Go Rail 8-3: Featuring Hozier

2018 • VOL:08 ISSUE:03

Barry Keoghan The Dubliner Who Conquered Hollywood

Ruth Scott’s

Favourite Train Journey Celebrity Table with Lisa Cannon

HOZIER

THE NEW POWER HOW THE BRAY STAR GENERATION MADE A STUNNING COMEBACK

RACING CERT Ruby Walsh

LOOKING AFTER NO. 1 Kodaline

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT John Boyne

Ghostbus Tour

Discover Dublin’s Dark Side...

Relive the tales and meet the characters that terrorised Dublin Adult: €28 Enter Promo code GoRail and Save €5 Times: Mon - Thurs 8pm, Fri & Sat 7pm & 9.30pm Departs: Dublin Bus Head Office, 59 Upper O’Connell Street ghostbustourdublin

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ghostbus.ie

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CONTENTS

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Volume 08 // Issue 03

KODALINE

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

06 / Go For It A look at some of the biggest events happening up and down the country.

32 / Ruby Walsh

14 / Train News

The legendary jockey discusses the joys of festive racing, winning the Grand National, and being immortalised in song by Christy Moore.

All the latest happenings in the world of the Irish Rail Network.

18 / Hozier Back with his stunning new EP Nina Cried Power, the Bray singer talks about collaborating with his musical hero Mavis Staples, special gigs and landmark moments.

36 / Go Business

22 / Barry Keoghan

38 / Go Eat

The rise and rise of the award-winning Blackwater Distillery.

The Irish screen star on his mega-hit Black 47, growing up in Dublin's inner city, and taking inspiration from the likes of Cillian Murphy and Brendan Gleeson.

We go for a meal with TV presenter Lisa Cannon and hear about the return of her show Box Office.

26 / John Boyne

Roe McDermott on the hottest seasonal trends.

The acclaimed Irish author discusses his superb new novel, A Ladder To The Sky.

50 / Go Travel

44 / Fashion

An in-depth look at America's movie capital, Hollywood.

28 / Kodaline

54 / Reviews

The Dublin rockers discuss their chart-topping new album Politics Of Living, creative rebirth and hanging out with U2.

We round up the best new movie, book and album releases.

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Credits

Editor's Letter

2018

Volume 08 // Issue 03

MANAGING EDITOR

Máirin Sheehy

COMMISSIONING EDITOR

Roisin Dwyer

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Paul Nolan

CONTRIBUTORS

Stuart Clark Peter McNally Peter McGoran Aoife Bradshaw Roe McDermott Stephen Keegan Jack Byrne Colm Connolly

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Hot Press 100 Capel Street Dublin 1

DESIGN

Eimear O'Connor Lili Ferreira Karen Kelleher

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Tom Corcoran

GROUP ADVERTISING MANAGER

Catherine Madden

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER COVER PHOTOGRAPHER

Miguel Ruiz Caitlin Cronenberg

PUBLISHER

Niall Stokes

PRINTED BY

Boylan’s Print

GO RAIL IS PUBLISHED FOR IARNRÓD ÉIREANN BY:

Osnovina Ltd 100 Capel Street Dublin 1

Contact TELEPHONE FAX EMAIL

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

LETTERS

The Editor, Go Rail Magazine, 100 Capel Street Dublin 1

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 2018.

All rights reserved.

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

TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF As autumn again rolls around, it offers a fresh opportunity to appreciate the unique beauty of the Irish countryside.

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utumn is a beautiful time of the year.

As trains sweep through the heart of the country, there is nothing more wonderful than taking in the landscape.

At times it can be breath-taking.

Keats described autumn as the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. It is an evocative phrase, but one that only hints at the wonders that are out there in nature to be admired and embraced.

Some years are more colourful than others. Certainly in Ireland, in 2018, we have been gifted with moments of unsurpassable splendour as autumn unfolds, with gorgeous golds, ambers and yellows mixed in with dozens of varieties of shades of green, trees competing with one another in this last flourish of exceptional natural beauty.

Out the window at home is a beautiful Rowan tree, also known as mountain ash. In recent weeks, the leaves have been a gorgeous shade of flame red, the leaves caught in beautiful sunlight as it floods into the garden at the kind of angle that lights across and under the leaves as well as their upper surfaces, making everything seem especially luminous. Even this morning, after weeks of gentle maturing, the unpredictable aesthetics of it seemed remarkably striking and resonant.

The size, scale and variety of trees is a constant source of wonder. There are twenty-five main varieties in Ireland, the names of many of them familiar from everyday conversation. Ash, Birch, Hazel, Chestnut, Cherry, Poplar, Oak and Willow will strike a chord immediately with most of us. But there are sub-species of each of these, so that the total number of variations in local tree life is in the hundreds. There are, for example, at least ten varieties of Maple – a tree that is commonly planted in urban gardens, streets and parks.

The Japanese Maple offers particularly lovely specimens, with narrow, finely-shaped leaves that

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begin a mid-green in spring and transform into deep red come autumn time. There are also Oregon Maples, as well as Silver, Sycamore, Cappadocian (no, I don’t know what it means either) and Grey-Budded SnakeBark Maples, among others to be found here in Ireland.

The ones most likely to be seen from the window of the train include Norway Maple and Sycamore, bigger trees that are more common in landscapes.

Ash, of course, is among the great Irish trees.

Historically it was used in the making of hurling sticks, though time has caught up on that industry in Ireland, with much of the ash needed to keep the supply of hurlers replenished now being imported. Perhaps we should cultivate more. Oak is a fine parkland tree.

Chestnuts can grow to great sizes. And willows too can be found scattered across the country, their great drooping branches hinting at sadness, a bittersweet quality that inspired the words of the old song, written in 1932 by Ann Ronell, a songwriter from Omaha in Nebraska, and most famously recorded by Billie Holiday, by Frank Sinatra on his legendary Only For The Lonely album and by the British duo Chad & Jeremy, who had a US top ten hit with it in 1964.

“Oh, weeping willow tree,” the song goes, “Weep in sympathy / Bend your branches down / Along the ground and cover me / When the shadows fall, hear me / Willow and weep for me.”

We all feel like that on occasion. Of course we do. It is the human condition. But for now, as the autumnal sunshine brings an Indian summer’s worth of light and joy into our lives, we can still breathe that little bit more easily – and smile more widely.

“Lovers that bless the dark,” Billie Holiday sang in another classic, ’Autumn In New York’. “On benches in Central Park / Greet autumn in New York / It’s good to live it again.”

Looking at the wonders of nature, that surely seems like the right response...

Belfast Alive in Autumn

Just a short hop by train to Belfast, a city with an array of unmissable events, festivals, live music and amazing attractions.

Explore a city bursting with music and entertainment from small gigs to epic concerts.

Experience Belfast International Arts Festival with over 120 events; from world class theatre, dance, visual art, music, film and more.

