Go Rail Vol 7 No 3 Autumn 2017

AUTUMN 2017 • VOL:07 ISSUE:03

IS IRELAND’S FOOD THE BEST IN THE WORLD?

David Gillick Gets Ready For The Savour Kilkenny Food Festival + Spotlight On The Marble City STARTERS The Coronas & Robert Webb

MAIN COURSE Laura Whitmore, Jerry Fish & Neil Lennon

DESSERTS Ciara King’s Favourite Journey & Autumn Fashion Special

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CONTENTS

AU T U M N 2 01 7

Volume 07 // Issue 03

PHOTO: DAVID GREEN

David Gillick I N T E R V I E W O N PAG E

020 06/ Go For It

30/ The Coronas

44/ Celebrity Table

From cultural outings to sporting events, we give you the lowdown on what there is to see and do across the country over the next few months.

Frontman Danny O’Reilly talks touring, getting dropped by Island Records, and returning with a No. 1 album.

Legendary singer and performer Jerry Fish discusses his love of Kilkenny, encountering U2 and Kate Moss, and the importance of community in his life.

16/ Train News

33/ My Favourite Train Journey

The latest news and views from the Irish Rail network.

Celebrated broadcaster Ciara King talks about her favourite rail destination.

Your guide to to the hottest new catwalk trends.

20/ David Gillick

37/Robert Webb

54/ Reviews

Stuart Clark talks to the Celebrity Masterchef winner about cooking for his young son and his previous life as a medal-winning elite athlete.

We chat to the Peep Show star about his brilliantly funny new memoir How Not To Be A Boy, and the highlights of his hugely successful comedy career.

26/ Laura Whitmore

40/ Kilkenny

We select the highlights among the latest album, DVD and book releases, including Foo Fighters, The Waterboys, Wonder Woman, Baby Driver, and John Banville's Mrs. Ormond.

The Irish star reflects on a hugely successful media career, and looks ahead to a burgeoning new career on the silver screen.

The Marble City is a favourite destination of Irish people and international visitors alike – and its renown is only set to grow.

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51/ Fashion

Credits AU T U M N 2 0 1 7

Volume 07 // Issue 03

MANAGING EDITOR

Máirin Sheehy

COMMISSIONING EDITOR

Roisin Dwyer

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Paul Nolan

CONTRIBUTORS

Stuart Clark Peter McNally Peter McGoran Anne Sexton Roe McDermott Rowan Stokes Michael Lanigan Colm O'Hare Olaf Tyaransen

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Hot Press 13 Trinity Street Dublin 2

DESIGN

Lili Ferreira Eimear O'Connor Ria Pollock

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Catherine Madden

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

Paul Griffin

PHOTOGRAPHY

Kathrin Baumbach David Green Karl Leonard

PUBLISHER

Niall Stokes

PRINTED BY GO RAIL IS PUBLISHED FOR IARNRÓD ÉIREANN BY:

Boylan’s Print Osnovina Ltd 13 Trinity Street Dublin 2

Editor's Message Celebrating the Marble City

Catherine Fulvio: one of the star attractions at Savour Kilkenny

Contact TELEPHONE FAX EMAIL

(01) 2411 500 (01) 2411 538 gorail@hotpress.ie

LETTERS

The Editor, Go Rail Magazine, 13 Trinity St Dublin 2

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 Iarnród Éireann.

All material © Osnovina 2017.

All rights reserved.

Reproduction of material without permission of the publishers is strictly prohibited.

As rail users seek out fresh adventures this autumn, the Savour Kilkenny food festival is sure to rank high on their agenda.

O

ne of the most wonderful aspects of taking a rail trip is that tingling sense of anticipation as you first step onto the train and head off on a new adventure. Back in the summer, on the hottest day of the year, I set off for Tullamore to see the Kildare footballers – who I have supported my whole life – take on Meath in championship action.

On the journey down, the Irish countryside looked spectacular in the sunshine. It was truly something to soak up the atmosphere in Tullamore beforehand, as the Kildare and Meath supporters mingled together in the great GAA tradition. For me, there was added resonance to the occasion with Offaly being the county from which my grandfather hailed.

And to top it all – the result went our way following a superb Kildare performance! It made the journey home all the sweeter as the sun set on the midlands. The day was one of the most memorable of the year for me and train travel was at the heart of it.

Many people across the country will feel their own sense of excitement as they board the train this

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autumn and seek out new experiences. One destination that will prove enormously popular is the Marble City, which on the October Bank Holiday weekend hosts one of the country’s premier food festivals, Savour Kilkenny.

Among the star attractions is food guru and athlete David Gillick, who graces the cover of this issue’s Go Rail. We also have recipe tips from a host of other figures participating in the event, including Catherine Fulvio and Simon Delaney. Furthering our focus on Kilkenny, we have an in-depth guide to the Marble City, with tips for its best cultural attractions, shops, restaurants, bars and more.

Elsewhere in this issue, we also talk to an array of fascinating Irish personalities, each of whom have enjoyed success in their chosen fields, including Laura Whitmore, Neil Lennon and The Coronas.

We hope you enjoy – and that you find your own personal adventures as you travel on Irish Rail this autumn.

Paul Nolan Contributing Editor

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GO FOR IT A R U N D O W N O F W H AT ' S H O T & H A P P E N I N G

by Peter McNally

COME WHAT MAY

Need to Know...

While her haunting performance of ‘Amhrán na bhFiann’ before the blockbusting Mayweather V McGregor fight certainly brought her talents to a global audience, here in Ireland we’ve always known that there’s something

WHERE: Concert Hall Limerick & Dublin 3Arena WHEN: Oct 24 & 25 Dec 22

special about Imelda May. New album, LIFE.LOVE.FLESH.BLOOD, saw the Liberties native step away from the highly coiffured and raucous rockabilly sound that made her name, to instead embrace a more intimate and

personal blues style. Her Irish tour kicks off with two nights at the University Concert Hall Limerick (October 24 & 25), before finishing up with a massive headline show at Dublin’s 3Arena (December 22).

For best value fares on all intercity services check out irishrail.ie

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STAS BERNASINSKI

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE Need to Know...

Cork City Ballet will celebrate their 25th anniversary with a special performance of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, The Sleeping Beauty, at the Cork Opera House. Running from November 9–11, with a matinee performance on the Saturday, artistic director Alan Foley and choreographer Yury Demakov reawaken the magic of the world’s favourite fairytale, set

in an enchanted world of castles and curses, forests and fairies. The very beautiful Ekaterina Bortyakova will dance the leading role of Princess Aurora, and her Prince will be played by her husband Akzhol Mussakhanov, both principal dancers with the Moscow State Ballet. The leads will be joined by soloists and a full corps de ballet from Cork City Ballet.

THE ROYSH STUFF Ireland’s favourite rugger bugger, Ross O’Carroll-Kelly, is back in the spotlight with a brand new one-man show. Postcards From The Ledge will run at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre from October 25 – November 11. Award-winning

actor Rory Nolan, who has played Ross in his stage incarnation for the past decade, will be reprising the role in a show that looks into what lies ahead for Paul Howard’s iconic character. It’s 2029 and the Celtic Tiger is back on the prowl. Ross’

wife Sorcha is the Taoiseach and his three boys are the backbone of the Castlerock College Junior Cup team. Life is good for D4’s finest, until an unexpected listing lands on his desk at Hook, Lyon and Sinker.

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WHERE: Cork Opera House WHEN: Nov 9-11 Nearest Station Cork (Kent)

Need to Know...

WHEN:

Oct 25 – Nov 11 WHERE:

Gaiety Theatre Nearest Station Pearse Street

GO

Need to Know...

WHERE: Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre WHEN: Nov 15–18 Nearest Station Pearse Street

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TEENAGE Kicks Shakespeare’s tragic star–cross’d lovers will be brought back to heart–stopping life in Ballet Ireland’s stunning new production of the classic play. The ballet will run for three nights at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre from November 15–18 and

will be choreographed by Morgann Runacre–Temple. In recent years, Runacre-Temple has won praise from The Irish Times, who lauded the choreographer for “tapping into a zeitgeist so many other ballet companies desperately

want to access right now, making relevant what is often seen as an elitist artform.” With music by celebrated Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev, Ballet Ireland’s production of Romeo & Juliet is bound to be an unforgettable experience.

JIM MARKS

Bowled Over

WWE HITS DUBLIN

The Bord Gais Energy Theatre will play host to a star–studded production of Cabaret from November 28 – December 2. Pop star Louise Redknapp will make her stage debut in the role of Sally Bowles, made famous by the legendary Liza Minnelli, and Will Young will reprise his Olivier Award-nominated role as the Emcee. Set in pre–war Berlin, the European epicentre of the cultural avant–garde, Cabaret tells the story of the vibrant nightlife of the Weimar Republic as the country teeters on the edge of World War II. Featuring show-stopping choreography, dazzling costumes and some of the most iconic songs in musical theatre, Cabaret should provide all the glitz and high–kicking glam necessary for a memorable night out.

Once consigned to the small screen in this country, WWE has been visiting our shores with increasing regularity in recent years, and your next opportunity to see some of the biggest names in the spandex-and-chokeslam business arrives on November 2 at the 3Arena, Dublin. Bursting with all the drama and energy of a rock concert (or a testosterone fuelled soap opera with explosions

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and elbow drops) – WWE Live promises the ultimate in family entertainment. Combining in-ring match action with dramatic storylines, this year’s event will include a huge Championship Fatal Five Way Match and a SmackDown Tag Team Championship match. Expect appearances from superstars like AJ Styles, Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler.

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SPRIN G B OKS A RE O N THE WAY Ireland scored a famous victory over the Springboks on South African soil in 2016. While the home–side eventually bested the Irish 2–1 in that series, their return to the Aviva (November 12) is sure to be a mammoth contest between

two leading rugby nations. The South African side’s last visit to Dublin ended in a comprehensive victory for our boys in green, but the visitors will be confident that they can increase their run of victories against Ireland to 19 out

of 26 meetings. November will also see the Guinness Series continue, with Joe Schmidt’s charges playing Fiji on the 18th, and – in a grudge match against the team who scuppered our 2015 World Cup hopes – Argentina on the 25th.

Our exhibitions will be open over the festive season: 10am – 5pm, Wed 28 to Fri 30 December 2016

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Need to Know...

WHERE: Aviva Stadium WHEN: November 12 Nearest Station Lansdowne Rd.

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PICTURE PERFECT Currently riding high at the top of the Irish charts, and having given Stormzy a serious run for his Longitude money, Picture This have announced their two biggest headlining Irish shows yet.

Jimmy Rainsford and Ryan Hennessy give their self-titled

debut album – which came out on August 25 – a live airing in the Belfast SSE Arena on October 27, and then hit Dublin’s 3Arena on November 7 and 8. Both Dublin dates are already sold out, but the boys will be heading to Killarney for two dates at

the INEC on November 10 & 11.

Contributing to their spectacular lift-off has been Traffic Jam, which has seen them perform in the back of their car with the likes of Gavin James, The Coronas, JP Cooper, Christy Dignam and Ryan Sheridan.

Need to Know...

WHERE: 3 Arena WHEN: November 7 Nearest Station Connolly

ANTON CORBJIN

Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment ROB FENN

ALL KILLER, NO FILLER Pop evangelists of the Nevada badlands, The Killers returned with a technicolour bang this summer in the form of new album, Wonderful Wonderful. So good they named it twice, the anticipation around the album’s release saw their upcoming date at the 3Arena, on November 16, sell out in minutes. Lead single ‘The Man’ was a bit of a misdirect, with its punchy pop production and cocksure lyrics, it struck a pose that concealed the depths of personal exploration Flowers goes on to engage in on Wonderful Wonderful.

The album’s mood was surely informed by the departure of two founding members, but it also ensures that the new record stands out as the most honestly personal entry in the canon of a band that seems to be going from strength to strength.

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Alice Cooper brings his own brand of rock psycho-drama to fans old and new at the Olympia Theatre on November 8 & 9. Known as the architect of shock-rock, Cooper has rattled the cages and undermined the authority of generations of guardians of the status quo.

Drawing equally from horror movies, vaudeville and garage rock, Cooper created a stage show that featured electric

chairs, guillotines, fake blood and boa constrictors!

Alice’s catalogue of hits and anthems – including ‘I’m Eighteen’, ‘No More Mr Nice Guy’, ‘School’s Out’, ‘Elected’ and ‘Poison’ – are all featured in his live show, along with a mix of newer songs and fanfavourite album cuts. Ireland’s own Larry Mullen Jr. features on the shock rocker’s new album, Paranormal.

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JOE McNULTY

A Great Escape The soft singing guitarist and Irish success story Gavin James will be playing the Bord Gaís theatre in Dublin on December 6 & 7. Following a whirlwind 18 months since the release of his debut album Bitter Pill – which saw James sell over 2 million singles worldwide, amass half a billion streams, and score an international No.1 with breakout single ‘Nervous’ – James has established himself as one of the leading breakthrough artists of the past few years. He was justly awarded Song of The Year for the album’s title track at the Choice Music Prize in 2015, and has also appeared in front of huge international audiences

on US TV shows Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Late Late Show With James Corden (twice!) and Dancing With The Stars.

Need to Know...

WHERE: Bord Gaís Theatre WHEN: December 6-7 Nearest Station Pearse Street

KATHRIN BAUMBACH

Sharon Shannon

Damien Dempsey

NORTH X NORTHWEST Sligo Live (October 25–30) proves that we Irish can still burn that festival summer oil right the way into winter. Recent years have seen the likes of Van Morrison, Jools Holland, Elvis Costello, Buena Vista Social Club, The

Waterboys and Rufus Wainwright make their trip out to the Wild Atlantic Way, while the festival also highlights the quality of the local Sligo scene. Set in the picturesque northwest, the festival, which is now in its thirteenth year,

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runs the full musical gamut from pop and trad to roots and rock ‘n’ roll, with Imelda May, Sharon Shannon, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Damien Dempsey and Stockton’s Wing all scheduled to headline the Knocknarea Arena.

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SCARE CITY Whether you’re a resident vampire, or have crossed oceans of time to be here, all ghosts and ghouls are welcome at Dublin’s annual celebration of the macabre, the Bram Stoker Festival (October 27–30). Promising four days of living stories and four nights of deadly adventures, the festival will conclude with a magical procession to the spirit realm at the haunting Macnas Parade. Throughout the festival, the voyage of the Demeter will be brought to bone–chilling life at the world premiere of renowned dance artist Colin Dunne’s Whitby; composer Matthew Nolan and David Kitt will provide a live score to Vampyr, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral; and there’s fiendish fun for all the family at pop–up Victorian fun park, Stokerland. Those are just a few of the highlights set to be unleashed on the capital this Halloween.

Need to Know...

WHERE: Bram Stoker Festival WHEN: Oct 27-30 Nearest Station Heuston

Booka Brass

HOT IN THE CITY

Providing welcome relief to those mourning the end of another summer festival season, Metropolis at the RDS (October 28 & 29) has established itself as just the fix needed to survive those long, cold, winter months.

The city centre spectacular is back for a third outing with a line–up that does not disappoint.

Legendary dancefloor fillers

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Leftfield will be performing their iconic Leftism in its entirety, and they’ll be sharing headlining duties with Richie Hawtin. Add to this a roster that includes the likes of Jungle, Death In Vegas, Laurent Garnier, Trinity Orchestra and Booka Brass, among many more, and you have just the tonic needed to get you over the line until the summer.

