and Hot Buffet Meal and prize giving on Saturday night with free secure parking and entry into C2 night club from only €185pps in the Castlecourt Hotel and from €199pps in the Westport Plaza Hotel. Adventure Race & Hot Buffet Meal from €59.00 per person.

Take the pinnacle challenge and push your limits at the Westport Sea2Summit Adventure Race on 12th November. To secure your participation or for further details visit www.westportsea2summit.ie call 098-55088 or follow us on Facebook. The summit awaits you!

‘Féasta Bia’ – will celebrate the richness and variety of artisan food in the Atlantic Way Region – all along the west coast. This weekend celebration on the 15th and 16th October aims to be an annual event, with all food lovers invited attend! The highlight of the ‘Féasta Bia’ festivities will include bespoke food trails across the region, tasting sessions, enjoying local produce in restaurants and in local food markets, as well as special Food for Kids Sessions and Tree-planting ceremonies.

Five key food trails across Clare, Galway, Kerry, Limerick and Mayo have been designed to incorporate a range of food demonstrations, farm tours, food sampling and culinary surprises en-route! A locally designated ambassador will oversee the trail and share their knowledge and expertise.  Different events will take place in each county, but special ‘Féasta Bia’ menus will be on offer in many restaurants & hotels. Some producers will have open days where you are invited to see the production techniques of their food enterprises. The website will give local details.

“Bringing together the fantastic selection of local producers, farmers markets, restaurants and hotels along the Atlantic Way for ‘Féasta Bia’, offers an ideal opportunity to showcase the finest regional produce on offer. The Atlantic Way Food Pillar is delighted to initiate this major regional food promotion to give a platform and increased public profile to our best food producers. Increasing sustainable food production and the rewards for artisan food producers; widening the reach & scope of our food tourism; optimising direct route to markets for producers and entrepreneurs – these are our objectives,” commented Paddy Duffy of the Atlantic Way Advisory Board.

‘Féasta Bia’ aims to generate a sense and understanding of regional food identity, by offering a menu of consumer experiences with local producers, including fish mongers, cheese & dairy producers, fruit & vegetable growers; the butcher, the baker, the patisserie-maker; sea-food producers and catering companies; local hotels & restaurants.

Atlantic Way is a non-profit voluntary organisation along the Western Corridor of Ireland with 1000+ companies & individuals working together to accelerate growth for indigenous industries in the region. The objectives of the Atlantic Way Food Pillar are to encourage, support and promote sustainable regional food production at home and abroad.

To keep up-to-date with all the events happening in the ‘Féasta Bia’ weekend, and to view the events on your local food trail, visit www.feastabia.com.

Martin Shanahan, star of RTE’s hit TV programme ‘Martin’s Mad About Fish’ stepped out of the kitchen to officially launch the 57th Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival, taking place from the 23rd – 25th September 2011. Combining his passion for seafood & shellfish and his knowledge of the industry, his association and recognition of the festival, acclaimed by the Sunday Times as “one of the 12 greatest shows on earth” is certainly a catch!

Internationally recognised as one of the leading food festivals in Ireland, the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival attracts over 10,000 visitors each September with an expected €5 million economic injection generated from the 3 day festival. And with the Irish seafood sector currently worth in the region of €700 million annually and employing approx 11,000 people, celebrations like the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival are vital in sustaining the industry and growing the sector within Ireland and lucrative foreign markets.

2011 marks the return of the festival to its spiritual home as Hotel Meyrick (previously the Great Southern Hotel) takes over the mantle of the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival and looks forward to continuing the festival’s excellent reputation for showcasing the best of Irish seafood & shellfish in tandem with an engaging entertainment programme.