Or uncover the history of the world’s most famous ship at Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience.

Come for the day and stay for the night.

Find out more at

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 & Colm Connolly

DANNY NORTH

NOVEMBER REIGN After storming Croke Park in 2017 with their 30th anniversary Joshua Tree tour, Bono and the boys are back for four more sold-out hometown shows at 3Arena (November 5, 6, 9 & 10). As ever with U2 tours, their eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE excursion is a state-of-the-art extravaganza, which makes spectacular use of cutting edge visuals, technology

and set design. It also marks the band’s first foray into augmented reality; fans can download a special mobile app that will enhance the concert experience and reanimate one of Bono’s most famous personas, MacPhisto. On the musical front, meanwhile, expect a thrilling mix of newer material alongside the band’s classic hits.

Need to Know...

WHEN:

November 5-6 & 9-10 WHERE: 3Arena, Dublin

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

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THE BEAUTIFUL

SOUTH-EAST Need to Know...

WHEN:

October 12 - 29 WHERE: Spiegeltent, Wexford The glamorous old-world Wexford Spiegeltent returns to Wexford Harbour this year with an unbeatable line-up. Irish legends Paul Brady, The Stunning, Something Happens and the Boomtown Rats lead the music charge, which also features the likes of Delorentos, Hudson Taylor, The Academic, Hermitage Green and Paul Noonan. Other highlights include Blindboy hosting a live taping of his podcast, and The Matchmaker starring Mary McEvoy and Jon Kenny. Comedy comes from well established funnybone ticklers Tommy Tiernan, Neil Delamare, Waterford Whispers News and Deirdre O’Kane, while Bosco will be there to entertain the kids. The raucous Prohibition Party is also back for 2018, with music from the Electric Swing Circus.

(Clockwise from top left) Deirdre O'Kane, Bosco, the Boomtown Rats and Paul Brady

Breakfast ON HILTON

BOOK THIS OFFER AND RECEIVE THE FAMOUS HILTON BREAKFAST ON US DURING YOUR STAY

BOOK ONLINE AT HILTON.COM/BELFAST FROM £115 PER NIGHT*

Hilton Belfast is located adjacent Lanyon Place Station (formerly Central Station) in the heart of the city centre, next to the Waterfront Hall and within walking distance to St. George’s Market, Victoria Square, and the Cathedral Quarter. The perfect location for great shopping, restaurants, bars and local attractions, including the award-winning Titanic Belfast. Book the Breakfast on Us or by phone using Special offer/ promotion code PR20BB, phone: +442890277000 hilton.co.uk/belfast *Terms and conditions apply. See offer details on website. Rates may vary by date but complimentary breakfast available on all dates for guests booking this particular offer.

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Villagers

PARADISE CITY For four years, Dublin’s Metropolis has been providing sanctuary to those lamenting the passing of another summer festival season. A multi-stage indoor event, it continues to go from strength to strength, and the 2018 edition boasts another exceptional line-up. Irish indie-folk heroes Villagers will headline and curate Saturday’s festivities, and the

material from their recently released album, The Art Of Pretending To Swim, is sure to go down a storm.

Elsewhere, the bill features the likes of art-pop queen Roisin Murphy; indie-soul maverick Mac De Marco; hip-hop innovators Young Fathers; R&B hero Blood Orange; groove technician the Black Madonna – and much, much more.

Need to Know...

WHEN: October 27 & 28 WHERE: RDS, Dublin Nearest Station Heuston / Connolly

T H E H U N GE R G AMES

GATE EXPECTATIONS

We’re set for four days of foodie heaven in the medieval city when Taste of Kilkenny returns this October Bank Holiday weekend (25–29).

It’s hard to believe that the festival is now celebrating 12 years of culinary delights, interactive demos and masterclasses. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the culinary action, with award-winning chefs, quirky dining events, beer and wine tasting, live entertainment, and a bustling market also in the mix. This year’s event already has plenty of big names on the bill, with the likes of Rosanna Davison, Derval O’Rourke, Kevin Thornton, Gastrogays, The Happy Pear, JP McMahon, and Domini & Peaches Kemp all Kilkenny-bound.

Directed by the award-winning Yael Farber and featuring Ruth Negga’s hugely anticipated turn as the Dane, Shakespeare’s immortal tale of existential angst, revenge and political intrigue has been given a fresh vibrancy for its run at the Gate. Running from September 21 to October 27, Hamlet marks the Gate stage debut of Negga, who has starred in Love/Hate and Preacher, and was Oscar-nominated for her role in Loving.

Offering an innovative twist on Shakespeare’s classic, this is one of the theatre events of the year.

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LILY SEASON

GHOSTBUS: GO RAIL DISCOUNT ANNOUNCED December 11 sees pop icon Lily Allen perform at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre. Last June found Allen releasing her latest album No Shame, which she described as a reflection on personal issues she has faced in recent years.

Lead single ‘Lost My Mind’ was one of the singer’s finest efforts to date, and with a string of pop classics to call on, her Irish fans should be in for a treat.

The Ghostbus is a real, authentic Dublin attraction. Hop on board, and you get to discover the spookier side of the city via a two-hour bus tour around the capital’s most notorious haunted spots. As you cruise the streets, a highly entertaining guide spins out the city's most spine-chilling mysteries and ghostly legends. The Ghostbus offers an extraordinary insight into the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s most famous character Dracula, and many more besides. Departing Monday-Thursday at 8pm and Friday and Saturday at 7pm and 9.30pm, the tour makes for a great alternative night out. Secure a 5 euro discount by entering the code GoRail on the ghostbus. ie website.

COMPETITION WIN 2 nights B & B with 1 dinner in the fabulous Wyatt Hotel, Westport The Wyatt Hotel is a charming 3* boutique style hotel located in the heart of glorious Westport town boasting a renowned welcoming atmosphere popular with visitors and locals alike. This bustling property has 63 tastefully decorated rooms, an upmarket Brasserie, a lively traditional Irish Bar, as well as an award winning Restaurant.

To be with a chance of winning this great prize simply answer the question below and send your answer to gorail@hotpress.ie. Please include your contact details, and let us know on which train route or at which station you picked up your copy of Go Rail. Good Luck!

Westport is in which county?

(A) Mayo (B) Galway (C) Clare Terms & Conditions: The prize is valid for one year, and subject to availability. No cash alternatives will be offered. Entrants must be 18+. Go Rail may contact competition entrants with details of future special offers. Your details wonʼt be passed on to any third party. Please specify in your email if you would like to opt out of this.

Give the gift of choice this Christmas with a Select Hotels of Ireland voucher. One voucher can be used in 30 hotels nationwide with prices starting from €50 by going online at www.selecthotels.ie or calling 1850 200 560

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M ACH I NE S PI RI T

KERRY GOLD June of 2018 found Florence And The Machine releasing her keenly anticipated album High As Hope, the follow-up to her hit LP How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. Exploring themes of loneliness and heartache, the record is a more minimalist affair than previous Machine offerings. Florence and co. have been busy touring internationally since the record’s arrival, with a brace of dates at the renowned Hollywood Bowl among the notable stops on the itinerary. Florence + the Machine will play Dublin’s 3Arena on November 19.

