Republic of Ireland soccer manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, today launched the 'Carlsberg Salthill Devon National Fives' annual tournament which takes place on the 2nd and 3rd of June 2012 in Salthill Park. Registration is now open. Cost of entry for a team of seven for the Main Fives Tournament is priced at €100, and €80 for the Over-35's category. For more information or to enter a team, log onto www.15Eleven.com/fives, or search 'Salthill Devon National 5-A-Sides' on Facebook. Pic: Reg Gordon

Republic of Ireland soccer manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, today launched the ‘Carlsberg Salthill Devon National Fives’  annual tournament which  takes place on the 2^nd and 3^rd of June 2012 in Salthill Park.

Now in its 36^th year, the Salthill Devon 5-A-Side league and has become a highly anticipated date in Galway’s social calendar and sees a great mix of Galway natives, visitors and friends gather to enjoy this great footballing festival.

The popular ‘Fives’, which is run in association with Carlsberg, has firmly established itself as the kick-off to the summer. Salthill Park will play host to ever growing 5-A-Side teams, with over 130 teams from all over Ireland due to enjoy a series of fast-paced games in the hope of walking away with the coveted Carlsberg National Fives winner’s title and a fantastic cash prize.

The competition consists of three categories; the ‘Open Age Competition’, the ‘Buyback Competition’ and the latest addition, the ‘Over 35’s Section’. Last year’s introduction of the over-35’s category saw great rivalry spark among teams that would have met on the pitch when the tournament originally began!

Registration is now open. Cost of entry for a team of seven for the Main Fives Tournament is priced at €100, and €80 for the Over-35’s category. For more information or to enter a team, log onto www.15Eleven.com/fives, or search ‘Salthill Devon National 5-A-Sides’ on Facebook.

There is now another great way for parents to recycle and pass of the baby clothes and goods they no longer need.  BabyBay.ie – the popular site for selling new and used baby clothes and goods – is now offering parents an alternative to selling their unwanted baby stuff online. Baby Bay is now going on the road with a series of indoor family friendly baby markets.

Run by founder of BabyBay.ie Mandy O’Rorke, the Baby Bay Market is THE place to find quality second hand baby clothes and equipment at bargain prices. Those attending can expect to find furniture, prams, equipment, toys, clothes, books, anything baby related. There will also be some local businesses selling baby products and services on the day.  Mandy comments, “The Baby Bay Market is a natural extension of BabyBay.ie. A lot of parents are too busy to spend time posting their ads online, now we can offer an alternative. We want Babybay.ie and the Baby Bay Market to be the one stop shop for parents to recycle and pass on the baby stuff they no longer need.”

Stalls cost €20 and are available to book online at www.BabyBayMarket.ie. You can also hire a clothes rail for €5. Stall’s include a 6ft dressed table and chair, plus space to the side for a clothes rail and up to 2 items. All events are indoor and customers are encouraged to bring their children. Activities including colouring and face painting will be available to keep them entertained.

The Baby Bay Market is a great way for parents to clear out and make some extra cash, but also for parents to be to make some big savings, particularly on larger items and pick up a few bargains too. BabyBay.ie are also offering free membership to all stall holders and customers on the day!

The first Baby Bay Market will take place on 10^th June at the Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth, Co. Kildare with the second following at the Lucan Spa Hotel in Lucan, Co. Dublin on the 24^th June. Stalls can be booked online at www.BabyBayMarket.ie. There is also a limited number of trade stands available too. Admission costs €3 and kids go free. Baby Bay are delighted to support Barnardos Children’s Charity by donating €1 from the admission fee directly to the charity.

Supporting partnersKeith Gildea from Ocean Fitness, Maeve Gacquin from Maeve Gacquin Nutrition Consulting, Trish Streiloff from Baily Point Physiotherapy, Sarah Thornton from Sarah Thornton Personal Training and Dr. Aideen Henry from Galway Clinic and with the 2011 BUA Award recipient, runner Keith Fallon at the launch of the 2012 BUA Emerging Sports Talent Award. Log onto www.buasportsaward.com for more details.

Following the success of the inaugural year, the second annual BUA Emerging Sports Talent Award has now opened for entries for their 2012 award.

The award has the aim of supporting, recognising and developing upcoming sporting talent from Galway City and County. It was last year founded by a number of leading professionals – including a sports psychologist, physiotherapist, MD specialising in sports medicine, personal trainer, dietician and fitness club – will award one lucky recipient with a €12,000 prize package made up of a year’s worth of treatment and training plans, consultations and membership from all the supporting partners.

Supporting partners include Keith Gildea of Ocean Fitness, Trish Streiloff of Baily Point Physiotherapy, Maeve Gacquin of Maeve Gacquin Nutrition Consulting, Sarah Thornton of Sarah Thornton Personal Training, Dr. Aideen Henry of the Galway Clinic and Niamh Fitzpatrick, Sports Psychologist.

