Like magazine, April 2015

April 2015

M A G A Z I N E

THE LOOK IS LUXE:

Perfectly polished spring style

MADONNA: A Rebel Heart can’t be tamed

WIN!

A two-night break at the Falls Hotel and Spa

Cork's FREE lifestyle monthly

Style / Beauty / Celebrity / Health / Food / Home

SPRING

INTO A NEW YOU WITH

énergie

• 5 one to one appointments with a qualified fitness instructor • Unlimited fitness classes • Personalized 30 minute training programme • State of the art gym equipment • Free parking for members “This time last year, I knew I needed to start looking after my health and get into shape, but I had always felt too nervous about joining a gym. It wasn’t until I went to énergie and met with one of their fitness instructors that I felt confident enough to make a change.

My instructor Paula gave me a thirty minute training plan that was simple to follow and based around my own fitness goals.

I saw results in my first 6 weeks and I couldn’t have been more delighted. I love the change I’ve seen in myself and I can’t wait to enjoy the Summer months ahead feeling confident in my body.”

- Maureen Cronin

Before

After Look your best for Summer with our 6 week émpower programme.

Call us today on 021-6019231 to book in for a free consultation with one of our qualified fitness instructors or request a guest pass online at www.energiefitnessclubs.com/cork 2 Ideally located in Park Place,City Gate,Mahon (Next to dfs)

CONTENTS

Perfectly polished.

The sports luxe looks we’re coveting this spring.

15

Pretty alluring.

The power of pastels for spring.

29

07...................... Like it? Love it!

11 �������������������������������������������������Style 22 ����������������������������������������� Beauty 25 ����������������������������������������Feature 41 ������������������������������������������Homes 50 �������������������������������������������Family 52 ��������������������������������������� Careers 56 ���������������������������������������������� Food 59 �����������������������������������������Culture 60 �������������������������������������������Books 62 ��������������������������������������������Travel 66..........................Life Changer

Growing old disgracefully or staying true to her rebel heart? Why we wouldn’t want Madonna any other way.

32 Mind over matter. Is the ancient practice of mindfulness a solution to modern day stresses?

37

Open up. Discover Cork’s architectural hidden gems at the Open House weekend.

41

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EDITOR’S LETTER EDITOR: Carolyn Moore

It’s all about the space T

his was an exciting issue of Like to work on. We’re only four issues in, and they’ve all been thrilling and challenging in their own way, but each issue has also come with something of a mandate. In our debut issue we set out our stall, February marked the beginning of spring, and March brought Mother’s Day. But April is a bit of a seasonal no man’s land, and so, unencumbered by any seasonally inflicted themes we instead got to explore our own ideas of what we’d like to focus on.

And when we discovered that April would bring a new event to Cork’s cultural calendar, we knew we had our answer. Inspired by Open House Cork, a weekend long celebration of the city’s architectural treasures, where the people of Cork are invited to explore and enjoy those unique spaces which lend the city its character and charm, we decided to explore what space means to us… How to make it, how to enjoy it, and how to maintain it, but most importantly how taking control of and appreciating the mental and physical space in our lives can have a profound effect on our wellbeing.

And once we were in exploring mode, there was no stopping us. We found a stunning backdrop for this month’s fashion editorial in UCC’s Environmental Research Institute, where the clean lines and weathered wood exterior provided the inspiration for our shoot, and we think we’ve uncovered a future star in our cover girl, Lara Quinn. Newly signed to Lockdown Models, this Cork schoolgirl has a bright future. We’re proud to be able to give her her first cover, and we know it won’t be her last.

And so, from that awkward and featureless month of April, we think we’ve pulled together our most fully formed issue yet. I have my black bags at the ready after reading Maria Tracey’s guide to decluttering, and just like Geraldine Fitzgerald, I too am implementing small moments of mindfulness through the day to ground me when I’m feeling overwhelmed. It’s all about the space…

Finding it, holding on to it, cherishing it. On behalf of myself and Maria and all of our wonderful contributors, thank you for making space in your life for us!

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SAY HELLO f www.facebook.com/likemagazinecork

T @likemagazine_ie

Cover: Photographed by Miki Barlok www.barlokphoto.com

Special thanks to Dr. Paul Bolger of the ERI, UCC, and Clare Reidy of Open House Cork

Model: Lara Quinn Lockdown www.lockdown.ie

Creative contributors: Miki Barlok – Photographer Rob Lamb – Photographer Naoise Galvin – Make-up artist Anita Foley – Hair stylist

Make-up by Naoise Galvin Ph. 083 151 7521 www.facebook.com/ naoisegalvinMUA Hair by Anita Foley for Wayne Lloyd Hair South Main St., Bandon, Main St., Ballydehob, Washington Street, Cork Ph. 023 884 1140 www.waynelloydhair.com Lara wears leather, knit and sequined mesh jacket by U Di Aviu, €510, Samui boutique, Drawbridge St., Cork Ph. 021 4278080 www.samuifashions.com

Editorial contributors: Geraldine Fitzgerald Aisling Ozdemir Like Magazine Team: Editor: Carolyn Moore editor@likemagazine.ie Deputy Editor: Maria Tracey maria@likemagazine.ie Graphic Design: Bob O’Connor

Advertising Account Managers: Anne O’Sullivan anne@likemagazine.ie Ph. 087 1787993 Niamh Keane niamh@likemagazine.ie Ph. 087 6839589

Circulation/Distibution: Media Distribution Solutions Like Magazine is published by Like Magazines Ltd., 4 Carey’s Lane, Cork, Tel: 021 4252256 www.likemagazine.ie.

Company Registration number 550302.

The entire contents of the magazine are copyright © LIKE Magazines Ltd. and may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publishers.

Like Magazine circulates 20,000* copies. *Publisher’s Statement.

Est. 1992

Every summer has a story Start yours now...

Ballyseedy Home & Garden, Ballyseedy, Tralee, Kerry. www.ballyseedy.ie | info@ballyseedy.ie | 066-7122305 Ballyseedy Home & Garden, Fota Retail Park, Carrigtwohill, Cork. www.ballyseedy.ie | info.cork@ballyseedy.ie | 021-4881010

Like it?

Love it!

1. April Showers: We don’t love them - they’re inevitable, they’re annoying, and they always happen when you’ve straightened your hair. But we do love this cute and sturdy printed brolly, €5, Tiger.

2. Empowerment: That’s the aim of the Pretty Powerful campaign, using the proceeds from the special edition Pot Rouge to educate and empower women and girls. €26, Bobbi Brown, proceeds go to Dress For Success.

3. Brilliant Blur: It’s been some time coming, but Blur release their first new album for 12 years this month. Britpop days are here again, and just in time for summer!

The Magic Whip is out April 27th.

4. Express Yourself: Release your inner Michelangelo with these inspired Rhombus ceiling tiles. Decorate ceilings and walls,

creating unique patterns that suit your room. €165, aprilandthebear.com.

5. Green eyed: If there’s such a thing as your inner aquatic nymph, she’ll be jumping for joy at Clarins’ new Aquatic Treasures collection. Out April 27th, it includes this gorgeous green mascara, €26.

8. Black fingers: Never met a plant you couldn’t kill? You haven’t tried succulents.

As indestructible as these concrete planters

by Ail + El, you can fearlessly bring the outdoors in - kiss of death optional. From €22, ailandel.com.

6. Kimmy time: Elf meets 30 Rock in the improbably funny tale of Kimmy Schmidt, released after 15 years imprisoned in a bunker. With cameos as delightful as the jokes, Martin Short’s plastic surgeon is a scene stealer. Binge on Netflix now.

9. Common sense: A very Irish guide to raising kids who can cope with the demands of modern living. We can think of some adults we’d like to suggest it to too. Cop On by Colman Noctor, at all good bookshops now.

7. Easter trees: Who knew that was a thing? But there’s a corner of every living room that hasn’t looked right since Christmas, so get deggorating with these laser cut eggs by Jenny Walsh, from €4.95, articledublin.com.

10. Last goodbyes: It’s time to bid farewell to our favourite dysfunctional, selfdestructive, misogynistic anti-hero, Donald Draper, and his better half, Peggy Olson.

Mad Men begins its swan song on April 9th, Sky Atlantic.

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uestions with…

Claudia Rose Long

1) What do you do?

I sing, dance and act on stage.

2) Why do you do it?

It’s the only thing I ever wanted to do. I get the best feeling in the world when I perform.

3) Where do you call home?

My house in Pouladuff or the stage!

4) Where are you right now?

I’m lying in bed, staring at my wardrobe trying to decide what to wear.

5) If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Bora Bora

6) If you could have a coffee with anyone, who would it be?

Beyoncé!

15) Did you cry on your first day of school?

Yes!

7) Who or what always makes you laugh?

My own jokes, and my friends at lunch in school.

16) Did you cry on your last day of school?

Haven’t gotten there yet but ask me after May 21st and I’ll let you know.

8) What’s your happiest memory?

I have too many, but I loved Disneyland and smiled the whole day when I was there.

17) What’s your favourite thing about Cork?

The people are always friendly and make everyone feel welcome.

9) What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever owned?

I had my dummy (pacifier) until the age of seven!

18) Twitter or Facebook?

Twitter.

10) What’s been your proudest moment?

All my experiences on The Voice UK! 11) Who’s the last person you texted?

My boyfriend.

19) Cupcakes or macaroons?

Cupcakes.

20) Can I ask you one more question?

No. Just joking, yes, go for it.

21) What’s the best thing ever?

Singing for an arena of people.

12) What’s the last book you read?

Wuthering Heights 13) What would you save if your house was on fire?

All of my pictures.

14) What’s your spirit animal?

I want to say penguin because it’s my favourite but I feel a kangaroo because they’re always jumping… and I like kangaroos!

Claudia Rose Long is a performer from Pouladuff and a sixth year student at Presentation Secondary School in Ballyphehane. She appeared on this year’s The Voice UK and triggered a social media storm when she was omitted from Ricky Wilson’s final three.

Follow: T @claudiaroselong

The Great Outdoors Along with a grand stretch in the evenings, April brings a determination to get out and walk, jog or run your way to better health.

While many enjoy the routine of going to the gym and the guidance that comes with it, for others there’s nothing more offputting than staring at a wall while running on a treadmill. If that sounds like you, you might prefer to learn how to make the great outdoors your own personal gym this summer.

Fitness expert Michael Lindsay is heading up The Dunloe hotel’s Fitness Kick-Start weekend this April, and using the incredible,

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picturesque surrounds of the Gap of Dunloe, he promises to give participants the knowledge and tools to use their own surroundings in a personally devised fitness plan. You’ll have no excuse not to work towards your goals this summer, and whether you have the local park, the city centre or the beautiful countryside at your disposal, enjoying the fresh air and changing scenery is great motivation to get out and work out.

The Fitness Kick-Start Weekend runs from the 17th to the 19th of April. Call 064 6671340 or see thedunloe.com for more.

Be Spoiled for Choice at

Douglas Court Shopping Centre

and win a trip to Australia

g Centre in p p o h S t r u Douglas Co TING its is CELEBRA

25

TH

birthday

in style, with a host of in-store competitions and an extraordinarily amazing mega prize – an all-expenses - paid trip for two to Australia worth

TEN THOUSAND EUROS

“We’re delighted to invite customers to enjoy the fun throughout April, when Douglas Court will be running an array of events including a customer evening filled with discounts for shoppers”, says Centre Manager Keith Kenny.