Now in its seventh year, the Sneem International Storytelling & Folklore Festival (November 9–11) attracts storytellers from the USA, Australia, Wales, Scotland, England and, of course, Ireland. This year’s event also features performances from Cork musician John Spillane (above), and a Saturday theatre performance of the Olivier Award-winning play Silent, by Pat Kinevane, presented by Fishamble.

Patrons can also look forward to adult and children’s workshops; a pub trail; storytelling in the barn; and the South Kerry Rosen Choir.

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA

SNOW BUSINESS

From October 19 to November 4, Wexford will be teeming with musicians and creative artists for the 67th edition of the Wexford Festival Opera. Seventeen days of opera, concerts, recitals and conversation will take place in the town’s charming venues and Ireland’s National Opera House. Created in 1951, the festival attracts internationally renowned singers, as well as brilliant conductors, directors and designers, to present innovative and rarely-performed operas. This year’s event includes the European premiere of William Bolcom’s Dinner At Eight, and the composer will also appear in conversation. The music of Leonard Bernstein will be celebrated at Bernstein á la Carte, and the festival will also host a double bill of L’oracolo and Mala vita.

Celebrate the magic of Christmas this holiday season with some seasonal spectaculars at the Gaiety. First up is one of the world’s favourite ballets, The Nutcracker (November 14–17). This Irish production of the festive classic, performed by an international cast of worldclass dancers, appeals to audiences of all ages with its fairytale magic, Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, beautiful costumes, and tale of wondrous adventure. This year’s fabulous Gaiety pantomime, meanwhile, is The Snow Queen (November 25–January 6).

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SCRUMMING ATTRACTIONS The autumn international line-up for the Irish rugby team kicks off on November 10 against Argentina in the Aviva Stadium. The two squads have had a number of major tussles over the last few seasons, and it was the Argentinians who knocked Ireland out of the 2015 World Cup at the quarter final stage.

This match is followed by the second of the Guinness Series 18 clash against New Zealand on November 17. Ireland are coming off the back of an

extremely successful season, having landed their third ever Grand Slam, and enjoyed a 2-1 victory over the Wallabies in a three-test series last June. In addition, the Irish squad lining out for these fixtures will be a good representation of our possible World Cup squad next year.

Overall, there will be a huge level of interest in these matches, and the Irish team will no doubt be looking to end a memorable year on a high.

Need to Know...

WHEN: November 10, 17 WHERE: Aviva Stadium NEAREST STATION: Heuston / Connolly

8-BIT OF WHAT YOU FANCY Set to be one of Ireland’s biggest ever gaming events, the Dublin Gaming Festival takes over the RDS on November 24. The festival will host a huge expo area; a community gaming zone; a retro gaming zone for 8-bit fans; keynote speeches; a job fair; and a massive two-floor, radio-controlled Mario Kart Racecourse. RAID Gaming Solutions will run a series of e-sports tournaments in the run-up to the event, as well as at the festival itself. Popular e-sports titles will also be showcased, such as League Of Legends, Fortnite, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch and much more.

Make it a festive season to remember

Tuesday 18th December

From â‚Ź52pp

Christmas Party Raceday

www.naasracecourse.com | (045) 897 391

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FLEA WILL ROCK YOU also Irish artisan food producers; a café; entertainment including musical performances; and a Kiddies Art Corner. Traders will include Beeswax Candles, Leko & Leko jewellery, Moon Mood children’s bedding, and Liadain Aiken knitwear. Also featured will be Kathryn Davey (natural and hand-dyed linen scarves, aprons, bags), and Ail & El Design (concrete planters & accessories).

The Dublin Flea Market takes place over two weekends this year, with unprecedented demand for stalls resulting in the extended run. The freeto-enter event showcases the best up-and-coming designers, craftspeople, artists, collectors and creative start-ups. There are

Need to Know...

WHERE: The Point Square, Dublin WHEN: December 6-9 & 13-16 Nearest Station Heuston / Connolly

THE LIGHTBODY FA N TA S T I C

LET'S DANCE Snow Patrol play 3Arena on December 11 in support of Wildness, their first album in seven years. The album contains the band’s trademark mixture of exhilarating rockers and soaring ballads, making for one of the albums of the year. Throw in classic hits like ‘Run’, ‘Chocolate’ and ‘Chasing Cars’, as well as the band’s powerful and charismatic stage presence, and this should be a night to remember in the Dublin docklands.

Cork City Ballet will perform The Nutcracker from November 8-10 at Cork Opera House, including a 2.30pm matinee on the 10th. The show will feature world renowned prima ballerina Ekaterina Bortyakorva from Moscow State Ballet, with direction from Alan Foley and choreography

by Bolshoi Ballet’s Yury Damakov. A mesmerising mix of music and dance, The Nutcracker is an experience unlike any other – so a truly wonderful few evenings are in prospect on Leeside.

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THE FURLONG AND THE SHORT OF IT

Leopardstown’s annual Christmas Festival is back from December 26-29.

Filled with glamour, music, entertainment and top class National Hunt racing, the festival has become a much-loved Christmas tradition. As well as seven Grade 1 races, the event also boasts live music in the festival marquee; DJs in the Champions Pavilion; and children’s activities on the festival Family Day (December 29). December 28, meanwhile, is the official Ladies Day of the Christmas Festival and features the Savills Style Awards.

THE FRIGHT STUFF The countdown is on to the biggest Halloween celebration in Ireland, as Derry gears up for an extravaganza that’s simply out of this world. Running from October 26 to November 3, the programme for Derry Halloween includes the Return of the Ancients, taking us on a mythical journey to the very heart of Halloween and its roots in the times of Cúchulainn and Fionn MacCool. Celebrating the 400th anniversary of the city’s magnificent walls, meanwhile, the Awakening of

the Walls features an illuminated animation trail on and around the City Walls from October 28-30. Elsewhere, the Samhain Sessions at Guildhall will showcase some fantastic musical talent under a ghostly glow, with appearances from David Kitt, Lisa Hannigan, Joshua Burnside, Colm Mac Con Iomaire and Malojian. With ghost tours, storytelling, music, animation and, of course, the traditional carnival parade and fireworks, there’s something on offer for everyone at Derry Halloween.

THE WIT PARADE Irish comedy fans are in for a serious treat courtesy of the Vodafone Comedy Carnival, which takes place in various venues throughout Galway city from October 23-29. There is a hugely impressive line-up of top class acts performing, including Dylan Moran, Phill Jupitus, Zoe Lyons, Sean Lock, Reginald D. Hunter and Al Murray. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the comedic action, with the acclaimed likes of Rhys Darby, Angela Barnes, Rich Hall and Andrew Maxwell also heading west

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T R A I N news ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY ALCOHOL FREE!

