Enterprise April 2015

LINKING DUBLIN & BELFAST VOLUME 12:02

YOUR GUIDE TO: • RESTAURANTS • HOTELS • ATTRACTIONS

AIDAN S T E RO S

GILLEN THE WILD WE

O N GA M E O F T H RO N E S & O T H E R VO I C E S

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

All Hail Ireland’s Golfing Heroes!

TALL SHIPS Arrive In Belfast

THE MOURNE MOUNTAINS We’re Lovin’ Them

P L U S : •E SDP SO H E R ATNON H I CT OR S DK U B R IOUR C H AIRT DE TER. AGIN R AJOUR N T • NE I NY: T RDE O DR UVAC LI NOG’ROUR S A R AK EB •A U M E T LE IGH • LMI NY •FAV

Enterprise Volume 12 Issue 2

6 ENTER HERE! A rundown of what’s hot and happening at your next stop.

16 RAIL NEWS Up to the minute news from Irish Rail and Translink

18 KING OF THE CASTLE A famous face both at home and abroad, our cover star AIDAN GILLEN talks Game Of Thrones, Charlie and Other Voices – and we provide an essential guide to the small screen hits that film on location here in Ireland.

22 TOP OF THE WORLD All eyes are on Ireland as RORY MCILROY brings the Irish Open back to County Down this May.

24 SOMETHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT

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Acclaimed debut novelist SARA BAUME reflects on the inspiration for Spill Simmer Falter Wither and we take a look at some other famous debuts by Irish female authors.

26 PERFUME GENIUS Withnail & I icon RICHARD E GRANT on Downton Abbey, Meryl Streep, starring in a new adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and his new career as a best-selling perfumer.

28 BRAND AMBASSADOR SARAH BEEN on 18 years at the helm of the Irish division of global beauty phenomenon Coty International.

32 MOURNE TO BE WILD Two of Northern Ireland’s most arresting natural attractions; we tell you all you need to know about THE MOUNTAINS OF MOURNE and THE RING OF GULLION.

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39 ISLAND BOUNTY STUART CLARK is our guide on a journey through all the latest foodie news.

40 IN VOGUE ROE MCDERMOTT introduces us to the rising stars of the Irish fashion industry.

44 REVIEWS Our team reviews the latest books, albums and films.

48 ATTRACTIONS All the best places to eat, rest and visit in both Dublin and Belfast.

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Enterprise – Editor’s Letter

Credits Editor: Máirín Sheehy Commissioning Editor: Roisin Dwyer Contributors: Stuart Clark, Roisin Dwyer, Craig Fitzpatrick, Roe McDermott, Peter McNally, Colm O'Regan, Aoife Stuart Madge, Olaf Tyaransen Design & Production: Hot Press 13 Trinity Street, Dublin 2 Design: David Stanley Niall Warde Group Advertising Manager: Trish Murphy Advertising Manager: Damien Doran Publisher: Niall Stokes Enterprise is published for NIRailways and Iarnród Eireann by: Osnovina Ltd 13 Trinity Street Dublin 2 Telephone: +353 1 2411 500 Email: enterprise@hotpress.ie Letters: The Editor, Enterprise Magazine, 13 Trinity St Dublin 2 Printed by: Boylan’s Print

While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine is correct, the publishers cannot accept any responsibilities for errors. The views contained in this magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of N I Railways and Iarnród Eireann.

The Eyes Of The World Will Be On County Down I

t must be something in the water! In particular areas of human endeavour, people from the island of Ireland have excelled above and beyond all expectations. Music is one. Acting is another. And golf is the third...

Alright, it helps that we have here some of the very best courses in the world. And the Golfing Union of Ireland has played a huge part, by nurturing young talent very effectively. But there must be more to it than that!

Or maybe not. Either way, the sense of anticipation on the run-up to the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is a bit special. There is a new sponsor on board in the form of Dubai Duty Free. The tournament, which on this occasion takes place in the famous environs of Royal County Down, is being hosted by Rory McIlroy, the current World No.1, whose Rory Foundation is the official tournament charity.

Fresh off a superb victory in the WGC Cadillac Match Play championship in San Francisco, Rory himself is in flying form. But his involvement has acted as a magnet for some of the biggest talents in the world of golf.

Ernie Els, Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald and Patrick Reed are all among the runners and riders. Add in Ireland’s golden group of Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Shane Lowry, and emerging talents like Kevin Phelan, and you have the makings of a magnificent tournament.

Currently on course for a sell-out, it will be an occasion for enthusiasts from all over the country to flock to Co. Down and enjoy all of the wonderful qualities of the countryside and the local hospitality.

It will be a moment to savour. Let’s enjoy being in the world spotlight for all the right reasons. And may the best man win...

All material © Osnovina 2015. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of material without permission of the publishers is strictly prohibited

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Máirín Sheehy, Editor

Enter Here

A rundown of what’s hot and happening by PETER McNALLY

All at Sea

From July 2 – 5 Tall Ships from all around the globe will anchor in Belfast. Officially kicking off this year’s Lidl Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival, the arrival of the Tall Ships is expected to attract up to 500,000 visitors to the famous Belfast Harbour and Titanic Quarter.

Belfast has hosted The Tall Ships Race twice before, in 1991 and 2009; this year’s event is already expected to be an even bigger and better spectacle. As well as the Tall Ships there will be plenty of attractions for visitors of all ages as the Maritime Festival will also include international markets, street theatre, live music and fun-fairs. Wondering how to get there? In recent years, the festival has partnered with Translink, meaning your bus and rail needs are covered. Free shuttle buses will operate between the two main sites at the Tall Ships festival, Queen's Quay (Odyssey) and Pollock Dock.

Park And Ride will also be operational. Visit translink.co.uk for more information.

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DISCOVER W5 THIS SUMMER

BIG BIRTHDAY BLUES Van Morrison will celebrate his 70th birthday in style with a host of special live performances throughout the country, including four nights at the beautiful Slieve Donard Hotel in County Down (July 19–20 & August 23–24). In a room that holds barely 400, the old-school charm of the Slieve Donard creates an atmosphere akin to the intimate jazz clubs of yesteryear and offers a rare chance to see one of the nation’s most revered talents up close and personal.

Morrison’s new album, Duets: Reworking The Catalogue, sees the Belfast native revisit some of the lesser-known songs from his vast repertoire, with the help of some famous friends like Joss Stone, Natalie Cole, Taj Mahal, Michael Bublé and more.

To celebrate the arrival of RoboThespian, W5’s fantastic new interactive robot exhibit, W5 have jam-packed the summer with events programmed to amaze and entertain.

‘Robot Month’ kicks off the summer with a variety of robotic-themed events throughout May. In July and August, W5 also introduces a new lasertag activity ‘Rogue Robots’ – how many robot targets can you deactivate in the time available?

With over 250 interactive exhibits including the all-new technological marvel that is ‘RoboThespian’, W5’s biggest-ever exhibit ‘Climbit’, ‘Discovery’ a special exhibition area for the under-8s and science demonstration shows throughout the day, W5 is a great value day out for all the family – young and old. All special events are free with admission, and a day out at W5 offers an incredible variety of activities and offers great value-for-money. For information on W5 and all special events and exhibitions, visit w5online.co.uk.

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BOOK YOUR GOLF HOLIDAY TO IRELAND Welcome from Premier Irish Golf Tours. May all your drives be long and straight and may all your putts be firm and true. Your dream golfing trip to Ireland is just a click away. View our innovative course and facilities 5 star rating making your selection process even easier. We are the market leader in Irish Golf Holidays. We provide quality tours and give our clients a guarantee that we wont be beaten on value or on quality. Contact us now to find out more Visit our website www.premieririshgolftours.com

“treated like Kings and Queens” “Great experience”

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E: info@pi-gt.com TEL: IRE 00353 89 4110421 / USA (508) 328 7541

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Enterprise

PREMIER GOLF TOURS HIT NEW HIGH Premier Irish Golf Tours, the top-ranked golf tour operator in Ireland, recently added a new tour package to Northern Ireland. The tour package includes the opportunity to play the top-ranked golf course in Ireland and site of the 2015 Irish Open, Royal County Down, along with other top courses such as Ardglass Golf Club, Royal Portrush Golf Club, Castlerock Golf Club and Portstewart Golf Club.

In addition to Northern Ireland, Premier Irish Golf Tours offers tour packages throughout Ireland including some of the top-100-ranked courses in the world.

The company specialises in organizing top-class customised golf tours featuring the best courses Ireland has to offer and promises to be with you every step of the way on your holiday. They provide a one-stop shop for Irish golf tours, catering to a variety of budgets and group sizes and offering extremely competitive prices. For information, call 00353 89 4110421.

IN FULL BLOOM Bloomsday, which takes place from June 11–16, is a celebration of James Joyce’ Ulysses, the day upon which his magnum opus was set, June 16, and of the city that was its backdrop: Dublin. Over six days, the festival brings Ulysses and Joyce’s Dublin to life for young and old through walking tours and public readings at locations from the book such as Martello Tower, Sandycove Strand, and Glasnevin Cemetery. Joyceans from all over the world descend on the capital to take part in such diverse and entertaining activities as the Joycean Pub Crawl, a Bizarre Bloomsday Brunch, Yeats & Joyce: An Evening of Music & Poetry. Plus, there is a chance to see the great Stephen Fry in conversation with Senator David Norris.

Dave Grohl

Back to

The Castle A Bloody Good Weekend

Following an absence from the summer calendar in 2014, Slane Castle is back with a bang and a stellar line-up on May 30. This year’s headliners, Foo Fighters, are a band tailor-made for the epic surroundings of Slane Castle’s natural outdoor amphitheatre.

Having perfected the anthemic singalong over a career that spans 20 years, The Foo’s arrive to the Boyneside venue at an all-time high following the success of this year's album/HBO miniseries, Sonic Highways. Grohl & Co. will be joined on the day by rising Irish superstars Hozier and the Strypes, as well as fan favourites the Kaiser Chiefs and one of Ireland’s best-loved live bands, Ash. The return of this legendary open-air concert is an event not to miss this summer. Translink have scheduled coach specials for the concert from Belfast and Derry-Londonderry, with pick-ups at Strabane and Omagh. Visit translink.co.uk for more information.

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Irish Derby Celebrates 150 Years World class racing, fabulous fashion, wonderful food and great music can all be expected when The Irish Derby celebrates its 150th year on 26–28 June. Unrivalled in its prestige and tradition, The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh Racecourse is undoubtedly the social highlight of the racing calendar. Held across three days, the event will host an array of bands and DJs, including Nathan Carter and ’80s tribute band Spring Break and the black-tie Irish Derby Ball. The Derby Food Paddock will showcase a selection of delicacies from Ireland’s leading food producers – including restaurants, hotels, cookery schools, cheese makers, bakers and chocolatiers. With a racing schedule packed with the crème de la crème of the equine world, the 150th Irish Derby promises to be one to remember.

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Enterprise

RIVERDANCE: AN IRISH PHENOMENON This summer, the international dance sensation Riverdance celebrates its 20th anniversary by returning for an unprecedented 12th summer season at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin from June 23 – August 30. Composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty and directed by John McColgan, this anniversary production last year played in 37 countries in Europe, including a return tour to the UK, and a ground-breaking 25-city tour of China. Over 20 years, this Irish phenomenon has been seen live by more than 25 million people.

Hailed by the Washington Post as “a phenomenon of historic proportions” this celebration of everything Irish is not to be missed when it opens for a homecoming run at the Gaiety.

the FACTOR It’s clear that Ireland loves Ed Sheeran. The 24-year-old packed 3Arena for four nights in October and his upcoming two dates at Croke Park sold out in hours. Add to this the fact that his latest album, X, was the No. 1 album in the Irish charts for a staggering 11 weeks and has been certified nine times platinum here. For evidence that the feeling is mutual, look no further than the ‘Thinking Out Loud’ singer’s decision to film his instalment of VH1’s Storytellers in Dublin’s famed Whelan’s venue. With rumours that Ed could have sold out an extra date at Croke Park with ease, those lucky enough to get tickets are bound to have a night to remember, especially with the likes of Bell X1, Gavin James and Jamie Lawson providing support.

Translink will be operating coach and rail specials for both shows between Belfast and Dublin. Visit translink. co.uk for more info.

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H E A R T Whether you're travelling from North to South, or South to North, make this your summer to visit the beautiful and unique town of Dundalk.

A hidden gem when it comes to fashion, it has been described as a shoppers’ paradise.

Dundalk boasts a wide range of stylish shops and brands, from high-end designer boutiques to all the hottest names on the high street. Shop ‘til you drop and refuel at one of their many fine restaurants, cafes, traditional Irish bars and gastro-pubs.

To get a sense of the place's rich history, why not check out The County Museum? Located in a restored 18th century distillery warehouse at Roden Place, it is open Tuesday to Saturday.

Visit the beautiful Market Square and unwind in the heart of the town with a frothy cappuccino, catch a front row seat alongside the Táin Warriors and watch the majestic fountain dances to the beat of the town.

Dundalk has a wide range of pubs that can offer you anything from a romantic candlelight drink, to the delight of dancing the night away in one of many lively venues. And don’t forget Dundalk Stadium: the world’s only dual-purpose horse and greyhound racing track.

Enjoy €20 off your food bill once you mention Enterprise when you book for a minimum of two people in Champion’s award winning restaurant at Dundalk Stadium. T&C Apply.

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Enterprise

DANGER! HIGH VOLTAGE It took no time at all for Aussie hard rock titans AC/DC to sell out their Aviva Stadium date on July 1; every last ticket was snapped up in mere minutes. Despite the unfortunate recent departure of founding member Malcolm Young, one of the all-time great rhythm guitarists, AC/ DC stormed back into the Top 10 of the Irish charts with last November’s new album Rock Or Bust. Last time the ‘DC were on our shores they played to a 70,000 capacity crowd at Punchestown, after which Hot Press commented that although “they might be in their 60s, AC/DC still have more energy than bands half their age. Maybe they did sell their souls to Satan after all...” Stone cold classics like ‘Highway To Hell’, ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’, ‘Back In Black’ and ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ are bound to have the Aviva rocking to its foundations. For coach and rail specials between Belfast and Dublin visit translink.co.uk.

DEBBIE HORA N

TAKE ME TO THE HOSPITAL GOING OVERBOARD 2015 will mark the sixth instalment of the Dun Laoghaire Regatta. Taking place from July 9–12 the event, at spectacular Dun Laoghaire harbour, is expected to attract upwards of 2,500 sailors. Participants flock to the regatta from all over the world, particularly from the UK, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man. Having firmly established itself on the sailing calendar, this year festival organisers are again putting together an on-shore program combining the excitement of world-class sailing, great food, vibrant people, engaging lifestyle entertainment and spectacular views of Dublin Bay.