Modern French Irish Cuisine Serving Lunch/Diner 7 days from 12 Noon Vegetarian and Gluten free options Private Dining room available.

3 course set dinner menu €29.95 Available every evening.

Our city centre location, only a short stroll to the Abbey, Gate, Bord Gais theatre and 3 Arena. www.leboncrubeen.Ie 81 - 82 Talbot street, Dublin 2 | Tel: 01 704 0126 Email: info@leboncrubeen.ie

Quality accommodation at great rates, located on Talbot Street, in the heart of Dublin city.

Our lovely rooms are decorated in modern colours and fabrics with luxurious welcoming touches.

Just 5 minutes walk from both Connolly Train Station and Busáras, the main bus station in Dublin.

Popular attractions Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Zoo, Book of Kells at Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle and the Old Jameson Distillery are close by. www.celticlodge.ie 81-82 Talbot Street, Dublin 1 Tel: 01 878 8810 Email: info@celticlodge.ie

Traditional Irish Music Every evening from 9pm. Come on in for a pint and the craic!

Come along and experience the authentic atmosphere found only at The Celt Bar, the traditional Irish pub in Dublin that’s as full of life as it always has been. Friendly faces, a traditional bar menu with the finest selection of Irish whiskey’s, beers, ales and stouts, ciders and not to mention the goodness of real Guinness. www.thecelt.ie Tel: 01 878 8655 The Celt Bar 81-82 Talbot Street, Dublin 1

TAKING NO PRISONERS

Wicklow’s historic Gaol will provide a suitably eerie setting for a week of Halloween themed events leading up to the baank holiday. Filled with dark history and overflowing with spooky stories of the lives of the inmates during the Victorian

era, the Gaol still has an atmosphere perfect for those seeking some fright night chills. From terrifying treasure hunts and trick or treat fancy dress for the kids, to spine–chilling ghost tours and a night of paranormal investigation with the Irish

Ghost Hunters, there’s something for the whole family at Wicklow Gaol. Kids can also enjoy a screening of Halloween favourite Hocus Pocus, while the adults can enjoy a showing of the ultimate scary movie, The Exorcist.

KATHRIN BAUMBACH

RUN SWIFT, RUN FREE

Soulé

ALL THAT JAZZ The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival (October 27–30) has been an essential feature of the Irish festival calendar for nearly 40 years.

The internationally renowned celebration of all things jazz features over 1,000 musicians in dozens of performances at 70 venues citywide.

Last year saw plenty of festival favourites like Bell X1, Rodrigo y Gabriela and the Picture This round out a line-up that was heavy with jazz and roots greats like Robert Glasper, Jason Marsalis, Sheryl Bailey, and The Hot Club of Cowtown. This year’s outing is already looking like another

Glen Hansard

Honouring the famous author on the 350th anniversary of his birth, the Jonathan Swift Festival takes place from November 23-26, and celebrates his legacy as a writer, satirist, poet, and Dubliner of note.

As a champion in his time for Irish rights, Swift’s actions on behalf of the people earned him the Freedom of the City of Dublin. Swift’s best-known work of fiction, Gulliver’s Travels, has never been out of print since it was first published in 1726, and

classic with scheduled appearances from up-and-comers Soule and Booka Brass; and heavy-hitters Imelda May, Soul II Soul, and King Kong Company.

With an abundance of fringe and satellite events taking place over the weekend, you’ll be spoiled for choice at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival.

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has been adapted for screen, radio throughout the world.

The festival organisers promise that it will be “packed with surprising, unique experiences”, including: special walking tours of Swift’s Dublin, an unmissable appearance by Glen Hansard in the stunning setting of St Patrick’s Cathedral, talks, animations, workshops and amazing special events, including the once-in-alifetime opportunity to eat a 17th century-inspired candlelit dinner.

ROOMS TO ROAM

Paris

Peter McNally picks 5 great hotels from around the country.

Mercure Paris Tour Eiffel

ďƒŞďƒŞďƒŞďƒŞ

Park Hotel Kenmare Shelbourne Street, Kenmare, Co Kerry Tel: (064) 664 1200, parkkenmare.com A supremely decadent hotel often voted one of Ireland’s best, Kenmare’s Park Hotel is a firm favourite with fitness buffs, who flock to Kerry for retreats in its Sà MAS spa, an 18 hole golf course and the 25-metre lap pool. As well as being a Victorian landmark, dating from 1897, the hotel is wellknown as a centre for peace and tranquility.

399 PP T

day-trip to the Aran Islands.

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Riverside Park Hotel & Leisure Club The Promenade, Killagoley, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford Tel: (053) 923 7800 riversideparkhotel.com

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Nestled along the scenic banks of the River Slaney, the 4 Star Riverside Park Hotel and Leisure Club is an ideal base for a family escape to the Sunny South East.

With 100 beautifully appointed rooms decorated to the highest standard and two restaurants to choose from, Riverside Park is already a relaxing proposition. Add to that an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi – plus the promise of delicious cocktails on the outdoor veranda overlooking the water and you have everything you need for a relaxing The Clarence getaway.

The Clarence 6-8 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 407 0800 theclarence.ie

Midlands Park Hotel Jessop St, Portlaoise, Co Laois (057) 867 8588 midlandsparkhotel.com

Located on Wellington Quay, right next to Dublin city’s trendy Workman’s Club bar and music venue, The Clarence is a timeless boutique hotel with comfort and style at the forefront of its ethos.

The Octagon bar, meanwhile, is not to be missed. The art-deco style drinkerie is often frequented by Bono and The Edge who own the Liffeyside hotel.

The luxurious all-new Midlands Park Hotel & Conference Centre, located in the town centre of Portlaoise, is the result of a massive ₏7m renovation and redesign of the 4 star Portlaoise Heritage Hotel. Some of the lavish new features include: 115 deluxe guest bedrooms – including a new exclusive floor of 5 specially designed executive suites together with an opulent and indulgent bridal suite – the award–winning Kelly’s Steakhouse Restaurant, Triog Restaurant and an extended and transformed Charter Bar and Leisure Club with 22m pool. Perfect for weddings, corporate events and conferences, the Midlands Park Hotel is centrally located just an hour from Dublin and less than two hours from Limerick, Cork and Galway.

The G Hotel Wellpark, Galway City Tel: (091) 865 200 theghotel.ie

12 Feb 18 | 3 Nights

LOG ONTO

Five minutes from Galway’s city centre, along the majestic coast of Galway Bay, sits the gloriously glamorous gHotel, a high-fashion flophouse designed by renowned milliner Philip Treacy. Boasting an impressive spa and critically acclaimed Midlands Park Hotel restaurant, as well as glorious suites and conference rooms, the gHotel has everything you need for a decadent stay. A leisurely walk to the Spanish Arch and Galway City Museum comes highly recommended, as does a

HOTPRESS.COM for round the clock latest news, competitions & more

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T R A I N news STUDENTS, TAKE A DREAM TRIP, BOOK THE TRAIN

Students, once you get that college ID, the student savings are endless and train travel is no different.

Our online student fares are the smart option for student travel and here’s why…

• Lowest cost fare option for students, eg. Dublin to Galway – €11.49 • If your plans change, no worries; you can travel on an earlier or later train that day • Flexibility – cancel or amend

your booking online at no extra cost up to 90 minutes prior to travel • Book up to 60 days in advance • Free seat reservation • Free Wi-Fi to allow you work or play For Dublin-based students, a Student Leap Card is ideal

for getting around Dublin

by DART or Commuter Rail.

There is a special student rate of capping of Ð7.00 per day or Ð27.00 per week (Mon to Sun). Once you hit the cap you can continue to travel on DART/Commuter Rail for free. Just Touch On and Off as usual.

TRAINS ARE PART OF THE PLAN!

Ireland 2040 – National Planning Framework In September, the Government published Ireland 2040 – Our Plan for its final round of public consultations. Now, the public will have a chance to review what is essentially the long-term National Planning Framework (NPF) for our country’s future growth and prosperity. Ireland 2040 – Our Plan will guide national, regional and local planning opportunities throughout the country, together with investment decisions for at least the next two decades.

Finalisation of the NPF later this year, alongside the 10-year National Investment Plan, will essentially put together one plan to guide strategic development and infrastructure investment at national level.

Transport, including public transport infrastructure, will be central to the future planning of our country. Shane Ross TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport said, “Ireland’s transport sector plays a key societal role for the citizens of Ireland, whether they reside in our cities, towns or rural areas. The planning and strategic development policies set out in Ireland

2040 will better support the development of an integrated and sustainable public transport system. Choices about how places are planned and designed and choices about the delivery of transport infrastructure and services are very dependent on each other, and achieving a close linking of the two can be to their mutual benefit and lead to more coherent outcomes for society.

RAIL PROJECTS FEATURED IN THE DRAFT PLAN INCLUDE: • Delivering the key rail projects set out in the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area including DART Expansion, for mobility and sustainability. DART Expansion would see all major rail routes in the Dublin area upgraded to DART. Furthermore, a second line through the city – the high capacity DART Underground line, linking the Northside DART with routes from Heuston – would dramatically expand capacity, and ensure a major increase in the number of trains operating on all lines into

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Dublin. It would also connect all routes into an integrated network.

• Improving access to Dublin Airport, to include improved public transport access, including consideration of heavy rail access to facilitate direct services from the national rail network in the context of potential future electrification.

Our main intercity rail network also plays a key role in offering sustainable travel alternatives, the option of travel while working, and broadening labour catchments to the benefit of the international competitiveness of the island’s major cities. There is potential to develop the existing good quality rail links between Dublin and Belfast and Cork into an island rail spine through line speed and service enhancements. Cork/Dublin enhancements would also serve to significantly benefit journeys between the capital and Kerry and Limerick.

The full draft plan, as well as details of how to participate in the public consultation – open until 3rd November – are available at npf.ie

PEARSE PIANO

Our latest addition to Pearse Street train station has been music to our customers’ ears!

The Pearse Piano, a joint project between Iarnród Éireann and Murphy Piano Tuning, was installed on the south bound platform of Pearse Street Station this September. Following its launch, with help from the students of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, it has fast become a new local attraction for musicians across the city.

From an ad hoc performance from Irish folk duo Hudson Taylor, to a jazz trio complete with snare and double bass, performers have been taking advance of the station acoustics and a willing audience of commuters.

Most recently it was used by the National School Choirs, who visited Pearse to help us celebrate 25 years of the UN Rights of the Child with UNICEF. For more updates on our latest addition follow #PearsePiano on Twitter and keep an eye out on the Iarnród Éireann website.

MOVEMBER

The Pearse Piano

Third consecutive year of company growth… for a good cause.

Movember Team

2017 marks the third year of Iarnród Éireann staff participation in the men’s health initiative, Movmber. For four weeks our staff will be putting down the razors and taking up the cause to raise funds for Men’s Health Awareness.

You can support our team’s efforts and follow their progress at movember.com throughout November 2017.

The Movember Foundation is a global men’s health charity that disrupts the status quo and advocates for men. They aim to have an everlasting impact on men’s health. When it comes to their health, too many men don’t talk, don’t take action and die too young. We want to help men live happier, healthier and longer lives. Over 5 million have joined the movement since 2003, raising €469m and funding over 1,000 projects that focus on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity.

Pearse Street station

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ENTERPRISE IRELAND BRIDGES CAMPAIGN: September 2017 saw the launch of a new joint tender between Enterprise and Iarnród Éireann The invitation is for tenders for bridge warning, prevention and pre emptive systems/ technologies for Iarnród Éireann.

This tender process was designed jointly by Iarnród Éireann and Enterprise Ireland through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Ireland, to attract interest from small and medium size indigenous businesses, which have the knowledge and innovation to design and implement technologies to reduce the instances of trucks hitting railway bridges.

In 2016 there were 92 incidents of vehicles hitting bridges, an increase on 2015. In 2017 to date, there have been 65 bridge strikes, with the DART area experiencing the highest increase. Bridge Strikes are a major threat to the safety of road and rail users, and they can also cause major disruption to customers, as when a bridge strike is reported, all rail traffic must stop until an engineer inspects the bridge to ensure that no structural damage has occurred.

Bridge strikes are a threat to road and rail users

'Tis the Season of Low Rail Adhesion Everyone has heard the apologies for delays due to “low rail adhesion” – but what does that mean? Autumn sees the annual leaf fall period when trains will often experience Low Rail Adhesion (LRA). Leaf fall can contribute to poor rail head conditions and so can affect train performance and punctuality.

Wet and compressed leafs are to rails what ice is to roads.

When leaves fall on to the line, particularly in damp or wet weather, the rolling action of passing wheels compresses them, causing a greasy ‘mulch’ to cover the rail.

It reduces the adhesion between wheel and rail – hence the phrase “low rail adhesion”.

We constantly work to reduce the impact of low rail adhesion through a range of measures:

the grip between wheel and rail.

• Traction Gel Applicators: Iarnród Éireann has also invested in Traction Gel Applicators – 110 of these units are installed across the network in known areas of low rail adhesion. When a train passes over the unit, it dispenses traction gel which improves the grip between the wheel and rail interface.

• Manual application: Handheld applicators and rail-head scrubbers are also stored in strategic locations to allow line maintenance staff provide a rapid response to other areas of slipping.

• On-board sanding: Iarnród

• Vegetation Management: Removing trees from our property, and making sure other vegetation is cut back and managed. Unfortunately, we can’t remove trees from bordering properties.Sandite machine: We have machinery to address this problem, which operates overnight on key sections of the network, water-jetting and spreading “Sandite” on the line to improve

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Éireann has also equipped its passenger trains with onboard sanding systems which will dispense sand when wheel slip is detected.

In order to comply with safety requirements train drivers adopt defensive driving techniques. This includes reducing speed to prevent slipping. This is done for the safety or our customers and staff.

We want you to arrive at your destination safely. So if you experience some minor delays at this time of year, we apologise, and we appreciate your patience while we wait for the scourge of the leaf fall season to pass.

DROGHEDA VIADUCT HERITAGE AWARD Iarnród Éireann takes the prize for Viaduct Refurbishment This September a new plaque was installed at McBride Station, Drogheda to mark the Railway Heritage award won by Iarnród Éireann for their restoration of the Boyne Viaduct. The ceremony was attended by the judging panel of the Railway Heritage Awards and Iarnród staff. A significant refurbishment, the project involved the installation of a new drainage system to capture and remove rainwater, steelwork repairs to replace sections of the bridge’s steel infrastructure, and the relaying of track work over the viaduct itself.

The old paintwork covering the viaduct has been removed and replaced with a more suitable and modern protective paint system, which will help to safeguard the stonework over many years. The EU-funded refurbishment of the Boyne Viaduct, Drogheda won the Historic Structures Restoration Award at the Railway Heritage Awards, presented at a ceremony in Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London in December last.

Speaking at the event Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive David Franks said, “We are all very proud of the work carried out by our engineering team. Huge work and commitment went into the restoration of the Viaduct. And to see that recognised by the National Railway Heritage Awards is immensely gratifying.

I am delighted that a permeant recognition of the work is being installed in the station today.”

The unveiling of the plaque at McBride Station Drogheda to mark Railway Heritage Award. Pictured David Franks, Iarnród Chief Executive, with John Ellis, (R) Chairman of the National Railway Heritage Awards and Cllr Oliver Tully (L).

DARGAN 150 WILLIAM DARGAN REMEMBERED IN PORTLAOISE

Working in conjunction with Laois County Council, the Laois Heritage Society and Laois Tidy Towns, we recently unveiled a new memorial to William Dargan in Portlaoise Station to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the famous engineer’s death.

