.Ballinasloe Cycling Club are barely a year off the ground and not only have they become a very familiar sight on the road in their green kit, they are also very active within the community.  On Sunday 8th November they presented a cheque for €2,050 to East Galway & Midlands Cancer Support in Brackernagh.   As a club member said on the night, when being showed around the centre in Brackernagh,  "It's a great house and they provide a great service.  Ballinasloe is lucky to have this on our doorsteps. The money raised is going to help fund a gym which will be the first of its kind in Ireland for cancer patients,"

Money was raised as a result of the inaugural "Tour d'Shams" and the "Pink Spin".  

And there's no slowing down for the Cycling Club - they have Tour d'Shams 2016 booked already! They hope to raise double next time and will let the members pick a charity in town to help for 2016. 

Ballinasloe Cycling Club weekly events:  Tuesday night 6:30 cycle,  Thursday night 6:30 cycle,  Sunday 8am - 75km spin,  Sunday 10am - Beginner's Spin and Cardio workout. All are welcome to come along and try.  Members must have good lights and helmet. Learn how to cycle in groups.  

​So give it a spin and get out and have fun! 

You can find out more on both groups by visiting their facebook pages below: 

Sandy's Dog Grooming is located on Church Hill and has been beautifying and looking after Ballinasloe pooches for the last 3 years.  Sandra herself is the owner of Sandy’s Dog Grooming Salon. From a very early age she has had a love of animals and knew that she would have a career working with them. After finishing secondary school, she completed her Diploma in a renowned dog grooming School in Poland.

She also has a Certificate in scissoring, stripping and basic animal care. In 2012 she fulfilled her ambition to open her own dog grooming salon and Sandy's Dog Grooming Salon was born. 

The world of dog grooming changes so fast, so Sandra regularly attends seminars and grooming events. Outside the work she loves to spend time with her  family and her big furry  Berger de Brie(Briard) called Gucci. 

Sandy's grooming salon is a truly unique place for your pet to relax and get beauty treatment. It is custom designed for the safety and relaxation of your dogs. Her mission is simple : to provide professional grooming, in a low-stress environment that will leave your pet feeling happy, healthy, and rejuvenated. 

​To have a chat with Sandra about booking your dog in Sandy's Dog Grooming Salon just give her a call on 086 665 4069 or visit her facebook page or website

Sandy is also a miracle worker!! Coming to the very brave rescue of Poppy who managed to get herself into a bit of a sticky situation. 

After studying music in Trinity College and at the DIT Conservatory of Music in Dublin, Eimear emigrated to Los Angeles in 2004 where she graduated from the ASCAP Filmscoring Workshop, taught conducting for UCLA Extension and got her first assignment conducting the orchestra for the Los Angeles Ballet. “This really opened the door for me and over the past ten years I been in the most exotic places and conducted orchestras in such places as the Sydney Opera House, Madison Square Garden in New York, The Greek Theatre in LA, Taipei Arena in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Germany, China and many more” she recalled. Eímear has also recorded with orchestras at some of the world’s most renowned recording studios, such as Abbey Road and Skywalker Ranch, and Capitol Records in Hollywood. “It has been a huge honour to conduct world-famous orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic,The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Pittsburgh Symphony, The Sydney Symphony and the National Symphony Orchestra of the United States”.

She has shared a stage with some legendary artists such as Gladys Knight, EDM legend, BT, and actors Pierce Brosnan and Roma Downey. “I’ve studied with several conductors but my most influential teacher was Gerhard Markson, the former principal conductor of the RTE National Symphony Orchestra. My background is classical music but, being from Kilconell-the home of traditional Irish music legend, Paddy Fahy, I definitely hold a special place in my heart for great trad music” she added.

