(Source: http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/78d65b47-e980-4bb2-82b6-81a4401784f8.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)

MBPR handles online PR and offline PR for small to medium businesses. For more information, log on to www.mbpr.ie or call us now to discuss PR for your business on 091 782820 or email info@mbpr.ie.

Elysium Day Spa and Laser Clinic – located in Moycullen village are gearing up for their 10th birthday with a celebratory event planned for tomorrow, the Friday the 14th at 7pm. As a thank you to all their devoted customers and an introduction for any potential customers, the team at Elysium will host their birthday event on site at the popular luxury day spa in An Fuarán, Moycullen. This open event will comprise of talks from beauty experts with the award winning Day Spa gifting over €1,000 of products and treatments to their customers on the night through prizes and goodie bags.

Elysium will also be officially launching their new iPhone and iPad app at the event. The Elysium app is fully integrated with Elysium’s appointment software system enabling clients to book an appointment at any hour of the day or night with your preferred therapist even when the salon is closed. The app securely stores booking details including credit card details using Amazon’s technology so rebooking a regular appointment is just a touch of the screen away.

In addition, clients can browse Elysium’s gallery – which is also connected to Facebook to get inspired by their latest treatments and be introduced to Elysium’s talented therapists by hitting the team section. A special offer’s section contains their latest offers where Elysium’s strong following can explore their specials at that time and try something new in addition to their regular treatments. Clients who book through the app also get the opportunity to review the treatments after their appointments and recommend them to family and friends on Facebook. The app will be available to download free from the Apple iTunes Store tomorrow.

Owner of Elysium, Valerie comments  “We are all looking forward to celebrating an amazing ten years in business in June, a feat that wouldn’t be possible without our team of exceptionally professional and talented therapists and of course, the loyal customers at Elysium whose business we value wholeheartedly. We are always improving our service and are excited that the new Elysium App will make us more accessible to customers when booking or viewing what we have on offer”.

The multi award winning spa opened its doors in 2004 under the leadership of owner Valerie Osborne – a highly decorated businesswoman and beauty therapist with over 17 years national and international experience with advanced training in the beauty industry. The salon quickly established itself as one of the leading beauty salons in Galway, with Valerie named as one of the top five facial therapists in Ireland at the National IBPA Awards, just one year after opening Elysium.

In 2007, the business expanded from a 500 sq ft salon to a 2,500 sq ft state of the art luxurious Day Spa and Laser Clinic; incorporating every day salon treatments, decadent spa rituals and advanced medical grade aesthetic treatments. The business has continued to grow successfully and holds a number of highly recognised awards including the award for overall ‘Best Salon in Ireland and Northern Ireland’ in 2009, ‘Yon Ka Day Spa of the Year 2010’ and more recently the Yon Ka Brand Representation Award 2013.

The salon offers a tranquil, contemporary and stylish environment and is renowned for bringing advanced skincare techniques to Galway. Elysium specialises in Medical Micro-Needling, IPL Skin Rejuvenation, Thread Vein Removal and Advanced Skincare Peels – along with traditional beauty treatments. Elysium also houses a doctor’s injectable clinic with one of Ireland’s leading aesthetic experts, Dr. Tom Mc Connell, providing a discreet professional service for their discerning clients. The Moycullen Spa which boasts ample free parking also added a Sports and Occupational Injury Clinic last year which is proving extremely popular with their male clients and sports clubs both local and county.

For further information on the 10th Birthday Celebration event, or to book an appointment at Elysium Day Spa and Laser Clinic, call the salon today on 091 556846 or visit the website on www.elysium.ie. The Elysium App will be available for free download from the Apple iTunes Store from tomorrow, Friday the 14th of June.

The largest ever auction held in the West of Ireland took place on Friday (17^th May) at the Harbour Hotel in Galway city, lead by one of the west’s most recognised auctioneering firms, O’Donnellan & Joyce, with over 600 people in attendance with standing room only . The auction was also be streamed live on www.ODonnJoyce.com.and viewed by over 3000 people, the majority in overseas locations.