“We have grown so much over the last quarter century, with amazing community support, and pride ourselves on keeping a friendly local feel and a happy, buzzing atmosphere.”

With parking spaces for over one thousand cars and a huge selection of shops, customers can pick up all of their weekly shopping, as well as a treat or two from any of the excellent clothing, sporting and gift stores, all under one roof.

From the moment you set foot through the doors, you’re aware that Douglas Court is different - staff greet regulars by name, and long-time security guard Bob Creber has become a bit of a legend after 25 years – there’s nobody Bob doesn’t know!

From a trolley-minding service while you refuel with a beverage and delicious snack from any of the excellent cafes, to the abundance of stalls providing meat, fish, bread and vegetables, Douglas Court offers all of the farm - fresh goodness of a market coupled with the convenience and choice of a shopping centre.

From food to flowers; books to makeup; hairdressers, art, crafts and a cobbler service, everything you need is at Douglas Court, where shopping is a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

The Saturday morning Farmer’s Market, set up from 9am - 2pm in the car park, has become famous across the county as families gather for the best selection of food from artisan producers; from gourmet items to organic fruit and vegetables and mouth-watering hot treats. Bring the dog; bring the kids, and have fun!

See Douglas Court Shopping Centre’s Facebook page for competition news and updates. www.douglascourt.ie or call (0) 21 489 2444

FOOD

GRAND PARADE & LITTLE ISLAND 1800 22 44 88 BALLINCOLLIG 021 4874580

VISIT WWW.MOTIVATION.IE

58-60 THE MEDICAL CENTRE, MCHUGH HOUSE, GRAND PARADE | TIMES SQUARE, BALLINCOLLIG | EURO BUSINESS PARK, LITTLE ISLAND

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STYLE

Punch Drunk Love With every new collection we continue to fall madly in love with Manley. Founded

by Emma Manley when she returned to Ireland following an internship at McQueen and a stint in New York, the brand fuses her love of tailoring and pretty fit-and-flare silhouettes with a mastery of draping and a deluxe streetwear vibe.

Manley’s now signature embellishment technique mixes perforated leathers and suedes to create hand cut appliqués dozens of which are then painstakingly punched and studded to fix them in place on luxuriously cut leather and suede swing skirts, button down crop tops and short sleeved jackets. Mixed and matched with

Main image: Sian Petal Jacket, €495, Petal Tank, €450, and Petal Skirt, €685, from Manley.ie.

Chill factor April brings blue skies and sunny days, but with our unpredictable Irish weather you never know when you’ll need to wrap up against a sudden chill. Do it in style with a scarf by sisters Kiera and Dairine Kennedy, who were inspired by a trip to India to start KDK, their line of luxury printed cashmere scarves. The bright pink Ice Cream scarf has us longing for a 99 beside the sea. €215, KDK.ie.

Push the envelope Nothing ruins a great dress more than a bulky bag, so if you’re dressing to impress for an event this summer, ditch your trusty shoulder bag and go for something streamlined. They don’t come sleeker than the envelope clutch, and this unfussy shape is perfect for injecting a pop of print or colour into your look. Clutches by Olga Berg, €49, Fabucci.ie.

In her shoes We’d all like to spend a day in Amy Huberman’s shoes. The actress, author, funny girl, wife of BOD and mum to Sadie and Billy is the living embodiment of “having it all”, and is fast becoming Ireland’s answer to Kate Middleton as “The Amy Effect” makes everything she wears sell out instantly. We can’t steal her gorgeous family or her famed wit, but we can get our hands on her great style, via her latest collection for Bourbon Footwear. We love the timeless Thelma and Louise, €99.99, available from April 20th from Bourbonfootwear.com and stockists throughout Cork, and the fab Five Year Engagement, €99.99, available now.

her delicate silk separates and dropped waist silk dresses, the result is a gorgeously girlish collection with an unmistakable edge.

WIN! To win a pair of Thelma and Louise, email info@ likemagazine.ie and tell us who is Amy married to?

We adore…

Dior, and their take on the season’s most flattering sunglasses shape – the cat eye. For instant attitude and accentuated cheekbones, channel the insouciant 70s glamour of Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface with the Glisten sunglasses by Dior, €205, Brownthomas.com.

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STYLE Neon and mesh sports bra, €14.99, New Look

Stella McCartney for Adidas sun visor with UV 400 protection, €40, Samui

Shard print vest, €27, Marks and Spencer

Reflective showerproof jacket, €75, Marks and Spencer

Graphic print crop top, €6, and paneled legging with neon detail, €11, from the workout range at Penneys

Under Armour Play Up shorts, €15, Lifestyle Sports

Polar Loop activity tracker bracelet, €120, Mahers Sports

Sports socks twin pack, €7.99, H&M

Waist bag, €9.99, H&M

Nike legend tiger capri legging, €35, Lifestyle Sports

Under Armour Micro G Assert trainer, €75, Lifestyle Sports

Get physical With warmer weather, longer days and the latest wave of fashion focused active wear, you won’t be looking for any excuses not to exercise this spring. Streamlined, figure-enhancing cuts designed to give you maximum body confidence combine with bold, contemporary prints and the latest fabric technologies to make sports gear more covetable than ever.

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FRAN KO AL Co lour S ’ NEILL pecia Creat list ive Di recto r

L’ORE

City Centre, Paul Street, Cork Phone: 021 4277216

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Cen n w o T

, 24 g i l l o c Ballin ollig 63 3 5 7 c 8 Ballin : 021 4 ETT

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Phon

NN G BE r N I L S AI lou al Co

L’Ore list ia Spec llincollig a D2 B

DREAM WITH US‌

You’ve found each other, The 4-Star Blarney Hotel is one of the most romantic wedding venues in Cork. Set in a stunning location and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, the Hotel is a perfect venue for your special day.

For details on our wedding packages, please contact events@theblarneyhotel.ie

TOWER, BLARNEY, CO. CORK T +353 (0) 21 438 4477 E events@theblarneyhotel.ie

www.theblarneyhotel.ie

STYLE

A New Balance Soften a pared-back aesthetic with a touch of the organic, infusing the season’s clean, graphic lines and sports luxe shapes with subtle femininity.

Silk top by Rag and Bone, €265, twill trousers by Helmut Lang, €335, and shoes by Alexander Wang, €545, all from Samui, Drawbridge Street. Wire and bead necklace from COS, €35, Brown Thomas. Bangles, €9.99, H&M.

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STYLE

Handkerchief top, €39.95, Zara.

Twill trousers by Helmut Lang, €335, and shoes by Alexander Wang, €545, all from Samui, Drawbridge Street. Coiled ribbon necklace from COS, €45, Brown Thomas. Bangles, €9.99, H&M.

STYLE

Embellished spot sweatshirt, €39.95, Zara. Shorts, €49, Marks and Spencer.

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STYLE

Mesh and elastane bikini top, €14.99, raw edged ruffled skirt, €69.99, gold and enamel torque necklace, €9.99, all from H&M. Gold sandals, €29.95, Zara.

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style Panelled knit top from COS, €59, Brown Thomas. Pleated leatherette skirt, €39.95, and perforated Oxfords, €29.95, Zara.

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STYLE Graphic Panelled dress by Victoria, Victoria Beckham, €695, Brown Thomas.

Silver platform creepers, €16, Penneys.

Photographer: Miki Barlok barlokphoto.com Stylist: Carolyn Moore Model: Lara Quinn, Lockdown lockdown.ie Hair: Anita Foley for Wayne Lloyd Hair, South Main St., Bandon, Main St., Ballydehob and Washington St., Cork Tel. 023 884 1140 waynelloydhair.com Makeup: Naoise Galvin for Makeup by Naoise Tel. 083 151 7521 facebook.com/naoisegalvinMUA Shot at the Environmental Research Institute, UCC - one of Ireland’s leading institutes in marine, environmental and energy research. Designed to meet the highest standards of contemporary sustainable design, the building is a study of the way green buildings are designed and how they perform in real life. Special thanks to Dr. Paul Bolger of the ERI and Clare Reidy of Open House Cork for facilitating our shoot. You can visit the ERI during Cork’s inaugural Open House weekend.

See openhousecork.ie for details.

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T&C's: By entering texting you are opting-in to receive a call and SMS updates from Educogym. If you wish to opt out of SMS updates, please include the word stop eg: STOP TIMEMACHINE to 50100.

B FE O AO UD TY

Beauty Brief Glossy but not too polished; gorgeous but not too girly. Get our sports luxe look with these tips from our beauty experts.

Balmain Texturising Salt Spray, €16.95

Joico Smooth Cure Thermal Styling Protectant, €12.95

“Rich girl hair” was the big catwalk trend for this season, and for stylist Anita Foley the key to achieving these soft, glossy waves is to make them look effortless. Anita treated Lara’s hair with Moroccan Oil and prepped with Joico Smooth Cure Thermal Styling Protectant, before blasting the hair completely dry.

Using a wand to curl medium sections of hair, she curled all but the last few inches, creating the essential blunt finish that makes this an edgier take on the Kate Middleton-esque barrel curl. Once cooled, she brushed out the curls using a soft bristle brush, used Alfaparf Dry Fixing Spray to hold, and spritzed with Balmain Sea Salt Spray to add texture. Hair was smoothed back and pinned into place for the chic over one shoulder cover look.

Products available from Wayne Lloyd, Bandon.

Tom Ford Bronzing Powder, €82, Brown Thomas

The glowing beauty look created by make-up artist Naoise Galvin could be described as “rich girl skin”, as she used her top product picks for the season to achieve a fresh, dewy look. The complexion was revived with Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, and prepped before foundation with Bobbi Brown Illuminating Moisture Balm.

The key to this look is not to over work it. Naoise kept the brows soft and full, combing through Bobbi Brown Brow Shaper, added a sun-kissed glow with Tom Ford bronzer in Gold Dust, and layered Mac’s blush in Peaches to add washes of colour to the cheeks. The beauty of the “no makeup” makeup look is that it can be accentuated with a bold lip or played down with a soft gloss, and Naoise played with both, picking up on the bright oranges and bronzey nudes in the clothes.

WIN

A two night break at The Falls Hotel & Spa, Co. Clare

Alfaparf S4U Fx’D Dry Fixing Spray, €12.50

Mac Prep and Prime Fix+, €20, Brown Thomas

TIP A spritz of Mac Fix+ instantly refreshes makeup and brings that gorgeous glow back into the skin. Naoise recommends it to all her bridal and wedding clients.

Bobbi Brown Brow Shaper, €23, Brown Thomas

COMPETITION An impressive 140-bed Georgian-style manor on 50 acres in lovely Ennistymon, Co. Clare, The Falls Hotel has conference and wedding facilities for up to 350/250 guests respectively, excellent restaurant and bar facilities, and an outstanding Spa. The hotel and apartment complex also houses a swimming pool, outdoor hot tub, sauna and an Aqua & Fitness Club.

A gateway to The Burren and the Aran Islands, the family-owned Falls Hotel is a popular location for walking and cycling tours, bridge and bowling clubs, golfers and lovers of good company!

THE PRIZE:

Two nights bed & full Irish breakfast for two people*, including: • Three-course dinner au deux in the beautiful Cascades Restaurant on the night of your choice.