Throughout the festival, a host of tantalising events to whet your appetite will take place, including..
•    Galway’s first ever Seafood Dine-around, in a selection of the city’s finest seafood restaurants at 6pm on Friday 23rd September
•    National Oyster Opening Championship at the festival marquee at 7pm on Friday, 23rd September to kick-start the weekend’s celebrations. Attendees will be treated to Galway Bay seafood chowder and a gourmet seafood plate. This event is also supporting the RNLI
•    Oyster Festival Parade at 11.30 am on Saturday 24th September from Hotel Meyrick through the streets of Galway with a host of fun, free events for all the family
•    World Oyster Opening Championship & Seafood Lunch at the festival marquee from 12pm-5pm on Saturday 24th September with the famous native Galway oysters, complemented with Bollinger Champagne and Guinness
•    Oyster Festival Gala Ball, Glamorous Black tie event at 8pm in Hotel Meyrick, renowned each year as the festival highlight
•    Oyster Festival Finale with family activities, kids fancy dress, live music, cooking demonstrations, Irish coffee making competition and jive & jazz marking the finale of the 57th Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival from 12pm ‘til late at the festival marquee

“Final preparations for the festival are now underway with many of the signature events over the past 57 years still an integral part of festivities including the Oyster Opening Championships, Festival Parade, Oyster Pearl Competition and black tie Gala Ball. Original elements have also been added to this year’s programme such as the seafood focus, along with Galway’s first seafood dine around and of course the return of the festival marquee at the Galway Harbour” states Cian O’Broin, General Manager of Hotel Meyrick.

Experience the unique ambience of the city of the Tribes, savour the wonderful seafood delights of the West and be part of one of the most celebrated festivals in the world from the 23rd – 25th September 2011! Tickets for all events at the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival are available on www.galwayoysterfestival.com. Alternatively, contact the festival team on info@galwayoysterfest.com or call (091) 575875 for further details.

Following on from a wealth of high-profile international screenings including the Sundance, Berlin & Tribeca film festivals, the EYE Cinema brings the Irish premier of The Guard to Galway on Wednesday 6th July. Tipped as the must-see film of the summer, cinema-goers will have the opportunity to attend the premier and meet with members of the cast including the films leading stars Brendan Gleeson, Pat Shortt, Liam Cunningham and the acclaimed director John Michael Mc Donagh. The premier evening will have a charity focus, with all proceeds in aid of Ability West – a voluntary organisation that provides services and supports to children and adults with intellectual disability across Galway city and county.

The red carpet event will begin with a star-studded reception at 6pm in the luxury EYE cinema, including an audience introduction of the film by the cast, before the Irish premier of The Guards takes to the screen. After the inaugural screening guests will then be invited to a post event party at the adjacent five star g Hotel with tickets for the entire evening priced at only €50 and will go directly to Ability West.

‘Needless to say we are thrilled to host the Irish premier of The Guard at the EYE Cinema in association with Element Pictures, one of Ireland’s leading film and television drama production companies. With the film based here in the West and following on from its international success it’s the perfect homecoming from the critically acclaimed and home-grown production’ states Neasa Glynn, Manager at the EYE Cinema.

Written and directed by John Michael McDonagh, The Guard is a comedy thriller set on the west coast of Ireland starring Brendan Gleeson as Sergeant Gerry Boyle, a small-town cop with a confrontational personality, a subversive sense of humour, a dying mother, a fondness for prostitutes, and absolutely no interest whatsoever in the international cocaine-smuggling ring that has brought FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle (Iron Man 2, Crash, Hotel Rwanda) to his door. ‘The Guard’ also stars Liam Cunningham, Pat Shortt, Darren Healy, David Wilmot, Rory Keenan, Mark Strong, Fionnula Flanagan and Slovenian newcomer Katarina Cas.

Tickets for the Irish premier of The Guard are limited to ensure an intimate ambience for the premier screening and are available directly from Ability West by calling (091) 540900 / email: carol.browne@abilitywest.ie alternatively contact the EYE Cinema, www.theeyecinema.ie / call (091) 780078.

Glamour will meet goodwill as all monies raised will go directly to Cancer Care West, ISPCC and NBCRI. Pictured wearing a Matt Doody design is Lorraine Cummins, Catwalk Model Agency. Photo Martina Regan