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Two great events take place at the idyllic Royal Hospital Kilmainham this June Bank Holiday. Kicking off another great festival season, Forbidden Fruit returns on May 29–31. This year’s line-up includes festival mainstays Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada and the Wu Tang Clan, along with critical darlings and fan favourites Jamie xx and Run the Jewels. Now in its fifth year, the festival has cemented its reputation on the summer music calendar. On Monday June 1 the legendary poet, musician and author Patti Smith will perform her seminal 1975 album Horses in its entirety at the picturesque venue. Smith will be supported on the night by the incredible line-up of Spiritualized, Ariel Pink and New Secret Weapon.

Maybe the most rail-friendly of all Dublin’s music venues, the Royal Hospital Kilmainham is a mere five-minute walk from the nearby Heuston Station.

Patti Smith

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Enterprise

MAC FOR GOOD Seventies rock legends Fleetwood Mac return to the 3Arena Dublin this June for three shows on June 20 and July 10 & 11. The new ‘On With The Show’ Tour is made all the more special following the announcement that they will be joined by Christine McVie, absent from the fold for 16 years. Fleetwood Mac have been enjoying a massive surge in interest as of late on the back of hugely successful sold-out tours and highprofile festival appearances. Hot Press noted of their last appearance in Dublin, “Fleetwood Mac have suddenly become hip with a much younger audience. In fact, a sizeable contingent of the crowd tonight weren’t even born when the band’s 40 million-selling 1977 opus Rumours was released”. Translink will be operating coach specials from the Europa Buscentre in Belfast for all three of the concerts at 3Arena.

Visit translink.co.uk for more information.

Paloma Faith

NORTHERN LIGHTS Belsonic returns in 2015 with six nights already announced in Belfast’s historic Cathedral Quarter. This year’s line-up features such diverse headliners as Rudimental (August 15), Paloma Faith (August 20), Stereophonics (August 21), Above & Beyond (August 22), Bastille (August 25) and All Time Low (August 26).

Known for attracting some of the finest names in live music to the heart of Belfast City, support slots have also been announced for Duke Dumont, The Coronas, Echosmith, Mini Mansions, Fehrplay and Twenty One Pilots. With more acts yet to be announced, Belsonic is shaping up to be a huge draw for Belfast and one of the highlights of the late summer’s festival calendar.

Make this your summer to visit the beautiful and unique town of Dundalk.

Proudly sponsored by Dundalk BIDS & Tourist Office @dundalktourist @dundalkbids +353 429352111 www.louthholidtays.com

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ECLECTIC PICNIC Celebrating ’Ten Years Of Taste’ in 2015, Taste of Dublin takes place in the stunning Iveagh Gardens from 11 – 14 June. Dedicated to Dublin’s unique and progressive dining scene, over four indulgent days the city’s latest, greatest and hottest restaurants will each fashion together exquisite signature dishes, allowing you to create your dream tasting menu at the ultimate foodie festival. In the heart of Dublin, some of Ireland’s best-known celebrity chefs and food personalities, including Clodagh McKenna, Derry Clarke and Monica Galetti, will be on hand to share their culinary secrets.

There will be live music all weekend across two stages featuring a mix of the best acts that have performed at the festival over the past 10 years. Acts already announced include Rackhouse Pilfer, The Swing Cats and Spring Break.

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Enterprise – Train News (l-r) Kay Sharkey, Translink Service Delivery Manager, golf fans Mike Alexander and Tori Alexander, Martel Welsh and Greg McKernan, Translink Ulsterbus.

SMART MOVES FOR SUMMER You’re never far away from a fantastic day out when you make the smart move and travel with Translink. This summer a host of events are happening in Northern Ireland and Translink can get you there with our bus and train services, Park & Ride facilities and connecting shuttle services.

Translink is providing special transport services for golf fans heading to the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation at Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle, 26-31 May. A free Park & Ride shuttle bus service, enhanced bus services from both Newry and Belfast and special coaches running from across Northern Ireland will be available for golf fans heading to South Down. Plus, anyone travelling from Dublin can take advantage of convenient Newcastle connections from Newry Bus and Train Stations. Click translink.co.uk/irishopen/ or call 90 66 66 30 for further details and follow @Translink_NI #smartmovers for travel updates and a chance to win Irish Open tickets.

• For the first time Guinness PRO12 Rugby will stage a ‘Destination Final’ on 30 May at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast, the home of Ulster Rugby. The Guinness PRO12 Final will be a festival of rugby throughout the city and Translink’s Special Rugby bus service will take you there.

• Translink will also have special transport arrangements in place for the Tall Ships sailing into Belfast 2-5 July and for Ireland’s largest airshow ‘Airwaves Portrush’ on 5-6 September.

WHY NOT HOP ONBOARD ONE OF OUR SPECIAL CONCERT TRAINS TO DUBLIN: • The Script: Croke Park, Dublin – Sat 20 June 2015 • AC/DC: Aviva Stadium, Dublin – Wed 1 July 2015 • Ed Sheeran: Croke Park, Dublin Fri 24 & Sat 25 July 2015 Visit translink.co.uk/events/

DAYS OUT

BY TRAIN For hassle-free days out to some of the most popular visitor attractions across Northern Ireland and in Dublin, why not make the smart move by leaving the car behind and catching the train?

Take in spectacular scenic views as the railway line hugs the coastline en route to the town of Bangor or along the North Coast to the ever popular holiday resort of Portrush and the walled City of Derry~Londonderry.

Along the way there are many interesting and entertaining places to stop off, offering plenty for passengers of all ages and tastes.

Enjoy a day out in Dublin with its wealth of culture, attractions and entertainment. There’s a jam-packed schedule of events, festivals and shows – not to mention famous visitor attractions such as Dublin Zoo, Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin Castle and the Guinness Storehouse. Plus Dublin has lots of free visitor attractions, including the National Museum of

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Ireland, Phoenix Park, Trinity College Library, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and much much more!

With fantastic web offers available at translink.co.uk you can get away with great savings in just two clicks. Not to mention free onward Dart travel to Pearse and Tara Street stations – just present your Enterprise ticket.

Taking the train can add to the experience of your trip, allowing you to travel in comfort, avoid the stress of traffic congestion and the hassle of parking. You can also stay connected with our free Wi-Fi onboard – ensuring that your journey is part of your day out rather than just simply a means of getting to your destination!

Pick up our new guide for a range of ideas to help you plan your day out by train.

Visit translink.co.uk/daysoutbytrain/

Enterprise

DART TO THE AIRPORT

UNDER CONSIDERATION BY NTA Imagine arriving into Dublin Airport and having a fast frequent DART service right next to terminals 1 and 2, whisking you into the city centre in 20 minutes and connecting you to the rest of the DART network and beyond?

The National Transport Authority is examining the option of this line as part of its North Dublin transport review.

The DART Airport link would see a spur off the DART line at Clongriffin to the Airport, allowing high-capacity DARTs to operate from the Airport to Dublin's Connolly and Pearse Stations every 15 minutes.

ONE MILLION MORE TRAVEL BY RAIL IN 2014 A million more thank yous! Passenger journeys on Iarnród Éireann services increased by over one million in 2014 over the previous twelve months. In total, 37.8 million journeys were made across Intercity, DART and Commuter services during the year, compared to 36.7 million journeys in 2013.

Key factors in passenger growth include: •

Advantages of the project include: •

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The Airport rail link would be fully integrated into the existing city rail network, with direct DARTs from the Airport to the city centre every 15 minutes, in a journey time of just over 20 minutes, from 05.00hrs to 01.00hrs daily The project would deliver the long-sought direct Airport to city rail link at a fraction of the cost of other projects, with costs estimated at 300 million The alignment for the Airport rail link from the Airport to Clongriffin is directly underneath the main flightpath to the airport and is undeveloped, meaning construction could take place without disruption to residential or commercial interests, or to the city’s existing infrastructure Airport services could be operated by the existing DART fleet, as peak flows on an Airport rail service are generally the opposite of city commuter demand An estimated 3 million air travellers per annum would use the service at opening, with the service likely to appeal also to many of the 15,000 employees working on the airport campus It could be delivered in as little as four years

The project would also fit into the proposed expanded network were DART Underground to proceed, with Airport DARTs operating directly to the Docklands/IFSC area; Pearse; St Stephen’s Green; Christchurch and Heuston Stations in such a network, all of which are key business, commercial and tourism areas.

This would also connect the national rail network at Heuston to a direct DART network, to the city and Dublin Airport.

Under the NTA options being studied, it could also be delivered along with a light rail link to Swords, ensuring that all transport requirements in the North Dublin area are met.

• • •

More of you taking advantage of our great offers, with strong growth in online bookings, student travel and the Taxsaver commuter ticket scheme Economic recovery, including growth in employment Benefits from integration initiatives with the NTA and other operators, including Leap Card Additional business from sporting, musical and other major events

Of major routes, strongest growth was recorded on: • • •

Dublin/Tralee with growth of 7% to 571,000 journeys Dublin/Galway with growth of 6% to 1.55 million journeys Cork/Cobh commuter route jumped 17% to 745,000, with extra journeys for the Irish Open Golf at Fota Island and for cruise ship business a significant factor

The Limerick/Galway route rose almost 75% from 29,000 to 50,000 journeys during the year through the new Ennis/Athenry section of the line. This followed the introduction of online booking and promotional fares for the route.

David Franks, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann said: “We thank our existing and new customers who travelled with us in 2014 – a return to growth is hugely encouraging. We will target further growth throughout 2015 by ensuring we meet customer needs with our services; continuing to promote online sales and other discount options; working with major events to ensure we provide attendees with the strongest possible transport options; and working with tourism and other business interests to identify new opportunities. Together with continued cost control, and working with the NTA and Department of Transport on ensuring Iarnród Éireann is sustainably funded into the future, we hope 2014 marks a key moment in the development of our railway.”

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Enterprise – Feature

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W A T C H

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T H R O N E HE’S BECOME A HUGELY RECOGNISABLE FACE WITH ROLES IN GAME OF THRONES, LOVE/HATE, THE WIRE AND MORE. AIDAN GILLEN TALKS TO CRAIG FITZPATRICK ABOUT BEING STUCK WITH THAT FACE OFF-SCREEN, HOW HE CHOOSES ROLES AND WHY HE’S BACK PRESENTING OTHER VOICES. PHOTOS

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nce upon a time the shouts would have irked him but, now 47 and at an exalted place on screens big and small, Aidan Gillen doesn’t let his famous characters haunt him in the street.

With Game Of Thrones having stormed back onto screens in April, you imagine the figure that jumps from the shadows most readily at the moment is the deliciously conniving Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish. For the actor, it must be strange to have these fictional beings with his face in the public’s consciousness.

“It’s an interesting question,” Gillen admits.

“People don’t call you Aidan, they call you Petyr or Lord Baelish or Littlefinger. It’s something that I used to have an issue with, I’m thinking ‘why are they calling me that?’ But it’s actually quite a good buffer that people are calling out a name and it’s a character name. When it goes from people calling you Stuart to calling you Carcetti to calling you John Boy from Love/Hate, which is huge here, it’s always great when the last one gets pushed out of the way. So I actually quite like being called a character name on the street. It means you’ve made a bond!

Game Of Thrones is huge, Love/Hate was huge here, The Wire had a huge audience, so when people are calling you those names it’s fine. It’s never been a problem.”

Has he been as glued to season five of Game Of Thrones as everyone else?

“I think it’s a really good show. I hadn’t read the books before I was cast in it. I had actually, but just before. I would watch it if I wasn’t in it, if that’s what you’re asking me.”

The proof is in the period of time he’s given to it – Gillen is one of the show’s mainstays (impressive given George RR Martin’s bloodlust and lack of sentimentality for his characters) and has been with it for its entire run, making it the longest he’s ever been involved with a project.

“It’s coming up to its sixth year, so it definitely is the longest,” nods the Drumcondra-raised star.

“But I did sign up knowing that it was for a six-year period. It’s a good show and a good experience so I’m cool with that. And with the likes of Love/ Hate, I don’t have any regrets about any run of four

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episodes or six episodes or eight episodes. I did three seasons on The Wire where I was in every episode.

That was 36 episodes. My first experience with that stuff had been Queer As Folk and I thought I was signing up for four episodes, then it was eight, then it became ten, which for me was way too many. At that earlier stage, when I was younger, I didn’t want to be tied down to any one thing.”

The instinct was to completely change face for the next role.

“Yeah, and forget about it. Watch it once and never watch it again. Maybe change medium as well. Do theatre, film, television in different countries. Try to play different kinds of roles.”

Indeed, he’s probably one of the few people in Dublin that isn’t currently obsessed with all things Westeros.

“It could be a year later when the thing appears and you’ve already done two or three other roles since and you’re on to other things. Sometimes it seems so long ago since it happened that it’s hard to even remember. We did the Haughey drama [Charlie] and it was actually over a year later that it aired and even though it was quite intense for me at the time, just trying to cast back [for interviews], I couldn’t remember things, so I had to make stuff up!

Does it add pressure when you portray a real person?

“When it’s someone who leads a country, we have a right to dramatise that. You can’t mess around too much because you need to be as accurate as you can be, with a little bit of licence to explore.

It’s going to be more interesting to get into what’s going on in their head – but we never really know that.”

A lot of actors say they have to find something to like in their characters.

“I don’t know whether you have to, but invariably I find lots of things to like about characters. I found plenty to like about Haughey. And dislike.”

Luckily, despite working on the biggest TV show in the world, the powers that be don’t force too much press on its actors, allowing Gillen to pursue other things.

“There’s not major pressure on any of the actors on that show to do that. Maybe Peter Dinklage...

But really, not even him. There’s enough of us that we can divvy it up. There’s never an overload of press

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on any of that HBO stuff. If you look back, there’s not a lot of interviews with any of the actors on The Wire. There are not many interviews with James Gandolfini, y’know? They let the show speak for itself.”

Putting his “presenting” hat back on, Gillen has also been seen on screens recently hosting RTÉ2’s beloved Dingle-based music show Other Voices. The second instalment of the 13th series will air later this summer.

“When I was asked to do that I was living in Dingle and I would be one of a number of factors, having some visibility and recognition factor as an actor, that would make that programme happen,” Gillen says of what drew him to the project.

“That’s why I’m doing it. Apart from the fact that I love music, I was asked to do it by Philip King just walking down the street one day. I thought of it as a local gig, which it was. I didn’t think of it as a television show or something that goes out and is seen around the world, which it is. Now occasionally they’ll make something like the Hozier special, or the Amy Winehouse special, which has been seen everywhere. I enjoy it. It’s not a career move but I’ll do it as long as it runs.