Eimear - who now spends half of the year in Los Angeles - is one of the composer/conductors for Blizzard Entertainment, including on their infamous “World of WarCraft” video game series and has also worked with other video game producing companies such as Sony and Nintendo. Her husband, who is an Emmy nominated composer, is a great support and the couple collaborate on various projects. “We are looking forward to the Festival in Dublin next year, where Craig (my husband) is conceptualizing the festival events and getting top artistes to perform with us, while my brother Eamonn has also come on board as part of the team. We collaborate regularly at his studio here in Kilconnell, and via the internet, to produce music for albums, games, film and television shows in the USA. I’m a big fan of Eamonn’s songs and his musical aesthetic, so working together makes complete sense and there’s a sort of creative short-hand that comes from growing up in the same house” proclaimed Eimear. “I miss home a lot but I am grateful for the backing my parents gave me to pursue a career that I really love. I’m proud to have come from Kilconnell and to be Irish to the core, no matter where in the world I perform” said the world-famous conductor. 

For more informaton on Eimear visit her website

​UTAH has been in business on Society Street for over 7 years. The Shop consists of three floors with retail ranging from kids wear, ladies and men’s fashion, curtain and blinds, bedding and giftware. UTAH strive for success in all areas of business, from producing the latest trends to providing a high standard of service. UTAH have a fashion consultant instore at all times and employ a staff team of seven members who are always on hand for advice.

Owner, Beagh native Val Colleran has been working in retail for over 25 years and has paid visit to a number of fashion shows all over Europe. Due to huge success in recent years and a customer demand for higher end fashion at affordable prices, UTAH have created a Dress Bar. This includes a new addition of five different London and Italian brands to the Ladies Fashion Department. ​ 

The new brands include Little Mistress, Closet London, Hybrid, Paper Dolls and Rinascimento. Little Mistress is a brand of beautiful feminine clothing. It is young, fresh and always with a nod towards the latest fashion trends. Closet London make contemporary dresses that tell a story. This particular brands are loved for their elegant shapes and stunning prints. Hybrid are renowned for creating glamorous statement pieces with a classic twist. Paper Dolls cover your daily style; expect gorgeous dresses with stunning detail. Paper Dolls pieces are designed with the sophisticated woman in mind with a collection of beautifully cut pieces, tailored to enhance and sculpt the female form. Rinascimento is a complete Italian phenomenon. It is a brand dedicated to those with a passion for beautiful designs that are made with a careful and loving hand. The new additions are perfect for any special occasion from weddings to parties. There is no need for any more travelling miles for local discerning shoppers for the latest fashion or occasional wear with the Dress ​​Bar at your feet. The store also take deposits on pieces when required.

By Ciara Beresford

​Not only does Andrea Duffy have plenty on her hands with raising three young children and running a blog but she has now opened her own Beauty Therapy business on Society Street called ‘The Front Room.’ Andrea grew up in Ballinasloe, attended school in Scoil Mhuire and worked as a Legal Secretary with Jack Duncan & Co. Solicitors while studying Beauty Therapy part time.

She now lives in Creagh with her husband and three young boys which is where her beauticians business originally began. In 2006, Andrea received ITEC and CIBTAC Diplomas in Beauty Therapy while studying in Georgina Price College of Beauty Therapy in Galway and very recently became a certified Waxpert. Andrea has also attended master classes, short term courses and training days. Andrea admits she chose Ballinasloe to open her business as she is a native and having worked locally for years she has gotten to know a lot of people, “I love when people come into the salon and say “Oh it’s you!” and they look pleased to recognise who will be dealing with them. In my opinion, a salon is kind of a sacred place where stories are shared and things are worked out over a cuppa and a polish. I want people to feel comfortable coming into The Front Room. In my opinion, the salon just would not work anywhere else.”​

he Front Room offers a vast range of services from make-up to waxing, nails to facials, spray tans and much more. Andrea expresses she is a firm believer in using natural products “I am a lover of all things natural! My salon offers natural, Irish products that are dedicated to providing the highest quality, chemical free skin creams and spa treatments.” Andrea emphasises how important it is to maintain a high standard of safety and hygiene within the beauty therapy business, “Yes it costs me that little bit extra to perform the treatments but it is worth every penny to know my clients will return to the salon having had a safe, hygienic and pleasant treatment” she stated. Andrea first began blogging as a hobby when she was at home full time with her children. “It’s mainly about the trials and tribulations of the mummy gig and I will warn you, if you have an aversion to reality I would avert your eyes… I am way too honest!” she mentioned.