The plaque, unveiled at a ceremony on Friday 25th August at Portlaoise Station, will hang on the station wall of platform one. Display boards have also been installed in waiting rooms on both platforms telling the story of William Dargan’s life and work. There has also been a new flower garden erected in the station, which will be maintained jointly by Iarnród Éireann and Laois Tidy Towns committee.

William Dargan (1799-1867) was the foremost builder, industrialist and philanthropist of Ireland in the 19th century. He was a native of Laois having grown up on a farm near Killeshin. Dargan built Ireland’s first railway, the Dublin/ Kingstown line which opened in 1834. His legacy of railway building laid the foundation for the network we operate today.

He was also a keen supporter of the arts and is the namesake of the Dargan Wing of the National Gallery of Ireland.

Unveiling of the memorial to William Dargan

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Portrait: David Green

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David Gillick

Your dish Is his command One of the star turns at the Savour Kilkenny festival, healthy food guru, David Gillick, talks about winning Celebrity MasterChef, cooking for his young son and his previous life as a medal-winning elite athlete.

Words: Stuart Clark

H

e hasn’t managed to condense it into the 44.7seconds that he’s run the 400 metres in yet, but give Olympic athlete David Gillick half an hour and he’ll rustle you up a meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. One of the star turns at this year’s Savour Kilkenny foodfest, the 34-year-old’s transformation into a healthy food guru started in 2013 when he surprised himself by saying “yes” to an invitation to appear alongside the likes of Maia Dunphy, Yvonne Keating, Tracy Piggott and Gary Cooke on the first Irish Celebrity MastChef.

“Cooking a dish for Dylan McGrath was as daunting as running in the World Championships,” David laughs. “I’m not a chef, but I did a lot of cooking for myself when I was competing, so I know my way around a saucepan! MasterChef was like having an exam every day but not knowing the subject until you turn up. I thought, ‘Ah, he’s playing the pantomime villain when he gives out to people,’ but Dylan’s annoyance and irritation when I cooked some veal that he thought was as tough as old boots was very real. The series was filmed back to back, so I had six days of being in cooking boot camp. By the end of it I’d gained so much confidence, though. You’re pushed to your limits doing 12, 13 hour days in the kitchen, but that’s what I signed up for and Dylan and Nick Munier were the best teachers I could have had.”

I thought the Full Irish was yer’ only man until I tried the All In One Breakfast David brought back with him from Canberra in Australia.

“The key to that is the chorizo, which oozes into the other ingredients and gives you that smoky flavour,” he enthuses.

“You also add Worcestershire Sauce and balsamic vinegar to the tomatoes, eggs, green pepper and kidney beans, so it’s really tasty and not too naughty because you only need a little bit of chorizo. I’ll often look at other people’s recipes and think, ‘How can I do a lighter, healthier take on that, which doesn’t sacrifice any of the taste?”

It’s one of our go-to recipes – the Cauliflower & Broccoli Gratin and Chicken, Quinoa & Mango Salad also get the Go Rail ‘thumbs up’ – from his excellent David Gillick’s Kitchen: Good Food From The Track To The Table Cookbook.

Like a lot of athletes, David struggled to adjust to life after elite sport.

“I was actually dogged by depression throughout my career,” he admits.

“I had a nightmare three years with injuries, one of which resulted in me missing out on the London Olympics.

I was worried that I was going to lose my funding and just didn’t trust my body. There were highlights too, of course. I won two European medals and got a lap of honour, which is the stuff deep down you dream of. My best year was 2009 when I ran 44secs a number of times and made it to the world final in Berlin.

“After that high, I found retirement very difficult. I was struggling to the point where even the people closest to me didn’t know how to handle me. What helped bring me out of that were my wife getting pregnant and me thinking: ‘I can’t bring a baby into the world if I’m not right.’ That was the boxticking exercise, which, with the help of some really good counselors, turned things around.”

One of David’s biggest joys – and challenges! – is cooking for his 18 month-old son, Oscar.

“My wife will kill me for saying this, but I’m the one who

“Cooking a dish for Dylan McGrath was as daunting as running in the World Championships!”

Portrait: David Green

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RUNNING THINGS: (clockwise) David Gillick in the kitchen, with his MasterChef trophy & at the 2010 European Championships

“After that high, I found retirement very difficult. I was struggling to the point where even the people closest to me didn’t know how to handle me.” rustles up most of the meals in our house,” he laughs. “I’ve become a bit of an expert in doing things that I can stick in the blender and give to him, and cook whole for us. The sort of stuff I’ll be doing in Kilkenny is one-pot dishes for the family.

There’ll be plenty of veg; from the carbs perspective, butternut squash and sweet potatoes, and a healthy stock to cook it all in. Nice, comforting autumnal stews with seasonal ingredients that aren’t expensive or time-consuming.”

Am I the only one who’s suddenly feeling hungry? Although he preferred to keep to himself on race days – “I stuck the headphones on, listened to some Bell X1,

Riverdance, Phil Coulter, Villagers, Moby and MGMT and went into my own little world” – he made an exception for the great Usain Bolt.

“I first encountered him at the Juniors in Jamaica in 2002,” David recalls. “It was my first international and this guy, who was two years younger than me, was already phenomenal. Obviously, over the course of his career, he got faster and faster and dominated his opponents. Usain’s a freak; he’s tall, lean, has the longest legs and just epitomises what an athlete should be. He has the personality to match, and has transcended his sport in terms of everybody knowing who he is.

“I was lucky/unlucky enough to be around at the same time as two of the greatest 400 metre runners of all time, Jeremy Wariner and LaShawn Merritt, although Merritt’s halo well and truly slipped when he failed a drugs test in 2009. It’s only now that I’m retired that I look back and think, ‘Well, that guy was dodgy.’ At the time, you’re concentrating on your own performance rather than

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other people’s, but I definitely feel I missed out on opportunities because certain athletes were cheating.”

Professing himself to be “beyond thrilled” with his on-going foodie adventures, David can’t wait to join a Savour Kilkenny bill that from October 27-30 will also include demonstrations by the likes of Catherine Fulvio, Edward Hayden, Kwanghi Chan, Oliver Dunne, Neven Maguire, Rory O’Connell, Simon Delaney, The Happy Pear and Anna May McHugh.

“It’s fantastic company to be keeping, although sometimes I feel a bit of an imposter!” he chuckles again. “I don’t class myself as a chef; I’m a home-cook interested in the healthy aspects of food and lifestyle, so I can feed my family and afterwards have lots of time to enjoy their company.”

As a mantra for life, that’s hard to beat!

David Gillick gives his One Pot Fits All! demo on the Black & Amber Stage at midday on Saturday October 28

Flavours to Savour We asked some of the master mealmakers appearing at Savour Kilkenny to provide us with their favourite recipes.

1 red chilli, finely sliced ½ tsp ground cumin 6 spring onions, trimmed and sliced lengthways into 3 2 pak choi, trimmed and sliced lengthways Bunch of coriander, chopped

CATHERINE FULVIO The TV chef, food writer and RTÉ Guide food columnist is a Savour Kilkenny regular. Here she shares a delicious duck recipe, which features in her classes at Ballyknocken House & Cookery School, located at her home outside Ashford in Wicklow.

METHOD To prepare the duck, score the breasts diagonally each way with a sharp knife, and rub with the five-spice powder, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the duck, skin side down, into a large cold frying pan.

Leave to cook slowly on a low heat until the skin is golden and the duck fat has melted.

Turn the duck breasts over, increase the heat to medium and cook for a further five minutes approximately, until tender but still pink in the middle. Remove from the pan, cover and keep warm.

To make the sauce, heat the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add the orange juice and zest and simmer for two minutes, before adding the ginger, honey and raspberries. Simmer for two minutes and set aside. To prepare the vegetables, heat some oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Add the red chilli, cumin and spring onions and sauté for one minute before adding the pak choi and sautéing for a further two to three minutes. Stir in the chopped coriander.

To serve, place the wilted spring onions and pak choi on a large platter, then slice the duck and arrange the slices on top.

Spoon over the raspberry sauce and serve immediately.

See Catherine Fulvio on the Black & Amber Stage on October 28.

so-called because the pattern made by the nuts and caramel sauce on top resembles a turtle shell. Handily, you can vary the nuts and even add dried fruits for a different Turtleback every time.

TURTLEBACK TERRINE – SERVES 6 CHOCOLATE LAYER 400ml double cream 400g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids) TOPPING 250ml salted caramel sauce (see below) 75g pecan nuts 75g whole almonds 75g hazelnuts ESSENTIAL KIT 900g loaf tin (roughly 23cm × 10cm) Sunflower oil, for the tin

Five-Spice Seared Duck Breasts with Honey and Raspberry Sauce & Wilted Pak Choi and Spring Onions – SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS 4 x 200g duck breasts, skin on 1 tsp five-spice powder Salt and freshly ground black pepper FOR THE SAUCE 1 tbsp butter 1 orange, zest and juice 2cm fresh root ginger, grated 3 tbsp honey 200g raspberries FOR THE VEGETABLES Rapeseed oil, for sautéing

SHARON HEARNE-SMITH The Dubliner is a food stylist and cookbook author, with 20 years’ experience working in Ireland, the UK and US. Here she talks us through her recipe for Turtleback Terrine,

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METHOD If you haven’t already made the salted caramel sauce for the topping, do so and leave to cool to room temperature. To prepare the chocolate layer, bring the cream gently to the boil in a medium pan on a medium heat. Meanwhile, snap the chocolate into a large jug. Remove the cream from the heat once it reaches the boil and pour over the chocolate. Stir until melted to a smooth, rich sauce, then leave to cool to body temperature.

Meanwhile, oil the loaf tin and line with parchment paper. Stir the nuts through the salted caramel sauce and then pour into the base of the tin, spreading it evenly with the back of a spoon. Pour the cooled chocolate mixture on top, cover with cling film and refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight, until set firm. This can be made

up to 24 hours in advance and left in the fridge.

Just before you want to serve, lay a long serving board upside down over the tin and turn both over together, allowing the terrine to drop out. Remove the tin and peel off the paper to reveal the turtleback. Leave to come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Dipping your knife in boiling water and wiping dry between every slice, cut into 12 slices, serving two per person.

See Sharon Hearne-Smith on the Marble City Stage on October 28.

SAVOUR KILKENNY A festival for food lovers everywhere, Savour Kilkenny returns for its eleventh instalment from October 27–30. During the festival’s run, the medieval city of Kilkenny will play host to some of the nation’s most popular chefs and local and national food producers.

The new Medieval Mile Museum presents a Medieval Food and Craft Village giving a ‘step-back in time’ glimpse into medieval food and craft making. Festival visitors can also enjoy a Gunpowder Gin Mixology Class at The Wine Centre.

2017 will also showcase the largest Craft Brewers and Distillers Pavilion yet! Some of the world–class chefs and producers on hand for demos include Catherine Fulvio, David Gillick, The Gastro Gays, Neven Maguire, Pamela Black and comedian Simon Delaney. With an extensive selection of both free and ticketed events, Savour Kilkenny embraces all sectors of the food community from artisan producers and restaurateurs to food agencies and food farmers.

SIMON DELANEY Renowned for his starring roles in RTÉ hit Bachelors Walk and Coronation Street, the actor has also achieved success of late as host of TV3’s Weekend AM and, of course, as a food writer. Here he shares his recipe for a delicious Chuck Beef Burger.

For more on Savour Kilkenny see Destination page 40

• 960g minced chuck beef, with 20% fat (your butcher will sort this for you) • Salt and pepper, to season FOR THE BURGER SAUCE • 1 tsp smoked paprika • 100 ml hoisin sauce • 2 tbsp mayonnaise • 2 small gherkins, chopped • Juice of half a lemon TO SERVE • 8 slices Monterey Jack cheese • 16 thin slices pastrami • • • • • •

CHUCK BEEF BURGER – SERVES 4 FOR THE BURGERS • 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce • 1 tsp Chinese five-spice

A couple of knobs of butter, melted 1 nedium red onion, finely sliced 4 brioche burger buns 2 beef tomatoes, sliced 1 small head of baby gem lettuce, washed Olive oil

Preheat the oven to 175°C. We’ll kick off by making the burger mix. In a bowl add the Worcestershire Sauce, the Chinese five-spice and the minced beef, and season well with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy with the salt: these burgers can take it! When you have the spices mixed well into the beef, divide the mixture into four 240 g balls.

Wet your hands with cold water, and then take the meatballs and shape them into burger patties about 1 inch thick. When you have all four done, pop them onto a lined baking tray, cover them and let them sit in

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the fridge for about 30 minutes to firm up.

Now to cook the burgers. If you have a griddle pan, put it over a medium heat. Take the burgers out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature before you cook them.

Add a little olive oil to your pan, get it nice and hot, and pop the burgers in. We’re looking to get a nice char on the outside of the burger, so cook them for about 2 minutes on each side. Place the pan into the oven and cook for about 6 minutes or until done.

I like my burgers medium, but go with what you prefer.

In another small pan, add a drizzle of olive oil and a knob of butter and sweat down your onions until coloured and soft. When done, drain on kitchen paper.

To serve, spread a little melted butter on the brioche burger buns and heat them in your pan for a minute. Next, spread some of your burger sauce on both halves of the bun, and then layer on some lettuce, a couple of slices of tomato and the fried onions. Add the burger, cheese and pastrami, then skewer the bun top on with a burger skewer (yes, there is such a thing), and enjoy!

See Simon Delaney on the Marble City Stage on October 28.

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Laura Whitmore

The Secret OF HER SUCCESS Having now made a successful transition into acting, Irish star Laura Whitmore reflects on her hugely successful media career, which encompasses a jet-setting job with MTV and an appearance on smash hit show Strictly Come Dancing.

Interview: Jason O’Toole | Photography: Kathrin Baumbach

R

ight now, as you read this, Laura Whitmore is probably either meeting with high-powered movie executives or on a sun lounger gazing at the iconic Hollywood Sign.

On the back of a string of strong reviews for her starring role earlier this year in the stage adaptation of Peter James’ crime novel Not Dead Enough, Laura is now out in La La Land as she takes the next step in her fledgling acting career.

Whitmore is mesmerised with theatre and movies. “I’ve always wanted to act,” Laura tells Go Rail, over lunch in a cosy Manhattan eatery.

She was spending a few weeks in New York with her new boyfriend, Iain Stirling – a Scottish comedian and TV star – recuperating after a gruelling six-month tour of the critically acclaimed production of the play.

“Theatre is my escapism,” continues Laura. “My dad used to bring me as a kid. And then moving to London, I just go to theatre by myself all the time.

I love it.”

Whitmore is one of the biggest Irish names in British broadcasting, having worked for the likes of the BBC, ITV and MTV. However, she now wants to give it all up to focus on her first love of acting. And she is deadly serious about the craft too, studying earlier this year at RADA – and even turning down lucrative TV work to concentrate on acting.

But she has no problem with still doing the bread and butter work. “I still love hosting,” Laura enthuses. “I love interviewing. I just think you need to open yourself to lots of things and see what works. Challenge yourself.”

The 32-year-old is a seasoned pro who’s well used to grilling the likes of Katy Perry and Chris Martin. But she is normally reticent about discussing her own life. “I feel really

uncomfortable when people are asking me questions,” she notes.

Even as a young girl, Laura always knew she wanted to be in the entertainment industry.

“I remember around age three, when I was quite shy in school and lived in my own little world a lot, I’d put on little plays and performances – entertainment or storytelling.