“The good news is that Huw Stephens from BBC has joined Other Voices so it’s the two of us co-presenting. It’s a lot more fun and it’s a lot easier.

It’s three, four days you know, and you get six to eight hours out of that. There wasn’t enough space to shoot all the acts we needed for six hours of television in front of a live audience so acts like, for instance, Richie Egan came and shot three songs acoustically not in front of a live audience – they take great care with making those performances really work...”

Next up for Aidan is a role playing Goosefat Bill in Guy Ritchie’s Knights Of The Round Table.

“One of the attractions of working with Guy Ritchie is that the actors really pop out in his films.

People you mightn’t have expected to give great performances. You mightn’t have expected to go ‘Vinnie Jones is great in that, or Jason Statham is great in that.’ Even Brad Pitt is great in Snatch.”

So does Gillen have a hidden masterplan, like the cunning Lord he portrays, or is it a case of making decisions on each role as they come along?

“The plan is to keep working. I do try to do different things, to be surprising occasionally.

Change the record every now and then. Get better.”

Game Of Thrones airs on Sky Atlantic every Monday at 9pm.

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SCENE IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES RIPPER STREET

GAME OF THRONES

The atmospheric TV series Ripper Street is set in Whitechapel in London’s East End in 1889, six months after the infamous Jack the Ripper murders. However, despite its famous locale, the show was filmed entirely in Dublin, with our city’s cobbled streets and striking Georgian architecture perfectly evoking the period feel of the series.

Filming took place in several locations, including Clancy Barracks, Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol (a favourite filming location of both TV series and films), and the tunnels under Connolly Station. Try not to get too spooked wandering around the city now!

The epic fantasy television series created for HBO just returned to our screens this April, and the adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s series of novels is garnering even more critical acclaim and obsessive fans. Eagle-eyed viewers know that the series is filmed at the Paint Hall Film Studios in Belfast as well as a number of locations around northern Ireland. The majestic, dragon-filled landscapes and bloody battles are shot around Ballintoy Harbour, Tollymore Forest Park and Castle Ward Estate, which served as Winterfell in Season One. The success of the show has spawned a tourism boom in the North, with fans traveling from all over the world to sample a little bit of Westeros.

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INSPECTOR GEORGE GENTLY Henrietta Street

This crime drama, set in the ’60s, stars Martin Shaw as the irascible London police inspector fighting crime in the north east of England, and trying to come to terms with a time when the lines between the police and criminals have become blurred. While series four was filmed in the north east of England, Dublin was a stand-in for the first three series. Locals of north Dublin got used to seeing the cast and crew filming in the area, with Henrietta Street proving a favourite filming location thanks to its wide cobblestoned street and large red-brick Georgian buildings, which stand in for ’60s England.

Belfast

VIKINGS Wicklow

This historical drama series, inspired by the sagas of Viking Ragnar Lothebrok, portrays the bloodfuelled adventures of a former farmer who rises to fame by successful raids throughout England, and eventually becomes King of Denmark. The series has attracted a range of stars from Gabriel Byrne to rising actor Jay Duffy. Though the dramatic action crosses many borders, filming takes place in Ashford Studios, with longship scenes filmed in Luggala, Co. Wicklow, where dramatic cliff-faces oversee Lough Tay. It has also provided huge opportunities for Irish actors and behind the scenes professionals working in special effects, stunts etc.

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OUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO SOME OF THE LOCALES THAT HAVE ENJOYED STARRING SCREEN ROLES OF LATE .

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This Irish production starred Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII, whose reign is tested by international conflicts. Much of The Tudors was filmed in Ardmore Studios in Bray, but the period show also utilised various locations around Dublin and Wicklow to capture the majestic settings.

Scenes of royal meetings and battles took place in Kilmainham Gaol, Phoenix Park, Dublin Castle, and Lord Meath’s estate at Killruddery House.

The show also shot scenes for all four seasons in Christchurch Cathedral, Humewood Castle, Swords Castle, Drimnagh Castle and Powerscourt Estate in Co. Wicklow. Phew – that’s a lot of castle. Did King Henry VIII never fancy a nice cottage?

This British-Irish crime drama series is based on the Quirke novels by John Banville (writing under the pseudonym Benjamin Black), and was adapted

by Andrew Davies and Conor McPherson. Gabriel Byrne took the title role, playing a chief pathologist in the Dublin city morgue, who investigates crime in the 1950s. Filming took place around Dublin city centre in locations where the Georgian architecture and streets evoked the atmosphere of the period, including Baggot Street and Camden Street.

Another location heavily used was Clancy Barracks, just off the River Liffey.

This gothic horror series draws on many characters from 19th century Irish and British fiction, such as Dorian Gray, characters from Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Victor Frankenstein and his creature from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Given the inspiration from Irish literature, it was only fitting that Dublin stood in for turn-of-the-century London. The cobblestoned streets of Dublin city, particularly around Trinity College, became popular filming spots, while the back of Dublin Castle also served as Grandage Place.

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The show that has enthralled the country for years has transformed Dublin into a hive of activity, with filming happening all over the city. Aidan Gillen terrified us all as John Boy. His impressive penthouse apartment is on top of the Distillery Road – you can even see the roof garden with the jacuzzi in it!

But John Boy sadly met an unfortunate end in the Welcome Inn on Parnell Street. Fran, meanwhile, had much more fun practising his golf swing at Greystones driving range, while Elmo and Dazzler had pints in The Fountain on Meath Street. If you want to relive Siobhan’s party, visit the Palace nightclub on Camden Street. Frankly, events in other locations get a bit grisly, so maybe stick to the party spots!

Before there was Christian Grey and Fifty Shades, there was Paul Spector and The Fall. The BBC2 thriller that made Jamie Dornan a star, The Fall was filmed in Belfast, and starred former X Files actress Gillian Anderson, as well as Irish actors Emmet Scanlan and Gerard McCarthy of Hollyoaks fame. The psychological thriller follows a serial killer who stalks his victims in and around the city of Belfast, and used the city to great and terrifying effect. A third series of the show has been announced, and will hopefully be hitting our screens in 2016, so don’t be surprised if you see Anderson and the crew wandering around Belfast this autumn!

The British comedy series Blandings is based on author PG Wodehouse’s hilarious accounts of the life and times of Lord Emsworth of Blanding Castle. It was filmed at Crom Castle in Co. Fermanagh and stars well-known actors such as Timothy Spall, Jennifer Saunders, David Walliams and Mark Williams. To capture the pomp and circumstance of the story, the series was filmed on the site of the beautiful Victorian-era Crom Estate, which also contains the ruins of the Old Castle, and a tower house. Some scenes were also filmed at Florence Court, a National Trust property near Kinawley in south-west County Fermanagh.

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Enterprise – Golf Rory McIlroy: The host of the tournament will start as favourite

Shane Lowry: The 2009 winner will be looking to repeat the feat at Royal County Down

James Nesbitt: Teeing up in the Pro-Am event

The Championship Course at Royal County Down will host the best players in the world at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open from May 26 – 31; with Premier Irish Golf Tours, you too can test yourself against the famous 'bearded bunkers'...

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WIDELY REGARDED AS ONE OF THE FINEST COURSES IN THE WORLD, A 76-YEAR WAIT IS FINALLY ENDED AS THE 2015 DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH OPEN RETURNS TO ROYAL COUNTY DOWN GOLF CLUB. BY COLM O'REGAN

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rom May 28-31, the eyes of the golfing world will be on Ireland, as the cream of the world’s players tee off at Royal County Down Golf Club for the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. An international field jam-packed with major winners will compete for the title claimed 12 months ago by Mikko Ilonen, but to do so they’ll have to get to grips with one of the golfing world’s greatest challenges.

The Championship course, one of the oldest in Ireland, first opened in 1889, and has been beloved of generations of players from home and abroad ever since. Its fourth and ninth holes have been identified as two of the greatest on the planet, while the infamous ‘bearded’ bunkers, featuring overhanging lips of heather, have been responsible for more than a few sleepless nights for golfers through the years!

Set against the Mountains of Mourne, the incredible landscape creates a naturally stunning setting, as well as a serious challenge for even the most accomplished of professionals. The 18 holes are recognised as among the toughest around, and an all-time course record of a five-under-par 66 suggests that low scoring may not be the order of the day!

Then again, there may never have been a stronger field assembled for the Irish Open, aided in no small part by Rory McIlroy’s charitable venture, The Rory Foundation, assuming hosting duties this year. Of course, McIlroy himself has named Royal County Down as his favourite place to play, so perhaps he’ll have designs on that course record himself…

HOMEGROWN HEROES While Royal County Down rolls out the red carpet to welcome some of the finest talent the golf world has to offer, the best of the lot won’t have far to travel. Hailing from Holywood – scarcely a well-hit three wood from the course – Down’s own Rory McIlroy arrives as World No. 1, bookies’ favourite, and the undisputed star of the show. He’s not short of form either, following up on his top-5 Masters finish with a win at the WGC-Cadillac Match Play in San Francisco earlier in the month.

The host of the tournament is joined by fellow Major championship winners Graham McDowell, Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington, as well as the last Irishman to win on home soil, Shane

Lowry. His victory at County Louth in 2009 was the launchpad for his professional career, and a repeat success isn’t out of the question this time around.

Talking to Enterprise recently, the big Offaly man revealed he is feeling good about his game.

“Speaking to my coach lately, he reckons I’m handling myself better than ever on the course; especially around the week of a big tournament,” he said.

And while being surrounded by his Irish colleagues is something to be enjoyed, his close alliance with Harrington and co. will be left behind at the first tee.

“For the 18 holes, you’re out there to compete and to win,” smiled the 27 year old. “That’s the only reason I’m there, anyway; though I do have a lot of friends out there, I’m not there to make friends. No one ever became one of the best golfers in the world by making friends!”

THE FOREIGN LEGION A bonus of being the world’s greatest golfer – aside from the money, the status, and the spectacular lifestyle – is that one builds up a pretty impressive phone book. That’s why, when Rory McIlroy was announced as host of the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, some of the finest players on the globe were answering the call to pack their clubs and head for Royal County Down.

The charge will be led by Rickie Fowler, a recent winner at the Players Championship, who once squared up to McIlroy on the links of Royal County Down in their amateur Walker Cup days. Since then, the pair have become both good friends and fierce rivals, and the Las Vegas native would relish the opportunity to grab the glory in the Irish golfer’s back yard.

Of course, the ever-colourful Fowler isn’t the only transatlantic talent ready to storm the north, as Patrick Reed also takes his place in the field. The stand-out player in the USA’s unsuccessful Ryder Cup effort last year, his brash personality is sure to create quite the atmosphere in the galleries.

A large contingent of his Ryder Cup opponents will also be vying for the title; Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Stephen Gallacher and Lee Westwood among the Team Europe heroes competing, while more of the continent’s finest line up in the shape of former World No. 1 Luke Donald and the defending champion, Mikko Ilonen.

Throw in the likes of Ernie Els, and a host of

young up-and-comers looking to make their big break, and the field for this year’s tournament could well be the strongest ever assembled.

HITS AND GIGGLES Before the serious business begins, a day of great entertainment is in store as stars of sports, stage and screen tee off in the Pro Am competition.

Teaming familiar faces with the experts, there’s sure to be some quality action – and a few laughs too – to start the festivities.

The legendary Tony McCoy will be making his first major appearance since his retirement from racing, and the Antrim man is sure to receive a rapturous reception. There’s plenty more sporting heroes who’ll be switching disciplines for the day; the inimitable Dennis Taylor, Aussie cricket icon Shane Warne, Irish rugby international Stephen Ferris and footballing favourites Jamie Redknapp and Pat Jennings will be swapping their cues, bats and boots for irons, woods and wedges.

Screen star James Nesbitt will be teeing up too, as will funnyman Patrick Kielty and the national treasure that is George Hook. While the competitive instincts might kick in, there’s also bound to be fun and games on the course; the perfect way to warm up for the four days of altogether more meaningful action over the weekend!

TOUR DE FORCE If you’d rather be on the fairways yourself than watching from the sidelines, then Premier Irish Gold Tours have you covered. Offering the ultimate service to golf enthusiasts, a new tour package includes the opportunity to play at some of Northern Ireland’s finest courses, including Royal County Down, the site of the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Royal Portrush, Castlerock, Ardglass and Portstewart are just a selection of the other topclass courses where you can tee up.

In addition to Northern Ireland’s finest, Premier Irish Golf Tours also offers packages throughout Ireland including many of the world’s top championship courses. With customised tours built to suit your needs, and expert assistance every step of the way, they provide a one-stop shop for groups of all sizes.

For more information on how they can help arrange the perfect golfing trip for you, visit premieririshgolftours.com or call +353 (0)89 411 0421.

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Enterprise – Feature

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ACCLAIMED NEW NOVELIST SARA BAUME DISCUSSES HER RISING LITERARY STARDOM AND HOW HER DOG BECAME HER BIGGEST INFLUENCE.

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otly tipped new novelist Sara Baume is explaining the origins of her name. “I’m Irish, really, although I was born in the UK,” the 30-year-old stick-thin brunette explains. “My dad is a Yorkshireman, and the name is Flemish, so from Belgium originally. The Baumes were Flemish carpet-weavers who came over to the north of England, and apparently the carpet-weaving business was no good, so they started working in the mills. My family would have passed down through them. That’s where the weird name comes from.”

Although she grew up and came of age in Cork, Baume doesn’t speak with any discernible trace of a Corkonian accent. She moved to Dublin immediately after her Leaving Cert to study fine art at the Dún Laoghaire College of Art and Design.

Even as a child, she had always displayed an artistic bent. “When I was a kid I didn’t play sports or instruments, I drew pictures and wrote stories,” she recalls. “And so my entire life since is just repeating those things – a more sophisticated version of them. So yeah they’re kind of one and the same, but I worry sometimes. I’m always aware that I never studied literature, and I’m not an expert in any sense. I’m glad I had the visual art background. It kind of came together for me in a more interesting way.”

While writing fiction wasn’t her original ambition, she had been occasionally submitting short stories to literary journals for years.

“After I finished art college, I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to go in,” she admits. “I’d focused on sculpture, but to be honest I didn’t have many practical skills when I left. So I did the creative writing MA in Trinity. The first thing I had published was a story in The Stinging Fly called ‘Still Turning Slowly’. It was shortly after I’d done my Masters, and I was just so pleased. I was like, ‘I’m made now!’ Then that was it for about four years!”

It took quite some time, but her literary career gradually gathered momentum. The worthy winner of the 2014 Davy Byrnes Short Story Award, Baume has just had her curiously titled debut novel, Spill Simmer Falter Wither, published by new

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Irish indie imprint Tramp Press.

Written over the course of two “torturous” years, her novel is an astonishing literary achievement.