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Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, €90, brownthomas.com

• A couple’s Rasul Mud Ritual in one of the River Spa’s 12 luxurious treatment rooms.

• Access to the Aqua & Fitness Club. *Based on two people sharing, mid-week, subject to availability.

TO WIN:

Answer the question below and email your entry to info@likemagazine.ie Q: In which county is the luxurious Falls Hotel and Spa? A. Co. Sligo B. Co. Clare C. Co. Galway

Closing date Tuesday 21st of April. Must be taken before 31st of May, 2015. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. No cash alternative. Terms and conditions apply.

COMPANY PROFILE

Wizards with Scissors at Hair Salons ayne Lloyd is an extraordinary hair salon with an equally extraordinary story.

Renowned in highly competitive, cutting-edge London hair industry for 25 years, the man with his name above the door fell in love with Ireland on a visit to West Cork in 2007.

Wayne and his partner Ron Lehane moved lock, stock and barrel to Ballydehob, bringing their fashion-forward techniques and quality hair services to the small village.

“Irish women are innately stylish; they want access to creative salon services, and I just had a gut feeling it would work”, explains Wayne. “People were incredibly welcoming and flocked to the salon from all over Cork.”

“We opened a second salon in Bandon in March 2012 to cope with demand, and both salons were amazingly busy. We’d always kept an eye out for the ideal premises in Cork city, so when the perfect location became available on Washington Street, we took it.

We opened in October 2014, on the anniversary of our Ballydehob salon. It felt right.”

Captain of the Irish Hairdressing Team, Wayne Lloyd is a cut above your average hairdresser. The salon was invited to be a member of Intercoiffure Mondial, an organisation comprised of the top 1% of hair salons in the world. You cannot join; you must be asked – and they were. Impressive credentials for a salon that has won over 200

awards and accolades from every quarter since 2007, from Irish Hairdresser of the Year to a plethora of cut and colour trophies.

“We pride ourselves on our comprehensive training program”, says

Wayne; “our staff serve a four year apprenticeship to learn not only superb cut and colour, but customer service.

Clients travel to us from all over the country because they know they’ll get the best.”

Experts at interpreting avant garde catwalk styles for everyday wear, the Wayne Lloyd team will give you a cut that looks as good after several weeks as it did the day you left the salon; with colour that flatters your skin tone; glossy, vibrant and easy to maintain.

Wayne’s flair with a scissors is legendary – “People say they’ve been ‘Wayned’ “he laughs – and his team share his passion for high standards; communication and exemplary service. With a list of stylists waiting to work for him; staff turnover is practically zero and his team win competitions all over Europe; cutting on front of a thousand people.

“We now employ 32 staff across three salons- we started with just me and a queue of enthusiastic women who wanted gorgeous hair!” says Wayne. “It’s my goal to make Wayne Lloyd synonymous with the best hairdressing has to offer. Come in and let us see what we can do for you.” www.waynelloydhair.com

F E AT U R E

Let it go Are you suffering from ‘stuffocation’?

Having too much stuff may be a very modern condition, but Maria Tracey finds out from the experts how to clear out the clutter, and in the process, embrace a new you.

W

ardrobes and make–up bags map out a story of our lives. There’s the aspirational “some day they’ll fit again” jeans, the expensive but now well–worn skirt from BT, and the absurd collection of mascaras packed into the make–up bag — never to be used again, yet, we can’t find the courage to throw them out. Truthfully, it’s hard not to be emotionally tied to our things, and it can be due to the financial value of the item or just sentimentality.

But while most of us will never reach the extremes seen in shows like The Hoarder Next Door, even seemingly irrelevant attachments to possessions can be crippling in other ways.

Having a jam-packed wardrobe or a heaving make–up bag leads to a sense of disorganisation, so by clearing out the clutter, you don’t just create physical space, it helps you declutter mentally too.

The Declutter Therapist, Breda Stack outlines there are “many reasons” why we find it hard to part with our faded teenage jeans or broken eyeshadows. “Our thoughts and beliefs are often not aligned with clearing the clutter, and behind this deep-set conditioning are heavy and disempowering emotions like fear, sadness, guilt and regret,” she says.

Along with helping clients with all the practical aspects of decluttering, like interior design, organisation, and personal style, more importantly, Breda enables them get to the bottom of what’s holding them back. “It’s only through overcoming these blocks and empowering ourselves with the right knowledge that we can enjoy long–term success with decluttering,” she says.

“I see decluttering as a way to embrace change and let go of that which does not serve us anymore. Routinely decluttering allows us to develop a healthy, balanced relationship with our ‘stuff’; where we love, use and respect what we have but it doesn’t rule us.”

Cork’s clutter-clearing duo Frances Murphy and Mary Shannon of MnF Decluttering add that for the majority of women the unwillingness to throw out the teenage jeans is due to being emotionally attached to the size they were at 18. “It reminds them of a time when they were young, free and single,” states Frances. “However, what they don’t realise is that holding onto the jeans keeps them stuck in the past, which stops them from living fully in the now.”

She highlights that MnF’s focus is “out with the old and in with the new”, encouraging people to “love and cherish themselves”. “Let the past go, and start afresh each day,” enthuses Frances. “Create a great life for yourself in your home, your body and in your family. We are all created perfect and when we believe this, our beauty and confidence shine through.”

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F E AT U R E

Consign yourself Before undertaking to declutter, it’s important to first establish what clutter is to you. Breda defines clutter as “anything that doesn’t serve or enhance your life”, whether physically, mentally or emotionally. “From a physical perspective, clutter includes items that are damaged, out–of–date, unused or simply don’t make you feel good,” she says.

Breda highlights that it’s also important to set the scene for decluttering so that everything is in your favour; become aware of the benefits of decluttering; and be patient. She adds that prospective declutterers need to believe they can do it, put systems in place so every item has a natural home, and unwanted items can be put to good use.

“Knowing that your decluttering will benefit worthy causes always helps ease any pain,” she explains. “I founded National Declutter Day to encourage people to declutter so they can enjoy the personal benefits and then donate their unwanted items to charity, or recycle to benefit the environment.”

Frances and Mary add that to declutter a wardrobe, the first thing to do is empty everything out first, with bin bags at the ready. “Mark them charity, recycle, rubbish and sentimental — what you don’t need but cannot let go of — and go through each

26

item, preferably with some good music playing and a very decisive friend.

“Check if the item fits you now, if you love it and do you actually wear it? If you haven’t worn it in two years, you won’t wear it now.

Put the clothes you’re keeping back in with the hangers facing out. After you wear and wash them, put them back with the hanger facing the opposite way. At the end of the season, you’ll see very easily what has been worn.”

They add that most, if not all, beauty products have a sell–by date and the key is to place all items, from every corner of the house and handbag, onto a table and go through them. “If it’s out–of–date, bin it,” they explain. “Then put like with like and use containers to group items — all nail varnishes together etc. In–date bottles of shower gel and shampoo can be placed in the bathroom, and the unopened remainder stored in a basket and used only when the open ones are finished.”

Ultimately, decluttering is all about taking control instead of being encumbered by possessions. And the result? Simplicity and freedom — both mentally and physically.

For more information see thedecluttertherapist.ie and mnfdecluttering.com.

Breaking up with your belongings is hard to do, but if it could earn you some extra cash, that might soften the blow. For those who enjoyed the Celtic Tiger a bit too much, and are now left with a wardrobe full of unwanted but “too good to just give away” designer pieces, one solution might be consignment selling. Lisa Healy and Siobhan O’Connor, of The Style Squad in Mahon Point, have set up The Consignment Closet, a great Corkbased consignment selling opportunity.

They’re looking for perfect or nearly new women’s clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories from designer and high–end high–street labels for a one day consignment sale on Sunday, May 10th at The Montenotte Hotel.

As Siobhan explains, it’s the perfect occasion to offload those great shoes you never quite found the occasion to wear, or a dress that just didn’t work for you. Consignors will receive 50% of the final sale price and items are accepted on a sale or return basis. For more information on becoming a consignor, email consignmentcc@gmail.com or see ‘The Consignment Closet’ on Facebook.

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Pretty in Pastels Pastels hues are everywhere, and it’s a trend that’s perfect for spring, reflecting the blossoming flowers, and heralding the much-anticipated sunny days that April brings. Go subtle by day with a hint of powder pink, baby blue or mint green, or be inspired by Reese Witherspoon and mix pretty pastels with a sexy 60s vibe for night.

It’s all about ‘space’ for your nails in spring 2015, and this WAH London 12 Pastel Yellow Nail Art Pen is the perfect tool to DIY the negative space trend. The pen nib allows for drawing squiggles, letters and freehand art, while the striper gives you perfect graphic lines. €9, Boots.

A must have for every make– up bag, Benefit High Beam satiny pink liquid highlighter accents cheek and brow bones for a rosy, radiant glow. €27.50, Debenhams.

Steer away from bold reds and think delicate pinks this spring.

Sleeks Lip Gloss in no 38, €13, Inglot, Mahon Point.

This Orly Colour Blast Violet Pastel Crème is the perfect introduction to pastel — nailing the trend in a subtle way. €12.95, Boots.

Banish the black eye–liner and go blue. The Mac Technakohl Liner in Skyscape provides an intense and rich colour for a very on–trend look. €18, Brown Thomas.

Nudge your way out of neutrals and try a pastel hue on the eye like this Catrice Absolute Eye Colour Mono Eyeshadow in mint green guaranteed to make others green with envy! €3.29, Penneys and select pharmacies.

Give your pastel look an extra edge with this gorgeous Pink Sand shade from Estée Lauder’s Signature Hydra Lustre Lipsticks.

The finish is lustrous for a smooth, sophisticated shine. €26, Debenhams.

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BEAUTY

Therapy Time

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A 10–step nightly skin care routine is the latest Korean beauty technique to have beauty bloggers buzzing. While that might sound a little daunting, one factor that shines through is the therapeutic element, the appeal of a little bit of “me” time. While our Korean counterparts enjoy a relaxing mini-facial every night, many of us attack our faces with a cleansing wipe in one hand, answering late night emails with the other. Life can be stressful at the best of times, so consider setting aside some time each night to switch off and massage your problems away with these beauty finds.

Helping Hands: Relaxation and pampering is in your hands… literally.

Give yourself a hand massage with L’Occitane Lavender Hand Cream, which gently helps nourish hands with all the calming benefits of lavender. €16.50, L’Occitane, Oliver Plunkett Street

Tool Time: It might look a bit scary but the Crème de la Mer versatile massage tool is proven to Smile Store’s modern premises just off improve radiance and increase the South Ring offers ample free parking microcirculation and is the perfect companion to the brand’s targeted serums and moisturisers. Begin by anchoring the contoured edge of the tool at points along your Tip: jawline and, always working Apply the Lipid Store’s modern premises just off upward and outwardSmile in short the South Ring offers ample free parking Recovery Facial Oil onto the flicking motions, perform the skin and take a few minutes to same technique along your massage the product over the face, cheekbones, brow and lip this not only improves the texture contours. €70, Brown Thomas

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Oil Right: Mature skin needs nourishment, not just at the surface but at a cellular level. Sanctuary Active Reverse Lipid Recovery Facial Oil contains a lipid complex which re– charges, hydrates and protects cells from ageing to provide a host of visible benefits on the skin’s surface.

Warm a few drops of oil in your hand and smooth over face, neck and décolletage. €29.99, Boots

of the skin but aids the circulation and lymphatic flow, helping to reduce puffiness.

