Latest news with #Galway-based
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Into the west: Niamh Mallon at home with Galway after year of 'overthinking'
Mallon in maroon. A more comfortable fit than last year. On-field contributions are better for that improved fit. It's amazing what stirs unseen beneath the surface. Niamh Mallon made her Galway debut 45 minutes into last year's Camogie League final. She rose three white flags in the quarter of an hour she was on the field. Her debut campaign in adopted colours concluded with All-Star selection at right corner-forward. It was a selection heavily influenced by an All-Ireland semi-final display where she top-scored with 1-3 from play and won the 59th minute free that triggered their decisive late scoring burst. A seamless switch into new colours and new environs. Well, to those on the outside looking in anyway. After her latest semi-final heroics on Saturday, the Portaferry native opened up on a difficult maiden voyage in maroon. A sports scientist at Galway-based firm Orreco, where she conducts the company's Redox testing, essentially a point-of-care blood test for oxidated stress levels, Mallon commuted from Galway to continue lining out for Down following her move west in 2018. The commuting ceased last year. She took on the challenge of trying to make the cut in one of the most competitive camogie dressing-rooms around. That challenge was quickly conquered. The challenge that stumped her was she herself feeling comfortable in maroon. 'Last year was a huge challenge,' she began. 'It probably was quite stressful from my own perspective, a new environment, something I wasn't used to in 12, 13 years in terms of a camogie dressing-room. I have definitely got more comfortable around the group, I have definitely got more comfortable around the environment, and that is leading to a lot more enjoyment. I couldn't be happier, to be honest with you.' The western welcome was there from the first moment she joined Cathal Murray's group. The issue was Mallon convincing herself she belonged. That took time. 'It was completely my own doing. It was nobody else. Cathal and the girls were super, and they did everything in their power to integrate me into the group. But it was something new to me and something I grappled with, and probably overthought a lot, whereas this year, I am completely comfortable in the group and it has led to a more enjoyable experience.' It has also led to a series of outstanding showings. For the second semi-final running, Mallon was Galway's top-scorer from play, albeit she shared the title on this occasion with Ailish O'Reilly. Along with her 1-2 tally, she won the Tipperary puckout for Galway's sixth point, was fouled for their first score after half-time, and had the assist for Aoife Donohue's final quarter white flag. With 1-17 across five games, she heads into the decider as their leading contributor from play. 'Last year was about finding my feet and probably me feeling the need to deliver, whereas this year I feel completely at ease and yeah, it has led to better performances and a more enjoyable experience overall,' continued Mallon, who serves as the nutritionist to Pádraic Joyce's Galway footballers. The Down sharpshooter was one of seven starters from Saturday's team that didn't feature in the 2023 semi-final defeat to Cork. Last year, so, was about returning to the final. This year is about traveling the whole distance. 'Today was definitely a stepping stone on what we want to do. Last year, there was huge euphoria and joy after the semi-final, such was the nature of how we won the game, whereas today, it felt like we had a job to do, and we did it. We are just delighted to be heading back to Croke Park in two weeks' time. That was ultimately the goal. 'I think the team as a whole has matured massively over the past 12 months. Last year, Ciara Hickey and Olwen Rabbitte probably hadn't been involved in games like this, whereas now, a year under the belt, 12 months of training, 12 months of being used to the players around them, the environment, they have huge aspirations and ambitions of getting back to the biggest day. That probably all contributed to the performance today. 'Cathal has done a brilliant job of bleeding players into the group over the last 12-18 months, myself included. It has been hugely important. We are in the final, but we have a lot of work to do if we are going to pull it off.' Mallon was held to a point in the '24 decider defeat to Cork. Now more at ease in maroon, the Galway import is striving for improved final involvement.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Irish Examiner
Plan a visit to the Cork farm with five acres filled with more than 100,000 sunflowers in full bloom now