Explainer

LEAVES ON THE LINE

Did you know that a number of trains on Fridays and Sundays are alcohol free? Following customer feedback, a total of ten Intercity services will not have alcohol available for sale on board, and alcohol will not be permitted to be brought on board. The services are:

Friday only -

11:25hrs Heuston to Galway 13:15hrs Heuston to Waterford 13:25hrs Heuston to Galway 14:45hrs Heuston to Westport 15:10hrs Heuston to Waterford 15:35hrs Heuston to Galway

Sunday only -

12:40hrs Waterford to Heuston 13:00hrs Galway to Heuston 15:10hrs Waterford to Heuston 18:05hrs Waterford to Heuston

On services where alcohol is permitted, make sure you enjoy it responsibly, and always make sure you don’t impact on others’ enjoyment of their journey.

DART frequency up, and extra Commuter trains from December After the introduction of a more frequent DART service in September, Iarnród Éireann are preparing to expand off-peak and weekend Commuter services from December onwards.

Following the expansion of DART frequency – which now sees DARTs operating every 10 minutes each way from 06.50hrs to 20.00hrs Monday to Friday – the Maynooth, Drogheda and Phoenix Park Tunnel lines will see an increase in frequency from December onwards.

This will see more off-peak weekday services on all three routes, and weekend services on Maynooth and Drogheda lines, ideal for commuters with variable working hours and for customers travelling for leisure and social reasons.

Details of the new schedules will be available soon on irishrail.ie

It’s that time of year again. Everyone has heard the apologies for delays due to “leaves on the line” – but what does that mean? How can a small thing like leaves affect a big heavy train?

The leaf fall in autumn often causes poor rail head conditions and can affect train performance and punctuality in a number of ways.

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. This mulch is to rails what ice is to roads. It reduces the adhesion between wheel and rail – hence the phrase “low rail adhesion”. The leaf mulch can also affect the operation of track circuits, which is a key element of train signalling. The contamination is very difficult to remove from both wheels and rails and is often compared to Teflon, being very difficult to remove and very slippery.

In order to comply with safety requirements, train drivers adopt defensive driving techniques. This includes reducing speed to prevent slipping over platforms or signals, and as braking can be affected, braking distances are extended.

If you’re a regular rail traveller, you can probably sense the wheel “slipping” on a train if you’re travelling through an affected area. This is usually why delays are more prevalent at this time of year, particularly in the early morning and early evening.

We tackle the problem in a range of ways…

• Vegetation management: Removing trees from our property, and making sure other vegetation is cut back and managed.

• Specialised water-jetting and gel application machine: We have a train which has specialised machinery to tackle railhead contamination.

The train operates prior to early morning services on key sections of

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the network. It tackles the problem by cleaning the railhead with a high powered water jet at the front of the train and then applying a special ‘gel’ substance to the rail.

• Traction gel applicators: Iarnród Éireann has also invested in Traction Gel Applicators – 111 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 gel application: Handheld gel applicators, and specialised railhead scrubbers are positioned at strategic locations, near junctions etc, and are utilised by specially trained maintenance staff in order to provide a rapid response when necessary • Regular train on-board sanding equipment: Most of our rolling stock has been equipped with onboard sanding systems which will dispense sand when wheel slip is detected • Best practice: Low rail adhesion affects many countries with a temperate climate and Iarnród Éireann are a member of a group consisting of UK Train Operating Companies, which meet on a regular basis to tackle the problem • Data Collection: We have a dedicated team of people which continuously work on ways of tackling the various components that come together and cause the problems described above • Frontline Staff: Tackling low rail adhesion can be a difficult task. Iarnród Éireann staff work tirelessly to ensure our rail system operates safely in these conditions.

This often involves frontline staff members from each of the different departments working at all hours in all weather conditions. The dedication of these people means that the difficulties experienced at this time of year are kept to a minimum

CHANGING THE FACE OF HOMELESSNESS With Christmas just around the corner, Focus Ireland and Iarnród Éireann are working together to alleviate the homeless crisis onight, as you head home on the train from a regular day at work or perhaps doing a bit of early Christmas shopping in town, you are making a journey you have made many times. The journey home.

All of us can sometimes take our own home for granted. Not everyone has this security.

Sadly, almost 10,000 people are homeless nationwide right now. 3,693 are children.

This Christmas season, Iarnród Éireann is working with Focus Ireland in its bid to help fight the homelessness and housing crisis.

Together, we are aiming to raise vital funds to help in the delivery of the charity’s frontline services, while helping to raise public awareness about homelessness in Ireland. The partnership will also support the work that we do to prevent homelessness, and to provide vital immediate and long-term supports for people who are currently experiencing homelessness.

Sadly, the crisis has worsened throughout 2018. Each month, in the Dublin Region alone, an average of 99 families became newly homeless in the first eight months of this year, compared to 81 families per month for the same period in 2017. More than 1 in every 3 people who are homeless is a child.

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As the crisis is continuing to deepen, the situation would be much worse without the lifeline services and housing Focus Ireland provides.

The difference we can make together…

In 2017 alone, Focus Ireland supported a record 14,500 people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness, and we now provide over 1,100 homes for people nationwide.

It is expected that hundreds of thousands of passengers will travel home with Iarnród Éireann between now and Christmas .

There are many who don’t have a choice to travel home with us. Iarnród Éireann and Focus Ireland would like to change this. And we need your help to do it.

Together, we can change the face of homelessness. Child by child, family by family.

TO GET INVOLVED Go to focusireland.ie/donate/ and give today.

Get your friends, family and colleagues together for a Christmas Jumper Day. Details and registration forms are available at focusireland.ie.

From mid-November, donations for Focus Ireland will be accepted on irishrail.ie, so you can donate as you buy your next train ticket.

Like and Follow us on Facebook & Twitter to hear the latest news and hear all about our upcoming events & activities.

Thank you.

Every 8 hours, a family is made homeless.

Together we can change this.

URGENT CHRISTM AS APPEAL

Please help today, call 1850 204 205 now.

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TRAINS TO GET ROLLS-ROYCE TREATMENT AS MOVE TO HYBRID TECHNOLOGY BEGINS Iarnród Éireann is working with Rolls-Royce to chart a course to a hybrid energy future on the existing Intercity railcar fleet.

This will see the design, supply, installation and commissioning of hybrid powerpacks on three Intercity Railcar trains (nine carriages) – the backbone of the national Intercity rail service – which would be complete by 2021.

Subject to the success of the trials, Iarnród Éireann would plan to convert its entire Intercity Railcar fleet of 234 carriages, which operate on all Intercity routes, to the hybrid technology.

Simulations have demonstrated that this can, depending on route and timetable, produce fuel savings of up to 33%.

Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, said: “We’re delighted to be able to join forces with Rolls-Royce in bringing a new and ecofriendly kind of rail technology to Ireland. As well as environmental and cost benefits, our passengers will greatly appreciate the journey on an even quieter train.”

Andreas Schell, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “Iarnród Éireann is clearly impressed by our innovative drive system, so we’re immensely satisfied. With our MTU Hybrid PowerPack, we can achieve fuel savings of over 30% in this application. That’s no mean feat and something we’re very proud of.”

The Hybrid PowerPack is an eco-friendly drive system which combines the advantages of diesel and battery-powered rail traction. It

incorporates a diesel engine plus an electric machine, which can be used either as an electric motor or generator, and an EnergyPack battery system which stores the energy recovered during braking. This enables significant decreases in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions – in the case of Iarnród Éireann a drop in fuel consumption of up to 33% is predicted.

Iarnród Eireann’s fleet strategy already envisages a future which moves away from

diesel power for new trains, so there will be further environmental and cost benefits from conversion of existing fleet. Under the National Development Plan, the rail fleet is to be increased by 300 vehicles – almost 50% – with electric and hybrid options being assessed.

This will also facilitate the DART Expansion programme, which will see the electrification of routes to Drogheda, Maynooth/M3 Parkway and Hazelhatch over the lifetime of the NDP.

The station

Pearse Station on Westland Row is Ireland’s second busiest train station and the busiest commuter station on the network. The station opened in 1834, and was the original terminus of the first railway line in the country (Westland Row to Kingstown – Pearse to Dun Laoghaire).

It sees DART, Commuter and Rosslare Intercity services operate through, with up to nine million journeys beginning or ending at the station each year.

The roof

Pearse gets the roofers in Iarnród Éireann is beginning work on the renewal of the roof in Dublin’s Pearse Station.

The roof structure dates from the 1880s and now requires replacement as a crucial safety project.

While the roof is not a protected structure, Iarnród Éireann will ensure the external appearance and character of the structure will be maintained.

The project will cost in the region of €10 million and is funded by the National Transport Authority and it will take 18 months to complete. While the

vast majority of works will not be disruptive to rail services and are also planned to take place at daytime to reduce impact on the surrounding areas, Iarnród Éireann does expect that the station will need to be closed for a number of weekends over the 18 month period for round-the-clock works, with the first being the October Bank Holiday weekend. As a result, on that weekend, DARTs will be suspended between Connolly and Dun Laoghaire (further works are taking place on the track as well).

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The roof structure dates from the 1880s, and comprises two main areas.

The main station area roof comprises forty barrelled roof trusses over thirty-eight bays, with additional gable end structure at both ends.

Adjacent to the main station roof there is a second similar roof (which formerly accommodated platforms but has been converted to car park and station infrastructure area). This roof is smaller and comprises nineteen trusses over 18 bays.

The works

The works will consist of the replacement of all primary trusses with new steel trusses, or similar, and replacement of the existing roofing materials with new materials chosen to maintain the external appearance & character of the structure, with minimum impact on the operation of the station during construction and future maintenance.

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After another successful 2018 Programme we are delighted to announce that “Magellan” is back HomePorting in Ireland for 2019.

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BARRY MCCALL

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HOZIER

Hunting

HIGH & WICKLOW Having conquered the world with his mega-hit ‘Take Me To Church’, Bray star Hozier has now returned with his stunning new EP, Nina Cried Power.

He discusses artistic reinvention, collaborating with his musical hero Mavis Staples, special gigs and landmark moments. Interview Stuart Clark

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he first thing you obviously notice about Andrew Hozier-Byrne is his height. Not professional basketball player tall, but towering over everyone else in the chi-chi French restaurant where we’re meeting today to discuss his return to frontline rock ‘n’ roll action. Then you cop the shy smile that suddenly turns into a megawatt dazzle, the way his voice quietens when he’s trying to explain something, and the little clap of the hands when he thinks the point’s been made.

Hozier’s physical stature probably doesn’t matter a whole lot to the gazillion people who’ve bought or streamed his music these past five years, but his warmth, passion and ability to write songs that tug at both heart and conscience most certainly do.

Another thing you can add to the Wicklow man’s attributes is his undiminished fandom for the people who made him want to make music in the first place.

This was evident on the Saturday at this year’s Electric Picnic, when an uncharacteristically nervous looking Hozier joined Mavis Staples on the Main Stage for a rendition of The Band’s classic ‘The Weight’.

It was part payment for the Stax legend singing up a storm on his new single, ‘Nina Cried Power’, released last September and an affirmatory answer to the question, “Does he have another ‘Take Me To Church’ in his locker?”

“I realised pretty early on in the writing of ‘Nina Cried Power’ that it was a duet, and that the person I wanted to sing it with me was Mavis Staples,” he explains. “I wasn’t arrogant enough to automatically think that she’d say ‘yes’. When she did, I was at first elated and then very aware that I was going to be sharing the studio with one of the greatest vocalists of all-time. No pressure! It’s hard not to be intimidated by someone of her stature, but Mavis is the most magnificent person to be around. She’s super warm and caring and giving. She really threw herself into it and was so open to ideas. We flew out to Chicago to record that with her and, yeah, I’m thrilled.”

Having grown up listening to such classics of hers as ‘I’ve Learned To Do Without You’, ‘Freedom Highway’ and – swoon – ‘I’ll Take You There’, Hozier got his first live sighting of Ms. Staples a few years back at the Newport Folk Festival.

“Along with their sister jazz festival, they’ve always documented the artists who’ve played there, which means that there’s this really amazing footage of Skip James, Son House, Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters and Dylan going electric. Their thing in the ‘60s was that

whether you were performing on the main stage or in front of the hotdog stand, everybody was paid the same. It’s a lovely ethos to have, but probably wouldn’t fly these days.

“Anyway, Mavis was at Newport with various members of her family and, as I knew she would, blew me away with not only her old songs but also the newer stuff she’s done with Jeff Tweedy from Wilco. I think she’s released more albums in the last ten years than she did in the previous 30, so there’s no resting on her laurels. Her management had talked about the possibility of us collaborating, so when we contacted them about ‘Nina Cried Power’ it wasn’t a completely cold call.”

“Mavis and Nina are from that era where being a black female singer was a political statement in its own right. When I was eightyears-old I discovered a Nina Simone CD and played it falling asleep at night. I was completely hypnotised by her presence on record and the weight of her voice. Through ‘Mississippi Godamn’, I was introduced to the American Civil Rights Movement and what followed on from it.”

When Hozier stopped touring at the start of 2016 following the runaway success of his self-titled debut album, his manager Caroline Downey was adamant he could take as much time off as he wanted. Which turned out to be mere months.

“I came off the road with a phone-full of memos and voices notes,” he explains. “A lot were immediately disregarded, but there were a few that I started playing around with. There was a six-month period of writing and demoing in the latter half of last year, which is a bit of a blur to me. You’re exposed to a great deal of stimuli and influences on the road, but you just don’t have time to translate them into a new song until you stop for a while.”