Smile Store welcomes new surgeon Dr. Robert Nagy Oral Surgeon

Smile Store is delighted Everybody seems to know someone who has been a patient, to welcome Robert Nagy, Oral Surgeon to our team or has gone there themselves. Journalist Geraldine Fitzgerald, of highly qualified specialists. A graduate of dons surgical scrubs and spends a day watching dental Semmelweis University, Your Local Dental Specialists Dr. Robert boasts an Butter Me Up: surgeries to see what all the fuss is about.

Repair Recovery: Daily Dose: Thirty capsules means 30 days impressive C.V., including

Hark back to the ‘90s and try The Body For skin that feels smoother, hydrated a teaching post at the of pamper time. The single dose of Elizabeth famous Karolinska Shop’s Vitamin E Body Butter, a feast for and stronger, use Estée Lauder Ceramide Capsules Daily Everybody seemsArden to know someone whoYouth has been a patient, Institute in Stockholm. the skin that you massage in gently until Advanced Night Repair Recovery Restoring Serum ensures that every night is As that a regular properly theylecturer, don’t his patients at ease with his quality of life for so many patients now have access a plane. The patient had The first patient of the orit has gone therea themselves.

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Massage into relaxing night, and even better, expert knowledge of require sedation.

It’s good cheerful manner and It’s bliss. people. the formula to the most comeyour to the practice greeted Dr. implantology and Shop,expertise.

Oliver Plunkett Street skin and up to more beautiful helps strengthenrange the of skin’s barrier against the to know, especially for obvious comprehensive seeking what he couldn’t Kadar withwake a rueful grin. dons surgical scrubs and spends a day watching dental prosthetics makes him looking skin. €83, Thomas signs of time. those who haveaddition had a bad Natural Results services possible, all at€47, Debenhams ur Local Dental Specialists abroad - aftercare andvisible “I travelled abroad lastBrownget a strong to the “The difference that practice. surgeries to see whatoneall the fuss is about. follow-up treatment.

year and spent €30,000 on dental implants. Then 30 I spent another seven and a half grand on having my

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welcomes Feel better, look better new surgeon

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Dr. Robert Nagy replace missing or damaged teeth.

Oral Surgeon Smile Store is delighted to welcome Robert Nagy, Oral Surgeon to our team of highly qualified specialists. A graduate of Semmelweis University, Dr. Robert boasts an impressive C.V., including a teaching post at the famous Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

As a regular lecturer, his expert knowledge of implantology and prosthetics makes him a strong addition to the Smile Store team.

They allow all prosthetic teeth to look, feel and function like natural teeth.

If you have missing teeth, dentures, or wear bridges, dental implants will change your life. They offer greater stability and don’t rely on surrounding teeth. You’ll never have to worry about your facial features having that ‘sunken’ look again.

Smile

Once your prosthodontics are anchored to dental implants, slipping, slurring and difficulty chewing will be gone forever. You’ll never have to worry about going to a dinner party and being served steak and corn-onthe-cob again. Eat what you like, when you want and enjoy great oral health.

Smile Store – Your Local Dental Specialists can also fix any crooked teeth, discolouration and all those little things that bother you about your teeth. Does that make you smile?

Good –because with Smile Store’s help you’ll never have to hide your smile again.

“For as long as I can remember I’ve hated my having my photo taken. All because of one dreaded word: smile. I’ve never been happy with my smile and never thought anything could be done. Thankfully a friend recommended The Smile Store and I’ve never looked back. These days I love having my photo taken – I even take the The oddimplant selfie!” provides a solid foundation for the placement

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All of the medical staff at Smile Store - Your Local Dental Specialists are qualified to the highest standard

Themeans VillageAdvanced Centre, TramoreAffordable Road Junction, Togher Our goal hereRoad, is to offer Cork.

Technology into the jawbone Choice specialist dental services It’s evident from the array “Our Cone Beam CT that anything attached to “See, there’s a range of T: 021 432 0004 W: www.smilestore.ie E: reception@smilestore.ie to people at prices they of patients of all ages that Scanner will take images them feels and functions implants so I can can afford; no hidden Irish patients are taking of the patient’s jaw, and like a natural tooth. customise the treatment offor the medical staff at Smile Store - Your Local Dental Specialists are qualified to the extras, no long waits; control of their quality of we can feed the data into Usually two or more will each patient”, explains hest standard no need to travel abroad.” life, and Smile Store – specialised software that serve as anchors for Dr. Kadar, showing me a Your Local Dental allows us to make a bone dentures, allowing hugely selection of finely I look around the packed Specialists have made graft that is an exact fit improved functionality. engineered sterile

2531

F E AT U R E

Unapologetically Here Pop’s ultimate provocateur is back with a new album, a renewed sense of purpose, and no intention of growing old gracefully. Carolyn Moore wouldn’t want her any other way.

don’t focus on my accomplishments, I focus on the things I haven’t done yet,” is the ethos that drives Madonna to keep working, even though, as the best selling female artist of all time, it would be easy to assume that she has nothing left to prove. But 13 albums in, Madonna finds herself at a juncture in her career where she has more to prove than ever. The world has decided that 56-year-old women have no business making pop music, dancing provocatively, or going out in their knickers, and not for the first time, Madonna is out to prove the world wrong.

When BBC Radio 1 decided that her first single from Rebel Heart had no place on its playlist, they pointed to the fact that Paul McCartney is on their playlist as proof that the decision had nothing to do with Madonna’s age. But where they see a justification for her omission, many see just another example of the sexism Madonna has been railing against for three decades, something she sees as being inextricably linked to the ageism she is experiencing now. As she explains it, since men don’t have to deal with it, ageism is inherently a sexist discrimination.

“I find it tremendously unfair that people would have issues with me exploring sexuality or continuing to be sexually provocative in my performances. You’re not allowed to have fun in your 50s if you’re a girl. Mick Jagger is allowed to have fun, but I’m not allowed to have fun.”

From online polls asking “Do you think Madonna should tone down the sexy?” to

32

the tut-tutting of the Daily Mail every time she bares a buttock or exposes too much cleavage, for the last few years Madonna’s every move has been met with a chorus of “put it away”, as the world implores her to grow old gracefully. But as the lyrics of Rebel Heart attest, if you ask Madonna “Why can’t you be like the other girls?” she’ll say “Oh no, that’s not me, and I don’t think that it’ll ever be.”

In her 30-year career, Madonna has been kicking down barriers, stepping over them, and calmly inviting the next challenge. Try as she might, with fillers or Photoshop, she can’t beat the aging process, but in confronting a blatant double standard and speaking openly about the discrimination she’s encountering, she is fixing it as just one more hurdle to be overcome.

And as she pointed out to Rolling Stone last month, when it comes to paving the way for others to follow, she has set a strong precedent. “It could be the average one day,” she told them. “That’s the thing.

When I did my Sex book, it wasn’t the average. When I performed on the MTV Awards and my ass was showing, it was a total scandal, and now it’s the average. So if I have to be the person who opens the door for women to embrace the idea that they can be sexual and look good and be as relevant in their 50s or 60s as they were in their 20s, then so be it.”

As one of the highest selling artists of all time, alongside Elvis, Michael Jackson, and The Beatles, of that group only Paul McCartney, along with Madonna, is actively producing new music. And while no one

F E AT U R E

What will the Daily Mail say?

Madonna at the 2015 Grammy awards.

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F E AT U R E

“I picked up my crown, put it back on my head” - Rebel Heart sees the Queen of Pop back in the game.

thinks to question his right to do that - or to collaborate with younger artists like Rihanna and Kanye West - Madonna increasingly has to justify her place in the industry, even as she remains one of its top earners, biggest live draws, and hardest working stars.

You need only look at the reaction to her BRIT awards performance to see the consensus that the dignified thing for a woman over 50 to do is bow out graciously and never be heard from again. “Built me up and I can do no wrong,” she sang, “I let down my guard…” and then it happened. The neck tie on her weighty Armani cape got stuck, and Madonna was yanked off a plinth, landing in a heap at the bottom of the stairs. “… Took me to heaven, let me fall down…” she continued, picking herself up and carrying on as if nothing had happened.

Though the severity of the fall was shocking (premiership footballers have been stretchered off the field for less), #FallenMadonna was trending on Twitter within moments, as millions rushed to pass judgment and make funny quips about grandmas and hip replacements, with a barely contained glee that this topple proved that Madonna was past it. But where was the admiration for the consummate professional, the woman who could take a fall like that and keep going? The woman whose work ethic wouldn’t allow her to quit even if her body was more bruised than her ego?

When I was growing up, I had a videotape of The Virgin Tour that was practically worn out from being played.

34

“It’s unfair that people would have issues with me continuing to be sexually provocative.”

In the intro I listened as Madonna recalled, “I went to New York. I had a dream. I wanted to dance. I wanted to sing… I wanted everybody to love me.

I wanted to be a star. I worked really hard and my dream came true.” I’m

If I have to be the person who opens the door for women to embrace the idea that they can be as relevant in their 50s or their 60s as they were in their 20s, then so be it not sure how many of today’s stars are advocating hard work as the path to success, but I suspect kids nowadays think dreams come true via TV talent shows and strategically leaked sex tapes.

And yet the message I absorbed from the media was that she probably didn’t write any of her songs, she probably slept her way to the top, and she was really just a glorified attention seeker.

It was a narrative that didn’t mesh with the razor sharp focus, pure charisma, and superhuman physical stamina I saw when she performed, not to mention the catalogue of songs that have stood the test of time. She worked with collaborators, but so did Michael Jackson, and I never heard anyone question his talent.

But apparently it was unfathomable that this whip smart, wickedly funny woman – who was told by her University

of Michigan dance teacher “You have a gift. Go to New York.” - could propel herself to stardom through raw talent, hard work or sheer force of will. And while Prince could be provocative and still be respected as a musician, the reaction she got was, she says, “Oh, you’re dressing like a slut. You must be stupid. You have no talent.”

The message I got from Madonna was that through hard work and determination I could achieve anything, but society’s addendum to this was “so long as you have a man to help you”.

Madonna’s message now is that you can be as vital and creative in your 50s as any other decade of your life, but society’s reaction to her suggests that actually, no, you’re pretty much done when you turn 50.

And so it is that I continue to appreciate her willingness to put herself out there as an example of what women can do and be. I may not follow her down a path of dressing like a burlesque space goth, puffing my cheeks up with filler or dating 25-year-olds – any more than my teenage self was inspired to make a Sex book – but the Madonna I love pleases herself first and lets every woman know that it’s ok for them to do the same, to whatever extreme they wish to take that. And when society tries to stuff her into a box labeled “Done” she’s going to push back against their expectations, hard, just as she always has. That’s who she is, that’s why she’s Madonna, and her age is immaterial, girl.

Carolyn blogs about fashion and celebrity on thedressdown.com.

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Is Mindfulness the New Black?

As we find ourselves increasingly consumed by the stresses of modern life, and our mental space is invaded by devices and apps claiming to save us time but instead stealing our time away, the age old technique of mindfulness is being embraced as a way to regain a sense of peace.

Geraldine Fitzgerald explores the theory behind the buzzword.

I

don’t know about you, but I’m stressed, tired and cranky… and so are lots of my friends. Contentment has become elusive for many women as modern life barrels on relentlessly while we try to be all things to all people. We juggle the demands of work, children, and managing a household, while desperately striving for a balance we feel we should have but cannot seem to achieve.