That’s what I always loved – it’s not a fame thing really. That’s probably the worst part of what I do. Mum sent me off to drama lessons when I was still really young. Then I came home and I was like this woman with attitude! And she was like, ‘What have I created?’”

So, was Laura pretending to put on her own TV shows?

“My two cousins were kind of like sisters,” she reflects. “We used to put on little shows. We used to get my uncle’s video player and record little films. I had this karaoke machine and I used to do fake radio shows and fake interviews of people.

My cousin would pretend to be someone and I’d interview her.

So, yeah, that’s probably where it came from.”

But journalism got in the way of the big dream of Hollywood...

“I thought initially I wanted to be like Lois Lane,” says Laura. “I wanted to write and find out who the bad guys are.

I then went down the route of journalism, but drama was always there as well. Most people when they say they want to do something as a kid, it changes as they get older – I never really changed.”

After graduating from DCU with a journalism degree, Laura went to work as a researcher at Newstalk. While there she applied for a competition to be the new face of MTV, and was astonishingly handpicked from over 3,000 applicants for the gig.

“I just think you need to open yourself to lots of things and see what works.

Challenge yourself.”

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“Chris Martin was brilliant.

I’ve interviewed him loads of times since and he still remembers.”

“Yeah, that was about nine years ago now,” she recalls. “I was working on the Newstalk lunchtime show, doing the researcher’s job of making lots of cups of tea and coffee. And then I entered a competition for MTV. I never thought I’d win it. It never even crossed my mind. But I did.”

Whitmore got to interview Coldplay on her first day, but confesses that she was quaking in her boots.

“I moved to London. I didn’t know anyone in London but I moved, got a house share, a spare room. And the day I moved over, I got a call from my producer Lisa who said, ‘Your first day is going to be in LA for the MTV Movie Awards’. So, they flew me out and my first interview was with Coldplay.”

Laughing at the absurdity of it all now, the seasoned TV pro continues: “Thankfully, they’re the nicest band in the entire world. This is my philosophy in life: fake it until you make it!

Nobody knows what they’re doing. Nobody. I learnt that a long time ago. If you look at the biggest movie star: they’re all kind of blagging life. All of us are, no matter what you’re job is.

“So, I said, ‘If I go there, they don’t know I don’t know what I’m doing. They have no idea that I haven’t done this before.’ So, I rock up there to do the interview and my producer says to Chris Martin, ‘This is Laura’s first day on the job!’

(Whispers) ‘Thanks for that!’ But he was brilliant.

I’ve interviewed him loads of times since and he still remembers. He’s lovely. Last year at the Brits, they weren’t doing any interviews and he came offstage and I saw him. I was like, ‘Do you mind doing a little interview?’ He goes, ‘Yeah, I’ll come back in half-an-hour’. I was like, ‘Sure he will!’

But he did. I was very lucky. It was a good first interview.”

Considering she was the face of MTV Europe, it’s somewhat surprising to learn that Whitmore has never interviewed U2, nor even really met them for that matter.

“I’m actually mates with Jordan, Bono’s daughter,” she says. “But I’ve actually never interviewed U2. I think I met Bono – I didn’t even meet him: I was going to the toilet at the Q Awards and he passed by me and we both said hi. Because I’m like, ‘He looks familiar!’ (laughs). And he’s like, ‘Some girl’s saying hi to me!’ But, no, it’s mad – like the biggest band ever from Ireland and the girl who’s interviewed all the bands?”

What’s her favourite gig ever?

“The two best gigs of my life were Prince playing in Coco in Hampton, like, the year before he died. He had all those small gigs. And another was Fleetwood Mac. I think they’re brilliant. They’re timeless. I brought my Dad for

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his birthday. It’s great when you connect with a parent through music.”

Following in the giant footsteps of two other Irish broadcasters (Terry Wogan and Graham Norton), Laura also presented Eurovision for BBC. “I did the commentary for the semi-finals – that was brilliant. Growing up as an Irish person, Eurovision’s massive. And to be out there and commentating is fun. I’m not used to commentating. You can say whatever you want as you’re watching. And I was doing it with Scott Mills and we had great fun. It’s hilarious that it’s always Irish people commentating for the UK (laughs) – Terry, Graham and then me.”

Another dream-come-true moment was appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, which made her Mum proud.

“It’s my Mum’s favourite show,” says Laura. “She was like, ‘God! Do you think they’ll ask you to?’ I love dancing, but I was never trained as a dancer.

I grew up watching it. I loved that show. The audience thinks, ‘Oh it’s a nice glitzy show and it’s fun.’ And you don’t realise we do put an awful lot of work into it. I didn’t realise how full-on it’d be mentally and physically. I injured myself really badly and I’ve never really had an injury before. I was completely strapped up. And you think, ‘Oh, my God! I can’t walk this week. But it was a new challenge and I loved that.”

Laura also has her own jewellery collection inspired by music. “I designed the jewellery line myself,” she says. “It’s got seven of my favourite lyrics; they’re different song lyrics that mean something to me. A lot of musicians have worn them. Danny from The Script. Niall Horan. All my friends… Bressie, some of the Strypes boys.

And girls as well. Imelda May always wears the necklace – she wore it on Jools Holland. Her one says, ‘Hot Tramp’.

“I’ve had three collections now, including Hot Tramp and You Are My Sunshine. They were the festival collection. And then the original seven were Imagine, You Make Loving Fun, Fleetwood Mac – probably my favourite band of all time – Real Hero, You’re Lovely…”

Even though she’s career-driven these days, Laura admits that she’s starting to get broody now that she’s just entered her thirties.

“Yeah, definitely. It’s weird: when you live in London, it’s a bit like Neverland. So, none of my friends in London have kids yet. But a lot of my friends back at home have started popping them out (laughs). If I look at one more Facebook status – delighted for you! And I am. I mean, I’m probably just not yet ready for it, but I definitely feel myself going that way. In the last year or two I’ve felt a shift.

“And even just as a person going out – I’d much rather have a dinner party and share a bottle of wine, rather than have shots at the bar. I mean, I’ll still have some shots at the bar, but my nights have changed a bit.”

It’s a self-discipline that’s clearly paying off for her in spades.

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The Coronas

WIRED for SOUND With their fifth studio album, Trust The Wire, scoring them their very first Irish number one, Dublin outfit The Coronas are on a roll right now. Frontman Danny O’Reilly talks touring, getting dropped by Island Records, returning to Dublin, recording in Dingle, and broken relationships.

Interview: Olaf Tyaransen | Photography: Kathrin Baumbach

T

he Coronas have long been one of Ireland’s most popular live acts, but up until this year the pop/rock four-piece had never actually scored a No 1 hit. That all changed this summer with their fifth studio album, Trust The Wire, finally doing the business for them.

Little wonder then that frontman Danny O’Reilly is smiling when he arrives into a Dublin hotel bar for this interview. Always an affable sort of fellow, the 32-year-old seems to be in particularly great form today.

“We’re just happy out at the moment,” the singer says, smiling. “We’ve had a good summer and we’re happy with the album. We’re also satisfied with all the decisions we’ve made along the way, in terms of how to release and promote it, and it’s all gone really well. Between now and Xmas we’re going to be on tour, and we’re really excited that. We’re going to be hitting Europe, America, Australia and the UK, so it’s all good.”

First formed just over a decade ago, The Coronas named themselves after the brand of typewriter used by the young music journalist in Almost Famous. The four Dubliners – Conor Egan, Graham Knox and Dave McPhillips complete the line-up – hit the ground running.

Within a matter of months of coming together, they had written and recorded their debut album, Heroes Or Ghosts. Released in October 2007 on Irish indie label 3u Records, it debuted at number 27 on the Irish Albums Chart, and was described

by Hot Press as “walking a soulful line between Jeff Buckley and The Libertines.”

Two more independent long players followed,

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before the band were signed to Island Records, who released their fourth album, 2014’s The Long Way. Unfortunately, despite positive reviews, sales weren’t especially strong and they were ultimately dropped.

Danny appears relatively sanguine about their departure from Island. “Even when we signed to them, we tried our best not to get too caught up in, ‘This is gonna be it now, we’re signed to Island, they’re one of the biggest labels in the world. They’ve got Hozier, Mumford And Sons, U2!’ We tried our best to not get our hopes up too much, ‘cause we’d heard the horror stories. Ultimately, we were another statistic.

When the first single got released, and it didn’t take off, they reneged on their plan.”

Following their departure from Island, Trust The Wire was released on the band’s newly established label So Far So Good.

“One of our really early songs was called ‘So Far So Good’,” recalls Danny. “Then when we started putting gigs on, we named our production company after it, so it made sense to use it for the label as well.”

When they signed to Island, the band relocated to London. Three years on they’ve all moved home, although they have no regrets about their time there.

“We had a serious ball in London,” enthuses Danny.

“We’ve grown in the UK to a certain extent, crowds-wise, and the highlight was Shepherds Bush Empire.

We sold that out, it’s such an amazing venue. We had minimal radio support and, as I say, we sort of built up through the venues. We loved living

“People think that they know what’s going on, but it’s not always accurate.

As the albums have gone on, the songwriting has become much more collaborative.”

The Fab Four: (clockwise from top left) Danny O’Reilly, Conor Egan, Dave McPhillips and Graham Knox

there, and it was great to get away from home for a couple of years. We lived together, wrote together, and it was a great time, one that we look back on now with nostalgia.

“Back here, we’re not living together anymore, but London was an experience we’ll never forget – it was like an extra-long summer that went on for three years.”

It’s a matter of record that not all of Danny’s time in London was so blissfully happy. His long-term relationship with Irish TV presenter Laura Whitmore ended soon after the couple moved over there. Was the stress of the move a contributing factor in their break-up?

“No, I don’t think the location had a bearing on it in any way, to be honest,” he says, shaking his head. “Relationships break up for many different reasons. If anything, the break-up that I was going through was sort of before the rest of the lads moved over. They moved over and we moved in together. They were there for me, as they always are. Break-ups happen, and learn from relationships and get on with it. I wouldn’t say that it in any way tainted my view of London or my time there, or change anything.”

Danny might be unlucky in love, but at least he can mine his heartbreak for lyrics. Both The Long Way and Trust The Wire feature a number of heartfelt break-up songs.

“Well, they come from different experiences,”

he explains. “On the new album, I think not so much from the Laura experiences, no. You know, I’m always reluctant to talk about it. One thing I have learned in the past is anything you say can be sort of turned into a headline.”

Danny and Laura were Irish tabloid fodder for months after their split. Did the singer feel burnt by the media during that time?

“No, no, I understand it comes with the territory,” he shrugs. “To answer your question, the break-up songs on this album are about what was going on in my life in the last two years. The lyrics always are something that me and Dave work on together, so sometimes there might be a thing, you know, that isn’t quite personal, but it might be personal to him.

“People think that they know what’s going on, but it’s not always accurate. As the albums have gone on, the songwriting has become much more collaborative, and lyrically, Dave’s influence has grown over the years.”

Of course, a couple of Danny’s bandmates are now married.

“Myself and Dave look at Knoxy and Egan almost with envy sometimes,” he says. “But life is what it is, and I’m very happy in myself.

Eventually I will get married. Knoxy and Egan have had their partners for years, and they’ve sort of grown up with the band. They’re part of it, really. So yeah, I’m delighted for them. And it’s

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been a great six months to celebrate their two weddings, you know. Especially with Conor’s, it fell on the same day that our album went to number one, so it was just a huge celebration. It was really nice.”

While not exactly offering any sonic surprises, Trust The Wire is a solid, well crafted collection of pop/rock songs, and very much the sound of The Coronas playing to their obvious strengths. They wrote and demoed the songs in the Kerry village of Dingle before recording them in London.

“It’s funny, I think Dingle made an impact on the album sonically,” says Danny. “We wrote the last one in London, and it’s quite fast-paced and big-sounding, and you’ve got singles like ‘How This Goes’, which is loud. Whereas with this one, it’s understated and the most scenic.

Writing in Dingle had that effect; we were just looking out over the sea, as opposed to being in the rehearsal room, where there’s another band downstairs banging, so you have to play louder than them.

“I think that probably had an effect, and it’s just a place we’re comfortable in as well. Getting back from London, we were going, ‘Let’s go back to basics with just the four of us in Dingle.’ It went from there. There’s a maturity in the new album that I think shines through because of that.”

Trust The Wire is out now.

GO DESTINATION:

Galway-Dublin

A Memorable Journey to Dublin Ciara King has become a much-loved television and radio personality. She is perhaps best known as co-host of the RTE 2FM show Chris and Ciara with Chris Greene. Here she reflects on golden memories of the train journey from Dublin to her home in Galway.

“I get why people would want to come to Galway.

The atmosphere around the city and the station is amazing.”

Photo: Ruth Medjber

“B

eing from Connemara, the Dublin to Galway train is my break from work and the internet. You can close yourself off and get lost in the sights and scenery. For two and a half hours, I can occupy a space that isn’t noisy. These days it’s just so hard to switch off. We don’t really get or take the time to do it fully.

“I used to always use the train

from Dublin to Galway as a way of taking a break from the music we play on our show. I could listen to more obscure stuff, less in tune with what we play on 2FM. The other one I played into the ground was Queen’s Greatest Hits. Grab a cup of tea with that and it is so relaxing.

“It’s the journey I’m really fascinated by. I’m always wondering where people are coming from and going to. I cannot help but wonder why this person is on my train or why they decided

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to come here. You see so many different people – interesting or crazy – especially on the route to Galway.

“I get why people would want to come to Galway. The atmosphere around the city and the station is amazing. Before getting ready to head back to Connemara, I always love to pop into the Quay Street Kitchen. It’s a little bistro, but their staff are really friendly. It’s perfect for meeting somebody.

That and Tigh Neachtain, just around the corner from the station

and is a nice for grabbing a drink.

Neachtain’s is a tiny place and very old school. You never know what you’re going to get in there. It’s full of characters and perfect for people watching.

“If you get a chance, too, a local event like Macnas around Halloween is incredible. The music, the atmosphere, the puppets... it’s electric. What’s great, also, is how intimate these parades feel. If you can grab a viewing spot down one of the side streets, it literally feels you are part of the parade.”

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SPORT

Neil Lennon

In a league OF HIS OWN Neil Lennon talks Celtic, the Champions League, Martin O’Neill, the League of Ireland and rock ‘n’ roll with fellow Oasis fan Stuart Clark.

N

eil Lennon looked like he was about to doze off a few minutes ago - getting up at 5am to fly from Glasgow to Dublin would do that to you - but is suddenly buzzing as he spots the Oasis badge on my coat.

“I’d just joined Manchester City in 1987 when the whole Britpop thing erupted,” he enthuses. “I’ve seen Oasis 13 or 14 times, including at Maine Road, which is one of the best gigs I’ve ever been at. I’ve met them a few times – Liam is a lot smarter than he makes out, and Noel just cracks you up every time he opens his mouth – and I named my son after them as well. He’s called Gallagher…”

Although Neil would gladly talk rock ‘n’ roll all day, our main reason for hooking up today is to discuss the Champions League punditry work he’s doing for TV3.

Sadly, Celtic’s participation in Europe’s premier club competition is unlikely to yield anything as joyous as the Bhoys’ November 7, 2012 smiting of Barcelona at Parkhead.

“We’d played brilliantly two weeks earlier in the Nou Camp, but lost 2-1 in the 93rd minute,” Neil recalls. “After the game, I told the lads, ‘Hold on to how you’re feeling.