Focusing on an oddball loner and his vicious oneeyed dog, it’s a tail (sic) of a wholly different kind of love affair that spans the four seasons echoed in the Beckettian title.

Alone, most likely autistic or Aspergian, and largely shunned by his neighbours, the narrator lives a sad, purposeless life in a small Irish coastal village. When he rescues a half-blind mutt from the pound, ‘One Eye’ soon becomes the centre of his universe.

“The dog is my dog, Wink,” she reveals, smiling.

“He’s such a little asshole. I think he was the inspiration. Not long after I finished my Masters, I was just lost. I think all creative people go through that period of being lost, and visual art is so vague to make a life out of. You can drift. I didn’t want to get drawn into climbing the ladder, getting a curator’s job or whatever, so I moved to the country in Cork, where the rents were cheaper, and got a dog."

As happens in the novel, the dog quickly changed her life. "Wink was just a great form of therapy, I suppose, even though he’s a terrible dog.

He needs to be muzzled everywhere you go. He just needed me in a way that nothing else did. You get out of bed in the morning because you’ve got to let the dog out. A lot of the book is about the sort of small sense of wonder. The dog just cares so much about everything. All animals are the same; they just live for the moment."

“So I suppose I was experiencing that through the dog. Also after living in the city for so many years, doing things like going to the cinema and listening to music, suddenly all that was taken away and I just had the natural world – the sea and the dog – and I suppose it honed all of my senses.”

A story about love, loneliness and nature, there’s a plot with a fairly macabre twist at the end. What makes the novel such a compelling read is Baume’s gift for language.

Her evocative descriptions of the natural world are particularly impressive. “I grew up in the countryside but at 18 came up to Dublin, went to art school, and then kind of forgot all the stuff I knew. You know the way when you’re a kid you

know the names of all the wildflowers and the names of the birds in Irish? This kind of stuff! And I was sad that I’d forgotten those things so the book was kind of a process of re-learning them. I’ve probably forgotten them again now!”

Spill Simmer Falter Wither is published by Tramp Press.

FAMOUS IRISH FEMALE DEBUTS WITHOUT MY CLOAK – KATE O’BRIEN (1931)

Set in the 1870s, Kate O’Brien’s debut novel was a Victorian family saga which told the story of a prosperous Irish Catholic household from the fictional town of Mellick. It was awarded the James Tait Memorial Prize for its powerful portrait of family life.

THE COUNTRY GIRLS – EDNA O’BRIEN (1960)

Given its themes of gender inequality, sexual taboos and the stifling religious mentality of Irish society, it’s little wonder that Edna O’Brien’s debut was banned upon publication.

A trailblazer for Irish female writers, she is set to publish a new novel, The Little Red Chairs, later this year at the age of 84.

BREAKFAST IN BABYLON – EMER MARTIN (1995)

Written with scalpel-sharp humour and raw story-telling verve, Emer Martin’s semiautobiographical Breakfast in Babylon explored the life of a young Irishwoman trying to survive in the Parisian underworld.

It deservedly won ‘Book of the Year’ at the 1996 Listowel Writers’ Week.

PS, I LOVE YOU – CECILIA AHERN (2004)

OK, so it was chicklit but, launched with a massive amount of hype and publicity, Cecilia Ahern’s debut novel sold by the truckload and was turned into a Hollywood movie starring Hilary Swank. It probably helped that she was the daughter of the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

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HE’S STILL BEST KNOWN FOR WITHNAIL AND I. BUT NOW CULT ACTOR RICHARD E GRANT IS BRANCHING OUT, WITH A BLOCK-BUSTING FORAY INTO...YES, PERFUME. PHOTOS

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ince starring as one of the silver screen’s most famous drunks in 1987’s Withnail and I, Richard E Grant has become a beloved household name. He went on to appear in such varied movies as Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Iron Lady, Gosford Park and Spice World and, on the small screen, Dr.Who, Downton Abbey and Girls.

Most recently, he has added perfumer to his extensive list of roles. His debut scent Jack launched exclusively in Liberty in London last year, quickly becoming its biggest seller. We caught up with him at Brown Thomas Dublin, where he was unveiling the follow-up, Jack Covent Garden.

“Jack became Liberty’s third best seller against all these huge brands within a few months of its launch, I was just astonished!” he laughs. “I am now working on a third one as we speak. It’s a London landmark name that I have a history with and it has an incredible history of its own. Because I’m waiting to see whether I get the trademark application granted I can’t say what the name is!”

Grant, a self-described ‘compulsive smeller’, has had a long relationship with fragrances since a fruitless attempt to woo a girl with a home-made potion when he was a young boy.

“I picked all the gardenia and rose petals from my parents' garden much to their annoyance, boiled them in water in a jam jar and buried in the garden for two weeks,” he remembers. “I unveiled it thinking that this would be my big love potion.

It was a stink bomb, a disaster. She said it was the thought that counted though.” (Laughs) Given his prodigious output, I wonder how he manages to fit his new project in given his considerable workload.

“My father died when I was 24, at the age of 52, I have outlived him by six years. I feel that every year past his 52 is a bonus,” he says. “That made such a profound impact on me and my work ethic and has made me fearless about trying to do what I would like to do in the time I have. Making perfume was a risk, but I thought the worst that could happen is nobody buys it and I lose money.

That didn’t happen. It still could. But the reviews have been good so my sense is it will do well.”

In terms of acting projects, his latest is a television

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adaptation of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

“It’s a 10-part series set forward in time into the 1930s around the grandson of Jekyll. I am playing the head of the secret service,” he notes. “Charlie Higson created the whole series. He is a brilliant mind and has a great sense of humour, as you know from The Fast Show. When I met him he asked me how I saw the part, I told him what I thought and he just said, ‘Bullseye! That’s exactly what we have in mind’ and I was offered the part.

Perhaps Richard’s biggest television role yet was his part in Brit blockbuster Downton Abbey; to what does he attribute the widespread rabid fandom?

“I don’t know!” he laughs. “It’s odd, the Asian and American markets are obsessed with it too. I think that in a world where the silhouette of our age is somebody with their head bent looking with intense focus at a mobile phone, maybe seeing another way of life that is not too many generations, that has multiple stories upstairs and downstairs, provides a sort of voyeurism looking through the peephole of history.”

Moving closer to the present day, one of Richard’s most fulfilling screen performances was portraying Conservative leader Michael Heseltine opposite Meryl Streep in Thatcher biopic The Iron Lady.

“Meryl is the best of the best of the best,” he smiles. “She has an absolutely astonishing ability to make all this legend around her – the 16 Oscar nominations, the three wins and all of that – disappear because she engages with you, she is incredibly in the moment, incredibly well read and there is no pretence. The protean nature of her talent is unsurpassed, well certainly by anybody in my lifetime, there is nobody who comes close to what she does.”

“And everybody loves her at the same time,” he adds. “Also, she is not Mary Poppins/Goody Two Shoes, she is hilarious and sexy. The most surreal moment I remember was when we were filming a corridor scene set in Westminister and, fully dressed as Mrs Thatcher between shoots, she would break out into a medley of Abba songs! To see Margaret Thatcher channelled by Meryl Streep singing ‘Waterloo’ was most enjoyable!”

Another talented alpha female he had the pleasure of working with was Lena Dunham, creator and star of smash hit Girls. An avowed fan

of Grant, she cast him as a recovering addict in four episodes of the show.

“Lena is a multi-hypenate talent, she writes, produces, stars and also nurtures everyone on her set,” he enthuses. “She wears her authority over a crew of 120 people or with such lightness and dexterity married to no sense of how much power she really wields. Yet her authority is innate.”

In the series Grant’s character gets romantically entangled with one of the key cast members, which added to his enjoyment of the experience.

“It was hilarious because I was the same age as most of the girls’ fathers, so to be jumping one of them – Jemima Kirke – was hilarious for me and probably absolutely horrifying for her!” he laughs.

“They were so open, welcoming, accommodating and all the things you could hope for.”

As for his most famous screen addict Withnail, does he find himself haunted by the character? Is there resentment of any kind?

“Not at all, it opened every door for me,” he states. “I met Peter O’Toole who was forever Lawrence of Arabia in people’s eyes and Joel Grey who is forever Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret and Tim Curry who is forever Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The common denominator is that no matter what else you do, that is the thing that people mark you for. I suppose on some level you're not forgiven for not being that person forever more, but some actors have only played one part. Thankfully I haven’t been stuck playing alcoholics all my life!”

“It (Withnail) is not something I feel negatively about at all,” he stresses. “When I realise that people are still watching it and discovering it, it's an astonishment to me because next year it is 30 years old. And the fact that people still quote from it is testament to how great the writing is. It essentially deals with failure and the end of a friendship.

Most people have encountered failure or have had friendships that were incredibly intense and then dissolve and you never get them back, so they are universal themes.”

As for his Irish visit, Richard is delighted to visit these shores again.

“As a tribe you talk more than I do!” he laughs.

“When I first came to Ireland I remember thinking, ‘wow, these people actually talk more than I do! I feel very at home here, I love it!”

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B E A U T Y Q U E E N AOIFE STUART-MADGE MEETS SARAH BEAN, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF COTY IRELAND, A COSMETICS COMPANY WITH A PORTFOLIO OF MEGA-BRANDS INCLUDING RIMMEL, LANCASTER AND OPI. PHOTOS

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y her own admission, Sarah Bean is not a risk-taker. So at 29, when she was headhunted to launch the Irish subsidiary of Coty International, the global beauty leader, it was a heart-pounding moment. It would mean not only leaving the relative security of her managerial position at rival cosmetics firm Procter & Gamble, but also establishing the portfolio of Coty brands on Irish soil from the bottom up. “At the time, I was one of just two people in the Irish office,” reflects Sarah. “I didn’t really have a support structure around me, so I had to wing it!”

For Sarah, this meant jumping out of the comfort zone of eight years spent managing a portfolio of established brands at P&G that she knew inside out – including the top three hair care brands in the Irish market –and building Coty’s Irish office from scratch. “That was a huge move away from a structure and an incredible portfolio of brands that I was very familiar with; that I loved working in and was very comfortable in. I jumped out of that into quite an unknown role where I was totally empowered to develop the business on my own,” says Sarah. “It was like running my own business but with the backing of an international company.”

And, just like any new start-up, Sarah had to take control of all aspects of the business from day one, which involved venturing into the unchartered territory of financial reporting. “That was an area that I really needed to develop skills in,” Sarah admits. “It was quite daunting, but hugely

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rewarding as well.”

Eighteen years on, Sarah says she’s been reminded of those early days by reading Sheryl Sandberg’s book, Lean In. “Her overarching principle is that women are not as good at men at taking a leap where they may not necessarily have all the skills that they need to get to that next step, but they can learn those skills on the job,” says Sarah. “When I was offered this role, I put my hand up with my boss at the time and said, ‘There are a couple of areas that I am not strong in, but I know I can learn and I know I can develop those skills.’”

And develop those skills she did. Sarah now manages a team of ten financiers and marketers who have established Coty Ireland as a beauty force to be reckoned with. “I built this business over 18 years and we have had many celebrations; we have had many successes and hit many business targets, but it’s really difficult to beat that early achievement,” Sarah says. “If I was to identify a real milestone in my career it would be that: stepping out and taking a risk and doing something that required a lot of courage and independence.”

A huge part of Sarah’s success she attributes to her team around her, who are all entrusted with a high level of responsibility. In the same way Sarah was given the freedom to learn on her own in the early part of her career, she affords her colleagues the same freedom. "One of the key things for me was that I had a manager who really believed in empowering people and letting them learn from their mistakes, and that helped me really be independent from quite a young age.” She adds, “For me, the crucial skill is empowering the

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Sarah in the COTY Ireland head office in Rathfarnham

people who work for me. If everybody is restricted by my decisions and my input, then progress is very slow. I have to recognise that everybody on the team has to bring their own opinions, their own skills and their own ideas.

And it makes people more passionate and committed, and more creative if they are empowered to take responsibility themselves. That empowerment is important.”

On an international level, Sarah admits one of the highlights of her job is meeting colleagues from different countries. “I love sharing and learning from their experience. I love bringing home ideas that they’ve implemented in different countries, and looking at ways we could implement new ideas here.

That exposure to a group of skilled people all over the world has been a huge benefit for me.” In particular, she cites Johanna Businelli, senior vice president of Marketing Colour Cosmetics for Coty Beauty, as an inspiration. “We were peers at general manager level – she ran the Italian business – and she just has phenomenal energy; she has great passion for the industry. What I really admire about her more than anything is this willingness to contribute to the corporate debate. It’s something I try and encourage my team to do and push myself to do as much as possible: to just develop strong opinions and make your voice heard; to have a say in what is going on and be involved in the debate. She is brilliant at that.”

Another key component in her success, admits Sarah, is her strong work ethic – a legacy of growing up in the family grocery distribution business. “I grew up with retail and consumer brands in my blood,” she says. “I think probably what got me to where I am today is an internal drive. I’m naturally someone who is very conscientious, so I’m really passionate about doing a great job. In a sense, that takes you anywhere...When you are driven by doing a great job, that is something that comes from inside.”

On the face of it, the beauty industry may seem incredibly glamorous, admits Sarah, but her days spent number-crunching far outweigh days spent rubbing shoulders with celebrity spokesmodels and attending beauty launches. Yes, there’s the free beauty loot one might imagine, but day-to-day, Sarah says her working day involves a lot of “looking at results against targets and staying on top of corporate initiatives.”

Of course, with celebrity fragrances by Beyoncé, David Beckham and Jennifer Lopez in her stable, opportunities to attend star-studded beauty launches are commonplace – but it’s unlikely you’ll find Sarah clambering to get behind the velvet rope. “I’ve had so many opportunities to meet [famous] people over the years, but I always tend to look at what is the best business decision. At the heart of it, I’m a phenomenally practical person. As a result of that, if there is a global PR event, we would send a member of the local press and sacrifice a member of our own team attending. We always look at return on investment. I know that sounds terribly practical, but that’s the reality.”

It’s hard to imagine a more convincing testament to Sarah’s dedication to the job - after all, there aren’t many women who would turn down a date with David Beckham in the name of profit margins!

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Credit Where It’s Due Small businesses who find it difficult to access credit can petition the government’s Credit Review Office for a second opinion.

D

uring the financial crisis many small businesses found it increasingly difficult to access credit - a situation which continues to be a bit of a concern. Responding to these difficulties the government established The Credit Review Office, which is tasked with ensuring viable businesses and farms have access to credit for working capital and investment.

Since 2010, the office has helped SMEs overturn finance decisions declined by banks. Over 50% of banking decisions have been overruled, while the total facility that can be appealed has been raised to €3 million from €500,000. In 2013 this resulted in 29.7m of credit being released into the system, helping support more than 2,000 jobs.