We are constantly plugged in, always available, and trying to operate at the speed of data in a world where connectivity is king, so it’s no wonder many of us have trouble switching off.

A recent study entitled ‘Life in the Fast Lane’ found 82% of us suffer from indigestion; 80% from sleeping disorders; 75% of patients at GP surgeries are presenting with anxiety and depression, and at least 62% of us have no interest in sex anymore. Dear oh dear.

“We’ve seen a big increase in requests for antidepressants

and sleeping pill prescriptions,” says Dr. Noreen Kelly, GP at The Weir Clinic in Bandon.

“Women in general, and mothers with young children in particular, are experiencing increased social isolation and financial strain; feeling alone and overwhelmed; devoid of stress outlets. There’s a sharp increase in the use of alcohol and pharmaceuticals as people seek a quick fix.

“As GPs we do what we can, but we only have a short time to spend with patients; then they have to go back out and try to get on with things… but there’s no doubt people have huge trouble finding any level of peace.”

Mindfulness, an ancient Burmese practice that’s been around for two and a half thousand years, is being recommended by an increasing number of doctors and consultants as a more holistic approach to help cope with the

H E A LT H myriad demands of today’s busy lives.

Mindfulness is about returning your thoughts to the here and now: being conscious of the moment rather than dwelling on regrets or obsessing about the future. It’s about building a degree of acceptance instead of battling and getting caught up in re-treading old neural pathways to resentment, worry, and anger. For such a simple technique, it’s been proven to have quite a profound effect on how we live our lives, as well on our mental and emotional health.

Irish Times journalist Padraig O’Morain first stumbled across Mindfulness in a book on Buddhist beliefs plucked randomly from a shelf of a Dublin bookshop 25 years ago. “It was such a simple premise,” he says, “returning to your thoughts and being aware of what’s going on now - your breath; your senses. I tried it right there in the shop and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Now a counsellor and mindfulness practitioner who runs workshops and courses online and at venues throughout the country, including certification in the Therapeutic Use of Mindfulness, O’Morain’s recent book ‘Mindfulness on the Go – Peace in your Pocket’ is a handbook for people who might think that they’re far too busy to be mindful.

Padraig O’Morain discovered mindfulness 25 years ago and has been practising and teaching it ever since.

Written with refreshing clarity and filled with ‘in a nutshell’ summations, it’s a simple but effective guide.

Mindfulness entered the zeitgeist after studies in medical settings used functional MRIs to see if patients with chronic pain could somehow control their senses and perceptions, with startling results.

Though the practice has been around for millennia, technology now allows us to see the neurophysiology behind the theory, and how our brains light up in response to thoughts and emotions. When in a ‘default’ mode, our brains wander. Areas responsible for imagination, memories, and even the speech centre are all active. Mindfulness is a way of retuning to an anchor point; of stopping all the noise in your head and bringing your attention back to now.

This sounds great, but if we’re too busy to find our shoes, how can we find the time to meditate? In today’s frantic working environment, where we’re expected to answer emails at midnight and bring our work phone on holidays, can we really make time, even for such a calming technique?

“That’s the point,” says Padraig.

“There’s no point telling yourself you’ll meditate for 20 minutes every morning

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HFEOAO LT DH is not a panacea; it doesn’t solve problems, but it brings me to a better state in which to deal with them.”

Azra Naseem, a journalist and activist who travels a lot, explains that she uses mindfulness on the bus, and finds practising it while waiting in queues especially helpful. “Without mindfulness, I am usually pretty pissed off by the time I get to the top of the queue,” she laughs, “but if I am mindful, the queues are a breeze.”

I’ve been practising Mindfulness for a week now, while driving or brushing my teeth; little pauses throughout the day. My road rage has evaporated, I’m sleeping better, and I’ve stopped turning over intrusive thoughts in my head; concentrating instead on my breath. We take 20,000 breaths a day, so I have ample opportunity to give it a go.

“It’s about getting our thinking brain — the rational bit — and our emotional system — the bit responsible for survival instincts of fight or flight — into harmony,” says O’Morain. “The more you practise; the more instinctual it becomes.”

when you know you won’t, but you can incorporate simple practices throughout the day - in your car, in front of the computer, as you walk - to return your attention to what is going on for you at that moment.

Without mindfulness, I am usually pretty pissed off by the time I get to the top of the queue “Mindfulness is acceptance, not surrender,” he continues. “It helps us to waste less energy getting stressed about reality. It doesn’t change circumstances, but it changes how we cope with them.”

Michelle Ross, a working mother of two with a demanding schedule, attended O’Morain’s workshop series recently. “I find it extremely useful,” she explains, “especially the fact that you don’t have to be static to engage with mindfulness.

Being aware of the sensation of the sole of your foot against your shoe while driving, pausing before reacting — little things like that make me far more present. There’s no more ‘What ifs’; no more catastrophising. Mindfulness

Peace in your pocket - a handbook for people who think they’re too busy to be mindful.

See padraigomorain.com for details on his online courses and lecture schedules.

Some quick techniques to begin practising mindfulness right now: 7/11 breathing

Breathe in through your nose for a count of seven; and out for a count of eleven.

Turn negatives to positives Imagine you’re breathing in negative energy, and breathing out positive energy

Learn to pause

Before you fly off the handle; before you press send; before you speak.

Find your anchor point

Identify where in your body you’re most aware of breathing and return to that point throughout the day. For many it’s the nostrils or lips.

Doing and being

Learn to distinguish between the two, and allow yourself to simply feel things rather than trying to “do” something about them.

Intentional living

Throughout the day, ask yourself “what is my intention?” This refocusing question stops mindless eating/shopping/ ruminating.

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Contact our Home Expert: Seamus on 021-4224843 | Email info@mig.ie | Go online at www.MIG.ie Call in to see us at: 2 South Mall, Cork City, Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Skibbereen, Bantry or Dunmanway Charles McCarthy Insurances Ltd t/a McCarthy Insurance Group is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

HOMES Architecture Factory

Altus interior

Open doors

Altus Housing

To know Cork is to love Cork, but what if you could get to know the city even better?

Lifetime Lab

National Sculpture Factory

Well now you can, with Open House Cork set to take place this month. April 10th to 12th will be a weekend long exploration of Cork’s architectural treasures, with free guided tours, workshops and talks happening across the city.

As Clare Reidy of Open House Cork explains “Cities around the world have hosted Open House events to huge success, and it’s been an honour to develop this idea in Cork, a city so rich in its diversity of buildings. We see this as a great opportunity for the people of Cork to learn more about and experience the architecture of the city.”

The programme includes tours of some of Cork’s best loved buildings, but it’s the opportunity to see buildings not normally open to the public - led by volunteer tour guides with a passion for the spaces that give the city its character - that makes this event really special.

An array of private houses, including the aptly named Narrow House on Red Abbey Street, and the acclaimed Altus Housing in Sunday’s Well, will all be opened to the public, along with the Glucksman Gallery, the Lifetime Lab, and a host of hidden gems.

See openhousecork.ie for more information, and don’t forget to click on OH Plus for details of tours, workshops and screenings. T @OpenHouseCork

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HOMES “Quaff” monochrome etched plant pot, €29, Articledublin. com

Dip-dyed wicker baskets, €50-€75, Industrydesign.ie

Harper highbacked chair in red lacquered finish, €298, Meadows and Byrne “Somer” reclaimed wood tallboy, now €349, and bedside chest, now €199, Casey’s Furniture, Oliver Plunkett St

Black ladder

by Betty Jackson, €100, Debenhams

Turning Japanese Y

ou don’t have to embrace Feng Shui to bring the calming influence of a clean and uncluttered Asian aesthetic into your home. A minimal, monochrome palette softened by warm neutrals and unfinished light woods brings a Zen vibe to any room, and striking pops of indigo and red can become focal points.

The linear look is clean and modern, but rough, untreated surfaces and natural materials like wool and wicker add a tactile dimension and homespun feel. Get the balance right, contrasting reclaimed wood alongside lacquered finishes, and breaking up the clean lines with lots of texture.

Distressed finish vases by John Rocha, €30 (small) and €40 (large), Debenhams

Red chunky knit cushion, €30, EZ Living

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HOMES The new nautical – inky black finishes and strong lines contrast beautifully with pale, unfinished woods. Lanterns €179 (medium) and €220 (large), Meadows and Byrne.

Lacquered wicker table lamp, €32, Littlewoodsireland.ie

Black wicker Venus light shade, €24, Littlewoodsireland.ie

Yoko Shibori-dyed footstool, €398, Meadows and Byrne

Look to the East – for a subtle Japanese influence, seek out calming colour schemes, natural finishes and linear motifs. Industrial side table, €52, flatweave rug, €52, wicker light shade, €24, cushions and bedding assorted prices, Littlewoods.

12 piece Anya dip dyed dinner set, €44, Next

Darkness and light – add depth to your décor with a dark feature wall or doors. Kyoto dining range, prices from €5.50, and table linen, from €4. Black pendant lights, €80 and €120.

All from Marks and Spencer.

Checked flatweave rug, €52, Littlewoodsireland.ie

Embroidered geometric throw, €60, Marks and Spencer

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HOMES

Let there be light Something of an illusion, this Blackrock home looks like a charming cottage from the front but as Maria Tracey discovers, it holds hidden secrets beyond the hall door.

Photographs by Rob Lamb and Kieran McCarthy

Kieran and Finola McCarthy pictured with their children, Jack (7) and Órla (6)

I

f there’s one thought that springs to mind when you see the home of Kieran McCarthy and his wife Finola it’s ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’.

Their 1830s terraced cottage is located down a small, sleepy lane-way just off Blackrock village, and from the outside looks every inch in keeping with its surroundings. However, the exterior is masking a secret as once you step inside you discover that the space has been transformed, and opens up into a large open plan extension — very much in keeping with the requirements of modern day family life.

Kieran, a designer builder and the director of design & build company KMC Elevation, explains that the couple saw

44

huge potential in the site, and bought the cottage get a “toehold” in the much sought after area of Blackrock — their “dream location”. In 2006 work started on the cottage and the focus was to make it look “untouched” from the front, before opening up into a lofty and bright living space. The pre–famine cottage almost doubled in size, and was completely transformed into a bright, contemporary home.

“The front door was originally in the middle and we brought it off to the side so we could have one big sitting room, rather than splitting the front of the house into two small rooms,” says Kieran. Where the kitchen of the old cottage was before, in an old ramshackle

extension, there’s now a large utility room — as Kieran aptly puts it ‘have you ever heard someone complain their utility room is too big?’ — a downstairs bathroom and a larder. There is also a dining table, and a lounge area framed in the corner by floor to ceiling windows and a patio door. The only nod to the original cottage in this modern extension is the artwork, framed newspapers dating back to the 1940s that were found in the house when the renovation work began.

“When I design a house, I start with the kitchen and design everything else around that. Finola is big into cooking and baking, so a reasonably–sized kitchen was a must,” enthuses Kieran.

HOMES

From the front, the house is a terraced 1830s cottage.

To the back of the house, building designer Kieran created a large open plan extension, with a focus on bringing light inside.

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HOMES For this to work, the kitchen needed to follow the light, and so the obvious choice was the back of the house.