He also needed some down time in Bray to realise the magnitude of what’s happened to him since ‘Take Me To Church’ blew up.

“Yeah, it was only when I came home that I was able to fully process what’s happened,” he nods. “In London and New York you kind of blend in, but in Dublin everybody seemed to know me. I did struggle with that at first. This sense of achievement, though, is fleeting. You can give yourself a pat on the back but, as far as I’m concerned, I haven’t succeeded really with what I want to achieve in the great scheme of things.”

Which is?

“It’s increasingly hard with the way music is promoted and consumed these days, but I want to stay in the game and have a career that matches – in terms of longevity, anyway – heroes of mine like Tom Waits and Paul Simon. I was heartbroken that I missed Paul Simon’s farewell show in the RDS. I saw him last time

“It’s been a steep learning curve: I have the bruises and scars.”

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Power couple: Mavis Staples and Hozier. (Right) Sinéad O’Connor presents Nina Simone with a Hot Press Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999.

“The success of the first album took me completely by surprise.”

round on the Graceland tour and was just thrilled by it. I must see where this tour’s ending up and try and fly over for it.”

Like anyone who picked up a guitar as a kid, Hozier had dreamt of stardom, but even with a major record deal and super-well connected manager – Caroline Downey also happens to be one-half of concert giants, MCD – he didn’t expect it to come knocking so soon and so loudly.

“The success of the first album took me completely by surprise – the cart’s before the horse and you’re going out there green as grass,” Hozier admits. “I don’t know how I did those first American TV shows because I was in absolute ribbons. I’d only been in front of a camera once before that. Something I’ll wish for the rest of my life is that I could do it again differently. It was really difficult getting used to singing a song like ‘Take Me To Church’ three times a day in an airconditioned studio, and the rest of the time talking in interviews. You’re trying to keep cool and pretend that this is normal but, no, it was tricky on the way up.”

According to its producer, Rob Kirwan, Hozier’s debut album was recorded under the influence of Feist, St. Vincent, Little Dragon and The National. What was on the studio hi-fi this time round?

“Tinariwen and Ali Farka Toure: that kind of West African thing where folk picking meets blues music. I was also listening to gospel, those Alan Lomax field recordings that I’ve only discovered recently, and those one-chord mountain blues boogies that dudes like John Lee Hooker used to play.”

Album production duties fall this time to Markus Dravis, the Anglo-German who also has Mumford & Sons, Coldplay, Arcade Fire, Kings Of Leon and Florence + The Machine on his A-Lister CV. “Rob is an incredible engineer who mixes as he records using the drums as a foundation. The depth of sound he gets is huge. Sonically, Markus is very different. We talked a bit more about musical ideas and arrangements on this one: what we wanted from the songs. He’s got fantastic ears and great vision. I have to say he’s not shy about directing you! It was intense but we had a good relationship, and there’s stuff that he pulled out of the songs that I wouldn’t have.

“We flew to Chicago for Mavis, but most of the recording was done in London apart from the guitar and piano for ‘Nothing Fucks With My Baby’, which was done in my house,” he continues. “I’m very proud of it and ‘Nina’ and another song on the EP, ‘Moment’s Silence’. There’s a lot more to come and, when it does, I hope it’ll be enjoyed as a body of work.”

Though one of the biggest music stars Ireland has produced in recent years, Hozier says those close to him keep his feet firmly on the ground.

“Having an Irish crew, your head will never be allowed to get too big,” he notes. “I’m constantly being slagged by everybody, which is a good leveller.

My management have always been very careful: there are no massive egos or other kinds of toxic influence when we’re out on the road. You’re aware, though, of this massive machine being created around you. You can’t stop or stall the brakes because everyone is relying on this machine. There are dudes with wives and kids at home: it’s their livelihoods.

“You’re constantly putting fires out in your mind and dealing with post-gig comedowns. I don’t exactly know how to explain it, but a lot of musicians come off stage and feel a sort of despair.

It could be a coming down, adrenaline sort of thing. You’re going from panic to stress to elation to anxiety as you post-mortem the gig. Fortunately, though, I have my band of brothers and sisters around me. I look at them and think: ‘We’re in this together. Everybody’s tired, everybody’s doing their best to pull through.’ I can totally understand why artists who don’t have that might struggle.”

The pressures of being a global superstar are, he insists, far outweighed by ‘pinch me, am I dreaming?’ moments like getting to perform with Annie Lennox at the aforementioned Grammys.

“I’m not sure I’ll ever get my head round that,” he grins. “It’s one of the most surreal nights of my life. I was walking back to my dressing-room and in the corridor chatting away were Dave Grohl and Kanye West. As I passed by them, Dave stops his conversation with Kanye and says, ‘Hey, dude, I’m really looking forward to playing that show in Slane. See you then!’ It was months before the Foo Fighters played at the castle, but he’d done his homework and knew exactly who I was.

“The myth of him being ‘the nicest man in rock’ was completely confirmed for me. Really, I was blown away. As for Annie Lennox, wow, she’s such an iconic artist and such a powerful woman. In the conversations I had with her, she was incredibly supportive. She’s somebody who knows what she wants out of her work and is no nonsense about it as well.

“She sees through the industry, so I have a lot of respect for her. We did a mash-up of ‘Take Me To Church’ and ‘I Put A Spell On You’, which worked out really well. Prince was in the audience, so I was trying to push my eyes back into my head! It’s so incredibly sad what happened to him not long after.”

As saddened as he was by Prince’s death, it was David Bowie passing away at the start of 2016 that totally knocked the wind out of Hozier.

“My Dad was always a huge Bowie fan, and played his records in the house non-stop,” he reminisces. “It’s very hard to talk about David Bowie in the past tense. He had such a hunger for it. His last record, Blackstar, was so deep and so dark. What a way to go, leaving an album like that.

“I think he will be unparalleled. To me there’s an iconography to him, he defines artistry in so many different ways. We’re losing icons at such a rate.

Lyrically, I looked to Bowie and Leonard Cohen an enormous amount. If I can keep making music for the rest of my life like them, I’ll be thrilled.”

Before we leave Hozier to tuck into a fancy plateful of French food, any more of those ‘Am I dreaming?’ moments he’d care to share with us?

“I forgot to tell you about the Grammys after-party where Annie and myself really enjoyed ourselves,” he beams again. “We woke up the next day with outrageous hangovers and had to do the video shoot for ‘Work Song’.

If I look pale, it’s not the lighting or the colour grading! But, the pinnacle for me, the dream come true, was coming home last year and playing to a Longitude crowd that knew every word of every song. For that to happen with my friends and family there was incredible.”