The outcome of the review process for the borrower is an independent and impartial opinion on the credit decision. If The Credit Review Office’s opinion is that the lending could have made within acceptable risk boundaries, the bank is required to comply with the recommendation or explain why it will not do so.

One beneficiary of the initiative is Darren Grant, owner of the Organic Supermarket in Blackrock, Dublin. With his business growing in 2010 he was declined further funding and looked to The Credit Review Office for a second opinion.

At present the participating banks are Allied Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland.

Ulster Bank and Permanent TSB have also agreed to join the process.

“Their decision saved our business,” he says. “Business owners need to know about The Credit Review Office. If you’ve been refused credit, use them. We’re the largest organic retailer in Ireland, all because The Credit Review Office helped us get that loan.”

With a credit line secured, the business has gone from strength to strength, and has also opened branches in Rathgar and Malahide. If your business has had credit facilities refused, reduced or withdrawn, has had difficulty getting credit or loan facilities of up to €3 million, or has had an unfavourable change to existing credit terms and conditions – contact The Credit Review Office at creditreview.ie

Enterprise – Enter & Win

Win an overnight stay at Glen Gat Guesthouse with an evening meal at Dundalk Stadium’s Champion’s Restaurant

(above) Glen Gat Guesthouse and Carlingford Lough (below) Dundalk Stadium.

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len Gat Guesthouse is an award-winning Victorian townhouse B&B, located right in the heart of Dundalk. Boasting comfortable rooms that still retain many original period features, it provides the perfect location to explore Dundalk. The vibrant town centre is packed with shopping areas, restaurants and bars. For something entertaining and educational, try The County Museum. Based in an impressively restored distillery warehouse at Roden Place, it's a

treasure trove for history fans and open Tuesday to Saturday.

Champion’s Restaurant, situated in Dundalk Stadium, offers an award-winning dining experience and the perfect view of the track.

With an emphasis on local seasonal produce, head chef Alexion Ramos and his team have earned awards for excellence, while the action below – whether horse or greyhound racing – is sure to provide a night of excitement.

THE PRIZE The lucky winner will enjoy an overnight stay for two at Glen Gat Guesthouse, and an evening at Dundalk Stadium including a meal at Champion’s Restaurant.

To enter, simply email your answers to enterprise@hotpress.ie. Please include your contact details, and let us know the station at which you picked up your copy of Enterprise.

THE QUESTIONS A) Which former Irish soccer manager was born in Co. Louth?

1. Brian Kerr 2. Steve Staunton 3. Mick McCarthy B) Which Northern Irish musician achieved success with the albums Astral Weeks and Days Like This?

1. Van Morrison 2. Phil Coulter 3. Paul Brady C Which famous author published The Cormoran Strikes under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith?

1. Dan Brown 2. Ian Rankin 3. J.K. Rowling

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T H E

M O U R N

The neighbouring border counties of Down and Armagh are home to two examples of Northern Ireland’s most strikingly beautiful natural scenery – the Mourne Mountain Range and the Ring Of Gullion. Peter McNally takes you through the area’s many attractions, from outdoor activities and sightseeing destinations to shopping outlets, and the best of food and drink.

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ucked away in the southeast corner of Northern Ireland, just a short distance from Dublin and Belfast, the Mourne Mountains and the Ring of Gullion have been officially designated for conservation as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

In Co. Down, the Mourne Mountains stretch across the southeast of the county. From Dundrum Bay to Carlingford Lough, the range culminates in the highest peak in Northern Ireland, Slieve Donard – reaching a height of 848 metres. The closely grouped granite peaks provide a strikingly dramatic backdrop to views throughout the southeast corner of Northern Ireland. In southern Co. Armagh, the Ring of Gullion is a unique geological formation and the best example of a volcanic ring dyke in Ireland and the UK. The first of its kind to be geologically mapped, the low stony hills form a defensive wall around the heatherclad Slieve Gullion mountain.

Steeped in myth and legend, this part of the country is said to have been C.S. Lewis’ inspiration for the fictional world of Narnia in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. The author wrote of the area surrounding Slieve Donard, “I have seen landscapes which, under a particular light, made me feel that at any moment a giant might raise his head over the next ridge”. Indeed, this is a land that has inspired writers, poets and songwriters for centuries. Home to legends of mythical Irish heroes like Fionn MacCumhaill and Cú Chulainn, the Mourne Mountains and the Ring of Gullion feature fine examples of the island’s cultural heritage in the form of megalithic tombs, early Christian monuments and the historic mountain pass known as the ‘Gap of the North’.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES The dramatic landscape of the Mourne Mountains and the Ring of Gullion are tailor made for adventure seekers interested in getting the most out of their natural surroundings. As areas earmarked for natural conservation, the scenic

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countryside has been remarkably untouched and is ripe for discovery. From hill-walking, cycling and rock climbing to sailing and canoeing, there is much on offer for the outdoor enthusiast. For those who prefer to holiday at a slower pace, Co. Armagh and Co. Down have some of the nation’s finest golf clubs, nature trails and historical sites.

The best way to explore everything that the Mountains of Mourne and the Ring of Gullion have to offer is to tackle their terrain head on by following established scenic walking routes, or by joining a guided walking or cycling tour of the area. Information on all guided tours and adventure centres can be found at visitmournemountains. co.uk.

There are many scenic walking routes for all ages and abilities along the Ring of Gullion and its surrounding areas. The Poets Trail is made up of four routes that pass a number of points of interest and cultural heritage, including Poets Glen, the Urney Graveyard, Creggan Graveyard and Ballykeel Dolmen. Other walking routes in the area include the Slieve Gullion Mountain Walk, with a chance to visit the neolithic Court Tomb, and the Ring of Gullion Way – a 36-mile walk starting in Newry, circling around the Ring of Gullion and returning to Newry via Bessbrook.

In the Mourne Mountains, various companies and organisations offer guided walking and cycling tours. The walking tours will take you to the top of Slieve Donard, or along the Smuggler’s Trail – beginning at the coast and on through the mountains, passing Ben Crom resevoir and crossing through the Hare’s Gap. There are also high level hikes to the tops of Slieve Binnian and Slieve Bearnagh. Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor and Donard Forest, Newcastle provide routes of a more family friendly nature. There are four waymarked trails through Donard Forest that pass an array of picturesque cascades and waterfalls fringed by broadleaved woodland. The Narnia Trail through Kilbroney Forest Park is popular with young and old alike. The trail is entered through a wardrobe and leads visitors past several interpretative stations that illustrate the life of CS Lewis and his work’s connection to the area. Lewis reportedly said, ”That

part of Rostrevor which overlooks Carlingford Lough is my idea of Narnia”.

There is also a range of cycling tours that cater to those of all abilities. Various routes take in sights like the market town of Castlewellan, the charming fishing village of Annalong (site of the Annalong Cornmill – one of the last working watermills in Ireland), Legananny Dolmen, Spelga Dam, Silent Valley and Rourke’s Park. For more experienced and extreme cyclists the chance to take on the lung-busting ascent of Slievemartin is a must. From here you can enjoy a stunning view of Carlingford Lough before returning by one of the many exciting descents.

Taking full advantage of the close proximity of the contrasting landscapes of Co. Down’s coast and the Mourne Mountains, a whole range of adventure centres and experienced guides offer something for thrillseekers of all ages and abilities.

Outside Rostrevor there is access to a range of activities that make the most out of the geography of the Mourne Mountains, including rock-climbing, abseiling, archery, hill-walking, bouldering, mountain-biking, orienteering and scrambling. In nearby Warrenpoint, activities take place on the beautiful Carlingford Lough. Here you can relax in the outdoor salt-water “Warrenpoint Baths” or indulge in a range of adrenaline raising activities, ranging from kayaking and banana boating to jetskiing, pier jumping and canoeing.

It is unsurprising that a part of the country designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has produced some of the most picturesque and well-regarded world-class golf courses you could hope to find. The Royal County Down Golf Course in Newcastle is home to this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open (May 29 – 31). Hosted

by Down native and world number one, Rory McIlroy, the event will attract the best in world golf – including homegrown heroes Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell. Ardglass, Warrenpoint and Kilkeel Golf Clubs have also been home to major tournaments like the Irish Professional Championship, the Ladies European Tour, the British Amateur Championship and the Senior British Open. With more outstanding courses

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nearby, like St. Patrick's Golf Club, Downpatrick, Spa, Ballinahinch and Banbridge – the south east corner of Northern Ireland is an essential destination for golfing enthusiasts.

SHOPPING

For bargain hunters from south of the border and locals alike, the towns and cities surrounding the Ring of Gullion and the Moutains of Mourne offer plenty of opportunities to stretch the euros and pounds. Newry, part of both Co. Down and Co. Armagh, is split in half by the Clanryre River and is one of the country’s oldest towns. In 2002 Newry was granted city status and since then has

been described by The New York Times as “the hottest shopping spot within the European Union’s open borders, a place where consumers armed with euros enjoy a currency discount averaging 30 percent or more.” With all the modern amenities of a bustling city, from busy shopping centres and discount outlets, to the quaint charm of local artisan produce found in the fishing villages along the coast – the areas surrounding the Mourne Mountains and the Ring of Gullion are among the hottest retail spots on the island.

The Outlet in Banbridge has over 50 stores offering a host of exclusive brands. Situated ten minutes north of Newry, it is possible to find

discounts of 30% to 70% off the RRP here. The Original Factory Shop, in Warrenpoint, has been offering big brand homeware products at factory prices since it opened in 1969. For high street fashion, featuring brands like Debenhams, Next, River Island, Monsoon, Oasis, HMV, Topshop/ Man, H&M and Primark – Newry’s two all purpose shopping centres, The Buttercrane and The Quays, are located in the centre of town, right across the road from each other. These two shopping centres are a large part of the reason why Newry has gained a reputation as one of the best provincial shopping-towns in Northern Ireland, attracting visitors from all over the island.

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Cycle Trail

Royal County Down Golf Course

For artisan produce, regular markets are held in the market towns of Ballygowan, Ballynahinch and Dromore, and fresh produce is always easy to locate in the harbour and seaside towns of Kilkeel, Annalong, Ardglass, Donaghdee and Killyleagh. Newry Variety Market, located at John Mitchel Place, is a historic market that will always give the keen shopper a chance to find a bargain. With over 70 stalls every Thursday and Saturday, the market is a great place to find the finest local fish, baked goods, clothing for all ages and handmade art, crafts and gifts.

There are many opportunities to purchase traditional and contemporary artisan crafts throughout the region, from The Ring of Gullion to Strangford Lough. In the seaside town of Newcastle, The Newcastle Visitor Information Centre stocks work from many local craft producers including designer knitwear, jewellery, pottery, woodcarvings, and hand painted silks.

FOOD & DRINK

Located between Newry and Armagh, and convenient for a visit to Slieve Gullion, lies a hidden gem called the Bide-A-While Country Tea Room (facebook.com/pages/Bide-A-WhileCountry-Tea-Room). A perfect place to stop awhile and enjoy the beautiful countryside of South Armagh, just

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outside of Mountnorris, this little café offers a great selection of homemade delights – from scones, wheaten bread, cakes and apple tarts to soups and delicious toasted sandwiches.

On a sunny day in Newry there is no better treat than a stop into the famous Timoney’s Homemade IceCream (timoneysicecream.co.uk).

With locations in Newry and now in Warrenpoint, this family run business has been in operation for over 80 years, serving the best in ice-creams, milkshakes and old school confectionary (still sold by the quarter).

The Brass Monkey (facebook. com/thebrassmonkeynewry) in Newry has entertained locals for nearly four decades. The bar has a country farmhouse atmosphere with lots of character and a menu that consists of the best of local produce. Their selection of specialist coffees and delicious fresh baked pastries mean it is a perfect destination for a late dinner or a light lunch.

Owned by the Vinaccia family since 1973, Aldo’s Restaurant in the coastal village of Ardglass, Downpatrick, Co. Down is something of a local institution. A cosy Italian restaurant, Aldo’s serves first class seafood, pasta and vegetarian dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.

On the other side of Strangford Lough, beside the picturesque harbour

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S I G H T S E E I N G

Strangford Lough

There are an abundance of historical sites of interest in the areas surrounding The Mountains of Mourne and the Ring of Gullion. Attractions such as the Ballykeel Portal Tomb, or “The Hag’s Chair” in Co. Armagh and the Ballymacdermot Court Tomb in Co. Down give insight into the deep past of the area. Both can be found within the Ring of Gullion and are examples of Neolithic burial sites that can be dated to between 4,000 and 2,000 B.C. From these sites you can experience panoramic views of Slieve Gullion and the smaller hills of the ring dyke, as well as the Mourne and Cooley mountain ranges.

Visitors may wish to avail of Experience Gullion Tours (facebook.com/experiencegulliontours), local guides who will teach you about the tombs but also nearby sights such as Killeavy Castle, Creggan

Churchyard, Bessbrook Village – a historic Quaker ‘model’ village – Castle Roche, Moyry Castle, and much more.

Close to Moyry Castle and the border with County Louth stands the Kilnasaggart Inscribed Stone.

Regarded as one of the oldest inscribed stones in Ireland, it has been dated to the 8th Century and marks the site of an early Christian graveyard.

Moyry Castle, itself, was built in the 17th century to guard the strategic mountain pass known as Moyry Pass or the ‘Gap of the North’ and it will be familiar landmark to Belfast/Dublin rail travellers.

In the Mourne Mountains the Dundrum Castle and Heritage Trail (visitmournemountains.co.uk) in Newcastle, promote the historic life and times of Dundrum Village through tours of the castle, built

in 1177, and its surrounding attractions. Some of these include Dundrum House, Downshire Arms, St. Donard’s Church of Ireland and Murlough National Nature Reserve. Departing from Belfast, the Kingdom of Mourne & St. Patrick’s Country Tour (belfastcitysightseeing.com) is a comprehensive tour of the Mourne Mountain range and its surrounding towns. Sights include, The Ards Peninsula, Strangford Lough, Downpatrick and the Church of Ireland Cathedral where Saint Patrick’s remains are buried, Newcastle, Slieve Donard, Rostrevor and Carlingford Lough.

Located near Newry city centre, Bagenal’s Castle (bagenalscastle.com); the restored 16th Century fortified house that houses The Newry and Mourne Museum, is a great place to learn about the history of the area through exhibitions that range from prehistory to the recent past. One of the key exhibitions, ‘A Border Town’s Experience of the 20th Century’, examines local attitudes to major political and economic events of the 20th century.

The restored banquet room is used year round for seasonal and family events.