Take all your frustration out on them – if you can because they’re the best team in the world – at Celtic Park in front of 60,000 of your own supporters’. The night before the return game, we’d had the 125th anniversary of the club in the pub where it was founded, The Celt. There was a service and a bit of a play remembering 1892. I’m sitting next to Dermot Desmond and there was just something in the air. The gist of my team talk was: ‘Be disciplined; whatever about 11 men, we’re not going to beat Barcelona with just 10. These guys know how to make the most of a challenge, so no jumping in or raising a hand. Try and force them out into wider areas and make the setpieces count because we’re not going to get too many chances from open play.’ The other thing you need is your goalkeeper to play very, very well and we had Frasier Forster who revels in those sorts of occasion.

“We weren’t brilliant at the start, but sort of clawed our way

into the game. In the 21st minute, we got a corner, which Victor Wanynama nodded in and that gave us something to hold onto. If Barcelona had scored first, it would have flattened the crowd and likely or not they’d have seen the game out comfortably. Anyway, Parkhead goes nuts, the players seem to grow two or three inches in height and produce some of the best defensive football I’ve ever seen as Barcelona, who are rightly annoyed at having gone behind, launch wave after wave of attack. They’re even more peed off when Tony Watt, who’d just come on, scored in the 83rd minute from a breakaway. I turned to my assistant manager and said, ‘We might get a draw now!’ but despite Messi getting one back in injury time, we held on and five years later it’s still being talked about and will always be talked about!”

Asked how the current Celtic squad compares to the ones he played in from 2000-2007, Lennon immediately shoots back: “Ours were far superior. When Martin O’Neill came to Glasgow in 2000, he spent £6 million bringing Chris Sutton in from Chelsea, which nowadays is the equivalent of £30/40m. The days of Celtic competing with English clubs for players are long gone. They get, maybe, £2m for winning the Premier League in Scotland whilst Chelsea get £100m-plus. Brendan’s recruitment has been really smart, but with Anderlecht, Bayern and PSG in their group it’ll be a minor miracle if they get out of it.”

Lennon’s admiration for Brendan Rodgers doesn’t end with his ability to make shrewd signings like Scott Sinclair who’s been a revelation since his arrival from Aston Villa for a mere £3.15m and Moussa Dembélé who’s now worth at lest ten times the £2.7m Celtic paid Fulham for him in July 2016.

“Those were both outstanding pieces of business. I’m a little bit older than Brendan, so we missed each other as players. My first time meeting him properly was when I was coaching Celtic and his brother sent an email inviting me down to Reading where he was manager at the time. I spent a couple of days with Brendan,

“The gist of my team talk was: ‘Be disciplined; whatever about 11 men, we’re not going to beat Barcelona with just 10.’”

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“Liam is a lot smarter than he makes out, and Noel just cracks you up every time he opens his mouth – and I named my son after them as well.

He’s called Gallagher…”

Clockwise l-r: Neil Lennon, Oasis and James McClean

“The League of Ireland only gets a fraction of the credit it deserves.”

James McClean photo: Kathrin Baumbach Oasis photo: Steve Double

and learnt so much about the game from him. He’s a great guy and seems dead happy at Celtic despite the naysayers saying, ‘You should be winning every game with that squad.’ The important thing for Brendan was getting into the Champions League where he’ll now be pitting his wits against Unai Emery and Carlo Ancelotti. I tell you what; he’s a match for them both tactically and will only get better as he gains more and more European experience.”

Lennon made a shrewd signing of his own during the summer when he brought Anthony Stokes back to Hibs for his third stint at Easter Road. With four in six SPL starts, should he be interesting Martin O’Neill whose Ireland side is crying out for guile and goals - but possibly not the tabloid controversy that seems to follow the Dubliner around?

“All I can say is that his attitude with me has been spot on,” Neil proffers. “He’s still not up to 100% fitness but has already chipped in with some very valuable goals. During his previous spells at Hibs, he had a one in two scoring record, so it was a no-brainer bringing Anthony back after he didn’t have a great time last season at Blackburn. The crucial thing is that he focuses on his football. He’s 29 and at the peak of his career, but whether or not playing in the SPL is good enough for Martin I don’t know.”

Since arriving at Hibs in June 2016 – he won promotion back to the Scottish Premier League at the first time of asking – Lennon has beefed up the club’s Irish scouting operations.

“I’ve been over watching League of Ireland games myself and been very impressed with the standard,” he reveals. “Roy Keane was 19 and at Cobh Ramblers before he went to England. Kevin Doyle was another who got a good schooling in the domestic league and arguably Ireland’s two best current players, Seamus Coleman and James McClean, weren’t that long ago at Sligo and Derry. The League of Ireland only gets a fraction of the credit it deserves.”

Whilst leaving Celtic means no more post-game hanging out in

the VIP Lounge with Rod Stewart who famously cried the night they beat Barca, Hibs have a few celebrity fans of their own.

“Yeah, we’ve Andy Murray and his mum Judy, The Proclaimers, the actor Dougray Scott and Irvine Welsh who’s unbelievable. I met him at the premiere of Trainspotting 2, which he invited me along to and then came to the training ground. He’s always got his finger on the pulse when it comes to Hibs.”

Begbie & Co. all being Easter Road regulars when they’re not up to their criminal tricks.

“Yeah, there’s just one character who’s very pointedly a Hearts supporter,” Neil laughs. “I love his books. Skagboys is great, as is the one about a taxi driver in Edinburgh, Dirty Ride. I’m laughing out loud reading them because they’re so funny. It’s a bit like Roddy Doyle with The Commitments and the rest of The Barrytown Trilogy; the characters are so well written.”

Should Ireland fail to qualify for Russia and Martin O’Neill subsequently find himself reunited with his P45, Neil Lennon is sure to feature on the Paddy Power list of possible replacements. If that’s the case, should we have a few quid on him?

“Not yet,” he smiles. “It doesn’t really appeal to me. I like the dayto-day stuff.”

Following a frustrating couple of years at Bolton, which ended in him leaving by “mutual consent”, Lennon is flying it again in Edinburgh.

“Somebody said to me, ‘It’s a bit of a step down from Celtic’, and I was like, ‘Hang on, this is a club with 142 years of tradition and well over 17,000 people through the turnstiles every home game.’ That’s a very big deal in my book. The title’s 100% Celtic’s but with the way we’ve started, I’ll be disappointed if Hibs aren’t in Europe next season.”

Neil Lennon is a panellist on TV3’s Champions League coverage

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“The gender stuff I wanted to approach through childhood, which is where it starts.”

Mad About The Boy Famed for his role in the hit Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show, Robert Webb discusses his brilliantly funny new memoir How Not To Be A Boy, his admiration for Stephen Fry, and the highlights of his hugely successful comedy career.

Interview: Paul Nolan Photography: Kathrin Baumbach

B

earing endorsements from Stephen Fry, JK Rowling and Ian Rankin, How Not To Be A Boy is – the memoir of Robert Webb, star of hit Channel 4 comedy Peep Show – is one of the funniest books you’ll read this year. The major theme of the book is Webb’s grappling with traditional notions of masculinity, as he moves from school to Cambridge, where he joined the legendary Footlights comedy troupe, and on into a hugely successful TV career.

“I’d always had this preoccupation with gender and masculinity,” reflects Webb, sitting in the

37

lounge of Dublin’s Brooks Hotel.

“I found being a boy quite a tough fit. There was all this stuff you were supposed to do around football, swimming, climbing trees, maths and science, and being loud and cheeky – and I couldn’t really do any of that.

I was almost completely silent.

There was always a moment at other people’s birthday parties, when the mum would be clearing away the jelly and she’d go, ‘Oh, I wish they were all like you Robert!’

“I’d be almost indignant if I didn’t get that comment. But I was also uneasy, because I knew I wasn’t supposed to be quiet. I thought I had a good story to tell; it was a mixture of very typical things – when I was a teenager, no girls were interested in me. I was absolutely baffled and very upset by that.

Why didn’t they understand how marvellous I was?!

“But I think that’s all very normal. And then there were slightly more unusual things. I mean, worse stuff happens to people all the time, but I lost my mum when I was a teenager, which is a bit unusual.

And what I do for a living is a bit unusual. But the gender stuff I wanted to approach through childhood, which is where it starts.”

The subject of what it means to be a man in the modern world is very much part of the zeitgeist right now.

“Well, with the book, that’s happened completely by accident,” notes Webb. “In 2014 or ’15, it felt like I might be starting a conversation, and now it feels like I’m joining one. I’m very glad about that. With Grayson Perry’s stuff and Matt Haig writing about mental illness, it’s all happening.

“You even have princes of the realm – I forget their names for a minute, Harry and the other one! – saying that ignoring their own grief for two years after their mother died didn’t do them any good. There does seem to be more of it about, so that’s all good.”

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Robert Webb

“I found being a boy quite a tough fit. There was all this stuff you were supposed to do around football, swimming, climbing trees, maths and science”

Going back to the aforementioned Fry, How Not To Be A Boy has parallels with his own memoir, the superb Moab Is My Washpot.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Webb is a big fan of the book.

“I read it when it came out,” he recalls. “That was the year after I left, but I was still hanging around Cambridge wondering what to do.

All the other people in Footlights were standing at the back, being all cool, and I thought, ‘I’m going to buy this book anyway and get it signed.’

He was very nice. But for me, going to Cambridge and seeking out the Footlights was deliberate.

“Watching TV as a teenager, a lot of the people I was a fan of seemed to have gone to this one place. There was Clive James, Clive Anderson, Fry & Laurie, Emma Thompson, some of the Pythons – the list goes on. I’d been doing these end-of-term sketch shows in school, where I’d cast my mates in supporting roles and write myself all the best parts. I had the vague feeling from the age of about 13 or 14, freakishly early, that I might eventually end up doing comedy.”

How did Robert find the experience once he’d made his entrée in the world famous Footlights?

“Because I came from a state school,” he reflects, “I sort of imagined that it would be full of blokes in white ties, standing around pianos singing librettos about Proust. But it wasn’t like that – it was actually quite laddish.

I didn’t really get anywhere in my first year. It’s unusual for first years to be in any of the big productions, but I still thought I was marvellous, so I was highly indignant that they didn’t cast me in anything.

“Then in my second year, I was on

the committee and I did everything.

By the time I left, it felt like a slightly different place to when I’d started. But I had a good time, there were some really funny people there – not just David, but also comics like Matthew Holness. There were also some other very funny people, who are now mainly writers. It was a good time.”

Webb writes in his book of his working class upbringing – did he encounter much of a class divide when he went to Cambridge?

“It was a mixture of people,” he replies. “I’d say half the friends I made there had been to independent schools, and the other half were from comps, but their parents were graduates, teachers, academics and stuff like that. I didn’t meet anyone else whose mum was a secretary and whose dad cut down trees for a living! (laughs).

“In terms of David’s background, he went to a minor independent school called Abingdon. His parents lectured in hotel catering at the local poly.

So it was fairly middle-middle class I suppose, rather than upper middle.”

It was in Footlights that Webb met his comedy partner David Mitchell, with the two ultimately going on to star in Peep Show, and more recently, Simon Blackwell’s acclaimed sitcom Back. Despite their obvious comedic gifts, the duo put in a lengthy apprenticeship.

“It was a mixture of being exciting and tremendously dull,” reflects Webb of their early years. “In fact, I skip all that. Normally when you pick up a book like this, you go, ‘Okay, let’s just get to the famous bit – what’s Rowan Atkinson really like? I don’t want to know about your grandparents!’ So I was very conscious of that.

I myself am a very chaotic and lazy reader, which I think makes me a much better writer! (laughs).

“I’m writing for my own attention span, so it’s a question of making that childhood interesting and telling a story, basically. I deliberately don’t do the bit David does in his book, which

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is progressing from Edinburgh to meetings with TV executives and so on. The whole process that eventually resulted in our big breakthrough Peep Show essentially lasted from the mid’90s to 2003.

“We never really considered giving up. Peep Show happened just in time, but I think we would have carried on.

Still, it takes a certain amount stamina and self-belief, followed by colossal amounts of luck. But people who stick around tend to get somewhere – they’ll usually get their five minutes. Then it’s a question of being ready for it and not blowing it. Overall, it has nothing to do with us being talented; there are so many strokes of good fortune that resulted in it happening, and it could so easily not have done.”

Finally, I mention the achievement that tops them all – when I selected the top 40 TV shows of Hot Press’s lifetime for the music magazine’s 40th anniversary issue earlier this year, Peep Show made the cut…

“Where, which number?!” mockprotests Webb. “Obviously we’re very grateful for the show’s success.

The creators, Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong, were writing for us. I like to think I could have played Mark. I’m not sure about David playing Jez – maybe, it’s possible. But we were sufficiently like those characters that to do it the other way around would have been weird. There’s a bit in the first series, where Mark is having an argument with Jeff, who’s trying to come through the door, and he’s giving him the broom.

“Mark’s going, ‘I’m going to broom you Jeff!’ And you hear Jez in a voiceover saying, ‘Mark or Jeff? I could be a normal person like Jeff, and I wouldn’t have to live with Mark in a weird puddle on the edge of society.’

And I suppose that’s a universal feeling – we all think everyone else is the normal one and we’re the freak. I think that goes some way to explaining the show’s appeal.”

How Not To Be A Boy is out now, published by Canongate.

DESTINATION

A City To Marble At A picturesque medieval city with myriad cultural attractions, Kilkenny is a favourite destination of Irish people and international visitors alike – and its renown is only set to grow.

By Michael Lanigan If you’re arranging a weekend getaway, there are few places in Ireland that rival Kilkenny. A favourite desination of tourists, who invariably fall for its medieval charm, and an ideal alternative spot for young urban visitors, it’s a multifaceted city with many unique charms. Celebrated for its vibrant nightlife, in recent years Kilkenny has achieved renown for its quirky pubs and craft beers.

Those with an interest in the latter will doubtless enjoy Brewery Corner, where the current big favourite is local ale Costello’s. Another spot you might find to you’re liking is Billy Byrne’s, where tapas, pizza – served on a double-decker bus! – jazz sessions, and a night under their marquee are among the tempting options.

Elsewhere, the intimate Set Theatre is popular with both Irish and international artists alike, while next door – hidden behind a vintage confectionery facade – is Bridie’s, where you can unwind in the Victorian-style snug.

When it comes to food, Kilkenny has an equally impressive reputation. You can enjoy a Michelinstar experience in Campagne, while the central Rive Gauche offers sensational French food, with carefully selected wines from across the world. There are also a range of up-and-coming Asian street food eateries, with Aroi on Friary Street a firm local favourite, while the Marble City Bar – with its stylish retro-Manhattan decor – is a perfect location for a casual lunch. In terms of tourist attractions, Kilkenny prides itself on its exquisite medieval architecture. Leading the way is the spectacular Kilkenny Castle, which in addition to its period grandeur, also boasts a modern art gallery and extensive grounds.

Also worth exploring are the museums and gardens of Rothe House, while the atmospheric streets and alleys off the high street have many hidden gems. Overlooking the Irishtown, meanwhile, is St. Canice’s Cathedral, an extraordinary feat of gothic architechture with an iconic round tower, which provides a panoramic view of

Busking on the streets of the Marble City

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DESTINATION

Kilkenny Castle and John’s Bridge the city. Another popular attraction is the Smithwicks Brewery Experience, where you can learn about the history of the iconic dark ale.