A total of 29 properties in Galway city and county, Roscommon, Mayo and other parts of the West went to auction with 27 properties sold and a further 2 properties under offer. Colm O Donnellan of O’Donnellan & Joyce commented, “Most of the sales exceeded expectations, some by 100 % – such as a 4 bedroom semidetached at Carbry Road, Newcastle property in Galway city with an AMV of €160,000 which sold for €320,000”.There was tremendous interest in all the properties both locally and nationally and a number of the properties attracted interest from Irish people living abroad and the bidding for all the properties was intense during the three hour auction.

Other residential properties such as one in Ballydangan, Athlone, Co. Westmeath had an AMV of €60,000 and sold for €172,000 and a property in Woodquay, Galway city had an AMV of €100,000 and sold for €142,000. The total of the sales was almost €4 million, which is the highest level of sales recorded by any Irish Auctioneering company in the West of Ireland.

This was the first of a series of summer auctions planned and O’Donnellan continues, “We are hoping to double the amount of properties placed for sale for our next public auction and are looking for properties throughout all the West of Ireland. Our next auction is set for Friday, 12^th of July”.

Based on Mary Street in Galway city, O’Donnellan & Joyce offers a full range of professional services relating to estate agency and the valuation profession. Operational since 1982, the property firm is synonymous with selling properties in the west of Ireland.  The company, which has a team of 10, is lead by senior partners Colm O’Donnellan and Tony Joyce.

O Donnellan & Joyce saw 115 properties placed under the auction hammer in 2012, with a 93% success rate. The commercial and valuation department is lead by Tony Joyce who – with over 30 years experience in the property sector – has developed and nurtured strong links with all the major financial institutions. More recently to O’Donnellan & Joyce, the business has added a new property management department, lead by Mark Forsyth previously of DNG Dublin.

For more information, log on to www.odonnjoyce.com, phone 091-564212 or call into the property showroom on Mary Street, Galway.

O'Donnellan and Joyce Auction in The Harbour Hotel Galway City.

Aunty Nellie’s is a traditional Irish sweet shop chain located throughout Ireland. The classic Irish sweet shop provides a taste of nostalgia with old favourites such as boiled sweets and liquorice, whilst also providing an exciting experience for their younger customers. The stores, which are decorated with a traditional feel, provide a visually pleasing experience for the customer with a colourful array of sweets and an atmosphere that is sure to evoke memories of times gone by.

The retro sweet shop is a favourite when it comes to providing wedding day treats with a difference. The famous ‘Aunty Nellie’s Candy Cart’ – fully stocked with beautifully arranged sweets of your choice – has appeared at many weddings and is a fun and memorable way to entertain guests. The Candy Cart or Candy Buffet is unmanned so guests can help themselves to a pick and mix selection of sweet treats. Aunty Nellie’s also provide personalised Wedding Favours and from as little as €1.50 per favour, they are a very cost effective way to delight friends, loved ones and anyone with a sweet tooth!

Aunty Nellie’s Wedding packages are tiered at bronze, silver and gold; customised to your wedding theme and the Aunty Nellie’s team will liaise directly with your wedding coordinator to ensure you get everything you want on the special day. There is a sweet package for every budget, from the party hampers and unique party bags, to the gold package which can include sweet table centre pieces and sweet bouquets for the bridal party.

Aunty Nellie’s provide a corporate sweet service that allows businesses to treat their clients or staff. Aunty Nellie’s are specialists in arranging personalised corporate gift bags and hampers branded with your company logo – giving that wow factor. The personal service offered by the Aunty Nellie’s team will ensure that your clients and staff receive unique and memorable gifts. The gift bags will be filled with Auntie Nellie’s sweets but will be uniquely branded with a company’s logo.

Aunty Nellie’s Sweet Shops specialise in Irish Artisan confectionary and are proud to support local. The chain also sells unique and rare ‘penny sweets’ from the 1970s and 1980s and classic sweets from abroad that are not otherwise available in Ireland. At Aunty Nellie’s the shelves are packed with an abundance of beloved delicious sweets including Bon Bons, Liquorice, Toffees, Chocolate, Nougat, Gobstoppers and so much more. The diverse collection of traditional and retro confectionary ensures everyone’s taste is catered for.