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Happy As Barry

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Barry Keoghan

First coming to prominence in TV gangster hit Love/Hate, Barry Keoghan has continued his rise to international stardom in American Animals and Irish box office smash Black 47. He talks about growing up in Dublin’s inner city, how he approaches acting, and taking inspiration from the likes of Cillian Murphy and Brendan Gleeson. Interview Roe McDermott

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hat a difference just four years makes. The last time I sat down with Barry Keoghan, he was 22, and still best known for his role as cat-killing Wayne on Love/Hate. But even then, it was clear that the Dublin actor was destined for great things.

His incredible performances exude emotional intelligence, raw vulnerability, and a uniquely wired energy that makes him enormously compelling to watch onscreen.

And guess what? Hollywood agrees.

Keoghan has starred opposite Rachel Griffith in Mammal, held his own alongside Brendan Gleeson and Michael Fassbender in Trespass Against Us, stole some of the focus from Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman in The Killing Of A Sacred Deer, and appeared in the epic historical drama Dunkirk, directed by Christopher Nolan. His filmography is rapidly growing, his choices seemingly impeccable – and so it only makes sense that he’s starring in not one, but two celebrated films.

American Animals is Bart Layton’s genredefying crime drama, based on the true story of four college students who stole rare books from Transylvania University in Kentucky.

An exploration of memory, entitlement and Hollywood’s glorification of crime, American Animals is wickedly clever and dizzyingly entertaining – and all the more affecting because it’s true.

But when it comes to impactful true stories, Keoghan’s other release this month is also sure to have Irish cinephiles talking. Black 47 – which has passed the landmark €1 million mark at the Irish box office – is brilliant young Irish director Lance Daly’s revenge Western, set during the Famine.

Charting one man’s quest to hunt down the British officers and Irish collaborators responsible for the eviction and death of his family during the course of the Famine, Keoghan excels as an idealistic young private torn between his position and his conscience. It is a powerful tourde-force.

Working with so many incredible American and British actors thankfully hasn’t diminished Barry Keoghan’s Dublin accent one bit, and as I enthuse about his latest releases, he cheerfully responds with a humble “Ah, cheers love.”

It’s this combination of genuine warmth and undeniable talent that landed him a leading role in American Animals. Keoghan had been a huge fan of Bart Layton’s incredible documentary The Imposter, and how it played with form and convention. Determined to work with the director, Keoghan tweeted Layton his admiration – and the

rest is casting history. As with The Imposter, Layton plays with genre in American Animals, interviewing the real men who committed the robbery, while using his actors to recreate their memories of the event – memories that are not always clear, and often contradict each other.

“I had seen The Imposter, so I knew what spin Bart was going to throw on it,” Keoghan says of the unique approach. “I had a lot of trust and faith in him to do what he did. Because it’s easy to put things down on paper and say, ‘Yeah I’m going to throw this in, have a twist there’ – but with Bart, I knew I was in for a treat.”

This trust in Layton’s vision became particularly important when it came to Keoghan’s approach to his character, as the director forbid the actors from having any contact with the men they were playing until after the film was completed.

Keoghan’s character Spencer Reinhard is in many ways the heart of the film. An aspiring artist, Reinhard is quiet and sensitive, and gets swept up in the plan by his more volatile friend, Warren Lipka (played by Evan Peters). Keoghan eventually met Reinhard after the premiere of the film, and was finally able to start understanding a man he had spent months portraying.

“Meeting Spencer was cool, we hung out with them a lot,” reflects Keoghan. ”You could see in them that they deeply regretted and were sorry for what they’d done. They also knew this story needed to be told, and were proud of it, as well. They were proud that the film doesn’t show them in a glamourised light – it shows the ugly reality of what they did.”

The film also shows the somewhat ludicrous motivation which inspired the crime. These guys didn’t need the money – but they were driven to do something wild to elevate them above what they saw as a mundane existence. They wanted to be exceptional. They wanted to be special.

“It’s like modern day culture now,” observes Keoghan sagely. “Young lads, including myself – well, maybe not myself – but with a lot of young people, there’s pressure to succeed and go to college, and get a house and a big job. There’s a certain amount of expectation.

Spencer is an artist, and his problem is that he doesn’t have a problem. He doesn’t have this life experience, this traumatic life experience that he thinks every artist has – you know, Van Gogh and all of these people. So the indication is that he’s just using this – he wants to create this rollercoaster and use it to fuel his art.”

There’s something quite painful and frustrating hearing Keoghan speak about characters who come from such a place of entitlement, with such ego-driven concerns. This privilege and entitlement is the polar opposite of Keoghan’s own upbringing, as he has had to fight for everything he has. Appearing on The Late Late Show earlier this year, the actor revealed that his mother suffered

“It was my first time playing a real life character.”

23

Colin Farrell and Barry in The Killing Of A Sacred Deer. (Right) The gang’s all here: American Animals

from drug addiction and was unable to care for her children, so he and his brother had to be taken into foster care.

“The drugs hit the area and affected all of the family, and she was one of them who got caught,” says Keoghan. “So we went into rin Gue a Shon girlfriend Barry Keoghan with his foster care, and the families were good to us – there were a few of them. Thirteen. As a kid, you don’t know what’s happening. You get attached, and then boom – let’s move over here, and let’s move here. It’s a weird one. As a kid, you don’t know what’s happening and it’s only when you’re older you can get a bit of perspective on it.”

Keoghan’s mother died when she was just 30.

“I’ve great memories of her,” he says. “I’m very proud of her.”

Since Keoghan’s rapid ascent to fame, he has found nothing but support at home.

“When I’m home, it’s a lot of ‘Get me a drink, Hollywood!’ They laugh at it, in a good way,” he says. “Everyone who is close to me has remained the same. That’s the nice thing about it. They’re excited to find out what some actors are like in person, but that’s it – it’s excitement and pride, rather than begrudging. But it is a weird one, that someone they know got out and is doing all this stuff – and I don’t just mean in my neighborhood. It’s not heard a lot about in Ireland, for lads to go away and do that.”

For Keoghan, who has always been a fan of boxing, there’s one man who epitomises the heights you can reach when you combine talent with ambition, and that’s Conor McGregor.

“Conor McGregor for me would be very, very inspiring,” says Keoghan, almost reverentially.

“He’s just a lad from Dublin, but that man went and made history, and he’s going to keep making history. He shows that if you have the heart and the imagination and the drive and ambition – if you can picture it, you can do it.

That’s where I got my ambition, even when I was a kid. I always wrote down things, always said I was going to go do this, do that. So when I saw Conor McGregor making it, it kind of inspired me to push hard and do it. That’s important.”

And where did Keoghan’s own ambition and drive spring from?

“It’s the nothing to lose attitude, isn’t it? Because I’ve been at the bottom. The bottom of the bottom, and I really mean that. And when you’ve been down so low, you can only go up. It sounds clichéd, but it came from a nothing-to-lose attitude.”

“When I saw Conor McGregor making it, it inspired me to push hard and do it.”