Designed by Kieran himself, the extension uses innovative angles, allowing light to flood the space. As one section of the upstairs — the guest bedroom — is recessed to allow afternoon light into the neighbour’s property, this allowed for a roof window above the dining area, for even more light. “The part I pour over when designing a house is that connection

between kitchen, dining, garden… and whether it works?” says Kieran. “Light is vital, as is a well organised living space. If your bedroom is a tiny bit too big or too small, it’s no big deal, but if your kitchen living space isn’t right, you’ll begin to have issues with it after a few years. You need to get it right.”

With the family, which also includes Jack (7) and Órla (6), spending 75% of their time in the kitchen area, it was logical that the naturally less well-lit sitting room, located at the front of

the house, would become the “evening room”, the place to gather as a family after meals are eaten and homework completed. “We always knew this room was never going to get a mountain of light so the sitting room is a space to sit down and watch TV and light the fire,” says Kieran. The fireplace coincidentally is one of Kieran’s favoured pieces, an Art Deco statement that was restored and French polished by Deaf Enterprises in Ballinlough.

Another favoured piece, that has also

The bright open plan kitchen dining room is the where the family spend most of their time.

The lounge area is framed by floor to ceiling windows.

Equally bright is the master bedroom .

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HFOOM OEDS

The back garden is a tranquil haven, yet only a stone’s throw from the city.

‘I just love this space,” she reveals, looking out from her kitchen “I just find it so comfortable.”

A vintage kettle sits in a nook of the house, which was originally a fireplace.

Framed newspapers that were found in the house, dating back to the 1940s.

stood the test of time, is a mortar and pestle belonging to Kieran’s great grandfather, proudly displayed in a recess in the hallway. “It’s from Durrus in west Cork and my great grandfather was a doctor in the old days, when they used to crush–up tablets. That’s a beautiful piece,” he said.

For Finola, her favourite thing about their three–bed terraced home is a certain angle of the kitchen island — centrally located — where she can look out over her mature and tranquil garden, and also prepare dinner while the family are in the cozy snug area.

“I just love this space,” she reveals, looking out from her kitchen, “I just find it so comfortable.”

While the finished result oozes tranquility, the build itself wasn’t always smooth sailing for the couple, as with the cottage came issues like how to get building materials down such a narrow lane way, or get a digger into the back garden. “You can get diggers that can get through a doorway of the

house,” laughs Kieran, “as the tracks come in.” Indeed the illusion the house casts of being quite small from the outside is captured in a tale of when the couple bought a super kingsize bed.

On arriving to the cottage, the delivery men instantly thought they were at the wrong house... or the wrong bed had been ordered. In fact, the master bedroom is perfectly proportioned to take the bed, and also has a walk–in wardrobe and an en–suite bathroom.

Despite the hard-work, dedication and hours put into the cottage — the couple spent their honeymoon drawing up design plans on a beach in Brazil — both Kieran and Finola are emphatic that they wouldn’t change what they did, and indeed would do it all again.

“It’s like talking to a mountain climber and wondering if they will ever take up waterskiing,” laughs Kieran. “You’re either into mountain climbing or not — and you’re either into this kind of work or not.”

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F A M I LY Stories from the front line:

by Aisling Ozdemir

There’s no place like home

When I get a chance to go for a meal with my girlfriends, we act like we’re on speed Still of Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz (1939) .

M

y life is a clutter-fest. Parts of my kitchen counter are drowning in a sea of “stuff to be filed” and “stuff to be put into drawers”. My utility room - a downstairs toilet that houses the junk I don’t want on the kitchen counter has shelves that are straining under the weight of everything from drain unblocker to 3D glasses from the cinema. When it comes to the space under the couches or beds, I’m pleading the fifth as I’m deeply ashamed, but suffice to say, I have found fruit that has freeze-dried itself.

There are boxes of loose photos everywhere, despite the empty albums and baby books that I promise I’ll organise one day. I have so many books!

Vincent De Paul have benefited from many a black bag full, but how could I get rid of my copy of From Bismarck to DeGaulle; who knows when I may need to brush up on my leaving cert history? And cookbooks! I have every kind: desserts, starters, Turkish food, recipes for a slow cooker. I have bought these for the woman I wish to be and not for actual me, whose idea of dinner is rolling chicken fillets in egg and cornflakes and calling it Cordon Bleu.

I’ve always been a hoarder, so I’ve boxes of stuff in the attic, under the bed,

50

stuffed in my dresser. Little mementos of my youth; diaries, a gigantic signed Newman and Baddiel poster, old fake IDs, shot glasses, my school shirt with the long faded signatures of old friends. It’s nice to take that stuff out sometimes and reconnect with my young and idealised self.

But the biggest physical enemies to space in my house are my kids, or more specifically their toys. They are everywhere! No matter how many times I sort them out - superheroes in one box, lego in another - they manage to expand and spread out all over the house. Unless Toy Story is based on true events, and Spiderman and Thor come alive at night, battling for territory, my army of three are to blame.

Navigating my house is like an episode of Wipeout… make it down the stairs in one piece without stepping on a toy car; walk around Mr. Potato Head; watch the lego bits…. she’s down!

And it’s not just my physical space that the kids encroach on - it’s mental space that has truly become my Emerald City. Parenthood can make you feel so claustrophobic. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I have gone to the toilet with someone on my lap. If I turn on the shower, they tear into the bathroom, ripping off their clothes and jumping in

with me. If someone rings me, a fight will instantly break out, or they will simply scream until I’m forced to hang up and whoever was on the other end of the phone thinks I live in an asylum.

If someone rings the doorbell the three of them will race to the door and scream over who gets to open it, opening and slamming the door a number of times in the poor Jehovah’s Witness’s face.

When things get chaotic like this, I feel like stepping into my wardrobe for a few minutes, ironically, to get some space.

When I get a chance to go for a meal with my girlfriends, we act like we’re on speed, relishing the freedom, talking non-stop and gulping wine, vaguely guilty but supremely blissed-out.

Pandemonium and disarray are almost a given in a house with young kids.

It’s human nature to want what we don’t have, and in my case that’s peace and quiet, but when I’m gifted it by a babysitter or family member, I miss the chaos and wonder if they’re ok. Then I’ll get a Viber picture of them somewhere having a great time and I’ll relax and ease into the sound of silence.

As for my cluttered house, it’s a home, and I’ve been told by friends that they feel welcome and comfortable. After all, there really is no place like home.

Aisling blogs at fazedandconfused.com

Doll House, Chess, Roulette, Puzzles, Juggling, Learning, Rocking Horse, Wooden Trains, Baby Gifts, Puppets, Books, Mobiles, Farm Animals, Collectable Dolls.

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careers

Rachel’s conviction, knowledge and utterly no-nonsense approach is compelling.

Bringing body and mind into balance.

Rachel Barry, Acupuncturist and Nutritional Therapist Geraldine Fitzgerald

I

t’s like a movie plotline.

Girl has high flying career as international IT sales executive; marvellous at her job but living out of a suitcase and perennially single; forgetting what country she’s woken up in ‘til she checks the language on the hotel stationary.

Girl becomes disenchanted and decides to embrace life, finding fulfillment, love and having three gorgeous children in rapid succession.

She follows her dream and builds a successful business doing what she adores.

In Rachel Barry’s case, this is her life. Over a kale juice in the oasis of tranquillity that is her Harmony Acupuncture Studio, it’s evident from the abundance of certificates on the walls that she has attacked her dream job with the same drive, vigour and complete professionalism she was so highly paid for in her previous career.

She has a way about her; her conviction, knowledge and utterly no-nonsense

52

approach to something I’d always considered a bit new agey is compelling.

So, to the complete career 180 degree swivel. What happened?

“I got sick of all of it,” says Rachel. “The travel; the loneliness; and after I got

I was going to do with the rest of my life.”

Rachel explains that in 2006, when building an extension on her house, she didn’t want to get “screwed” by the builders so she started a BSc in Building Construction, a move she admits might seem

I love it. Nothing about it is wishy-washy; it’s defined, results-driven, and has proper substance. I was captivated by the potential of this ancient energy. rear-ended three times in three weeks on the same stretch of the M25 I said ‘right, that’s it’. I took myself off to the Bahamas for a full-on retreat with 10 hours a day of yoga, meditation and sitting in ashrams.

“I’d never done it before but sure, the weather was great and I needed a complete change. When I got home I was wondering what the hell

“a bit drastic to some people, but I’m a total Type A control freak.

“I realised I really wanted to do something for other people,” she says. “I remembered a Vedic priest I had met in the Bahamas telling me follow my heart and don’t get side tracked, and that’s when it came to me… acupuncture.

“I love it. Nothing about it is wishy-washy; it’s defined,

results-driven, and has proper substance. I was captivated by the potential of this ancient energy.”

In 2009, aged 37, this pocket-sized dynamo went on a blind date and knew after a long lunch that she wanted to spend her life with her now-husband, Stephen.

“I felt strongly enough to lay it all out for him. I didn’t want to waste the latter part of my thirties building a relationship only to discover he didn’t want children or marriage or whatever, so I was unabashedly upfront about my goals,” she says.

“Stephen and I met on June 30th; went on holidays in August and I was pregnant by October. I was pregnancy fit; everything was optimal,” she says, giving you a sense of her gimlet-like focus.

“I had just completed a year of acupuncture training so I had to defer for a year, but Freddie was born in May and then I decided to go again and had Michael in Jan 2012.”

Meanwhile, Stephen, who

careers Still working long days, but much more fulfilled, Rachel loves helping people.

53

careers

“Nothing fluffy or vague”, Rachel deals with facts and results-driven treatments.

had been a trader in London, followed his own dream; he began to study psychology and supported the family with his landscaping skills.

“Of course we took a major hit on income, but we didn’t care,” says Rachel. “The children were a huge value shift, and we were both enthralled by our studies, which makes it much easier.

I had to stay at home for a while, as childcare in this country is absolutely crazily expensive, and frankly some of the crèches I visited reminded me of a dogs’ home in the 1970s. Lots of desperate, shiny eyes. Don’t get me started on the lack of support for women returning to the workplace.

“Stephen has a systemic illness, Psoriatic Arthritis, and got quite sick. I thought right, I must fix him. I began to study nutrition and learned about the connection between what we put in our bodies and our health.

Nothing fluffy or vague, I deal with facts. Then I went to China to complete more courses. I didn’t realise it until I got there but I was six weeks pregnant with my little girl Orelia.

54

“I was aching to open my own studio. I had to go out to work; it was nonnegotiable… if I was going to do this I was going to do it

studio. It’s very relaxing, and the only thing distressed in here are the tables.

“We got really busy as word of mouth spread;

Clients always say how comfortable they feel here. I treat a great many fertility issues and always explain what I’m doing and why right; commit to it 100%.”

Starting in the Medical Centre in the East Douglas Village in January 2013, buying furniture at auction and from receivers, Rachel put together “an excellent business plan, glossy literature and a good website.” She tapped into social media and registered with ‘What Clinic’. “I was fairly strapped so I had to think outside the box,” she laughs. “I bought cleverly, as quality is key.”

And those hardball negotiation skills resulted in a quirky and enchanting melange of warm, period wood furniture and funky, feminine touches in the

and when this larger space (Unit 6, Holbar House) came up, I found a children’s clinical psychologist and a psychotherapist that I really liked, respected and instantly clicked with to share the space,” she says. “Clients always say how comfortable they feel here. I treat a great many fertility issues and always explain what I’m doing and why — for example, the stress hormone cortisol just kills off fertility hormones, so eating right and stayed relaxed are vital for anyone with sub-fertility problems.