The award was the brainchild of Keith Gildea of Ocean Fitness. He comments, “The award was founded as we all see a huge need to support our up and coming sport stars of the future, especially those who show great potential, but have no access to any support services and funding. This is the aim of the BUA Emerging Sports Talent Award”.

Runner Keith Fallon, recipient of the BUA Emerging Sports Talent Award 2012 tells, “The whole award offered me a new perspective on other aspects besides just going out for a run which I would not have realised this year without it. Training and improving I have learned consists of much more than putting on my shoes and running. The best part of the award is the access to professionals and facilities I’ve got access to this year were of huge benefit to me. A full medical has given me (and more importantly my mother) peace of mind that I’m fully healthy and have no underlying conditions.  Overall the award has been a huge benefit to me so far. The best part of it is no doubt the individualistic treatment, support and help I have received.  I have improved my personal best and have been offered a running scholarship in the US. I would encourage all athlete’s from all sports to apply for the BUA award”.

All sporting enthusiasts from both team and individual sports and of all ages are encouraged to enter.  The application process – which is now open – is via a detailed application form downloadable from www.BUASportsAward.com. The deadline for submission of entries is Friday, 1^st June. The judging panel, made up of the supporting partners, will then announce the shortlist on Wednesday 8^th June, with the recipient named at an awards ceremony later in the month. Athletes who entered and were shortlisted for last year’s award may re-submit this year however, athletes who are currently in receipt of high performance funding or assistance through the international carding system are excluded from the application process.

For more information, or to download an application form, log onto www.BUASportsAward.com.

Artisan Restaurant on Quay Street will this Monday, 14^th May, compete for the title of Best Restaurant in Ireland at this year’s Irish Restaurant Awards.

The ceremony, which will take place in the Burlington Hotel, is billed as Ireland’s largest foodie event which celebrates Ireland’s top Restaurants, Chefs, Hotel Restaurants, Gastro Pubs and Local Food Heros. Guests will be treated to a five course meal with selected Santa Rita Wines lovingly prepared by five of last year’s winning Chefs.

Artisan was named ‘Best Restaurant in Galway’ at the regional finals of the Santa Rita/Sunday Independent Life magazine Irish Restaurant Awards which took place in Galway in March of this year. Matt Skeffington, proprietor of Artisan is looking forward to Monday’s event commenting, “We were delighted to be shortlisted in the ‘Best Restaurant in Ireland’ category and have our fingers crossed that we will be returning to the West with a national title”.
Located in probably one of the best spots in the city, above the popular Ti Neachtain’s pub, Artisan’s windows look down on the charming medieval buildings of Quay Street and Cross Street and create the perfect spot to while away a couple of hours while enjoying the best food and restaurant in the city. Candlelight, soft sounds and subdued lighting create the perfect atmosphere in which to enjoy the extraordinary culinary delights of this true foodie restaurant. Serving the very best of local, in-season produce, organic where possible, Matt prides himself on serving continuously exceptional French classic/Irish dishes with a twist – drawing inspiration from Parisian bistros.

Artisan Restaurant – a proud supporter of the Arts in Galway city – is open for brunch, lunch and dinner. For more information, log onto www.artisangalway.com or call 091 532655.

Dada Life, the Swedish Electro-House Duo play Central Park Nightclub, located on Abbeygate Street in Galway city, on Sunday May 6th with doors opening at 11pm. Tickets for Dada Life at Central Park are available online at www.CentralParkClub.com for €10 in advance. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door on the night for €12.

Central Park Nightclub, located on Upper Abbeygate Street in the heart of Galway city will play host to one of the biggest names in electronic music on Bank Holiday Sunday, May 6^th, when Swedish electro-house duo Dada Life perform their first ever Irish gig.

Dada Life has enjoyed a phenomenal year to date, performing at standout gigs such as Electric Daisy Carnival in New York and Coachella in California. They have worked with and toured alongside some of this generation’s most popular DJ’s including David Guetta, Tiesto and Eric Prydz and boast Lady Gaga and Kid Cudi to name but a few of the acts they have remixed songs for recently.

 Central Park now has the flexibility to play host to world class DJs and bands. Fans are sure to be blown away by Dada Life’s show to be performed on the club’s spectacular new stage setup, featuring a 5 meter video screen backdrop as used by the likes of Deadmau5 and David Guetta, along with an industry-leading sound system.

Expect powerful re-edits, from their current mixes for Duck Sauce and Madonna to fresh new tracks remixed live and with support from iRadio’s Tom Lavin and Central Park’s Trevor White.  This is a night not to be missed for all electro-house fans.

With two dancefloors, seven bars and accommodating over 1,000 people, Central Park Nightclub is undoubtedly one of the best entertainment venues in the west of Ireland. Tickets for Dada Life at Central Park are available online at www.CentralParkClub.com for €10 in advance. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door on the night for €12. Search ‘CentralPark Galway’ on Facebook for further details and to keep up with upcoming events.

On Saturday 21st April, Invisalign invites you to Woodquay Dental in Galway, where you can avail of a free private consultation with our dentist and special discounted offers on the day only.  