On the shopping front, one destination that comes highly recommended is Kilkenny Design Centre. Offering a wonderful range of handcrafted goods, from clothing to pottery, the Centre highlights the city’s ongoing commitment to local business. Fashion-lovers should make sure to check out the original store of Folkster, the clothing retailers famed for their outlet in Dublin’s Temple Bar. Set up by entrepreneur and columnist Blanaid Hennessy, it remains a must-visit.

For those more inclined towards subcultures, meanwhile, Nine Lives on High Street is the kind of store where you can explore niche brands to your heart’s content. Last but not least is the ‘Happiest Little Record Shop in the World’, Rollercoaster, where music buffs can satisfy their vinyl obsession or stumble upon any number of lost gems.

Those with a passion for film and animation will also be excited to know that Tomm Moore – the Oscarnominated filmmaker behind Song Of The Sea and Secret Of Kells – and his Cartoon Saloon company run their operation in the very heart of the city.

Elsewhere, on the festival front, Kilkenny has top-notch events all-year round. For food lovers, October’s Savour Kilkenny highlights the talents of local and national chefs, as they serve a selection of their finest dishes out on the Parade. In November, there’s a cracking doubleheader. First up is Kilkenomics, which brings a wide array of economists, politicians and media personalities to the south-east to debate the burning issues of the day. Following that, pop-up cinemas appear around the city and bars get out the projectors for the Subtitle European Film Festival, which showcases an exciting range of acclaimed foreign-language movies.

Kilkenny kicks off festival season early, with the five– day Trad Fest Kilkenny taking place from March 15–19.

A major part of the city’s St Patrick’s Day festivities, its headliners last year included Paul Brady and Eleanor McEvoy. In May, the city buzzes to the sounds of Americana and bluegrass as the Rhythm And Roots Festival kicks into gear. The following month, comedians from around the world descend on the city for the enormously popular Kilkenny Cat Laughs festival, while in July, it’s the turn of the Craft Beer Festival. To round out the summer, August’s Kilkenny Arts Week boasts theatre, talks, gigs, happenings and every form of creative endeavour. Early September, meanwhile, is often about the city’s greatest sporting love, hurling, with the county’s team routinely competing in the All Ireland final. A hub of creativity, style and innovation, Kilkenny is truly one of Ireland’s most exciting destinations.

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Venues & Bars BILLY BYRNE’S BAR AND GUESTHOUSE 39 John Street Lower, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 772 1783 Billybyrnes.com Billy Byrne’s Bar and Guesthouse is a family-owned traditional Irish bar with a twist. Weekly, there are multiple regular events guaranteed to tickle your fancy, from jazz sessions to film nights. High-spirited in the evenings, it’s equally an ideal hang-out spot during the daytime with its marquee beer garden. For food lovers, Byrne’s is also beloved for its fusion cooking.

BREWERY CORNER 29 Parliament Street, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 780 5081 Carlowbrewing.com Owned by O’Hara’s, Brewery Corner is Kilkenny’s first craft beer pub and the only one nationwide to exclusively serve Irish craft beer on tap. Offering the full range of O’Hara’s beers, there are also a variety of guest beers and ciders on sale. Brewery Corner hosts live music from acts, both local and national. For Savour Festival, Brewery Corner will also boast a pop-up burger joint by Box Burger on October 28 and 29. Likely to be one of the festival’s highlights, Box will serve up burgers the Bosco’s way, making their own ketchup, mayonnaise, pickles and skinny fries, while also having a vegan option just so there’s no excuse to miss out.

Once they’ve won you over during the festival there is even greater news, because the Box crew will be running their pizza and burger joint every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 3pm in Brewery Corner until late.

BRIDIE’S BAR AND GENERAL STORE 72 John Street Lower, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 776 5133 Langtons.ie/bar/bridies Sat at the end of one of Kilkenny’s busiest streets, Bridie’s Bar and General Store offers a relaxing and nostalgic experience, with as keen an eye towards service as to its detail. At the front is an old-style general store, where customers can pick up fresh bread, cakes, sweets and snuff. Through the next door is a wonderful saloon with a Victorian-era interior, while out the back is a lavishly designed garden, where punters can enjoy a drink underneath 19th century bus shelters.

THE DYLAN WHISKY BAR 5 John Street Lower, Kilkenny

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is highly recommended to book a trip up its round tower, which offers a panoramic view of Kilkenny and its surrounding countryside.

Shopping FOLKSTER 27 Patrick Street, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 770 3312 Folkster.com Before Folkster became the hippest fashion store in Temple Bar, it made its name in an old refurbished bank on the periphery of Kilkenny city centre. Folkster is a friendly shopping destination for fashion loving folks - owned by Irish stylist Blanaid Hennessy, and filled with the friendliest team of stylists The Set Theatre

KILKENNY DESIGN CENTRE Castle Yard, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 772 2118 Kilkennydesign.com For anybody hoping to check out the vast range of local crafts in Kilkenny, the Kilkenny Design Centre is a one–stop shop. Originally built as a set of stables for the Earl of Ormonde’s horses in 1760, the centre is part of a complex of buildings attached to Kilkenny Castle. Today, this spectacular architecture is preserved to make your shopping experience utterly unique.

So, whether it’s clothing, pottery, houseware, artisan foods or even a brief gander around the gardens, the centre is the kind of place that could have the Christmas shopping list taken care of before December has even begun.

Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Design Centre

Tel: (056) 772 2689 for celebrated Thedylanwhiskybar.com contemporary An award-winning snug with a artists, it’s an Saint Caince’s Cathedral Victorian feel, the Dylan Whisky internationally Bar showcases the current distilling renowned spot rich revolution in Ireland. Stocked here are almost in atmosphere and activities.

200 whiskies from each corner of the globe, and a further 40 high quality gins too.

ROTHE HOUSE Decorated with old advertisements and Bob 16 Parliament Street, Kilkenny Dylan memorabilia, it is a place where whiskey Tel: (056) 772 2893 and Dylan aficionados can meet and natter at Rothehouse.com length without fear of interruption.

Located off the city’s high street, Rothe House and Garden is a must see for history lovers keen THE SET THEATRE on learning about one of Kilkenny’s foremost John Street, Kilkenny mayors, John Rothe-FitzPiers. Built during Tel: (056) 772 1728 the late 16th century, this Tudor merchant’s townhouse boasts a multitude of artefacts Set.ie relating to the city’s history, while its restored Arguably Kilkenny’s most beloved music venue, garden plays host to some ducks and varieties the Set Theatre draws countless locals weekly, of vegetables, herbs and flowers. both for its live events and alternative nightclub afterwards. An intimate concert hall, the Set SMITHWICK’S EXPERIENCE has seen acts such as Villagers, The Coronas 44 Parliament Street, Kilkenny and Imelda May perform in recent years. During Tel: (056) 770 4100 each of Kilkenny’s various festivals, Set shows Kilkennycastle.ie are often the hottest ticket in town.

The Smithwick’s Experience was set up on the site of the old Smithwick’s Brewery and offers a visually stunning tour, detailing how the local dark ale was conceived, and how it became one KILKENNY CASTLE of the most important local industries in the The Parade, Kilkenny county.

Tel: (056) 770 4100 Kilkennycastle.ie SAINT CAINCE’S CATHEDRAL Built in 1195, Kilkenny Castle has plenty The Close, Coach Road, Kilkenny of experiences to offer visitors. Whether Tel: (056) 776 4971 wandering through its lavishly decorated Stcanicescathedral.ie hallways or vast park, which includes a Overlooking the city, Saint Canice’s Cathedral magnificent rose garden, or the basement, was constructed during the 6th Century. A magnificent piece of gothic architecture, it where its art gallery puts on regular exhibitions

Attractions

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NICHOLAS MOSSE POTTERY Bennettsbridge, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 772 7505 Nicholasmosse.com Nicholas Mosse is the face of Irish pottery, and his workshop is a sight to behold. Located 20 minutes from the city centre, in Bennettsbridge, this is a must for those seeking to liven their homes with internationally acclaimed pottery.

NINE LIVES 94A High Street, Kilkenny Tel: +353 86 347 5935 Ninelives.ie Nine Lives is devoted to those who are consumed by strange subcultures. Selling all kinds of alternative clothes and goods, it’s the place to cut loose and embrace new trends.

ROLLERCOASTER RECORDS St. Kieran’s St., Kilkenny Tel: (056) 776 3669 The ‘Happiest Little Record Shop in the World’, Rollercoaster Records is one of Ireland’s most beloved music stores. Perfect for vinyl-lovers and blessed with a staff possessing an encyclopaedic knowledge of music, Rollercoaster is where you can unearth lost gems and end up talking about them at length until the sun goes down.

Food ANOCHT Castle Yard, The Parade, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 772 2118 Anochtrestaurant.ie Serving modern Irish and European cuisine made with the finest local ingredients, Anocht, at Kilkenny’s Design Centre, is a unique fine-dining experience in one of the city’s most beautiful

DESTINATION Anocht

Kernel Bar & Kitchen CAMPAGNE 5 The Arches, Gas House Lane, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 777 3858 Campagne.ie The foremost finedining experience locally, Campagne is the first restaurant to bring a Michelin star to Kilkenny. Headed by Gareth Byrne, who previously worked in Dublin’s Chapter One, Campagne is exquisite French cuisine at an affordable price.

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historic rooms. Constructed in the 1760s as grain stores for the Earl of Ormonde’s horses, Anocht is graced with a scenic view of the centre’s courtyard. This year, it will play host to ‘Oiche Bhia na Mara’ at the Savour Festival. A special seafood evening, the event will see Chef Rory Nolan serve six innovative courses, with indulgent takes on turbot, octopus, scallops, oysters, seaweed and langoustine, each highlighting a different fish or shellfish.

BULA BUS 39 John Street, Kilkenny Tel: +353 86 220 6697 Located in the beer garden at Billy Byrne’s Bar and Guesthouse, the Bula Bus is a kitchen built into an old double-decker bus. Food-wise they are a constant surprise, changing their menus from stone baked pizza to Asian fusion at the flip of a switch, which makes every visit worthwhile.

KERNEL BAR & KITCHEN 15- 16 Vicar Street, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 778 6326 Kernelkilkenny.ie Kernel Bar and Kitchen is one of Kilkenny’s more recent additions, although its head chef, Maria Raftery, has been beloved locally for years for her simple, but deliciously rich recipes.

Affordable, casual and offering a wide selection of local craft beers, Kernel is representative of Kikenny’s best qualities.

RIVE GAUCHE 2 The Parade, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 777 5604 Rivegauchekk.com An award-winning French dining experience, Rive Gauche is a warm and welcoming restaurant located on the city’s Parade. With locally sourced ingredients, an extraordinary wine menu, charming staff and mouthwatering charcuterie boards, it’s the kind of place that attracts back customers again and again.

ZUNI RESTAURANT AND BOUTIQUE HOTEL 26 Patrick Street, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 772 3999

Zuni.ie There is no better place to go for Sunday lunch than Zuni. Serving spectacular gourmet cuisine and tapas, atop the stylishly minimalist interior design, if you add a glass of wine to the equation then really, there’s nothing to beat it.

Upcoming Festivals KILKENOMICS: ECONOMICS AND COMEDY FESTIVAL A light-hearted but informative festival, Kilkenomics achieves the unthinkable by turning economists into rock stars! Taking place from November 9-12, guests this year include former Greek minister of finance Yanis Varoufakis, economist Ronan Lyons, columnist Julien Mercille and stand-up comics Adam Hills, Ardal O’Hanlon and Andrew Maxwell.

SAVOUR KILKENNY: FESTIVAL OF FOOD An annual culinary delight, Savour Kilkenny uses the spectacular medieval backdrop of the city to put on display the gift of its local chefs, alongside some of Ireland’s most renowned foodies. Running from October 27-30, guests this year include David Gillick, The Happy Pear and local personalities Edward Hayden and Maria Raftery.

SUBTITLE: EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL From November 20-26, pop-up cinemas will appear in every place imaginable as part of Subtitle, from car parks to pubs. A festival devoted to the latest in European cinema, this is a unique experience in that it provides cinephiles the opportunity to catch movies, both serious and fun, which they might otherwise never get a chance to see on the big screen.

DINNERS FOR WINNERS Will Deliver Tasty, Healthy Food Directly To You! Prepared from the finest locally sourced ingredients, new Kilkenny-based venture Dinners For Winners offer tailor-made meal packages and tasty snacks that will be brought straight to your home, workplace or club. Their menus range from traditional Irish cuisine to ethnic-inspired dishes, ensuring every palate is catered for! Renowned local nutritionist Jackie Varley of Optimal Health is on board to ensure that each of their unique meal plans are calorie counted and cover all dietary requirements.

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CELEBRITY TABLE

The Big Fish Over a delicious – what else!

– fish dinner, legendary singer and performer Jerry Fish discusses his love of Kilkenny, encountering U2 and Kate Moss, and the importance of community in his life Interview: Michael Lanigan Photography: David Green Kernel Bar and Kitchen 15 - 16 Vicar Street, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny Tel: +353 (0) 56 77 86326 kernelkilkenny.ie The Kernel Bar and Kitchen in Kilkenny city provides the warm and homely feel for our conversation with Ger Whelan, otherwise known as the enigmatic Jerry Fish, lead vocalist of the Mudbug Club and formerly An Emotional Fish. With his tattoos and piercings – complete with twirled moustache – he cuts a distinctive figure as enters the restaurant, looking like Salvador Dali’s pirate brother.

Jovial and courteous from the get-go, immediately he inspects the menu, before saying, “I was thinking I’d go for the fish!”

Starting with the Goatsbridge Trout Croquettes with Pickled Fennel & Wasabi Aioli, for his main, Jerry selects the Baked Hake with Salsa Verde & Chilli Potatoes. In keeping with the fish theme, I choose the Grilled Salmon with Butternut Squash, Mint & Lime Fressing, alongside a Beetroot Falafel Salad with Feta Cheese.

Once the orders are placed, Fish lets out a sigh of relief. He confesses to being exhausted – though thoroughly content – having completed his show, Misery Hill: The Songs And Tall Tales of Jerry Fish, at the Dublin Fringe Festival.

“It’s something I haven’t done before,”

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Baked Hake with Salsa Verde & Chilli Potatoes reflects the singer, “but it’s been bubbling since I was a child. I’ve just got stories I want to tell. I’m from Ringsend, the last fishing village in Dublin. Its nautical history is extraordinary, but ignored. The kernel of the show is that I grew up an immigrant, having moved to South London when I was a baby. I was a refugee there, so I’m drawing comparisons with the boat people and the resurgence of immigrants.”

Today, Fish resides in Carlow, “on the foothills of Mount Leinster, where the last wolf in Ireland was killed.

I’m there to replace him.” Of course, acknowledging the irony of writing about the seas from a landlocked area, he says, “In your mind you can go anywhere.” The landscapes inspire him in their own way, and he cannot help but wax lyrical on their beauty.

“Places such as St. Mullins and the Barrow Valley are incredible areas for

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exploration,” he enthuses. “They’re like a national park; untainted beautiful landscapes. The streams still have freshwater pearl muscles, which cavemen used as spoons.”

The singer first come to prominence during the late ’80s with An Emotional Fish, when the band’s single ‘Grey Matter’ got them signed to Atlantic Records. Of his musical ambitions, Fish says, “Since I was a child, I wanted to be a rock star. Marc Bolan and T-Rex were my first loves. It was only when I became a rock star that I realised maybe it wasn’t for me. I don’t think our label got where we were coming from. They wanted us to be the next U2, but we were far too eclectic.”

Still, Fish credits Bono and co. for the influence they had on An Emotional Fish; the two bands toured together on U2’s legendary multi-media Zoo TV tour.