“Acupuncture brings body and mind into balance; moves you from the

sympathetic (stressed) to the parasympathetic (relaxed) nervous system. When the body is relaxed it can heal itself, and we provide nutritional support so you feel brilliant; brimming with energy.”

Rachel radiates efficacy; making you feel instantly at ease as it dawns that you are in absolutely expert hands.

And does she practise what she preaches?

“I still work long days, but I’m much more fulfilled.

I love helping people, and I’m a million times less stressed. Stephen and I have a great partnership — we complement each other very well, and I’m always home for bedtime stories and around for morning cuddles when everyone piles into our bed.

“I’m the same person, yet different — it’s as if I put everything in a blender and gave my life a whole new texture. I think I’m extremely lucky.”

For more information on Rachel’s services, see harmonyacupuncture.ie or call Rachel on 087 236 6155

AWARDED RESTAURANT 17 Cook Street, Cork. Phone: (021) 4251959 E-mail: info@lesgourmandises.ie

FOOD

Dining out for Sunday lunch If you’ve had your hands full during Easter break, take cooking off the menu this weekend and enjoy a leisurely Sunday lunch - family time, just the two of you, or relaxing with friends.

FOR THE CHILDREN: BELLINI’S BAR & RESTAURANT The gorgeous Bellini’s Bar & Restaurant at the Maryborough Hotel has a full lunch for €30 per adult, and €12.50 for kids, and their on site pet farm of bunnies and chickens will delight the little ones as much as the dessert menu.

Call 021 4365555

FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL: FLEMINGS The timeless décor and original ceiling frieze at Flemings in Tivoli set the tone for a contemporary French dining experience. Experience the à la carte menu as owner and chef Michael prepares the best food this season has to offer.

Call 021 4821621

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FOR FAMILY TIME: THE ATLANTIC RESTAURANT The Atlantic Restaurant in the Cork International Hotel is the ideal location for an indulgent Sunday lunch for all the family. There’s an extensive buffet menu, a pianist, and a children’s play area. Adults are €25, children over 10 are €15, and kids under 10 eat free.

Call 021 454 9800

FOR MUSIC LOVERS CORNSTORE For a warm and lively dining experience, seek out the Cornstore on Cornmarket Street. They have jazz in the cocktail wine bar, and the restaurant has just launched a new menu with lots of treats. Our top pick for dinner would be the gorgeous Thai green curry.

Call 021 4274777

Glass act Whether you’re seeking a fragrant taste of Spring, a sophisticated accompaniment to your Sunday roast, or a little bit of sparkle to celebrate making it through the dark days of winter, Bubble Brothers’ Julian Alubaidy has a seasonal wine recommendation to pop your cork!

Barbera d’Asti “Blina” Take time out from the maddness of Easter break and enjoy a grown-up taste of the Italian Alps, with this intensely flavoured, refreshingly medium-bodied red from Piedmont. Its pure, cherry-dark Barbera fruit loves saucy garlic, mushrooms and olives, and makes an ideal travelling companion for lamb or pork roasts. €16.99 Oro de Castilla Verdejo This lip-smacking Spanish white is like Spring in a bottle: fresh, fragrant and with a couple of buttons already undone. Shoot the breeze over a glass or two of our zesty, succulent Verdejo and let the grass grow under your (bare?) feet. Something different for, amongst others, fans of New Zealand Sauvignon. €14.99 Veuve du Vernay Brut Rosé If anything can make you feel like spring has sprung, it’s going to be this sparkling ensemble of fruity Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache grapes, fresh as a daisy in coral pink – or is it pomegranate?

Fruity, uplifting, fun-packed fizz at a just-because price. €20.99 Also available in dinky 20cl snipe bottles at €6.50 a pop.

All wines available from Bubble Brothers stores, Centre Park Road and the English Market, or to order at bubblebrothers.com

FOOD

Eating in Combine fine French dining with quality local ingredients right in your own home with this light, zesty recipe from Chef Pat Kiely of Les Gourmandises.

Roast fillet of seabream with roquette salad, radish and tomato dressing

Ingredients 2 fillets of seabream 1 bunch of roquette 2 small radishes 1 bunch of asparagus 2 large rooster potatoes For the tomato dressing: 500mls of tomato sauce 25g of caster sugar 25g of sherry vinegar 250mls of olive oil Peel and cut the potatoes into even round shapes, then cook slowly in duck fat until tender.

Cook the asparagus, and leave both to the side to rest.

Season your fish, then cook it on a very hot pan, skin down, for a couple of minutes, before transferring to a hot oven for another 3/4 minutes.

Prepare the tomato sauce by boiling the tomato juice & sugar together until reduced by half, add the sherry vinegar, and whisk in the olive oil.

Dress your plate with all ingredients and drizzle with the tomato dressing.

We are excited to invite you to Bastion Kinsale’s newest restaurant. Paul & Helen welcome you to experience all Bastion has to offer.....

Exceptional food in the heart of Kinsale, relaxed atmosphere, drinks and all parties catered for.

Kinsale’s only restaurant with Prosecco on tap.

Classic flavour pairings executed with modern techniques by our head chef and proprietor Paul McDonald. Absolutely everything prepared fresh in house.

Paul has honed his skills working in some of Ireland & the UK's best restaurants such as Michelin starred Tom Aikens and Aiden Byrne's, to the fast paced environments of the 5* Adare Manor hotel Co. Limerick to the 5* Westbury hotel in Dublin.

Corner of Market St & Main St, Kinsale, Co Cork. • 021

4709696 • Email: helenbastion@hotmail.com

OPENING HOURS:

Wed - Sat 5pm- late Sunday 12pm-9pm

57

Vive La France

at Huguenot Wine Bar and Bistro

F

rancophiles and foodies are flocking to the Huguenot Bistro and Wine Bar on Carey’s Lane for a relaxed bite in the true bistro style.

your day in the classic French ‘cinq-asept’ hours (5 ‘til 7…actually it’s 5.30 here, but worth the wait) spent at the wine bar, where the extensive wine list holds fascinating gems and unusually, they are available by the glass so you can try several.

The bar serves ‘petites bouches’; the French equivalent of tapas, roughly translated as ‘little mouthfuls’ if you just want something to tide you over until dinner, or if you fancy trying several dishes at once.

It’s a proper nod to the joys of French cuisine; an excellent bistro upstairs stacked atop a casual eatery and buzzing wine bar beneath; each offering an array of delicious food choices.

Chef Ludo Desveaux (ex-Augustines) leads the kitchen brigade; his magic touch is evident throughout. Just reading the menu will make you salivate, and if the adage about eating first with your eyes is true, then a sojourn at Huguenots Wine Bar and Bistro will certainly pleasure each and every one of your senses.

Brainchild of legendary chef/patron Brendan Cashman, whose multiaward winning fine dining restaurant Augustines was en route to a Michelin Star before he declared it firmly fermé in 2012, Huguenots is a far more relaxed eatery designed for the everyman; every day.

Huguenots is a very different dining experience from the silver service and starch approach of Augustines. “I didn’t want to recreate Augustines”, explains Brendan, “for a variety of reasons. We chose to finish on a high note; settled all accounts and tied up the memory with a flourish.”

A firm ‘fin’ to that. So what treats await at Huguenots? Bistronomy, the food movement de jour in France, is the ethos here. It sees traditional dishes revamped; delicious and unpretentious; with French flair and just the right amount of Gallic insouciance.

Confit de canard; gésiers de canard with morteaux sausage, daub de jous de boeuf….Edith Piaff could eat here

and she would regret nothing. The food and the ambience both capture that elusive French knack of effortless elegance, from the classic tarte tatin and crème brulee to the extraordinary cheeseboard. If you can’t make up your mind on dessert, try the tasting plate and sample all of them.

Lighter fare is available at lunch, from mouth-watering onion soup to omelettes and creative salads; after work there is no better place to wind down

Go; be seduced.

You’ll leave languid and happy.

Open Tuesday to Saturday with lunch from 12 noon until 5pm; dinner from 5.30pm until late.

8 & 9 Carey’s Lane. Cork City.

Telelphone: 021 239 0535 See www.huguenotbistro.ie

FRENCH BISTRO & WINE BAR

C U LT U R E

What’s the

MUSICAL TREAT Leeside’s newest ensemble will hold its inaugural concert at City Hall this month. With over 60 players, Cork Concert Orchestra’s primary aim is to provide a musical outlet for classically trained amateur musicians across Cork.

The programme for Saturday, April 11th includes Dvořák’s famed ninth symphony, New World Symphony, with principal conductor Tom Crowley.

Compered by Liz Nolan, who hosts Lyric FM’s Classic Drive show, the concert is in aid of Cork Autism and Dress for Success. Tickets are €20, from Pro Musica.

plan?

Fancy a night out? Stuck on ideas?

Here’s your guide of what’s going on...

BRAZILIAN DRAMA The twelfth season of Cork Cine Club draws to a close with Brazilian coming– of–age drama The Way He Looks (Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho). The film tells the story of a visually–impaired gay teenager struggling to break free from his well-meaning friends and family.

Wanting to experience the world for himself, he considers going on an exchange programme, but when a new student arrives in town, feelings blossom. Catch it at St John’s College on Thursday, April 23rd (8pm). Tickets €8.50/€7, see corkcineclub.com.

AUTHENTIC ASLAN Aslan’s first big gig outside of Dublin was when they played the Lark by the Lee in 1986. Since then, the veteran rockers have had a special bond with Cork and they return to the city on Saturday, April 18th. With lead singer Christy Dignam, who’s battling a rare blood cancer, they’ll be on stage at the Opera House, and you can expect classics such as This Is, Crazy World and Too Late for Hallelujah. Tickets are €26, see corkoperahouse.ie.

CLEVER COOKIE With a recently released debut original album, Riches to Rags, Cobh native Caitriona Fallon (Cookie) — an experienced singer who has toured the world with Riverdance — and her band The Vaudevilles are entertaining audiences with music that features jazz, swing, blues and roots influences with a personal twist. This exciting fivepiece, complete with double–bass and mandolin, are heading to Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh on Saturday, April 11th at 8pm. Tickets are €15, see siriusartscentre.ie.

APRIL Films WHILE WE’RE YOUNG Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts play a childless married couple in their forties in this middleaged twist on a coming-of-age tale. Surrounded by friends with kids, they find themselves gravitating towards an intriguing young hipster couple who make them feel young again, but they begin to second guess their new-found friendship.

Written and directed by Noah Baumbach, it’s bursting with pithy one-liners and smart observations. Opens April 3rd, Eclipse Pictures.

FORCE MAJEURE This darkly humourous psychodrama tracks the emotional aftermath of a near tragedy, when a Swedish family enjoying a skiing holiday in the French Alps have their world turned upside down by an avalanche. Though they emerge physically unscathed, the actions of husband and father, Tomas, leave his wife and children shaken. The inevitable “what would you do?” response had audiences buzzing at Cannes. Directed

by Ruben Östlund, opens April 10th, Curzon Film World.

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BFOOOOKDS

A Literary feast

Books, glorious books — April brings a celebration of all things literary, with Cork World Book Fest set to coincide with UNESCO’s World Book Day. Maria Tracey chats to writer Alannah Hopkin about the event, and what her own favourite novel means to her.