The historic buildings of the eighteenth century County Gaol of Down house The Down County Museum (downcountymuseum.com). This museum collects, conserves and exhibits artefacts relating to the history, people and folklore of the county. The Museum's permanent exhibitions include Down Through Time, which explores 9000 years of human history in County Down.

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Strangford

Three names worth mentioning are the Whitewater Brewery (whitewaterbrewery.com), the Armagh Cider Company (armaghcider. com) and Clanconnel Brewing Co. (mcgrathsirishales.com), County Down. The Whitewater Brewery is situated amidst the stunning scenery of the Mountains of Mourne and produces the award-winning Belfast Ale and Clotworthy Dobbin. The Armagh Cider Company have been growing apples on their home farm in Ballinteggart, Portadown since 1898, only recently turning their hand to cider production. Using the locally grown Armagh Bramley apple, the company has produced some delicious ciders to award-winning effect. Clanconnel Brewing Co. produce a range of McGrath’s natural, high quality, hand crafted Premium Irish Ales.

Murlough

OTHER EVENTS

17th Annual International Guinness Blues on the Bay Festival MAY 20–25 Food & Blues Festival, Newcastle MAY 30–31 29th Annual Fiddler’s Green International Festival, Rostrevor JULY 19–26

at Donaghdee you’ll find Pier 36 (pier36.co.uk), a restaurant that Hot Press: Best of Ireland recently reported had the best seafood pub and restaurant menu in County Down.

The restaurant is famous for its awardwinning fish dishes created with freshly caught ingredients.

Gourmet seafood options are abundant in this part of the country.

The Buck's Head Inn (facebook.com/ pages/The-Bucks-Head-Inn) and the award-winning Mourne Seafood Bar (mourneseafood.com), both at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in Dundrum, serve the famous Dundrum oysters, harvested locally, fresh from sea to plate.

For a quick bite, or a lunchtime treat, in the seaside town of Newcastle visit Niki's Kitchen Café (nikiskitchencafe. co.uk) or Café Maud's (facebook.com/ pages/Cafe-Mauds-Newcastle). Maud's is one of three flagship stores that stock the award-winning Mauds Ice Cream, a 33-year-old Northern Ireland institution.

The craft beer revolution seems to have taken hold in all corners of our little island and the southeast corner of Northern Ireland is no exception.

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FOR WONDERFUL ADVENTURES, LOOK TO STRANGFORD LOUGH If you wish to leave the city behind and relax with sparkling waters and breathtaking scenery, you can't do better than check out Strangford Lough, located only 20 minutes from Belfast.

Enjoy the links courses at Ardglass and Kirkistown or tackle the hills at Scrabo Golf Club; you're spoiled for choice! Or if you prefer, visit recentlyrestored Mount Stewart House and explore rooms that have never been open to the public before. Or Castle Ward, another wonderful National Trust property and a Game of Thrones film location. Try your hand at archery, see the estate from one of the cycle trails or simply enjoy a picnic on the lawn.

With great local accommodation on offer, from five-star luxury self-catering to a hostel with spectacular views, there is something for every budget.

For something really different try a mill, barn or boathouse for your overnight stay!

For further information go online to visitstrangfordlough.co.uk DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH OPEN The last time the Irish Open golf championship was held in Northern Ireland was in 2012 when the recordbreaking event at Royal Portrush became the first European Tour event to totally sell out in advance. This year the tournament will be played on the prestigious links of Royal County Down,

Fest of Flight

Newcastle, which has appeared in countless lists of the world’s best golf courses. This stunning course and surrounding tourism destination of the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion are set to shine in front of a global TV audience of a quarter of a billion worldwide. Over 100,000 people will also descend on Newcastle in the last week in May, one-quarter of whom will be from beyond Northern Ireland.

A week-long series of fringe events that will attract additional visitors to Newcastle has also been put in place.

These events include a GAA All Star game, a world's first Golf Opera, a comedy festival featuring local man Patrick Kielty, a food festival and a splattering of the Blues!

Newcastle is truly ‘open’ for business.

Come along and be part of this golfing experience.

For further information visit irishopen.ie.

GRAN FONDA The Giro d’Italia put Northern Ireland on the cycling map. This year on 21 June, a new cycling legacy will be born. The Gran Fonda amateur cycle race, starting and finishing at the Titanic Belfast, will make its way through the tourism destinations of Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion, and Strangford Lough, on two spectacular scenic routes (177km & 58km respectively). The emphasis of the event will be an authentic Giro d’Italia experience, with fully closed roads, a showcase of our beautiful landscape to riders and international media. The 1987 Giro d’Italia champion Stephen Roche (an event ambassador) will ride the Gran Fondo, giving all participants an opportunity to ride alongside him.

So take up the Gran Fondo challenge, and enjoy the tourism destinations of Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion, and Strangford Lough in this fun and healthy way. On your bike!

For more information visit granfondogiroditaliani.com.

Downpatrick Cathedral

GET YOUR WALKING BOOTS ON FOR THE MOURNE INTERNATIONAL WALKING FESTIVAL Set within an area of outstanding natural beauty, the Mourne Walking Festival (based in Warrenpoint, County Down) takes place from 26–28th June 2015.

There are a range of guided and self-guided walks to suit various levels of fitness and experience so families, strollers and serious walkers can take part (but please note, all under-16s must be accompanied by an adult). Lowland routes are pre-marked allowing you to walk at your own pace and are perfect for those wishing to take kids along, with control points and refreshments at intervals along the route. Pre-booking is open, or you can register on the morning of the walks.

You can revive tired feet at the blister ball, which is held in the Whistledown Hotel, Warrenpoint.

Full details of the walks are on the website mournewalking.co.uk or contact Warrenpoint Tourist Office – Tel: 028 4175 2256 or email: info@ mournewalking.co.uk for more details on registration.

FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight has become one of the largest spectator attended events in Northern Ireland with over 100,000 people expected in Newcastle, County Down to enjoy this spectacular two-hour air show on Saturday 8 August. This year, as well as the fabulous Red Arrows and Typhoon, we are delighted that the Blenheim air craft will be making its first appearance since its restoration. Families will have a great free day out in Newcastle, and there will be lots of entertainment and activities from 10am in the Aviation Village. To get a free copy of the Festival Programme, contact Newcastle Visitor Centre on 028 4372 2222 or check out Down Festivals Facebook page to hear latest announcements on air crafts secured for this prestigious event.

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Enterprise

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F OO D

A WA KE NING:

B I T E

SIZE THE LATEST DINING NEWS FROM RESIDENT FOODIE STUART CLARK

Rustic Burgers by Dylan McGrath

TAVERN A GREAT TIME!

THE GRAIN ATTRACTION

If you’re in Dublin, make sure to check out the Eastside Tavern, which can be found loitering with considerable intent at 104 Leeson Street Lower. A traditional Irish bar with a buzz that’s pure Downtown Manhattan, this city centre newcomer is justifiably proud of its 250-plus whiskeys and spirits of the world, and a menu that’s big on locally sourced, seasonal produce.

The Octopus & Crab Croquettes and Slow-Cooked Beef Cheek, Wild Garlic Risotto & Horseradish are the perfect dinner double-whammy. The Early Bird is great value at 22 for three courses, with choice tunes at the weekend making it quite the party spot. eastsidetavern.ie for more.

Meanwhile, the big foodie news in Belfast is that James Street South owner Niall McKenna has announced the opening of Cast & Crew, a 45-seater which is taking over the former First Trust building in the Titanic Quarter.

Expect poshed-up salads, burgers, granola and hot dogs from the eatery, which is hoping for an early summer launch and will also borrow a few dishes from its sister Hadskis establishment. jamesstreetsouth. co.ukTasty Streets ASDA Northern Ireland are stocking Street Food, the new range of globe-straddling nibbles from Portadown’s Forrest Feast.

While the Spanish Ir De Tapas, Louisianan Hickory Barbecue, Sri Lanka Kandy and Koh Samui Thai varieties are all pretty damn tasty, it’s the Kerala Cashew & Coconut Spice mix with its big masala flavour that gets the A Food Awakening double ‘thumbs up’. forestfeast.com

Saturday May 9 was a red letter day for connoisseurs of the grain as Dublin’s first new distillery in over 125 years, Teeling Whiskey, welcomed visitors to its 13-17 Newmarket, D8 HQ for the first time. Housed in an historic old building close to other city-centre landmarks, they’re offering a guided tour which includes whiskey and cocktail tasting for just €14 per person. teelingwhiskey.com

the charm of this small, local eaterie can’t be overstated. fish-shop.ie for the need-to-know details.

Masterchef’s Nick Munier – formerly the head honcho at Pichet – has opened the doors of his new venue, Avenue, to rave reviews.

The 1 Crow Street venue houses two dining rooms, each a stylish and

welcoming spot in Nick’s now-familiar style. Fellow darling of Dublin’s food scene, Dylan McGrath, is also about to break into new territory with his imminent venture TheTaste@Rustic.

Housed next to his much-celebrated Rustic Stone, the new restaurant will seat up to 75 diners and offer a menu heavily influenced by Japanese cuisine.

TOP OF THE HOPS Craft beer aficionados in Dublin ought to check out The Beer Market at 13 High Street, Christchurch, Ireland’s very first establishment dedicated entirely to craft brews. Brought to us by the good folks of Galway Bay Brewery – the self-same team behind Against The Grain and The Black Sheep, amongst others – and open since April of this year, it offers beers on numbered taps, allowing rapidfire rotation between the delicious libations and beverages available to enjoy. On the evening A Food Awakening pulled up a stool, the top tipples included a wonderful milk stout, ToØl By Udder Means, and the wonderful West Coast IPA from the crafty Californians of Green Flash; we guarantee even the most avid beer fan will find something new.

Familiar to food fanatics for serving up the finest fresh fish at their little wooden stall in Blackrock Market, Fish Shop have found a permanent home at 6 Queen Street, Smithfield.

With no more than about 16 seats – and no bookings taken – you might need to be patient, but the fare is worth the wait. A battered John Dory with chunky chips and tartare sauce was one of the finest dishes we’ve come across in Dublin, and

The newly refurbished dining room nestled on a quiet back street, set in an old linen mill James Street South Restaurant focuses on serving local, seasonal produce with classic French techniques, Head Chef David Gillmore showcases his menu with imagination and flair, presented to you by a professional, experienced and knowledgeable team of waiting staff.

We offer a set lunch, pre theatre, a la carte and tasting menu, all of which can be found on our website.

We have a Private Dining Room which can accommodate up to 40 guests seated or 60 for a stand up canapé party.

The Cookery School has a range of classes available designed to cater for all levels of cooks, such as Sushi and Cocktails or Effortless Entertaining.

21 James Street South Belfast BT2 7GA +44 (0)28 9043 4310 info@jamesstreetsouth.co.uk jamesstreetsouth.co.uk Mon-Sat Lunch 12-2.45pm Dinner 5.30-10.45pm

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Enterprise – Fashion

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Enterprise

(Left) Pencil Skirt by Zoe Carol; (right) Deep V top by Zoe Carol; (bottom) Coral Piper Shirt with Sian Metallic skirt by Emma Manley and Sian Shirt with Sian Metallic Skirt by Emma Manley

This summer, why not add to your wardrobe while also supporting some rising stars of the Irish fashion industry?

Roe McDermott has found some of Ireland’s most exciting designers and curators so you can start investing in pieces and people that are about to become sartorial supernovas.

Zoe Carol zoecarol.ie

A Ballinasloe native, designer Zoe Carol studied science before moving to New York City to study Fashion Design at Parsons The New School for Design. Following her graduation in 2009, she worked with several hugely respected international brands – TSE, Libra Leather and Pour La Victoire. It was during this period of apprenticeship that Zoë cultivated her knowledge of craftsmanship and raw materials, working in the fields of knitwear design, leather and shoe design. This innate respect for form, tempered with a modern sophistication, is evident throughout her work. In 2010 she explored the world of retail with her much-loved vintage store, Horse & June. After three years of invaluable experience at the buying/ sales coalface she folded the operation to concentrate upon her eponymous label, Zoë Carol. Her designs are garnering much-deserved international acclaim, and Carol had a showcase in the RDS just this month to display and celebrate her stunning new designs and her upcoming Autumn Winter 2015 collection.

Emma Manley Manley.ie

A Castleknock native who grew up in house with two sisters and a fashion designer mother, Emma Manley’s love of fashion and style came early. After studying at the Grafton Academy, Manley travelled across the pond, honing her craft at VPL in New York and Alexander McQueen in London. In 2010, she decided to set up her label Manley, as she was eager to curate a new and thoroughly relevant fashion offering for the womenswear arena. Immensely proud of her Irish heritage and ethical values, Emma produces 50% of Manley in Ireland ensuring affordable, beautiful, crafted luxury in every garment, and fans of her designs include Amy Huberman, Kathryn Thomas, Aoibhin Garrihy and Sharon Corr.

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Enterprise – Fashion

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Samui

Martha Lynn Millinery

Clodagh Shorten, the owner of Samui boutique, works tirelessly behind the scenes to source innovative and directional labels for her customers, creating a carefully curated collection that cannot be equalled, covering designers such as 3.1 Phillip Lim, Peter Pilotto, Rick Owens and Equipment. Like the Samui customer, Clodagh is a leader in fashion, rather than a follower. As such, she ekes out those items and labels that cannot be found elsewhere in the country.

This season, the boutique is the exclusive Irish stockist of an impressive number of labels, including 5Preview, No 21, Senso and Philippe Model, as well as acclaimed Irish designer Danielle Romeril, who is making a huge impact on the international stage.

Martha Lynn is a young and passionate milliner based in Dublin, whose handmade creations fuse the traditional elements of millinery with a modern edge. From refined to ethereal, Lynn combines the fashion mood of the moment with the wearer’s own style and personality to create pieces that are perfectly crafted, stunning and unique. Lynn took internships with both Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones in London, making hats for a Valentino catwalk show and working on the Crystal Lightning hat Lady Gaga wore to the Grammy awards in 2010. She also made hats for one of John Galliano’s catwalk shows – so you know you’re looking at a rising fashion star, and that your head is in good hands!

17 Drawbridge Street, Cork Facebook.com/samuifashions

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97 Baggot Street, Dublin 2. marthalynnmillinery.com

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Lennon Courtney

The Central Dairy, 19 Stephen’s Street Upper, Dublin 8.

Tel: 353 (0)1 4788938, lennoncourtney.com After thirty-five years of experience in the fashion industry, Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney know what makes a stylish wardrobe – and luckily their latest collaboration is bringing that knowledge straight into our wardrobes!

Collaborating under the label Lennon Courtney, the two television stars and fashion stylists have worked together for years, and have now combined their talents to create and collect a range of accessible and elegant wardrobe staples. Their gorgeous boutique not only offers collections and key pieces based on an analysis of body shape and lifestyle needs each season, but personalised styling sessions too.

