Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_12_09/GA_0912_E1_024.pdf 

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24 N E W S

Galway Advertiser

December 9 2004

TALK O' THE TOWN
COMPILED BY JULIE TIERNEY
jtierney@galwayadvertiser.ie

Ice skating - Galway's newest favourite hobby
Galway really is in for a treat this Christmas. Our very own ice skating rink! The Galway City On Ice 600 sq metre rink opened at Nimmo's Pier last Saturday and people have been drawn to it in their droves since. The whole set-up is like a winter wonderland - there is a 40ft Christmas tree, icy blue floodlighting, and Christmas carols a playing. Just walking into the rink area is like stepping into a scene from a movie - New York's Rockefeller eat your heart out. Men, women, and children of all ages have been braving the icy rink -and the good news is, even complete novices can make it around! There are stewards on hand, and qualified medics too in case balance gives way at any stage. Children from the age of four are welcome, but those under 10 are asked to bring a parent or friend with them to help them around. There are special skates for small children too double edged, easy-balance blades that fit directly onto their shoes. But for those who are just young at heart, sizes extend all the way to an adult 13! Some of the more generous bosses around town have been treating their staff to ice skating outings too. A spokesperson for Galway City On Ice said that the rink has been completely booked for hourly sessions by some of the larger city businesses. What a way to raise morale during the hectic festive season. Mayor Catherine Connolly was one of the invited guests who had a sneak preview of the rink on Friday night last. Accompanied by her husband Brian, and two children Stephen and Brian Thomas, she was whizzing around the rink like a seasoned professional - suit and all! For those of you who are thinking about braving the rink for the first time, imagine if you can that you are driving; don't build up to such speed that you won't be able to stop safely, and keep an eye out for what others around you are doing - they come from behind unexpectedly, move from their position and pull out in front of you, stop suddenly, and sometimes fall in a heap on the rink. All precautions to avoid collision are recommended! Oh, and wear thick socks too. Those shiny new skating boots fairly cut into your legs. The ice rink will be at Nimmo's Pier until January 9, and plans are already afoot to bring it back next year. Tickets at 13.50 for adults and 8.50 for children are available from Zhivago on Shop Street and in the Galway Shopping Centre, Fletchers in Ballinasloe, and News n'Choose in Loughrea. But be warned about the 2 booking as well. SMcG

Mayor Catherine Connolly and her family took to the ice like ducks to water.

Caption Corner

Jungle fever -- the Galway connection
Whoever came up with the idea of eating kangaroo's testicles? Or of locking people in a coffin full of rats? There just had to be a Galway connection. And yes, the man who

Website has Christmas in the bag for those without time
Are you low on inspiration, time, and presents and is the panic setting in? Why join the queues and restless lines when you can go online instead with www.4giftsdirect.com? 4giftsdirect.com is the perfect one stop shop for business colleagues, friends, and family at home and overseas, with a vast range of gifts for everyone from fun hampers for the kids, to the king of all hampers for that favourite client. Specialising in fine wines, spirits, and gourmet hampers, 4gifts is the largest Irish gift delivery company in the country. The best thing is you can order gifts from the comfort of your PC for fast delivery -- and that includes delivery worldwide on many gifts. The site was the brainchild of business woman and mum of four, Lulu O'Sullivan, who started the gift business more than 16 years ago with the Interteddy range. From classic books to bubbly and fruit juicers to fine wines, 4giftsdirect.com has got the goods for every occasion. Hugely popular are The Ultimate Relaxation Kit, the Chocoholic fantasy, The Cellar Master Case of Wine magnificently presented in a hand made wooden trunk, and specially customised gourmet hampers. With orders up by 25 per cent on last year, this year's gift bonanza looks set to be its best yet with online sales making up more than half of all orders and many more people using the internet to buy. Why get on a bus this Christmas when you can get on line to 4giftsdirect.com or simply pick up the phone and dial 1850 21 0021 to order a catalogue, fax 1850 468763, or log on to www.4giftsdirect.com Win a hamper for a friend 4Gifts.ie is offering one Galway Advertiser reader the opportunity to send `The Florentine' to a friend or family member anywhere in the EU. This gift includes a bottle of Domiane Montplo Rouge, traditional Irish fruit cake, Bewleys coffee, Darjeeling tea, chocolate caramels, chocolate chip cookies, raspberry preserve, and clove rock sweets presented in hand a woven bag. To be in with a chance send your name, address, and daytime contact number to Talk o' the Town competition, Galway Advertiser 41/42 Eyre Square by 5pm on Monday December 13.

Lots of good entries for last week's Caption Corner pic featuring Keith Finnegan and Anne McKeon, with Ann brandishing a shovel. The winner was Mary Mulryan from New Line, Athenry, who had Keith

saying: "OK Anne, put down the shovel and I'll give them back." For her efforts, Mary wins a 20 book voucher from Charlie Byrne's bookshop. Now for this week's competition: Subway

OK Anne, put down the shovel and I'll give them back.'

welcomed Perm State Ballet to Galway and ensured that they were well fed and full of energy for their performances by providing free platters of delicious subs to the entire troupe! Our pic shows Irish ballerina Monica Loughman (left) who dances with the Perm State Ballet pictured at the Town Hall Theatre getting some after show refreshments from Subway's Anne Claire Donovan. What do you think is being said? Entries please to Caption Corner, Galway Advertiser, 41-42 Eyre Square, Galway or by email to dvarley@galwayadvertis er.ie.

Sophie Anderton above during her Bushtucker trial will never be able to look Skippy in the eye again.

comes up with the gruesome Bushtucker trials on ITV's successful I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here is John Leahy who is originally from Kildare, but who lived in Mountbellew for many years. Already he says the new ideas for next year's series involve a cluster fruit which at certain times of the year has a nest of wasps inside. But the good news for the contestants is that they're edible. But how they take to being eaten, I don't know. Don't fancy it.-- DV

The Florentine.