To see store locations or to purchase customised gifts, visit the Aunty Nellie’s website now on www.auntynellies.com. Find Aunty Nellie’s on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuntyNellies.

Salthill-Knocknacarra GAA Club is hosting a special pre-match questions and answers session with former Galway and Mayo greats – such as former managers John O’Mahoney, Liam Sammon and former players such as Ray Silke, Maurice Sheridan, Niall Finnegan, Anthony Finnerty, Gordon Morley and Cathal McGinley and many more – at Salthill Hotel this Sunday, 19^th May ahead of the eagerly awaited provincial derby match.

The event kicks off with a reception at 1.15pm in the Salthill Hotel with the Q&A session starting at 1.30pm to 2.30pm facilitated by Ollie Turner of Galway Bay FM. The event will also be streamed live on Galway Bay FM. Live music by the West Coast Jazz band and finger food will be provided in what will be a great opportunity to meet former Galway and Mayo players.

Tickets for the Q&A session are priced at €10 and are available from Peter O’Halloran on 086-2675193 or David Burke on 087-2023447. Alternatively, they can also be purchased at Arus Bothar na Trá on Dr Mannix Road.

The Galway V Mayo match kicks off at 4pm in Pearse Stadium, which is only 2 minute stroll from Salthill Hotel. Tickets for the match can be purchased on the Galway County Board Offices at Pearse Stadium or at tickets.ie.

Former Corrib Shamrock players John Glynn, Paul Sheridan, Paraic Fadden, Gerry Mullin, Martin O Neill are shown the red card by the Mayor of Galway, Cllr. Terry O Flaherty as they tog out ahead of this years Carlsberg Salthill National Fives annual tournament which takes place on Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of June this year in Salthill Park, Galway. Pic: Andrew Downes

Mayor of Galway, Councillor Terry O’ Flaherty, launched the ‘Carlsberg Salthill National Fives’ annual tournament which takes place on Saturday the 1^st and Sunday the 2^nd of June this year in Salthill Park, Galway. Now in its 37^th year, the Salthill Devon 5-A-Side league has become a highly anticipated date in Galway’s  soccer calendar and sees a great mix of Galway natives, visitors and friends gather to enjoy this great footballing festival.

The popular 5-A-Side competition – which is run in association with Carlsberg – has firmly established itself as the kick-off sporting event of the summer. Denis Burke, Tournament Director, tells, “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’. The introduction of the over-35’s category in 2011 saw great rivalry spark among teams that would have met on the pitch when the tournament originally began, and a team that will certainly make an appearance is the former players of Galway team Corrib Shamrocks who are celebrating their 40^th Anniversary this year.

Corrib Shamrocks F.C. was founded in August 1973 by Brother Justin Madden, a Patrician Brother who immersed himself in the sporting life of Galway City. Initially he became involved with Western Stars in the old Galway City League where the late Eamonn ‘Chick’ Deacy was one of his early protégés. Former Club players and Committee members are organising a 40^th Anniversary Gathering in the Galway Bay Hotel in Galway on Saturday 1^st of June, to coincide with the Salthill Fives event, at which Brother Justin will be the Guest of Honour.

The National Fives tournament is expected to attract thousands of football enthusiasts to Galway city over the June Bank Holiday weekend, with a large number of visitors travelling from abroad to the popular event.

Registration for teams 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 further information or to enter a team, visit www.salthilldevon.ie or call Denis on 087-7442877. For enquiries about the Corrib Shamrocks 40^th Anniversary Gathering, contact Martin O’ Neill on 086 2508743.

Ireland – with a population of approximately 4,588,252 people – currently has over 2.2 million registered Facebook users. This indicates that a staggering 48% of the population is now using the social media site compared to 36% in Spain and 44% in the Netherlands. 54% of Irish Facebook users are female and 31% of users in Ireland are aged between 25 and 34. The average user has approximately 240 friends, making it easy for businesses on Facebook to reach wider audiences every time a happy customer shares or ‘likes’ Facebook content.