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samui - danielle romeril black and khaki camo cartridge dress samui - u di aviu black mesh jacket with white leather and sequins samui - u di aviu grey jacket with pink leather fringe Martha Lynn – Blue Bunny Martha Lynn – Sidecap Martha Lynn – Mono Chevron Lennon Courtney – Black Cape Top Lennon Courtney – Blo Round Shoulder Top

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My Back Pages

No shortage of meaty reading matter to devour, from ex-FG bigwig Ivan Yates' memoirs to Jon Ronson's examination of Twitter's latter-day re-enactment of the medieval pillory...

IVAN YATES Full On (Hachette Books Ireland) The lively and provocative attitude ex-Fine Gael politician Ivan Yates brings to his Newstalk Breakfast show is very much in evidence in Full On, a hugely enjoyable account of his eventful political career and sometimes turbulent private life. Unlike many similar memoirs, the book avoids both dull accounts of political minutiae and excessive self-praise. Instead, Yates gives the unvarnished truth – the episodes of Thick Of It-style dark comedy and the unforgivingly brutal pace of life in government.

Undoubtedly the most compelling part of the book is Yates’s account

JON RONSON

GAVIN CORBETT

So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed (PICADOR)

Green Glowing Skull (Fourth Estate)

Jon Ronson rose to fame uncovering the terrifying absurdity at the heart of the War On Terror and raising an eyebrow at the field of psychiatry. Now, the Welsh scribe turns his attention to... us. Taking a ‘there are no innocent bystanders, myself included’ approach to the current phenomenon of online shaming, he has produced a thought-provoking, typically humorous book.

Reckoning that the outraged mass Twitter takedowns that have become commonplace in recent years would have been deemed cruel and unusual punishments in puritanical times, Ronson sets out to meet the victims of it, from Jonah Lehrer to Justine Sacco. An engrossing read you can tear through in an afternoon, Ronson’s unfussy writing and slightly-smarter-than-youreveryman outlook are his strong points. His real gift, however, might be for interviewing people.

The book is another accomplished addition to an increasingly impressive CV, which includes books that look at people on life’s margins, including The Psychopath Test and The Men Who Stare At Goats, a documentary about the archives of legendary film director Stanley Kubrick, and the screenplay for critically acclaimed indie movie Frank. While ...Shamed occasionally goes down some blind alleys and lacks a little heft, you ultimately end up empathising with its real-life characters. A set of cautionary tales for media types and pretty much anyone with a smartphone.

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Gavin Corbett really made a splash with his second novel, This Is The Way, the tale of Anthony, a Beckettlike character from a travelling background who dwelt in a Dublin bedsit. The book scooped the 2013 Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year award and confirmed Corbett as one of the most distinctive young voices in Irish fiction, if perhaps something of an acquired taste.

His follow-up, Green Glowing Skull, is a similarly surreal and offbeat affair. Ostensibly the story of an Irish emigrant’s attempts to bring old-school ballads to New York, it quickly descends into a fantastic tale of the otherworldly and the inexplicable, bringing issues of identity, mortality and mythology into the equation.

It’s hard to say if it makes sense, but that’s beside the point; students of the absurd know such a frivolous concern is somewhat irrelevant when an approach like this is taken. Written with unwavering confidence and intensity, the surreal aspects – of which there are many – are offset (or perhaps magnified) by frequent reflections on the home our protagonist left behind. Unfortunately, this approach does stop the reader from becoming fully immersed in the bizarro world that Corbett creates, adding to the already considerable confusion this book will leave behind. One requiring serious investment.

of the deterioration in his mental health during his time as Minister for Agriculture in the mid-’90s FG/Labour rainbow coalition, led by John Bruton.

Astonishingly, Yates reveals his descent into near suicidal despair caused him to briefly consider jumping onto a motorway en route to an EU meeting in Brussels, although the negotiations were ultimately a success. Eventually, psychotherapy led him to revisit a traumatic and abusive episode in his childhood.

Always compelling, Full On is essential reading for political junkies.

BRENT SCHLENDER AND RICK TETZELI

Becoming Steve Jobs (Sceptre) One of the main subjects of interest in the Sony Hacks leaks from last year was the background shone on the studio’s planned Steve Jobs biopic, based on the acclaimed authorised biography by Walter Isaacson.

Sony appeared to have hit the jackpot by lining up the Social Network dream team of David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin to work on the film, but Fincher eventually left and was replaced by Danny Boyle, with Michael Fassbender now set to star as the controversial Apple co-founder. This book has been described as a more sympathetic biography than Isaacson’s, with the focus primarily on how Jobs revitalised Apple upon his return in the mid-’90s, having been exiled a decade earlier.

Nonetheless, Jobs’ temperamental streak remains a recurring theme in the narrative.

When, for example, New York Times journalist Joe Nocera reported on Jobs’ illness in 2008, Jobs reacted by calling him “a slime bucket that usually gets his facts wrong”. Other hissy fits were straight-up comedy – Jobs blew a gasket over Neil Young’s criticism of the iPod’s sound quality and never forgave him.

Though an informative and riveting read, with Becoming Steve Jobs, Schendler and Tetzeli perhaps haven’t quite succeeded in their stated aim of portraying their subject as anything more than “half genius, half jerk”.

Sounds of Summer ROISÍN MURPHY Hairless Toys [PIAS RECORDINGS]

It’s easy to think that it was young Andrew Hozier-Byrne who first put Wicklow on the musical map, but actually Arklow-born Roisin Murphy had done it long before him. Back in the late ‘90s, Moloko’s upbeat ‘Sing It Back’ was one of the most ubiquitous international party anthems going.

After they called it a day, there were two well received Murphy solo albums in 2005’s Ruby Blue and 2007’s Overpowered. Although she released a low-key EP of Italian cover versions called Mi Senti last year, the world hasn’t heard much from the feisty singer in the meantime (presumably the birth of her two children had something to do with it).

So the rather alarmingly titled Hairless Toys –

Mumford and Sons Wilder Mind Universal Four stars London nu-folk superstars Mumford and Sons have had a dramatic makeover: they’ve ditched the banjo, scrapped the accordion, booted the kick-drum to touch and donated their post-Dexys tweeds ‘n’ braces clobber to Oxfam.

“Rustic” has been replaced by “epic” and they’ve set sights on a place among the stadium-filling, festival-headlining indie elite.

In other ways, the band has remained substantially unchanged. The differences are mostly superficial – with the group retaining the heartfelt sensibility that defined multi-million selling debut Sigh No More and follow-up Babel.

What about the tunes? The low-key single ‘Believe’ has a keyboard-derived atmospheric ambiance which ignites into a crescendo of guitars and wailing voices. ‘The Wolf’ is a chugging rocker in a Springsteen/ Hold Steady mode (and a decent one too) while ‘Tompkins Square Park’ veers towards jangly power pop. There is at times a tendency towards blandness: the mid-tempo title track has been widely compared to Snow Patrol and Coldplay.

Still, it would be unfair to suggest they’ve gone indie-by-numbers. An impressive sonic adventurism characterises ‘Broad Shouldered Beast’, which begins with a sombre, bolero-like rhythm, building into an anthemic climax (with a chord progression that somehow recalls Randy Crawford’s ‘One Day I’ll Fly Away’). Aiming for a kind of ‘Street Spirit’ effect but falling short in the melody department, the mournful ‘Snake Eyes’ is the most slowburning, low-key tune. ‘Cold Arms’ is yet another bare-boned outing, with just electric guitar; ‘Monster’ blends Mark Knopfler guitar with a hip-

A glittering new release from the fabulous Roisin Murphy leads the Enterprise parade of recommended summertime listening...

inventively produced by her long time musical collaborator Eddie Stevens – is her first long-player in eight years. It features just eight songs, one for every year of her absence, but still proves itself to be well worth the wait. Musically, these diverse, multilayered and glittering tracks tip their hat to the dark disco of European house, Casablanca Records and Grace Jones, while seamlessly taking in the freedom and organic spirit of jazz, country and gospel. However, it’s Murphy’s unmistakable voice – still instantly recognisable after all this time – that gloriously glues it all together.

Always almost as much of a style icon as a musical one, she has stated that the entire album was inspired by Jennie Livingston’s film Paris Is Burning – a cult 1990 documentary which explored the underground drag ball scene in New York City and the flamboyant LGBTQ subculture surrounding it. So it’s a concept album of sorts; thematically, most of these songs relate to the idea of a group of outsiders and deviants coming together to openly celebrate their wonderful weirdness. Weird, wonderful and at times unbearably poignant, Hairless Toys might be about a drag ball, but it never drags and is always a ball. A fine return to surreal form that fully reconfirms Roisin Murphy’s status as Ireland’s queen of alt-pop. Welcome back, your majesty. Things just weren’t the same without you.

hop beat. It isn’t a million miles away from the kind of thing Beth Orton was doing a decade ago while ‘Just Smoke’ boasts arguably the strongest vocal here.

The family firm might have gone global and the product comes wrapped in fancier packaging – but the contents remain pretty much the same.

Blur The Magic Whip Parlophone Five stars After a decade of inactivity, might this be the album that would recapture, or even do justice to, Blur's past glories? There was, it must be said, a whole lot of genuinely unfinished business. When you consider that their last album, 2003’s Think Tank, barely featured the then-estranged Graham Coxon, you couldn't help but worry.

And yet, the end result is far more vital and accomplished than we had any right to expect.

Does it knock stripes off Modern Life Is Rubbish or Parklife? Hardly, but it sits comfortably in their distinguished second-tier of albums.

We could talk all day about the dynamic between Damon Albarn and Coxon but when you dig down into their DNA, it is the rhythm section that often sets them apart. That famous ‘Blur Bounce’ is present and correct, Dave Rowntree’s buoyant drums keeping everything in check and Alex James’ aerodynamic and understated bass lines offering melodic layers.

That kind of sentiment is echoed time and again here. To add complexity, you often feel as if Damon is singing directly to his best mate strumming away on the Telecaster. As such, the political becomes personal.

The real climax is ‘Ong Ong’, which, with a bighearted refrain and la-la-las, is sunshine bottled

in song. The simple message? No matter where Albarn’s nearest and dearest find themselves, he’ll be singing “I wanna be with you.” In the end, location matters not. When this four get in a room together, they always hit the spot.

Gavin Glass Sunday Songs Orphan Records Four stars Glass is the acknowledged leader in an emerging genre of sorts, which has been accurately described as “Eirecana” – a blend of American roots styles with a distinct if subtle Irish sensibility. That said, you’d be hardpressed to distinguish much of the material on his fourth album from anything that has emerged from (for example) North Carolina, Portland Oregon or Austin Texas over the last decade or so.

He has absorbed every facet and nuance of the genre, and, with his production background, manages to get the sound spot-on too. The opening title-track is a lilting, country-rock ballad that recalls early Wilco, ‘Better Left Alone’ boasts lonesome pedal-steel, finger-picked acoustic while straight-up rock and roll is evident on ‘Light Heart’, a smouldering stew of a tune which benefits no end from celestial harmonies.

In contrast, the stripped-down, sepia-toned ‘Silhouettes’ is pure front-parlour balladry, blended with cinematic orchestral textures and a heartfelt vocal. Elsewhere, the verse segment of ‘First Stone’ slightly recalls that of Bob Dylan’s ‘To Make You Feel My Love'; ‘Rise & Fall’ is epic and poignant, while ‘New Lovers Arms’ is yet another emotionally charged slow-burner with hints of Tom Petty and Neil Young at their more contemplative. Nothing short of delicious.

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Tech That and Party The end of May brings a must for the family, as Big Hero 6 hits the shelves. The robot buddy story is set in San Fransokyo, a gorgeous and hypertechy, super-creative alternate universe version of San Francisco.

The strong Japanese overtones of the city are thematically apt, as the manga-influenced origin story (originally based on a Marvel comic) sees engineering prodigy Hiro (voiced by Ryan Potter) form a team of delightfully nerdy super-techies, in order to stop a mysterious villain. On their side is Baymax (30 Rock’s Scott Adsit), a sweet-natured healthcare robot who was invented by Hiro’s older brother. The oversized, marshmallowy Baymax is consistently wonderful; a blend of innocence, selflessness and unintentional humour. Crushing on creative coding the same way The Lego Movie swooned over unexpected architecture, Big Hero Six also plays on subtle themes, like grieving big losses and recognising the difference between justice and revenge. With beautiful animation which features dreamily futuristic cities, wondrous crusades through the cosmos and a standard-setting cast of ethnically and gender-diverse supporting characters, Big Hero 6 may not be a life-saver, but it’s a healthy injection of fun.

June first brings an unnerving insight into the nature of psychological abuse, as Whiplash presents as a familiar machismodriven quest for greatness, unfolding between ingénue and mentor. Starring Miles Teller (The Spectacular Now) as Andrew, a young jazz drummer determined to prove himself, and JK Simmons (Juno) as his brilliant but volatile conductor Fletcher, Damien Chezelle’s film is emotionally and technically outstanding. The central relationship is so imbued with psychological abuse and oppression that any sense of self the characters may have is bulldozed. Young men are reduced to terrified boys; ambition transforms into dangerous obsession; and abuse victims return not for revenge, but for the validation and approval they were always denied. Teller and Simmons embody their roles perfectly, and the percussive nature of the film comes not only from its constant drumming, rapidly pounding like threatening footsteps following you in the dark, nor its punchy editing. Rather, it’s the emotional content that gives the film its power. While drumsticks move so fast you don’t even see them touch the set, the camera intimately documents every falling bead of sweat, every rolling tear, every splatter of blood.

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Gripping.

Mid-June comes Selma, Ava DuVernay’s deeply affecting film about Martin Luther King Jr. and the 1965 Civil Rights marches. It’s wonderfully nuanced, not to mention beautifully acted and perfectly formed. But most importantly, it’s so inescapably relevant. A crystal-clear, unflinching depiction of several vital months in the Civil Rights movement, it shows how black people were systematically abused, oppressed and murdered, and how even Martin Luther King was used as a political pawn by white men of power. It shows how far we think we’ve come, and how little has changed. DuVernay explicitly shows all these old horrors while implicitly evoking modern ones in her film, which stars the superb David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. Focusing on the convulsive political landscape of mid-’60s America, DuVernay not only shows the self-serving manipulations of politicians and presidents and the emergence of vital voices in the black community, but a King confident in his abilities. As protesters are beaten, young men shot, black women humiliated for wanting to vote, DuVernay’s camera is both a black marcher and a white abuser; she alternately walks alongside marchers and looms above them as they are beaten to the ground. It is, rightly, a film about black people, fighting for rights. It’s a snapshot of history, and a reflection of the present. It cannot be our future.