Want to achieve a winning smile like X-Factor’s Cheryl Cole who has recently had her teeth straightened? The perfect solution for you is metal brace alternative Invisalign – used by Cheryl and fellow celebrities Michelle Obama, Katherine Heigl and Justin Bieber – which is now available from Woodquay Dental Practice located at 12 Walshes Terrace on Headford Road in Galway city.

 Unlike traditional braces, the Invisalign aligners are comfortable, removable and practically invisible, which means you can carry on enjoying life without the restrictions and self-consciousness associated with metal brackets and wires. Invisalign technology moves teeth gradually until they have straightened to the final position prescribed by your dental practitioner. This advanced treatment, which can correct 98% of tooth alignment issues, consists of a series of subtle, almost-invisible, custom-designed removable aligners that are changed every two weeks. Not only are the benefits of the aligners seen from the beginning of the treatment, they are subtle and flexible to your lifestyle, enabling you to remove the aligners to eat, drink, brush or for special occasions.

The Invisalign team along with Woodquay Dental  is inviting patients and non-patients that would like to receive further information on how they can have perfectly straight teeth. With over 1.4 million users having completed the treatment so far, Invisalign is the best way and proven to transform your smile with little interference to your daily life.

To book your free, private consultation on Saturday  April 21^st or to learn more about Invisalign at Woodquay Dental Practice, simply log onto www.woodquaydental.com or call 091 565068.

Pictured at the Ocean Fitness announcement of its supporting partnership to E&R Events – local organiser of Ironman 70.3 Ireland taking place on September 2nd – is Eoin McCormack of E&R Events and Keith Gildea of Ocean Fitness. Whether you’re competing for the Ironman, which is still open for entries, log on to www.IronmanIreland.com – or an exercise novice, enjoy a swim in Ocean Fitness’ sunlit 25metre pool, workout in the gyms, relax in the warm hydrotherapy pool, soak in the centre’s whirlpool or de-stress in their sauna and steam rooms. Check it out at www.oceanfitness.ie. Pic: Reg Gordon

The Galway City Business Association (GCBA) has appointed Anthony Ryan as Chairperson of the organisation at their AGM held last week. Anthony takes over the post from Paul Faller – who served as GCBA chairperson for the past two years.

Speaking on his appointment, Anthony tells “I am delighted take up the post as Chairperson of the GCBA and would like to thank Paul Faller for the great work he has carried out on behalf of the organisation while he held chair. It is an exciting time for Galway with all the upcoming events including the much anticipated Volvo Ocean Race finale in the city. The GCBA look forward to working with the council and fellow organisations to ensure that Galway is positively showcased on the world stage and functions effortlessly for those doing business and living in the city”.

The mission of the Galway City Business Association is to increase footfall in Galway by promoting the City as a relaxing, safe, friendly and vibrant place to visit and do business, to improve access and to ensure a wide variety of choice. The GCBA is the presenter of the Galway Continental Christmas Market which brought over 11 million euro into the local economy during its three week run last year and over 10 million euro the year previous.

For more information on the GCBA or to become a member, log onto www.galwaycba.ie and like ‘Galway City Business Association’ on Facebook.

Join your province Connacht Rugby and local rugby clubs Corinthans and Galwegians on Friday, the 27^th April in Monroes Live on Dominick Street, Galway, where you can see the battle go from pitch to pub in a ‘Question of Sport’ style quiz. The first in a planned series of rugby road shows – hosted by Connacht Rugby – sees popular rugby stars from the province go to head-to-head in a series of rugby related questions to see who claims the title of Connacht Rugby’s most knowledgeable club team.

The first of the Connacht clubs to take up the challenge are local rivals Corinthians and Galwegians who will battle it out to see who knows more about their beloved pastime, team and club history. Connacht legend Johnny O’Connor heads up the Corinthians team to compete against captain Gavin Duffy and his club Galwegians. Quizmasters, Galwegian James ‘Sloppy’ Heaslip and veteran Corinthian Paddy Flynn will take the teams through various quiz rounds like ‘What Happened Next’, ‘Picture Board’, ‘Home or Away’, ‘Mystery Guest’ and ‘On the Buzzer’. There’s also chance to take the rules of the field to the quiz table where teams can bring on subs to better their chances of winning.

With the 2011/12 rugby season nearing end, this is a fun opportunity for supporters to meet and mingle with Connacht Rugby players and have the chance to win some signed memorabilia in a top class raffle on the night. The first 500 people through the door will receive a complimentary pint of Heineken to help kick off the night and toast to the world of rugby. Party the night away with two live bands taking the celebrations into early hours of the morning.

Doors open at 9pm. Tickets for the sports night cost just €10 and are available from www.monroes.ie or at the door on the night.  Any monies raised on the night will be invested in the development of rugby in the province.  Be there for the rare chance to hang out with the entire Connacht Squad in an enjoyable social setting. For more information on the best sports night to come to Connacht, log onto www.connachtrugby.ie, or search ‘Connacht Rugby’ on Facebook.