Dinnertime can be frantic for families, as exhausted parents rush to get food on the table for hungry children. Imagine the difference it would make if there were meals ready and waiting in the freezer. Make & Freeze is a new cookbook by Lou Robbie, a Galway-based professional cook and mother of two, whose family-friendly recipes have helped her build a following of 913,000 people on Instagram. Make & Freeze The book contains more than 100 recipes designed to be made in advance and stored in the freezer for those days when there isn't the time or energy to make food from scratch. You'll find breakfast dishes like school morning pancakes, lunchbox options including blueberry and ricotta muffins, and dinners such as chickpea and squash curry, as well as ideas for snacks, tips on how to use your freezer best, and handy meal plans. Make & Freeze is available from €17.99 Baby Boo hooded towel Swaddle with care This organic cotton hooded towel from is perfect for swaddling your little one after they get out of the bath or swimming pool. Made from 100% certified organic cotton, the towel is soft, thick, and super absorbent. The hood ensures that babies retain body heat after coming out of the water. It costs €30 or €40 — if you want it to be embroidered with the baby's name. It comes in white, navy blue, grey, or lemon yellow, and can be ordered directly from Summer savings Boots' Parenting Club is offering significant savings to parents and parents-to-be this summer. From now until August 12, members can avail of 20% off selected baby products and earn eight points for every €1 they spend. These points can then be used to make further savings on future purchases. Cheaper prices aren't the only perk offered to members of Boots' Parenting Club. They also gain access to special promotions and member-only events, receive a weekly email containing advice tailored to their child's developmental stage, and enjoy free gifts at key milestones in their child's life. Visit or inquire at your nearest Boots store. Dreamer Sylvia Leahy with her bear Beryl at Spraoi Studios, Waterford City. Picture: Patrick Browne Spraoi in the streets Seeking free entertainment for all the family this August bank holiday weekend? Look no further than Waterford City, which will host its annual Spraoi International Street Arts Festival. Taking place from August 1- 3, Spraoi will transform the city into a giant stage, where artists from around the world will perform in over 130 events. They will include the likes of the acrobatic Cikada Circus, the Teenage Kicks concert showcasing young local musicians, and a puppet show about a giant baby and the two nannies who try to stop him from misbehaving. The Spraoi parade, which takes place at dusk on Sunday, is the climax of the weekend and one of the festival's unmissable events. It will feature 200 costumed performers, floats, music, lights, and special effects, followed by a fireworks extravaganza in the skies above Waterford. Visit for the full lineup. Farmyard flowers Farmer Joe Burns is inviting families to visit his farm in Killeagh, East Cork, to pick sunflowers this summer. He has planted five acres with more than 100,000 flowers, and they are now in full bloom. Upon arrival at the farm, you will be greeted by Joe, who will guide you through the fields, helping you select your flowers. He will also point out the farm's various walking trails, Instagram-worthy photo opportunities, and on-site cafe and shop. The cost is €30 per carload of people, which includes one bunch of sunflowers. No booking is required. All you have to do is show up on the days and times the farm is open. These vary, but are advertised a week in advance on Joe's Farm Crisps's Instagram page.
Irish Examiner
07-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Life Hack: How to make an iced matcha latte at home, including strawberry puree
If you've popped into a coffee shop lately, you may notice a new section on many of their menus. Once a nation of tea and coffee drinkers, now we're all going mad for matcha. Many years ago, very much in a pre-pandemic Cork, I ordered my first ever matcha latte at the Insomnia café in Debenhams in Mahon Point – I knew it wasn't a common order from the confused look on the barista's face but it was listed on their menu and I'd been hearing things about a green tea that gives more of an energy boost than caffeine, along with other health benefits. Soon, I was presented with a bright green latte that didn't look like it would be great. However, whether placebo effect or not, I did get an energy boost from it. It wasn't particularly expensive at the time (probably somewhere around the €3 mark, not far off a regular coffee price then) so from time to time I'd order one when popping in. However, between lockdowns and shop closures, my matcha habit fell away and I pretty much forgot about it until about 18 months ago. Matcha since has had a glow-up and is now one of the hottest items on a menu. Personally, I credit a few things for this new awareness: the increased popularity of iced drinks, many of us looking for healthier food and drink options, people sharing aesthetic snaps of their drinks on social media, and – most crucially – the addition of flavoured syrups to enhance the taste. I returned to matcha-buying over a year ago, picking up an iced matcha with strawberry syrup en route to an event. This extra burst of flavour was an instant improvement and I was almost convinced to get back into ordering matcha drinks – but the price made me pause. I had paid well over double what I had been used to for the drink. While delicious, it's not something I can justify purchasing regularly in a cost-of-living crisis. The natural solution for me was to instead learn how to make it at home and save a bomb. I experimented at home, buying matcha powder online. Many matcha drinkers insist a matcha whisk is a must for an authentic result, but for me, looking for a quick and easy option, a fork whisking in a cup did the trick in the short term. The matcha part was easy, in my