For a bit of dessert at the end of June, you could do a lot worse than Cake. Jennifer Aniston is fantastic as Claire, a bitter and sarcastic woman suffering from chronic pain. Self-isolating and deeply resentful of the support groups and physical therapists that attempt to help her, it becomes clear that she’s comfortable being in pain; that she perhaps feels she deserves it. Aniston’s face becomes the film’s strength – it is scarred from a frequently alluded-to, highly foreseeable tragedy, but it is also just the face of a woman in her forties, who has gone through immense emotional and physical pain. A woman who has lived. Her skin is dull, her forehead lined, her face a near-constant frown – apart from when her wicked sense of humour shines through. Many will herald her performance as brave, perhaps an indication of how audiences now expect airbrushed perfection instead of reality.

As Claire’s ghostly, self-destructive muse, Anna Kendrick feels like a miscast reach for younger audiences, however Adriana Barraza (Babel) is a delight as Claire’s empathetic Hispanic maid, who

ROE MCDERMOTT rounds up the summer’s essential DVD releases, with robot buddy story Big Hero 6 leading the way.

Selma: history in the making, but how far have we really come?

subtly highlights the deep privilege Claire has, and may one day even enjoy.

In July comes Julianne Moore’s Oscar-winning performance as a woman with Early Onset Alzheimer’s in Still Alice. Married couple Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland (Quinceanera) direct, and bring a striking sense of empathy and emotional intelligence to Alice’s (Moore) journey; undoubtedly due to Glatzer’s own struggle with another devastating disease, ALS (Gehrig's Disease).

This personal understanding of the material is felt in the directing, which brilliantly uses blurred visuals and a shallow depth of vision to convey Alice’s increasing confusion and isolation. For a woman defined by her intelligence, articulacy and motherhood, the threat of having her identity and independence erased – as well as possibly passing on the disease to her children – adds layers of slow-burning fear and loss to Alice’s journey. The gradual loss of memory and language may not be immediately evident to observers, but they leave Alzheimer’s sufferers battling their altering perceptions alone. The film’s action often spills out behind Moore, a subtle way of showing how her understanding of the world is slowly shrinking, as other people’s lives continue on. Alice’s relationship with youngest daughter Lydia (Kristen Stewart, magnificent) becomes particularly poignant, as the formerly bickering pair realise how little time they may have left together as themselves.

Hot Press is publishing its third ultimate annual guide to Ireland’s top pubs, clubs, restaurants, venues, events, shopping and much more.

Whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you’re planning, the Hot Press Best Of Ireland 2015 should be right there with you!

What do you love best about Ireland?

Tell us in 150 words or less and be in with the chance of winning a special prize.

Send your pick to bestofireland@hotpress.ie The Hot Press Best Of Ireland 2015 will be available on Thursday April 30 in Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Easons and all good newsagents for €3.95 or online at hotpress.com

Enterprise Enterprise

Attractions DUBLIN

BELFAST ULSTER MUSEUM Botanic Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AB Tel: +44 (0)28 9044 0000, nmni. com/um The Ulster Museum is Belfast’s one-stop-shop for all things art, archaeology, zoology, geology and history. Since opening its doors more than 80 years ago, this favoured attraction has gathered one of the most stunning and extensive collections of Irish and Northern Irish Art on the planet.

The exhibits don’t stop at artistry; the museum also houses a vast collection of natural history pieces from specimens of birds, mammals, insects, plants and even dinosaurs.

You’ll also find samples of wildlife art, with works by renowned artists Peter Scott, Roger Tory Peterson and Robert Gillmor on display. The museum is also curated by a team of top historians, so you know you’re in safe and knowledgeable hands!

No trip to Belfast would be complete without a visit to this cultural and historical hub; opening hours are 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Sunday and with free admission, it’s an unmissable day out.

THE MAC ARTS CENTRE 10 Exchange St. West, Belfast BT1 2NJ Tel: +44 (0)28 9089 2960, themaclive.com With its eclectic mix of theatre, dance and art, the very best of local and international acts come

together under one roof at the Metropolitan Arts Centre.

Located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, the huge venue holds numerous theatres and art galleries.

It has something for everyone, with education and workshop rooms, art studios and dance studios. There’s also a cafe and bar in case you get peckish.

From May 8 to July 26 guest curator Gregory McCartney presents I Will Go There, Take Me Home – showcasing the work of Romanian artist Adrian Ghenie, South African artist Pieter Hugo and Polish artist Olaf Brzeski. The exhibition explores the ‘end of things’ and will be the first time any of these artists have shown in Ireland.

This year the Mac Arts Centre is on the shortlist of finalists for the Museum Of The Year 2015 Award.

The centre is open seven days a week from 10am – 7pm.

TITANIC BELFAST 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Titanic Quarter, Belfast Tel: +44 28 9076 6386, titanicbelfast.com “It’s really quite phenomenal. It’s a magnificent dramatic building, the biggest Titanic exhibit in the world,” says Titanic director James Cameron, and we’re not about to disagree. The Titanic Belfast is an unmissable experience. Since opening, thousands of visitors have thronged to the centre to learn about the history of the world’s most famous ocean disaster. Titanic Belfast is open daily.

The Old Jameson Distillery

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7 Tel: (01) 677 7444, museum.ie The museum tells the story of Ireland through weaponry, furniture, silver, ceramics, glassware and costumes. Special collections include Soldier and Chiefs, an exhibition of Irish military history; a collection of works by the world-famous Irish designer Eileen Gray; a retrospective of Irish clothing from the 1760s to the 1960s; and an exhibition on the 1916 Easter Rising. Opening hours: 10am-5pm (Tuesday – Saturday) and 2pm-5pm (Sundays).

THE OLD JAMESON DISTILLERY DUBLIN Bow Street, Smithfield Village, Dublin 7 Tel: (01) 807 2355, jamesonwhiskey.com Set in the heart of Dublin, a visit to the Old Jameson Distillery is more than a tour – it’s an exciting and engaging experience, guaranteed to enlighten and inspire. At the distillery, you will relive the story of John Jameson as you drink in the history, the atmosphere and the odd sip of whiskey.

The tour experience occupies a section of the old distillery, which kept Dublin flowing with the ‘water of life’ from 1780 to 1971.

This attraction offers the personal

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touch through guided tours and whiskey masterclasses, which run every 35 minutes. They start with a short film and then, with the aid of models and exhibitions, explain everything you ever wanted to know about Jameson Irish whiskey from grain to glass.

At the end of the tour, all visitors are rewarded with a complimentary dram of whiskey at the Jameson Bar and partake in a comparison whiskey tasting session, where you will learn how to tell the differences between Scotch, Irish and American whiskey.

The tour finishes at the exclusive gift store where people may choose to buy a personalised bottle or a memento of their visit. Dublin is a city famous for its whiskey and a visit to the Old Jameson Distillery is essential for any person looking to explore, sightsee or even just enjoy themselves.

NATIONAL AQUATIC CENTRE Snugborough Road, Blanchardstown, Co Dublin Tel: (01) 646 4300, nationalaquaticcentre.ie If wet water thrills, flumes, slides and wave pools are your thing, a day at Aquazone in the awardwinning National Aquatic Centre will definitely float your boat.

There’s fun for all the family, with a special Pirate Ship area for under-8s. Kids under three, meanwhile, go free. You can get wet and wild from 10am daily.

Check times before you go.

Enterprise Enterprise

Restaurants BELFAST

DUBLIN FADE STREET SOCIAL BY DYLAN MCGRATH Fade Street, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 604 0066, fadestreetsocial.com Michelin-starred with Mint back in the day and a former RTÉ television Masterchef judge, Dylan McGrath has come of age with this ambitious city centre hangout, which is attracting Dublin foodies in droves.

It offers multiple destinations under one roof, combining a bar that feels plucked direct from a London member’s club, a relaxed gastro-bar area where groups of hungry diners ogle the chefs at the open kitchen, and a formal restaurant which offers woodfired, braised, charred and smoked options. The 25 Early Evening Menu is especially good value.

MATT THE THRESHER 31 & 32 Lower Pembroke Street, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 676 2980, mattthethresher.ie Matt’s shot to international prominence in June 2013 when

Michelle Obama and her daughters Malia and Sasha popped in for dinner. The word is they thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the 2012 Seafood Restaurant of the Year, in the heart of Georgian Dublin, which serves bar food as well as more formal meals. Everything from the crab and sole to the oysters and shrimp is fresh, Irish-sourced and deliciously wonderful!

MOURNE SEAFOOD BAR Millennium Tower, Charlotte Quay, Dublin 4 Tel: (01) 668 8862, mourneseafood.com No longer do we have to envy our northern neighbours, with this Belfast institution taking up residence last year in the heart of Dublin Docklands. Two hundred metres from where the Viking Splash Tour fleet do their amphibious thing, the quality of the fishy fare is matched by awesome views through the restaurant’s picture windows. There’s an equally tasty branch in Dundrum.

James Street South

THE BARKING DOG 33-35 Malone Road, Belfast Tel: (028) 9066 1885, barkingdogbelfast.com This laid-back eatery exudes a young, vibrant confidence exemplified by their no-nonsense menu and charming staff. The bare brick walls, wooden tables and quirky crockery is the backdrop to a pleasing procession of tapas dishes or gastro-pub staples (beer-battered fish'n'chips, steak sandwich). Look out for their set menu offering two courses for £20 or three courses for £25 with choices including fish pie, beef shin burger or sweet potato ravioli.

JAMES STREET SOUTH 21 James Street South, Belfast Tel: (028) 9043 4310, jamesstreetsouth.co.uk The brainchild of Niall McKenna, James Street South has emerged as one of the stars of the new wave of Northern Irish cooking. Tucked away in a side-street, the restaurant is part of a complex that includes James Street Bar and Grill for more casual dining, as well as The Cookery

School. But the main restaurant is where the foodie action is, with gorgeous dishes using local ingredients and cooked with flair and technique by Head Chef David Gillmore. It’s great to see the likes of Ard Peninsula Lobster and Kilkeel Monkfish on the menu alongside Portavogie Crab and Glenarm Salmon. Keep your eyes peeled for Niall’s new Cast & Crew restaurant, which will be taking up residence shortly in the Titanic Quarter.

SHU 253 Lisburn Road, Belfast Tel: (028) 9038 1655, shu-restaurant.com Consistently a hit with restaurant critics and beloved of Antrim hipsters, Shu is leading the way in new standards for modern Irish cooking. Chef Brian McCann has crafted a menu with plenty of nods to local produce. Think black pudding, braised beef and plenty of fish. Dine in the ground-floor restaurant before visiting their chic basement cocktail bar. The unusual name comes from the name of the Egyptian God of Atmosphere.

Matt the Thresher

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Enterprise Enterprise

Hotels DUBLIN

BELFAST

Malmaison Boutique Hotel The Royal Marine Hotel

BROOKS HOTEL 56-63 Drury Street, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 670 4000, brookshotel.ie This charming boutique hotel is a short stroll from the world-famous Grafton Street and the restaurants, bars and clubs of South William Street. The four-star establishment has the most beautiful part of Dublin on its doorstep and offers sizeable, wonderfully-decorated rooms, a fitness suite, a relaxing lounge and library and private cinema if you’re not in the mood for venturing out.

THE MORRISON Ormond Quay, Dublin 1 Tel: (01) 887 2400, morrisonhotel. ie A distinct whiff of rock’n’roll colours the air at the Morrison, the four-star Liffeyside hotel where a distinctive artistic aura gives nods to legendary Irish musicians, bands and artists. This cultural theme can even be felt in the comfortable and stylish interiors, as certain bedrooms throughout the hotel find their décor complemented by famous Irish song lyrics. Don’t dare leave without a meal in the stylish but

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rustic Morrison Grill and a drink in Quay 14, the destination bar where cocktails are inspired by classic Irish songs.

THE ROYAL MARINE HOTEL Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin Tel: (01) 230 0030, royalmarine.ie Treat yourself to a stay at the elegant four-star Royal Marine Hotel, on four acres of beautiful gardens. Located in Dun Laoghaire, it’s only 20 minutes on the DART train line into Dublin city centre. A historic and much-loved landmark, the hotel boasts stunning views overlooking Dun Laoghaire Harbour and Dublin Bay. A favourite with locals, the Royal Marine dates back to 1828. It is an impressive sight on the Dun Laoghaire skyline. Take time to relax and enjoy the facilities at the Pier Health Club, which include a swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi and fully equipped gym, or book yourself a treatment in Sansana Spa. You can also indulge yourself and have afternoon tea by the fire in the bay lounge, or take a trip to the shops. Whether your stay is for a city break, conference or relaxing spa treatment, the Royal Marine will exceed your every need.

TEN SQUARE Donegall Square South, Belfast, Co Antrim Tel: +44 (0)28 9024 1001, tensquare.co.uk An extraordinary boutique hotel in the centre of Belfast city’s shopping, business and culture hub, Ten Square impresses guests with its impossibly cool and quirky design.

Contemporary furniture is mashed with chic textiles and eye-catching wallpaper for an uber-stylish, eclectic look. Aesthetics aside, Ten Square is the perfect place to spend a busy city-centre break. For a girly getaway, the cocktails in a teapot come highly recommended!

MALMAISON BOUTIQUE HOTEL 34 – 38 Victoria St., Belfast, Co Antrim Tel: +44 (844) 693 0650, malmaison.com/locations/belfast This former seed warehouse is now a funky boutique hotel, minutes from the River Lagan.

Upon entering, guests will be taken aback by its exquisite design and stunning detail. The hotel is also home to the Malmaison brasserie, where traditional dishes are prepared with a modern twist and washed down with one of the

many choices on the Malmaison wine list. For an elegant setting in which to socialise with Belfast’s elite into the wee hours, look no further than the Malbar. Here guests can enjoy a mixture of classic and quirky cocktails. The Malmaison also features a private dining mezzanine serving excellent food in intimate, comfortable surroundings.

THE MERCHANT HOTEL 16 Skipper St., Belfast, Co Antrim Tel: +44 (28) 9023 4888, themerchanthotel.com Built in 1857 as the headquarters of Ulster Bank, the Merchant Hotel is in Belfast’s beautiful Cathedral Quarter and, like its historic surroundings, has a rich and vibrant history. The hotel underwent extensive renovation in 2010; behind its historic exterior, you’ll find the latest in modern and stylish décor. The hotel features a state of the art gym and luxury spa, offering a wide range of treatments. It's a popular choice for weddings, with a Rolls Royce Phantom available for hire and several elegant private rooms, one with an exquisite rooftop garden overlooking the city.

The Merchant is also home to Bert’s Jazz Bar and the glamorous Veuve Clicquot Champagne Lounge.