I feel a bit like Santa lately making lists and checking them twice, I even have the jolly belly but here is my latest list of heated out door areas in and around Galway city that you can sit out and enjoy food and drink. There’s more to pubs than just alcohol, the social side of them are equally important now more than ever. I know first hand the challenges facing the hospitality industry and An Pucan is severely restricted, Hyde Bar is only open at the weekends to residents and 1520 is sadly closed for now but will be back bigger and better than ever befor So heres’ my list of bars that are ..read more

It's that time of year again where the nights are getting shorter and it’s time to think about some big decisions. It’s interesting no matter how long we spend thinking about or talking about them it's still so hard to choose. Committing to someone can be quite difficult, I mean, you think that they are the one: you are in this for the long haul and then disaster strikes he’s dropped for the opening game or worse still, he’s your captain and gets sent off so you end up with minus points on the first week of the season. The joys of Fantasy Football. To be honest, Fantasy Football is a lot like ..read more

The recent pandemic was a once in a century, life changing, utterly unforgettable occurrence, much like a perfect first date. To be fair first dates are pretty tricky at the best of times never mind now; does your facemask match your outfit? Do you have protection with you and is there enough of that hand sanitizer for her. Do you book one restaurant or do you have a second place booked in case the first 105minutes goes well, the struggle is real in 2020. It's more important that ever to but thought and care into your dating, so here are my tips on how you can S.H.A.G your way to love in pos ..read more

Does anyone else think this lockdown is the world’s way of saying you will be single forever? I have finally got my shit together (well as much as I can) and decided to embrace dating and make 2020 my year. Now we’re stuck in a soul-destroying cycle of Zoom quizzes and Olympic standard 5k times on Instagram. Being single currently means that the only one asking how you are is Netflix, midway through your latest binge of Tiger King, where watching someone with a blond mullet, cashflow problems and potential homicidal tendencies get multiple partners, is currently your main inspiration for findi ..read more

People have never been as conscious of mindfulness and mental wellbeing, in the world we live in its never been harder to switch off. I think the only time I’m properly away from my phone is when I’m playing soccer, apart from that match a few weeks ago when the ref threatened to give me a yellow for using it on the subs bench. In my defence I had just matched a cracker on Tinder, so….   Any opportunity I get to clear the mind I grab with both hands, (unlike a football normally hence why I’m on the bench). One new addition to the Galway landscape which I came across on social media is the ..read more

Being single is a lot like Brexit, its’s confusing, you wish everyone would shut up asking you about it and despite all the important dates so far nothing has changed. When it comes to dating it just needs to be right once which is more than most of the British politicians ever seem to achieve. With over thirty billion matches to date Tinder is one of the most popular dating apps in the world right now so here are my top tips for swiping right on Mr or Mrs Right!   5 Write a bio, in theory Tinder is  possibly the most shallow of all ways to meet a partner but attractions is an essent ..read more

  At this point most people know that I’m from Mayo but Galway has well and truly stolen my heart, (except when it comes to sport obviously) It’s a truly special place, the old adage of Galway being the graveyard of ambition is beyond a farce, most people’s ambition is to be happy and I’ve rarely seen as many happy faces anywhere else I’ve visited. Here’s a few reasons why I believe its Ireland’s greatest treasure.   Festivals   The only city on the Wild Atlantic Way is famous for its festivals, some say Galway has more festivals than I’ve had first dates. With 65 festivals that ..read more

Is it just me or does everything last for ages nowadays, with the obvious exception of people’s attention spans. I’m no Grinch but Christmas has been more drawn out than the announcement of the Dancing with the Stars Ireland participants. Christmas is lasting so long at the moment that poor old St Nick has less holidays that’s Irish teachers.   Christmas has changed; a lot like dating if you think about it. Back in the day it was a simpler time, we didn’t over think everything and made the most of what we had. The digital era leaves nothing to the imagination, the first week in December t ..read more

Sunday Brunch has become one of the must have meals of the week and when I’m not togging out in some far flung gaa hotbed in Mayo I try to visit one of Galway’s many amazing brunch venues. Here are a few of my favourites based on nothing but personal opinion;  Caprice – just over two years old now this is one of my favourite places in Galway. The décor is stunning, the staff friendly and the menu delicious. They host a number of themed evenings during the year which are well worth checking out. Caprice Cafe Galway             Dela When you say brunch you inv ..read more

Self care is not selfish! It’s a quote I heard again recently and absolutely love. A few weeks ago I was invited to Westport to undergo a skin consultation in Gearldines Skincare Clinic after a recommendation from my good friend Hayley Coleman. If you follow Geraldine on social media you will know that she is really encouraging men to look after their skin and is treating Mayo GAA legends like Aiden O Shea and Lee Keegan and boxer Ray Moylette in order to encourage men to look after their skin better. So when I told my friends I was going for a facial I was greeted with replies like, “isn’t it ..read more