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hen it comes to the power of the book, the American novelist responsible for Game of Thrones, George R R Martin, said it best when he claimed “a reader lives a thousand lives before he dies… The man who never reads lives only one”. From romance to mystery, drama to adventure, a good, compelling book has the power to educate, entertain and inspire.

In celebration of the printed word, the Cork World Book Fest, now in its 11th year, takes place from April 21st to 25th. From its inaugural year in 2005, during Cork’s reign as European Capital of Culture, the event has been planned to coincide with UNESCO World Book Day, April 23rd.

The idea for this celebration of books originated in Catalonia where, on April 23rd - Saint George’s Day it’s traditional to give a rose or a book. Because of this association, April 23rd is also the date that has been chosen to commemorate the birth and death of William Shakespeare.

Cork-based writer Alannah Hopkin, who has penned books such as A Joke Goes a Long Way in the Country, The Out-haul, and Eating Scenery: West Cork, the People & the Place, will chair the opening night tribute to poet Derek Mahon. Alannah cites Herman Melville’s Moby Dick as her own favourite novel.

“It’s enormously long and all over the place but it’s got so much in it,” she enthuses. “It has the sea, these mysterious creatures, the whales, and it has all the people who are motivated to go out and hunt them in order to make a living. There is a sense of man against the elements, battling the sea.

It’s extraordinary.”

Stating that she has “four or five different copies” of the much-loved classic, Alannah notes that her favourite is a Penguin version from her university days. “It has wonderful notes and a picture of a whaling book with all

the parts identified… a real anorak’s Moby Dick,” she says.

It’s her self–confessed “obsession” with the sea that prompted Alannah to co–write The Ship of Seven Murders with Kathy Bunney.

Based on true events, it takes the reader back to 1828, when the Mary Russell sailed into Cork Harbour from the West Indies and seven crewmen were inexplicably murdered by the captain.

Alannah reveals she “probably has only 1,000 to 2,000 books”, and it’s such passion for books that’s evident at Cork World Book Fest. Events this year include an opening night tribute to long-time Kinsale resident Derek Mahon, featuring Alannah, Peter Fallon, Thomas McCarthy, and Roger Greene. Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichental will read from his moving memoir, I Was a Boy in Belsen, and Evelyn Conlon will discuss her new novel, Not the Same Sky, based on the lives of Irish girls orphaned by the famine and shipped to Australia.

Award–winning Cork-born author Joseph O’Neill will read from his latest novel The Dog, while Gruppo 77 from Bologna will make a presentation with translator William Wall. There’ll be readings by Canadian novelists Charles Foran and Lauren Davis, and new poetry collections by local poets Doireann Ní Ghríofa and Gerry Murphy. Other writers in attendance will include Paul Durcan, Paul McVeigh and Louise O’Neill. The Fest will close with a revival of the Cork Quarryman anthology, and the largely free events will be split between City Library on Grand Parade and the Triskel Christchurch.

“Where nicer to be than in a library when listening to a writer read,” states Alannah.

“You are sitting there, surrounded by books, and an author is sitting there talking about their book.” She pauses and adds with a smile, “It has a nice logic to it”.

For more information on Cork World Book Fest see triskelartscentre.ie or corkcitylibraries.ie.

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Take it easy There’s no city in the United States that holds a more enduring fascination than New Orleans. A melting pot of cultural influences from Europe, Africa and the Caribbean, thanks to a thriving tourism trade, the city has bounced back from devastation and the Big Easy remains the most colourful jewel in the crown of America’s deep south.

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enowned for music, food, and Mardi Gras, New Orleans is one of America’s most interesting and vibrant tourist destinations.

Having absorbed hundreds of years of multiculturalism since it was founded in 1718, locals are right to refer to the city as “a cultural gumbo”. This famous Creole dish is a fitting metaphor for New Orleans’ unique heritage - a spicy mix of ingredients that complement each other without losing their individual flavors.

Founded by the French, gifted to Spanish, and then sold to the United States in

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the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, the once strategic port city was established on a bend of the Mississippi, five feet below sea level. Original French and Spanish settlers were joined by Americans, attracted in their droves to the wealth and permissively cosmopolitan nature of this second Paris. Add immigrants from Germany, Sicily, Ireland, Africa, Haiti and the Caribbean, and the melting pot bubbled over with a diverse mix of culinary, cultural and religious influences that leave their stamp on the city to this day.

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From the literary giants who have called the city home to the birth of Jazz, which led to Rock and Roll – the music, food and culture of a city whose motto is simply “Have fun” have left an indelible mark on global culture. Whether you’re seeking bowls full of gumbo, late nights in dark jazz clubs, or strolls through historic neighborhoods taking in the exquisite Spanish architecture, faded elegance and fancy ironwork, there’s something here to fall in love with.

Wander: The liveliest and best know of the city’s neighbourhoods is the French Quarter. The area least affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, this is the heart of New Orleans, and from here came the spirit and determination to return the city to its former glory. A must-see for the history, architecture, and renowned jazz clubs, this is where you can experience Mardi Gras atmosphere seven nights a week, stroll through Louis Armstrong Park, and

visit the stunning St. Louis cathedral off Jackson Square.

You can take bus or horse-drawn carriage tours, but the best way to see the sights is by foot or bike. Specialist walking tours cover everything from cocktails to cemeteries, or “Cities of the Dead” - so called because New Orleans is on swampland, so its deceased are interred above ground in decorative mausoleums and crypts that have grown to resemble little villages. The most famous, St. Louis Cemetery #1, is the

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burial place of the legendary “voodoo queen” Marie Laveau. Believers and non-believers alike make pilgrimages to her tomb to make offerings to her spirit in return for what they hope will be blessings, not curses.

Eat: The French Quarter is bursting with restaurants, but it pays to go off the beaten track if you want to avoid the tourist traps. New Orleans is a culinary delight and along with great gumbo, shrimp creole, and famous “Po Boy” sandwiches, comes plenty of experimental fusions with other cuisines. In the up-and-coming Warehouse/Arts district, try Cochon (930 Tchoupitoulas Street) for creative but authentic Cajun fare in a laid back renovated warehouse setting, while Liuzza’s by the Track, in the Faubourg Marigny area (1518 N. Lopez St.),

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reportedly has the best Po Boys in the city.

Listen: New Orleans and music go together like red beans and rice, and you can always find live jazz, blues, big band and blue grass. For an authentic and educational experience, check out Preservation Hall (726 St. Peter St.) in the French Quarter, but leave the raucous environs of Bourbon Street behind in favour of exploring Frenchmen Street in Faubourg Marigny. Jazz aficionados and music lovers alike will enjoy all that the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (April 24th – May 3rd) has to offer.

Stay: From the grandest hotel to the humblest B&B, New Orleans has something for every budget. Put the luxurious Roosevelt hotel (130 Roosevelt Way –

rooms from $239 per night) on the top of your wish list. Walking distance from everything the French Quarter has to offer, but away from the fray, from the gilt façade to the crystal chandeliers, this is old school decadence. For a less formal, thoroughly Creole vibe, check out the Frenchmen Hotel (417 Frenchmen St. – doubles from $149 per night), and for a dose of authentic southern style, hospitality and charm, try Ashton’s B&B (2023 Esplanade Avenue – doubles from $229 per night).

Travel to New Orleans as a city break or make it a stop on a multi-destination dream holiday, taking in the theme parks of Orlando or the beaches of Miami. Insight Vacations (01 775 3838, insightvacations.com), American Holidays (021 236 4636, americanholidays.com), and Tour America (021 242 9222, touramerica.ie) all offer tailor made packages.

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LIFE changer

Sinéad Burke, primary school teacher, PhD candidate, blogger, and now ISPCC Shield ambassador, tells Like about starting her blog, Minnie Mélange, and how it has changed her life.

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y interest in fashion has been all consuming for as long as I can remember. I wasn’t exposed to it at an early age, but if I had to guess where it came from, I would say perhaps it’s due to my own physical stature. I stand at a height of 3’5” tall, and locating stylish and appropriate garments for this sized frame can be quite a challenge. You are constantly teetering the boundary of childrenswear and womenswear.

When I began to delve deeper I found I was completely taken by the rhetoric of fashion designers, their inspirations, their use of social media, and their impact on the high street. The more I learned, the more I needed to know, and quite quickly I became this teenage encyclopaedia.

I was compelled to share this information – every day – around the dinner table, and for even the

countries on disability and difference, and now to the ISPCC’s Anti-Bullying Shield Campaign. Next month I’ll be giving a TEDx talk.

I’m really fortunate to have grown up with parents who cultivated confidence and expression in each of their children. They celebrated the uniqueness in all of us and refused to hinder our abilities and dreams but permitted and encouraged us to develop a gargantuan appetite for life. I am the eldest of five children, all of my siblings are beginning to carve out careers in different domains but we are incredibly supportive of one another’s ambitions.

Since its conception, ‘Minnie Mélange’ has documented the development of my infatuation with fashion, but it also reflects my growth as a person and the expansion of my interests. The most significant

I needed an outlet. My family said ‘find something!’ That something was my blog most patient of my family members, my constant factual harassment — ‘can you believe Christopher Bailey is both CEO and creative director of Burberry?’ — did prove tiring. I needed an outlet. My family said ‘find something!’ That something was my blog, and in many ways it has changed my life.

It began as an open space where I could share my tidbits of fashion commentary - my first post was about Cate Blanchett wearing Givenchy Couture to the Oscars. I never imagined that it would develop or escalate to become anything else.

Initially there was no audience, no one reading what I wrote, and I hadn’t expected there to be. But then all of a sudden people were reading the blog, and opportunities were being afforded to me, with invitations being sent, and launches to go to.

I was suddenly immersed in a world that had seemed completely fictitious to me. I could never even have dreamed of being invited to the press preview of the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition — a designer I’d admired for years — purely based on having a blog.

It’s incredible to think that when I was sitting down to write that first blog post on Cate Blanchett it would lead me to so many fascinating opportunities.

‘Minnie Mélange’ has brought me to London Fashion Week, to Lyon in France for their Festival of Lights, to One Young World where I addressed delegates from 194 different

progression has been the inclusion of interviews, a direction that was really born out of frustration. When the designer L’Wren Scott took her own life, some leading media outlets reported that ‘Mick Jagger’s girlfriend’ had died. As a young woman, interested in L’Wren both personally and professionally, I was frustrated and upset by the headlines. I thought, in my own small way, what can I do to celebrate the women I admire and respect? So began an interview series, Extraordinary Women.

I am the quintessential extrovert and completely and utterly chanced my arm and sent out requests for interviews to amazing people like Caroline Downey of MCD; Moya Doherty; Paloma Faith; Stephanie Roche; and Scissor Sisters’ Ana Matronic. I’m having such an amazing time, talking to these people either over the phone, on Skype or while having coffee.

Getting to sit down with the people who inspire me, some of them my role models, and fawn over their intelligence and wit has been incredible. I get to lavish myself in their information and then transfer it to the blog. Meeting interesting people has been one of the highlights, not only of my blog, but of my life, thus far.

Sinead blogs at minniemelange.com and can be seen around Cork in her role as an ISPCC ambassador. If you’d like to support the ISPCC’s Shield campaign you can do so at ispcc.ie. (T @minniemelange.

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