“That was incredible,” Jerry

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(clockwise from top) Jerry with Head Chef Maria Rafferty, Beetroot Falafel & Lemon Meringue Mess

reminisces. “Bono would ring Sarajevo every day during the Bosnian war, and make that vital message a part of the show. He wanted to wake us up and really change the world.”

Engrossed in our meals momentarily, Jerry raises a finger to the speakers as Paolo Nutini’s ‘Pencil Full Of Lead’ starts to play.

“That’s our bassist from the Mudbug Club.

Paolo nabs him when he’s not playing with us.”

It is a community the frontman has created around both An Emotional Fish and the Mudbug Club. Artists of every stripe have dropped in to collaborate, from Iggy Pop to Reservoir Dogs star Michael Madsen. An oftoverlooked one is Kate Moss, whose first acting role was in the video for An Emotional Fish’s single ‘Lace Virginia’.

“We wanted to make a video about an old person remembering being a young girl,” notes Jerry. “I was doing the castings while touring in Los Angeles, and a fax with three head-shots was sent over. One was Kate. I’d seen her in The Face magazine, but that was her first video gig.”

In some ways, Fish’s feel for creative collaboration stems from his love for circuses.

“I didn’t have a community as an immigrant, so once you have one it becomes very important,” he says. “This is why circuses are wonderful; they make a community based on giving. Being a giver is the key in life.”

This outlook also informed one of Jerry’s most iconic songs, Mudbug Club hit ‘True

Friends’, which attracted widespread attention after being featured in a Vodafone commercial.

“The whole thing was inspired by a troupe of clowns I met at Glastonbury,” the singer recalls.

“They were called Los Excentricos and they were from Barcelona. Still, it was a shock how huge that song became. But I ran with it, and took every penny in order to put it back into the shows and the record.”

Having finished that thought, Jerry suddenly asks, “Share a Lemon Meringue?” The order having been placed, he returns to his earlier theme.

“I do it for the community,” he continues.

“It’s why I find a place like Kilkenny beautiful.

It’s a respectful and genuinely nice creative community.”

Soon thereafter, the meringue arrives.

Intriguingly, Jerry believes the dessert can also save lives when not being wolfed down.

“If you’re in a fire, cover yourself in meringue,” he declares. “It’s fireproof!”

Hmm... when it comes to fire-fighting methods, certainly your correspondent has never had someone suggest a sugary foodstuff.

“Oh god no!” replies Fish. “Not the sugar!

Those egg whites. Better than asbestos and easier to find.”

A suitably strange way to end the conversation. Jerry Fish has built a wild world of imagination in his head, and it colours everything – from the seven seas to the eggs in the dessert.

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THE DAMAGE To start, Jerry ordered the Goatsbridge Trout Croquettes (€7.50) with Pickled Fennel, Wasabi & Aioli, which he wolfed down while nodding with silent approval. Going for the lighter option, I had the Beetroot Falafel Salad with Feta Cheese (€7.50), a perfect and simple, but refreshing way to kick-off the three courses.

Keen on having plenty of fish, for his main course Jerry went for the Baked Hake (€14) with Olive crust, Crème Fraiche, Chilli Potatoes & Salsa Verde. I opted for the Grilled Salmon (€18.00) with Sugar Snaps, Mint, New Potatoes, Toonsbridge Feta, Butternut Squash & Lime Dressing. Moving on to dessert, we both had a glass of wine; Jerry selected the Pecile Pinot Grigot from Italy (€6.50), which has a tinge of apple in its finish, while for me he chose the fruity Salome Sauvignon Blanc from the Languedoc region of France (€6.25).

We agreed to finish by splitting the Lemon Meringue Mess (€7.50), served in a cocktail glass and glazed with a dried lemon on top.

All three courses together came to a very reasonable €29.

EAT

A Matter Of Taste Stuart Clark Brings You The Latest Foodie News

Boxty Loaf with Goats Cheese and Smoked Salmon Serves 4 Ingredients 140g Raw Potato, peeled (optional) 140g Cold Mashed Potato (ideally from the night before) 100g Flour 15g Butter plus extra for frying Pinch of Salt 150g St Tolas Goats Cheese Curd 40g Cream Cheese 10ml Cream Pinch of Cracked Black Pepper 320g Haven Smokehouse Turf Smoked Salmon, cut into slices Juice of 1 Lemon This is a lovely light recipe that can work great as a starter or served with some dressed mixed leaves as a light lunch dish. First make the bread, then pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Grate the raw potatoes into the muslin or kitchen cloth, and squeeze as much liquid as possible into a bowl. Let this liquid stand for 20 minutes before pouring off the liquid and keeping the starch that has settled in the bottom of the bowl. Rub the butter into the flour, until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the grated & mashed potatoes, then add the salt and starch to this mix.

Place into a non-stick baking tin (brushed with a little oil or butter) and bake for 40-50 minutes. Remove from the tins and leave to cool on a wire rack. At this point, you could just slice the bread and eat it with a little butter or other spread, but we want to toast it, so we’ll need to wrap it in clingfilm and chill overnight. This will make it easier to slice and fry. Next, make the Soft Goats Cheese – mix the goats cheese curd, cream, chopped chive, lemon juice and a pinch of cracked black pepper until fully combined. It should be soft and light. Set aside in the fridge.

Now to finish the dish. Get a pan and head to a medium high heat. Slice the boxty loaf into 12 slices. Add some butter or golden rapeseed oil to the pan, and fry the slices until golden on both sides. Place onto a piece of kitchen towel to remove excess oil and then spread the goats cheese on top of each piece. Top with some slices of smoked salmon and serve (as a tip if you do use the turf smoked salmon and have a gas gun handy, a quick blowtorch of the salmon at the end really brings out the flavour)

Mash appeal, hot in the city & bird’s the word

In The Boxty Seat If you’re Temple Bar-bound, let us point you in the very fine direction of Gallagher’s Boxty who promise to “make the humble spud beautiful” and duly deliver (20 Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 677 2762. boxtyhouse.ie)! We’re big fans of their Boxty Slate and Stew tasting platters, which allow you to sample and share a range of their specialties.

Also on the ‘recommended’ list are their Chicken & Smoked Bacon Boxty, Seared Corned Beef, Crispy Toons Bridge Halloumi and their own self-brewed craft beers If chef-owner Padraic Og Gallagher looks familiar that’s because you might have seen him on TV3’s The Six O’Clock Show recently!

We’re delighted to bring you Padraic’s wondrous Boxty Loaf with Goats Cheese & Smoked Salmon recipe opposite.

One For The Honey The champagne corks have been popping down

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Lisdoonvarna way as The Wild Honey Inn becomes the first Irish pub to be awarded a Michelin star.

Presided over by Aidan McGrath who specialises in “Wild Food From Land & Sea”, recent menus have included such treats as Roast Wood Pigeon, Hispi Cabbage, Bacon, Kohlrabi & Carrot with Crisp Pancetta & Pigeon Jus and Silver Hake with Brown Shrimp, Coco de Paimpol, Broad Beans, Basil & Parmesan Velouté.

At €45 for three-courses, it’s excellent value too. Tables are rarer than hen’s teeth (which are not currently on the menu), but give it a go at wildhoneyinn.com.

The Eagle Has Landed There’s more gastropubery to be had at the newly relaunched Legal Eagle, which is just a gavel’s throw from the Four Courts (1 Chancery Place, Dublin 7. Tel 01 555 2971. legaleagle.ie).

Along with hearty autumnal fare like Rabbit, Bacon &

Cider Pie, there’s an extensive draught beer list with ours a Westmalle Dubble Trappist Bruin, thanks!

Stocking It To You Hoping to be in Christmas stockings aplenty is Roz Purcell whose Half Hour Hero cookbook offers straight in, no kissing recipes for Mini Oat Pizzas, Breakfast Cookies and, best of all, Peanut, Squash & Chickpea Curry.

Proof that you can eat yourself into a coma and be healthy, the handsome tome is yours for €19.99.

The Heat Is On No cockles will go unwarmed this winter thanks to the Rebel Chilli range of sauces and relishes, made with much love – and heat – in Cork.

Available in over three hundred outlets nationwide, including bigger Dunne’s Stores, our fave is their Jalapeno & Raspberry Jelly, which is yer only man with white meats. Order online at rebel-chilli.myshopify.com.

BUSINESS

The Beer Necessities Go Rail meets SEAMUS O’HARA, the pioneering head of the Carlow Brewing Company whose Brewery Corner bar will be sating Savour Kilkenny thirsts! WORDS: STUART CLARK

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BUSINESS

“M

y family and friends were too polite to say anything at the time, but I’ve found out since that most of them thought I was crazy giving up a well-paid job to go into the craft beer business when there wasn’t an established market for it here.”

Seamus O’Hara is reflecting on the decision he took in the ‘90s to say “goodbye” to the world of venture capitalism and set up the Carlow Brewing Company, AKA O’Hara’s, which has gone from being a part-time operation to now employing close to a hundred people across its different operations.

“I was working in the life sciences/healthcare area,” Seamus continues. “My studies had been in biotech, of which brewing was a part, so that’s how I got bitten by the bug. In the venture capital world, you’re backing start-up companies so I knew a fair bit about business and had the confidence to do my own thing.

“I kept the day-job until I’d perfected our first three beers, which were our stout, our red ale and our wheat beer, Curim. Part of the inspiration was wanting to revive the local brewing tradition.

There’d been a water-powered brewery in Bagenalstown up until the late 1700s, and several others in Carlow and Kilkenny. Farmers in this area used to grow malt barley, and there’s also a connection between here and the breweries in Dublin by virtue of the malt that was sent up on the canals and, following that, the rail system. It all just seemed to piece together.”

O’Hara’s was part of the first wave of independent breweries, which in the past few years has become a veritable tsunami.

“That’s a good way of putting it,” Seamus laughs. “When I was a biotech student at DCU I’d visited The Porterhouse, who were one of

the very first Irish microbreweries, out in Blessington. The Dublin Brewing Company was also up and running, so with us and a couple of others it started generating some media interest.”

As with most facets of life, your average Irish drinker in the 1990s was extremely conservative.

“It was challenging at first because, apart from the occasional import, people here weren’t used to new beers or ones that had more of a pronounced hop flavour,” he agrees. “They’d be a Guinness drinker or a Heineken drinker, and that was that. Fast-forward to now and you’ve over a hundred breweries on the island, and countless beer styles. Craft is still only 3.5% of the total Irish beer market compared to over 20% in the States, but the industry has really matured.”

In addition to Ireland, the beer brewed with much love in Bagenalstown is also exported to America and thirty European countries.

“One of our newest markets is Croatia,” Seamus notes. “It’s a tough old slog because you’re competing against some excellent local beers, but the Irish brand is very strong internationally.”

The burgeoning O’Hara’s empire also includes Kilkenny’s Brewery Corner bar, Dublin’s Urban Brewing, the Irish Craft Beer Festival in the RDS, and a distribution wing.

“Since we have the sales team and vehicles out on the road doing deliveries, we’ve decided very selectively to carry other products that compliment what we do. We started with Stiegl, an independent familyowned brewery from Salzburg in Austria,

which is 500-odd years old. Along with their Goldbrau lager and Weisse wheat, they do a very tasty alcoholfree beer, which is a big growth market.”

Top of October’s to-do list is sourcing a year’s supply of the finest cider apples.

“In addition to our own Falling Apple, we took over the Craigies cider business early in the year, so we’re having great fun trying different things out,” Seamus enthuses. “The current harvest will be our big opportunity to let loose on this! You make cider for the year over a couple of months whereas with beer you can brew all year round.”

Seamus has also been busy recently with the launch of the aforementioned Urban Brewing, a three-story temple of great food, beer and spirits, which has taken up residence at CHQ in Dublin Docklands.

“There are two or three regular house beers, but really it’s about small batch brews and there being something different for customers to try every time they pop in,” he reflects. “People like looking up and seeing the tanks where the beer they’re drinking has been brewed.”

Forget ‘A Fairytale Of New York’ getting its first radio play or selection boxes appearing in supermarkets, the real sign of Christmas being nigh is O’Hara’s releasing its latest batch of Winter Star, a 5% Spiced Rye Ale laced with cinnamon and orange zest.

“Getting a first taste of the new Winter Star is definitely one of the highlights of the year for me,” Seamus beams. “The team in Urban are also busy planning their Christmas brews, so it’s going to be a busy few months.”

O’Hara’s wouldn’t like it any other way…

A SPECIAL CORNER OF KILKENNY Kilkenny’s first dedicated craft beer bar – and the only one in Ireland to serve exclusively Irish craft beer on tap ! – Brewery Corner on Parliament Street will be in the thick of the Savour Killkenny action.

In addition to the full O’Hara’s range plus guest Irish craft beers and ciders, they serve the yummiest pizza in town, and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 3pm till late welcome the crew from Box Burger.

Add in quality live music, and it’s a Marble City must-visit! facebook.com/brewery.corner

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FASHION

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Autumnal for the People

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As the nights shorten and the evenings get cooler, Roe McDermott looks at the season’s biggest fashion trends.

BACK TO SCHOOL If you’re heading back to college, splashing out on some new threads can be a nice way of treating yourself before hitting the books. But fear not! It’s not going to break the bank to get your wardrobe up to date this season, and – like any good student – by doing some simple revision of existing pieces in your wardrobe, you’ll be getting all As in style this year.

The good news is that the ’90s trend of layering is still going strong, so with some clever combinations, you can bring your summer wardrobe into the school year. Layer t-shirts under strappy summer dresses, or long-sleeve mesh-tops under off-theshoulder Bardot tops to give them some edge – and more class-friendly coverage.

This season, give traditional uniform patterns a rock and roll edge by embracing new silhouettes.

Checks are going to be huge this autumn, but this new iteration is nothing like your boring old school skirt. These checks are on cold-shoulder crop tops, and cool shearling-lined jackets, which both look effortlessly cool when teamed with skinny jeans and boots.

Likewise, buttoned-up silhouettes are getting a remix. Demure Peter-Pan collared shirts are getting a gothic romance makeover thanks to some black lace, while shirts feature belts and origami-style folds that show off your waist and shoulders. Highnecked dresses in houndstooth fabrics get a modern edge with a high hemline, and are both weatherappropriate and chic when teamed with tights and knee-high boots.

Then splash out on a few statement pieces that will bring you from the lecture hall to the bar.

Ornate kimono-style blazers are brilliant for making a simple outfit a showstopper, and will be your saviour when you wake up late and want to throw something on and instantly look fabulous. Staples like black skinny jeans and white tees are being injected with even more rock and roll edge thanks to tulle, lace and sequin embellishments – an easy way to make your everyday wardrobe a little more special.

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1. Brown Large Check Borg Jacket €85.99, New Look 2. Grey check dress, Coming soon to New Look 3. Black Studded Trim Leather-Look Biker Jacket €69.99, New Look 4. Red Check Puffy Shoulders Blouse €29.99, New Look 5. Lace Peter Pan collar top, Coming soon to New Look 6. Origami belted blouse, Coming soon to New Look 7. Dark Purple Backpack €29.99, New Look

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8. Black extreme lace jeans, Coming soon to New Look

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FASHION

COUCH CHIC Designers looked to their grandmothers’ living rooms this season, with vintage floral prints covering everything from casual tops to princess gowns and floorsweeping coats. It’s window-dressing taken literally, and we’re loving it!

Ideally, the palette will have antique hues, with dark golds, maroons and greens evoking the classic old-fashioned patterns.

