John Galvin

Ireland

Managing Director and Editor at The Clare Champion

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Articles

Dog friendly… Dog tolerant?

1 month ago | clarechampion.ie | John Galvin

My co-columnist Bev is still indisposed – get well soon Bev – so I thought I’d put paw to keyboard to talk about a pet subject of mine – if you’ll excuse the pun. I want to talk about pet friendly restaurants and cafés and the lack of them. I thought by now that we’d have made more progress but not so. If anything, the situation is getting worse.
Part two of Daisy’s Scottish Adventures - The Clare Champion

Sep 17, 2024 | clarechampion.ie | John Galvin

We had such a wonderful time during our first week in Scotland that I couldn’t wait to see what the next part of the holiday would bring. Bidding a fond farewell to our little cottage in Golspie, we headed off for the west coast, where I looked forward to seeing a Heilan Coo or two. There were a few little detours on the way, first to Black Isle Brewery, where we bought some of their organic beer.
Highland Adventures on the North Coast 500

Sep 8, 2024 | clarechampion.ie | John Galvin

Well the whole thing started with a competition run by Stena Line, the ferry people. Herself entered a picture of little old me gazing at London Bridge on my last visit to London and would you believe it, I won! The prize was a return trip on any of their routes to Britain. As it was my picture, I felt I should decide the destination and nothing would satisfy me but to visit my homeland of Scotland.
Anatomy of a Crash

Jun 5, 2024 | clarechampion.ie | John Galvin

The death toll on our roads continues to climb with seemingly no end in sight. The statistics make grim reading. I recently got a phone call from my brother Anthony, telling me of his own car crash. Happily, there was a positive outcome with very minor injuries and Anthony will not form part of this year’s statistics. Here is the story in his own words…Have you ever been in a large washing machine during the spin cycle?
Daisy’s Birthday Shenanigans Continue

May 19, 2024 | clarechampion.ie | John Galvin

Well, after my Birthday Shenanigans last week, I thought I’d have a wee rest before things ramped up again, but no, it was crazier than ever. Himself only guested at home this week, jetting off to London for Stirling Moss’ Memorial Service and only back for a night before heading off up the country for an AGM. As a result I hardly saw him and I was somewhat surprised when herself and myself ended up at Ennis train station on Friday morning.
Daisy’s 15th Birthday Celebrations at BrookLodge - The Clare Champion

May 13, 2024 | clarechampion.ie | John Galvin

So I’ve finally made the landmark age of 15 – a great age for any doggie – but I have to say, I still feel like a little pup. I was always a slow walker and I haven’t got any faster over the years, but if there’s a bit of food in the offing, I can show a clean pair of paws to any young dog. I wanted to go somewhere really nice for my special day, so I howled to the pawrents that we hadn’t been to BrookLodge for some time and they took the hint – I have them very well trained.
Daisy’s St Patrick’s Day Adventures - The Clare Champion

Apr 9, 2024 | clarechampion.ie | John Galvin

Well, wasn’t I the busy little dog over the St Patrick’s weekend. I hardly had time to draw breath. But before I tell you all about it, I have some exciting news to share. A few months ago, I noticed that Stena Line had a competition for the best pawliday snaps and I barked at the pawrents to submit one of my many holiday photos. Eventually, we decided on a lovely picture of me gazing out at London Bridge on the banks of the Thames.
Daisy’s Christmas Chillout in Galway and Dublin - The Clare Champion

Dec 24, 2023 | clarechampion.ie | John Galvin

I always like to take a little city trip coming up to Christmas to see the lights and soak up the atmosphere, so I hounded the hoomans to such an extent that they packed the car and we headed for Galway and a couple of nights in one of my favourite haunts, The Twelve Hotel. We were late leaving Ennis so we just had time for a quick dogguccino on the way, at Gran Gran’s in Kilcolgan. A lovely place and well worth a stop.
Gorgeous Portrait of Daisy

Sep 30, 2023 | clarechampion.ie | John Galvin

Well there I was last week thinking it had been a while since my last stay at the wonderful Twelve Hotel in Galway when I saw the bags being packed and loaded in the car. I supervised proceedings to ensure that my bag was packed too, as I wasn’t going to be left behind no matter where we were off to. Snuggling down in my bed in the back seat, we set off and I sniffed that we were heading North, which was very promising indeed.
Scary Festival in Durrow

Aug 15, 2023 | clarechampion.ie | John Galvin

Well after two exhausting weekends I was quite prepared to relax and snooze away through the August Bank Holiday but there was one place I wanted to visit. Alan, who works with me in advertising, happened to be passing through Durrow the other day and he saw a load of scarecrows lining the roads. He told me about it in secret and I determined that, tired though I was, I was going to the Durrow Scarecrow Festival.