A report undertaken by social media site Socialbakers.com has revealed the top brands on Facebook in Ireland from the 1^st to 28^th February 2013. The number one position is held by fashion retail giants, Penney’s, with a total of 295,577 fans in Ireland. Coca-Cola is the third most popular brand in Ireland with 201,912 fans; which is a relatively small percentage of 0.3% of their 59 million fans worldwide. Mr. Tayto is in fifth place with 195,012  fans and Guinness comes in seventh place with 170,887 fans – only 43.3% of their worldwide fan-base.

The top media outlet on Facebook is Spin South West with 157,319 fans and Argos is deemed the most socially devoted brand on Facebook with a 95% response rate to their fans queries.

The most popular post in February was from Blackberry with over 29,000 ‘likes’ and over 2,386 people sharing the post about the new Blackberry Z10 phone. The second most popular post was from Baileys with 11,000 ‘likes’ and over 1,587 shares for a simple picture of a glass of Baileys and ice!

The statistics further show that when your business has a strong presence on Facebook, it becomes part of conversations and has access to the most powerful marketing tool – word of mouth and sharing and recommendations between friends. When fans interact with or endorse your business their friends can also be influenced by their decisions.

MBPR handles online communication campaigns for small to medium businesses. For more information and tips on increasing your social media presence, log on to www.mbpr.ie or call us now to discuss PR for your business on 091 782820 or email info@mbpr.ie.

(Source:http://www.socialbakers.com/blog/1496-february-2013-social-media-report-facebook-pages-in-ireland)

Artisan Restaurant – located in the Medieval Latin Quarter of Galway city – has once again delighted food lovers with the launch of their enticing and exquisite new spring menu. Comprising of a host of mouth watering seafood, steak and game options, the award winning restaurant has truly out-done itself with their latest offering, which can only be described as a delicious infusion of carefully selected ingredients and heavenly flavour.

Head Chef, Mark Campbell, has composed a menu that would wet ones appetite at first glance, with invigorating dishes such as ‘Gin, Orange and Ginger cured Salmon’, ‘Poached Connemara Crab Claws’, ‘Ballotine of Rabbit and Smoked Bacon’ signalling the start of spring time. Boasting fantastic variety across the entire menu, the ‘Spring Vegetable, Comte Cheese and Coriander Brik Pastry Parcel’ and ‘St. Tola Goat’s Cheese and Roast Organic Cherry Tomato Risotto’ are must-tries for all vegetarians, with the ‘Oven Roasted Monkfish, Sundried Tomato and Spring Onion Crust’ and ‘Pan roasted Hake Fillet wrapped in baby spinach and Serrano ham’, a mouth-watering experience for all lovers of seafood.  ‘Duo of Confit Pork Belly and Scallops’ and ‘Pan Roasted Guinea Fowl with Potatoe Gratin and Parma Ham Wrapped Asparagus’ are dishes infusing flavours from around the world with the best of Irish produce – a classic Artisan Restaurant trait. The tantalizing treats that comprise the dessert menu – including old favourites such as ‘Baked Alaska’ with a Caribbean twist, the on trend ‘Homemade chocolate Macaroons’ or the homemade ice cream including Brown bread and Treacle & Strawberries and Meringue flavour  - will tempt the sweetest of tooths!

Head Chef Mark Campbell takes pride in each dish presented and tells that “all ingredients have been carefully selected using locally sourced and organic produce where possible”. Artisan’s renowned wine list has also been revised to include New Zealand’s Lawsons Dry Hills and a variety of Pinot Noirs from Louis Latour in Burgundy.

The location of Artisan Restaurant, above the cobbled streets of medieval Galway, affords the visitor a unique and memorable dining experience. Candlelight, soft sounds and subdued lighting create the perfect atmosphere in which to enjoy the extraordinary culinary delights of this true foodie restaurant. Now open daily for an extended lunch period – 12 noon to 4pm – Artisan is now offering a fantastic value lunch offer of homemade soup, gourmet sandwich and a freshly brewed coffee for only €10 along with a full lunch menu option of starter, main course and dessert for only €20. At the weekends, customers can kick back and enjoy a lazy ‘Sunday Jazz Brunch’ from 1pm – 3pm with the sounds of jazz trio ‘The Hot Frogs’ each Sunday.