Jacquard is a particularly evocative fabric when it comes to capturing period style, while still feeling luxurious, not musty. The texture is reminiscent of classic textured wallpaper, while the intricate floral designs are subtly sumptuous. Velvet is another textile that perfectly captures the trend’s old-fashioned glamour, and velvet coats, cardigans and dresses bring tactility to the glam grandma vibe. Brocade, meanwhile, is another obvious choice to add some cushiony chic to your ensemble.

If you prefer to keep your floral prints bright and breezy with a more modern palette, you can capture the essence of this trend through silhouettes and styling.

Ruffled detailing will lend you doilylite drama, and remember to keep your silhouettes buttoned up. Long, billowing sleeves buttoned at the cuff and high collars bring a touch of this season’s other big trend, Victorian style, and evoke the feeling of that fancy furniture your grandma never let you sit on.

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1. Ruffled dress and red fur-trimmed coat, Coming soon to Miss Selfridge 2. Red M&S Collection Dress €60, Marks and Spencers 3. Red Snake Print Pencil Skirt €39 Miss Selfridge 4. Red bag with Lion €16, Penneys

5. Burgundy Velvet Knotted Boots €45, Dorothy Perkins

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FASHION

SCARLET FOR YOU Ready to return to school, college or work with a bang this autumn? You better be, because there’s a new power colour this season, and it’s not for the faint to heart.

Yes, power red is the hue of A/W 2017 and it’s all over the catwalks.

The key to this look is simply confidence – there’s no being a wallflower in this eye-catching, attention-commanding hue.

Bold red is the perfect colour for coats, as it will never go out of style and can transform a dark or neutral-toned outfit.

Jumpsuits are also a perfect way to wear red, as they provide a complete ensemble that needs nothing else but killer shoes.

However, if you prefer to layer up a few different red pieces, feel free!

An easy way from keeping your look from seeming too matchy-matchy – or for disguising slightly different tones of red – is to pair different textiles together. Look for cherry silk blouses with wine velvet trousers, or grab a scarlet sheer skirt with a rusty wool jumper. This mixand-match approach will lend an air of eclectic edge to your ensemble, which differentiates this iteration of red from the cardinal uniform powersuits of the ’80s.

If a head-to-toe flush isn’t your thing, fear not – it’s so easy to inject popping highlights of red to your existing wardrobe for a more subtle take. Red shoes and bags add a touch of sex-kitten sensuality to an outfit without overpowering it, and if all else fails, just get out that tried-andtested favourite: red lipstick. Red lips, full hearts, can’t lose.

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1. Floral dress and ankle boots, Coming soon to Marks and Spencers 2. Myleene Klass Floral Printed Dress €70, Littlewoods 3. Chartreuse Floral Print Ruffle Blouse €49, Miss Selfridge 4. Black Floral Ruffle Top €35, Dorothy Perkins

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5. Long sleeve Bardot top €35, Dorothy Perkins 6. Pink floral midi dress €60, Dorothy Perkins 7. Floral Maxi Skirt €29.99, New Look

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GO

REVIEW Albums. Movies. Books

T H E W A T E R B O Y S pg 55 GOLISTEN.

GOWATCH.

GOREAD.

We deliver the verdict on the latest albums from folk-rock icons The Waterboys, US stadium behemoths the Foo Fighters and acclaimed singer Tori Amos.

Your guide to all the best new DVD releases, including blockbuster action flick Wonder Woman, heist thriller Baby Driver and the latest Planet Of The Apes movie.

We run the rule over the best new book releases, including the latest offerings from Irish authors Carlo Gebler and John Banville.

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LISTEN

GOLISTEN. F O O

S E N S A T I O N

The Go Rail team have had their say on the best album releases from the last few months; we give you the verdict on Foo Fighters blistering ninth album, The Waterboys’ exciting return, and Tori Amos’ passionate new LP.

Dave Grohl explained recently how Foo Fighters wanted to make their ninth album their biggest sounding record yet – Motörhead’s version of Sgt. Pepper. It’s certainly a statement to grab the attention.

Having travelled around the US to make their previous album Sonic Highways, this time the band stayed put in Hollywood’s EastWest Studios, and unexpectedly hired pop supremo Greg Kurstin (Adele, Pink, Sia) as producer.

Opener ‘T-Shirt’ begins quietly with Grohl’s plaintive vocal, before knocking you across the room just as you reach for the volume knob.

Singles ‘Run’ and ‘The Sky Is A Neighbourhood’ lay out the album’s plan of attack: soaring choruses broken apart by riffs that’ll rattle your molars.

Paul McCartney shows up behind the kit on ‘Sunday Rain’, which is pretty ironic, as it’s the kind of thing his mate Lennon used to knock out around ‘Imagine’, especially the verse melody “borrowed” from ‘How Do You Sleep?’.

‘Happy Ever After (Zero Hour)’ might leave Macca scratching his head, wondering when he recorded that jaunty ‘Heart Of The Country’style guitar solo. The title track imagines Black Sabbath having a go at Dark Side Of The Moon, and features incongruous backing vocals from Justin Timberlake and Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman.

The Pepper reference then is a bit of a red herring; this album couldn’t be more ’70s if it had a young John Travolta on the cover. As hard and shiny as the title suggests, it’s a welcome return.

Elsewhere, The Waterboys are also on the

comeback with a newly released double album.

Featuring a grand total of 23 songs, Out Of All This Blue is The Waterboys’ 12th studio release, and their first-ever double album in a near 35-year career.

Produced by Scott and recorded in Dublin and Tokyo, the album features the talents of fiddler extraordinaire Steve Wickham, Muscle Shoals bass legend David Hood, guitarist Zach Ernst, and Deep South keyboardist Brother Paul. Having been introduced to the Producersloop website

by Waterboys drummer Ralph Salmins (who essentially put himself out of a job), Scott began experimenting with drum loops, and thus many of these songs are underpinned by strong hip hop beats.

Scott has summed up the album as being two-thirds love songs and one-third stories and observations, which sounds about right.

Musically, it’s probably best described as a pop album, albeit an extremely sophisticated and mature one, with elements of classic R&B, country, soul, funk and, as mentioned above, hip hop. Some of the love songs are obviously addressed to Scott’s new wife, controversial Japanese artist Megumi Igarashi, most notable ‘Girl In A Kayak’. Others such as ‘If I Was Your Boyfriend’, are more generic, but incredibly catchy nonetheless.

Love and romance aside, there are a few songs about some of his favourite haunts in Ireland (‘The Connemara Fox’) and the US (‘Nashville, Tennessee’, ‘Santa Fe’). ‘New York’, meanwhile, doffs the cap to the late Lou Reed, while ‘Mister Charisma’ does the same to the

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somehow still breathing Keith Richards. Some unnamed unfortunate gets a real kicking on ‘Monument’ (“Loves, loves, loves the sound of his voice”), while Scott goes all out hip-hop on ‘Hiphopstrumental 4 (Scotsman)’.

All told, Out Of All This Blue is a wonderful return to form, from one of the most talented and enduring artists around.

And last but certainly not least, Tori Amos tackles the personal and the political with Native Invader. Lest anybody forget, Tori Amos kicked off her solo career in 1992 with ‘Me and a Gun’, a powerfully autobiographical song. Now aged 54, she’s still bravely writing about pain – both physical and mental, personal and public – and the way we process it.

While Amos’ healing intentions are undoubtedly pure, she delivers a fairly mixed bag over 15 tracks and more than an hour of music. However, while there’s some obvious fillers, there’s also a few gems here. The haunting ‘Mary’s Eyes’ addresses her mother’s stroke (“Can you being her back to life?” she pleads).

‘Russia’ – from which the album takes its title – is less successful, as she asks the Washington leadership, “Is Stalin on your shoulder/ as he was with his composers?” Musically she skips around between styles – pop rock (‘Broken Arrow’), chilled trip hop (‘Wings’) and psychedelia (‘Wildwood’), while she’s at her best with heartfelt piano ballads such as ‘Bang’.

Native Invader is far from being Amos’ best album, but it’s still got its fair share of good moments. And her diehard fans will have no complaints.

WATCH

GOWATCH. T H E

W O N D E R

O F

Y O U

Roe McDermott rounds up the best new DVD releases, including blockbuster smash Wonder Woman and electrifying action thriller Baby Driver.

Wonder Woman In October comes Wonder Woman, one of the most highly anticipated superhero movies of – well, one could argue ever. The first major studio superhero movie with a female lead, director Patty Jenkins’ offering is glorious. Gal Gadot brings humour and nuance to Diana, a warrior raised by Amazons in a sumptuous, waterfallfilled feminist utopia. Naively idealistic, her view of mankind as being righteous and moral is shattered when she comes to the aid of Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), an American spy hoping to prevent a diabolical German commander (Danny Huston) from unleashing a devastating new chemical weapon upon the world.

The historical setting is a stroke of genius; while Diana spiritually comes of age witnessing the devastation of World War I, her gender-blind view of strength and goodness also highlights the suffragette movement of the time. Allan Heinberg’s screenplay has lashings of comedy, caper and romance, but it’s Jenkins’ action sequences and female gaze that steal the show. Her diverse battalion of Amazons fight with co-operative strength and balletic brawn, spinning and attacking with wondrous feminine force. With a wink and a nod, the usual male gaze is flipped, and Chris Pine is occasionally left topless and needing rescue. But it’s a joke, rather than a dig – Wonder Woman is never cruel, and always decent. And who can deny that we need more of that in the world right now?

Captain America’s Chris Evans has repeatedly shown that he’s a talented actor with underappreciated range. In Gifted, out mid-October, his character is described by another as the “quiet, hot, damaged guy”; a statement that conceals the layers he brings to a rumpled, homespun character trying to navigate uncharted waters. Evans plays Frank, the uncle and guardian to seven-year-old math prodigy Mary (McKenna Grace, uncannily like a

young Drew Barrymore). Frank is determined to let Mary enjoy a normal childhood, but his formidable mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) has more elaborate, equation-based plans for her granddaughter. As a custody battle ensues, details about this broken family and their divergent motivations emerge, showing how no-one can see clearly through painful histories.

Director Marc Webb brings the visual and emotional deftness he displayed in (500) Days Of Summer to this simple story. He creates moments of arresting beauty, such as Frank and Mary discussing God and faith in silhouette against a blood-red sunset, and Mary’s shadow playfully swinging out of her uncle like a junglegym. The often schlocky narrative is structurally clumsy, leaping from courtroom to schoolroom to contrived separations and schmaltzy bonding moments, but the great performances and an undeniable warmth make Gifted an enjoyable tear-jerker.

Baby Driver In mid-November comes Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver, a heist film that’s much like its main character, getaway driver Baby (Ansel Elgort); it’s at home when it’s on the move. More than that – it’s glorious when it’s on the move. In its opening sequence, a truly iconic car-chase – set perfectly to the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion’s ‘Bellbottoms’ – is a kinetic, heart-pounding, eyepopping car ballet. A series of weaving bends, u-turns and fishtails simply dazzles, rippling like a rainbow fish moving through water, sparkling with every effortless curve. Indeed, every chase in the movie is like this; a crackling exercise in fantastic choreography with a killer score.

But when Baby stops driving and his carefully curated playlist stops, so does the magic. He works for crime boss Doc (Kevin Spacey), who directs an ever-rotating assemblage of onedimensional bank robbers – cool guy Buddy

(Jon Hamm), unstable Bats (Jamie Foxx), and beautiful Darling (Eiza Gonzalez). When a job goes wrong, Baby and his new girlfriend (Lily James) must go on the run. The characters are paper-thin, but Baby Driver’s action and soundtrack still prove utterly seductive. Just ignore that the rest of the film is coasting in neutral.

Rupert Wyatt’s 2011 Rise of the Plant of the Apes acted as a cautionary tale about genetic engineering and mankind’s delusions of grandeur, while Matt Reeves’ 2014 sequel Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes was a distressing evocation of racial tension and white supremacy.

In War For The Planet Of The Apes, out late November, Reeves paints a bleak and cruel portrait of humanity that acts a warning against the xenophobia and violence currently threatening to overtake society. Andy Serkis puts in yet another Oscar-worthy motion capture performance as Caesar, who is feeling the toll of the non-stop bloodshed between the apes and humans.

Caesar has somehow maintained his faith in a peaceful resolution, but when a vicious enigmatic human leader known only as ‘The Colonel’ (Woody Harrelson) attacks too close to home, Caesar journeys into the darkest depths of soul – and revenge. Reeves’ allusions to Heart Of Darkness and Apocalypse Now perfectly fit within the genre-defying film, which transforms from a revenge western, to a prison-break caper, and ultimately a doomsday sci-fi flick. As the stakes move from personal turmoil to the possible eradication of the entire species, moral ambiguity lies everywhere. This is a visually striking, enthralling and thought-provoking film about humanity – the good, the bad and the increasing ugly.

War For The Planet Of The Apes

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READ

GOREAD. C H A T ’ S

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

We look at a selection of the best new book releases, including Carlo Gebler’s coming-of-age tale The Innocent Of Falkland Road, and Sarah Hall’s gripping short story collection, Madame Zero.

MARK NIXON

Sarah Hall

Carlo Gébler

John Banville

First up on our recommended reading list is Irish author Carlo Gébler’s The Innocent Of Falkland Road, which recounts the moment in a young boy’s life when he begins to learn that adults are deeply flawed and emphatically not infallible. Ralph is 12, and the year is 1964. As the world is being shaken up culturally, socially and politically, Ralph’s life is also undergoing dramatic upheaval. His mother, a landscape designer, has left for a year to work in America.

Ralph, meanwhile, is being cared for by their Irish housekeeper Doreen and her husband Tom. His best friend Benedict, whose parents have a supposedly open marriage, lives close by. As the year progresses, Ralph begins to notice the swirling undercurrents, the tensions and the desires in the adult relationships around him, and how these impact supposedly stable domestic relationships. This is a beautifully observed, quietly brilliant novel — a story of lost innocence and betrayal, but also love, compassion and

forgiveness.

Next up is Gebler’s fellow Irish literary heavyweight, John Banville. His new novel Mrs Ormond acts as a sequel to Henry James’ classic A Portrait Of A Lady – an endeavour the writer self-effacingly admits may be “arrogant, foolhardy and stupid”.

The story finds Isabel Osmond back in in London, where she has relocated from Rome following her husband’s betrayal of her.

After brooding on the best way forward, she eventually decides to resume her youthful quest for freedom and independence. This is the cue for her returning to Italy, where she hopes to break her husband’s hold on her and exact her revenge. With a powerful female character at its centre, Mrs Osmond taps into contemporary social concerns. Written with Banville’s trademark exquisite style, this is another wonderful effort from one of Ireland’s foremost contemporary authors.

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Finally, an exquisite collection of short stories from English writer Sarah Hall. A wife turns into a fox; a psychiatrist assesses a feral boy; a walk along a cliff fractures tenuous relationships; a dog bites a baby – these and other macabre tales make up Hall’s remarkable collection Madame Zero. A number of these stories read like adult fables, red in tooth and claw, with the ungovernable natural world encroaching on the supposedly ordered domestic one.

The terrors, and the real danger, however, lie with other people. Hall’s stories are populated with everyday cruelties, as well as venal, gruesome and lazy characters. Indeed, their appetites are no less animal than the creatures that fill the book. The prose in Madame Zero is sharp and precise, almost devastatingly so. Hall has twice been nominated for the Man Booker Prize, and it’s easy to see why. This is a unique and completely original collection – if you enjoy literary fiction, you’ll love it.

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