experience: it was the syrup that stumped me. I tried a few different bottles of raspberry and strawberry syrups to get the taste I liked best without that artificial fruit taste. A dollop at the end of a glass, a handful of ice, your matcha mix, topped with your drink of choice (almond for me, I like the mix of flavours) and I was sorted. However, I've remained on the lookout for a nice homemade syrup recipe and last week one landed in my inbox. Galway-based Solaris Tea reached out with their recipe for an iced matcha last week and their strawberry puree is a simple to make and the perfect dose of sweetness for the drink. Enjoy! Solaris' Iced Matcha Latte Galway-based Solaris Tea's recipe for an iced matcha - their strawberry puree is a simple to make and the perfect dose of sweetness for the drink. Enjoy! Course Dessert Ingredients 5 fresh Irish strawberries, hulled and finely chopped (about ⅓ cup) 1 teaspoon agave syrup, honey, maple syrup (optional) 1 teaspoon Solaris Org culinary matcha powder 100ml cold water Ice Half to 1 cup plant milk alternative (ie coconut, almond, oat) Maple syrup or honey, to taste, optional Method Place the strawberries and optional sweetener in a small bowl. Use a fork to lightly mash the strawberries and mix together. Set aside. Place the matcha powder into a small bowl, add the water and use a matcha whisk to whisk briskly from side to side until the matcha is fully dispersed and a foamy layer forms on top. Place the strawberry puree at the bottom of a tall glass. Fill halfway with ice. Pour in chosen plant milk to fill the glass two-thirds of the way full. Top with the whisked matcha mixture. Sweeten to your liking and serve with a reusable or biodegradable straw. Read More Life Hack: Cupboard foods to move to the fridge when it gets hot
RTÉ News
05-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Fears for 100 jobs at Galway-based Romero Games
There are fears for the future of around 100 jobs at Galway-based video game company Romero Games. The firm has issued a statement outlining that its publisher has cancelled funding for a game that was currently in development. The publisher is reported to be Microsoft which this week announced plans to cut around 9,000 jobs globally. "We're currently evaluating next steps and working quickly to support our team," Romero Games said. "It's an extremely difficult day, and we're heartbroken that it's come to this. If you know of any opportunities or ways you can help our incredible team, please reach out," the company said. "This absolutely isn't a reflection of our team's work, performance, or the quality of the project itself," it added. Romero Games describes itself as an independent game studio of over 100 developers founded in 2014 by award-winning game developers Brenda and John Romero. John Romero is credited with helping to popularise the first-person shooter (FPS) genre and co-created hit games including Wolfenstein 3D and Doom. Game Workers Unite Ireland (GWUI), which is a branch of the Financial Services Union (FSU), represents workers in the gaming sector. The union has described the announcement by Romero Games as a devastating blow to staff.
RTÉ News
29-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ireland miss out on promotion at European Athletics Team Championships
Ireland finished fifth in Division 2 of the European Athletics Team Championships in Slovenia on Sunday, narrowly missing out on promotion to the top tier of the continental competition. Strong performances from the likes of Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC), Nicola Tuthill (UCD AC), Cian McPhillips (UCD AC) and the mixed 4x400m relay team kept the 43-strong team in contention right up to the last few events. Lavin took Ireland's only win of the weekend, earning maximum points in the women's 100m hurdles. The Limerick sprinter clocked a time of 12.82 seconds to claim victory. Team captain Marcus Lawler (Clonliffe Harriers AC) was sixth in the men's 200m, while in the women's event Lauren Roy (City of Lisburn AC) finished just outside her personal best, clocking 23.32 seconds to finish fifth. The mixed 4x400m relay team of Jack Raftery (Donore Harriers), Cliodhna Manning (Kilkenny City Harriers), Callum Baird (Ballymena and Antrim AC) and Sharlene Mawdsley combined to clock a time of 3:14.81, finishing second in their heat and fourth overall. Cian McPhillips (UCD AC) made a strong return from injury to finish third in the men's 800m. The Longford native closed strongly in the final 100m to cross the line in a time of 1:46.37. In the women's 1500m, Laura Nicholson (Bandon AC) finished fourth on her Irish senior international debut, the 25-year-old clocking 4:20.48. Finley Daly (Sligo AC) ran bravely to also place fourth in the men's 3000m steeplechase. The Galway-based athlete clocked a time of 8:51.89. In the field, Nicola Tuthill (UCD AC) fouled her opening two throws but composed herself well to finish the competition in third position, her best throw coming in the fourth round at 70.50m. Team captain Niamh Fogarty (Raheny Shamrock AC) produced a lifetime best of 14.29 metres in the women's shot put to finish seventh, while Conor Callinan (Leevale AC) also recorded the best result of his career, clearing 4.90 metres in the pole vault. In the men's javelin, Conor Cusack (Lake District AC) impressed to claim a eighth-place finish, throwing a best of 72.43 metres.