Andrea’s blog can be found at 42andbrandnew.wordpress.com. At the moment Andrea will be spending a lot of time concentrating on the salon and learning new things along the journey. The beauty industry is constantly evolving with new products and techniques being introduced, therefore Andrea is hoping to invest in something new for The Front Room at the Professional Beauty Show in the RDS in Dublin next month. Details of all services, products and pricing can be found on her Facebook page  or for any other queries contact the salon at 090-9646893.

You can contact Eilis on 087 9606137 to book a class and like the Solid Fitness facebook page to keep updated! 

Over 2,000 people of all ages descended on the woods and nature trails of Garbally Park for two nights on the lead up to the Halloween Weekend for the towns first ever Zombie Walk .

Set in the Parkland of the historic Clancarty Mansion, complete with it’s own resident Ghost – the White Lady – the 3.5 km walk was bedecked with a cast of over 40 witches, zombies, goblins, pixies and Garbally House staff of the 18th Century who had left their tombs to haunt the walk.

Organised as one of the actions by the Town Team Action Group and co–ordinated by Ballinasloe Area Community Development in response to the Town Benchmarking Plan – to incorporate more family activities into our annual calendar of events – the event was branded a huge success by attendees and organisers alike. 

After parking in the Ard Scoil Mhuire Grounds – patrons went to the handball alleys to queue for their walk – where groups of 25 to 30 were taken by Zombie Costumed Guides ( All past Staff member of Lady Clancarty’s Household) .

The walk weaved it’s way under a strong moon, into the woodland out by the boundary tree ,back down a dimly lit avenue - to the Zombie Training Compound and the Witches Coven before releasing the frightened ones for a cuppa or some snack food – provided by caterers on site. 
​
Over a third of the attendees – were all dressed up in their own Witches, Goblins, Devil and Ghost outfits - which added greatly to the spookiness of the occasion. 

Chairman of the local Development Company, Seamus Duffy, was thrilled with the pilot “ This was a huge project that involved the cast and crew of over 90 people on both nights! – we had over 12 groups co–operating in the delivery of the event and the feedback and publicity that the event got for the town and our Mid-Term Break was massive. A lot of families have stated that it was one of the nicest events – with great fun , outdoors, and no alcohol - to be at and would be looking at having the cousins come and stay for it next year . People came from North Tipp, South Roscommon and well into South Galway” . He paid special tribute to the volunteers from the Vintage, Rugby, Soccer and GAA Clubs who assisted with the huge logistics of the production.

Town Team Co-ordinator Jacinta Divilly thanked the Boards of Management of the two schools – Garbally and Scoil Mhuire for their huge assistance in providing their grounds, all the volunteers who helped and in particular “ the casts and crews of the towns performing groups – principally – the Musical Sociery, The Panto, Relays and The Town Hall Theatre for the make up . costumes, props and sets over the two nights “. 
“ At €3 admission this event was never obviously about making money but really about bringing our community together for a traditional celebratory time of year and being able to create with huge co–operation – a memorable and worthwhile event “ stated Jacinta .

The event net of costs raised a small surplus for the performing groups – who produce annual shows and performances in the Town Hall Theatre. 
The Town Action Team’s next event is the Christmas Tree Lighting Up Gathering on Saturday Nov the 28th, in the afternoon on the main Square.

East Galway & Midlands Cancer Support Centre will be hosting a Craft Fair and Coffee Day on Saturday, 14th November from 11am to 4pm. The Centre which has been recently refurbished and provides support for cancer sufferers and their families is located in Brackernagh, Ballinasloe So please come along for a chat and cup of tea and get some ideas for Christmas gifts including paintings, decorations and jewellery. There will be a free raffle and a warm welcome.

Following last year’s success the Centre’s Ealain Art Group has also been busy producing Christmas cards from original paintings as a fundraiser for the charity. A pack of 8 vibrant and individual designs be on sale at the Fair at a cost of €5 and are also available from Salmon’s Department Store, Ballinasloe.