Speaking on the new lunch and dinner menus at Artisan, recently appointed Restaurant Manager Una Quigley explains, “We are delighted to offer a great range and selection of dishes that will satisfy our lunchtime diners and evening customers. Our lunchtime lunch menu highlights include a Beef Fillet, Organic Cherry Tomato & Courgette Brochettes with Rice Pilaff & Roast Garlic and Whole Grain Mustard Cream €9.95, Baked Fillet of Sea Trout, Spring Vegetable Cous Cous, with a Chilli, Lime and Coconut Dressing €9.95 and  a Prawn Cocktail Sandwich on Homemade Brown Bread. “

To make a reservation to try out the new spring menu at Artisan Restaurant – voted ‘Best Restaurant in Galway 2012’ and ‘Best Restaurant in Connacht 2012’ at the Irish Restaurant Awards – call 091-532655 or to view the new spring menu in full, visit www.artisangalway.com.

A new Irish, organic and ethical skincare range has been launched on to the market. Kinvara Skincare is an exciting range of organic face care products, created by an Irish woman for Irish women. The founder, Dr. Joanne Reilly, is a scientist who believes that women shouldn’t be confused and stressed about the science of skin care because “skin care is and should be simple”.

Kinvara Skincare was developed out of a personal need after Joanne tried numerous products for her tricky skin to no success. She tells, “I was always looking for a good moisturiser and I tried them all and still found I had to reapply after a few hours.  I developed my Rosehip Face Serum in response to that need for serious hydration and moisturisation”.

The current Kinvara Skincare range includes three main skincare products. Their active Rosehip Day Cream – described as ‘yoga for your face’ – will help you to start your day right with moisturised, plumper looking skin. It absorbs quickly leaving your skin protected and primed for the day ahead. The creams anti-aging formula is enriched with Omega rich plant oils, regenerating vitamins, 3% natural plumping hyaluronic acid and fragrant oils of lemon and lavender.

By using the Rosehip Face Serum, ‘your skin will thank you’. The mega-hydrating serum blends organic botanics in a unique cold process that ensures the fragile oils and heat sensitive vitamins remain intact. “That’s radically different to how most face care products are made and it makes ours better”, tells Joanne.  This serum – which can be used at any time but is recommended for night time use – will hydrate and nourish your skin, making it look amazing.

The Absolute Cleansing Oil an uplifting blend of plant oils aims to ‘open your mind, balance your pores’ with a unique cleansing experience.  “After talking with women we felt that many were using inappropriate, harsh cleansers that in some cases actually aggravated and stripped the skin necessitating the use of richer moisturisers.  Absolute Cleansing Oil offers our customers a product that is really gentle but really effective, cleaning your skin without stripping”.  It takes away dirt, grime and make up – as well as mascara – leaving your skin thoroughly clean, soft and prepped. So with no need for a make-up remover and no extra steps it really does saves you time and money.

Kinvara Skincare’s performance driven formulas exceed customer expectations in many ways – they are concentrated, they multi task, they layer well, they feel great, smell wonderful and really work. Joanne really believes that most of us only need a few products if they’re the right ones, commenting, “We all lead such busy lives that anything that simplifies our life and saves us time and money is really needed”.

Suitable for men as well as women, the handmade products are packed full of plants extracts because at Kinvara Skincare they take the time to infuse nourishing leaves, flowers and roots to extract every ounce of their goodness. Preserved using the gentlest of methods you won’t find any ‘nasties’ in Kinvara Skincare products.  This coupled with sustainable practices and a no nonsense approach is what make this hand crafted skincare line unique, reliable….and it really works!

Kinvara Skincare is currently developing exciting new products that will compliment their existing skincare range. Kinvara Skincare is available from all good health stores, pharmacies and from www.kinvaraskincare.com.