24

It’s certainly working for him: he continues to be a favourite with critics and fans alike. Even the small role he plays as a young private in Lance Daly’s Black 47 – is getting a special mention in reviews. Keoghan was delighted to appear in what is one of the first Irish films about the Famine.

“The thing about this Famine movie is that it’s going to get people talking and educate us a little bit,” he says. “Because a lot of people don’t know a lot about it – and that’s speaking from a younger generation. But it’s also exciting and gritty, and the entertainment factor will keep us locked into it. It also uses the gorgeous Irish language, which you don’t get to see.”

Keoghan always uses his experience on film sets to learn as much as possible – not just about the film’s subject matter, but whatever life lessons he can accrue from his directors and co-stars. He’s particularly enthusiastic about working with older actors, and values spending time with people like Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson, with whom he acted in the crime drama Trespass Against Us. “They’re such interesting people, and I learn so much from them – not even about acting, about everything. Michael and Brendan will just be on set talking about Sigmund Freud and I’ll be like ‘Who’s that?’ And they’ll tell me about it and encourage me to look things up. I’m learning from them all the time. Then I’ll watch them do their scenes, and learn so much from that too. I’m much more interested in art now. I feel more open to things.”

Having worked with independent directors like Lance Daly and Bart Layton, as well as such modern visionaries as Christopher Nolan and Yorgos Lanthimos, Keoghan has his eye on writing and directing in the future.

“Working with great people, great filmmakers, you just appreciate how good they are, and you see their love for it and it makes you want to try it. So yeah, I definitely want to try everything.”

In spite of his rapid ascent, Keoghan recognises the power an actor can harness by remaining enigmatic.

“Killian Scott once told me that the more people see you, the less interested they are in you,” he says. “And that made so much sense. You look at Daniel Day Lewis, and he only does films every few years – but when you do see him, your eyes are glued to him.

And he’s so different in everything. I don’t feel like I have to rush or take every job – I want to have a great life as well as a great career.”

In those terms, it’s his co-star on The Killing Of A Sacred Deer, Colin Farrell, and Dunkirk co-star Cillian Murphy, who have inspired him the most.

“Colin and Cillian are two genuine family men,” says Keoghan admiringly. “You don’t just learn acting from them, you learn about life, and about what it means to be a good person. That’s what I want.”

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High 26

JOHN BOYNE

John Boyne’s latest novel, A Ladder To The Sky, tackles literary ambition and the pitfalls that come with it. Speaking with Peter McGoran, he talks about his own early searches for a publishing deal, back-biting in the book world, and entering a fertile writing period.

Photography: Kathrin Baumbach

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ow onto his 11th novel – his glittering CV also boasts extensive journalistic ouput and several YA books – John Boyne has finally reached a comfortable stage in his

writing career.

“I remember Kazuo Ishiguro saying that between the age of 40 and 60 is the best time in a writer’s life,” he smiles. “I’m 47 now and I do feel full of energy and enthusiasm. The last few books are all kind of different and, I hope, interesting. I feel like I’m in a good place creatively at the moment.”

Boyne’s latest novel centres on an area that he’s all-too-familiar with – that of the rocky road to publishing. A Ladder To The Sky follows a young Yorkshire man, Maurice Swift, whose charm, good looks and networking abilities allow him to attach himself to various prominent, and susceptible, authors in order to further his own career. His tactics gradually veer from emotionally exploitative to downright criminal as the novel progresses.

Given that he’s published enough novels to know the ins and outs, is this book reflective of the literary world as John knows it? Is there a dark side to literary ambition?

“I’m not really sure,” he considers. “I know that I’ve certainly had a desperation to get published. I remember what it was like in my twenties, my ambition was always to get published before I was 30, and I published my first novel when I was 29. I can remember being 24, 25, 26 and being really desperate for that deal.

“Now I wouldn’t have gone to the extremes that Maurice goes to to get it, but the longing for it was so important to me. It’s not unusual that people feel a great ambition – especially in an artistic career, whether it be books, music or acting – and a strong need to express themselves in the world, and for their voices to be heard. If no one is listening then that can get very frustrating.”

Has John met characters like Maurice, who would stop at nothing to get ahead?

“Oh, yeah. I don’t think I’ve met any writers that have committed those types of crimes, but I’ve certainly seen people use other writers to get ahead. The back-biting, the little rivalries and feuds, the writing of bad reviews just because you don’t like someone – I’ve seen that.”

The novel also tackles the idea of ownership when it comes to an individual’s stories and memories. In the opening section, a famed German novelist recounts his tacit complicity during the Nazi era, which Maurice then uses for his own bestselling novel. It raises the question – if one person shares an experience with another, is it wrong to write about it?

“That was something I was interested in because I’m not entirely sure what the answer is,” says John. “If two people share an experience, and it’s both of their experiences, who owns those

stories? In the book, when Eric tells Morris his story, Eric hasn’t written about it and he’s telling the story aloud. Is he then giving it to the world?

Is it his anymore?

“The idea of ownership, I think, is until one person commits those words to a page, it’s a freefor-all. It’s why when you ask writers what they’re working on they’ll say, ‘Oh a little something, a book...’ or ‘Seeing where it’s going.’ They don’t tend to share too many details.”

Is there a lot of back-biting in the Irish literary sphere?

“I don’t think it’s specifically Irish,” replies John.

“Most of the older Irish writers are wonderful, nice people. My experience is that the more successful a writer is, the nicer they are because they don’t have a chip on their shoulder and they’re secure in themselves.

Maybe that’s the same in any industry, I don’t know. Maybe once you’re established you’ve got nothing to prove to anybody.”

On a related note, there’s an argument that Irish writers have a tendency to pull their punches when it comes to criticising other scribes. As a reviewer himself, does John have any thoughts on that?

“That can be the case,” he agrees. “I review books for The Irish Times and for the most part I tend to avoid Irish novels, because you can’t win – if you genuinely like it and you give it a good review, you’re accused of back-slapping, and if you genuinely don’t like it and you give it a bad review, you’ll be run out of town. So it’s a lose-lose situation.”

But in general it does seem like there’s a new wave of amazing Irish authors.

“Yeah, there’s a new wave of very good writers. Although I think there’s a tendency to overpraise too quickly. You sort of need to have four or five novels before we start throwing the word ‘genius’ around. It becomes a bit self-fulfilling because Irish publications are always looking for new writers to capitalise on the success of those who were popular in the last five or six years.

Often they’re just fine and we’re saying they’re the greatest thing since War And Peace. I think we need to be more circumspect in our lavish praise.”

Having released his incredible tenth novel, The Heart’s Invisible Furies, just a year before A Ladder To The Sky, does John already have plans for his next tome?

“I haven’t published a book for young readers in about five years and I’m going to have one in April. I’ve been working on that for the past year and I’ve just been doing the final bits of it. After that I’ve got two films and TV projects in production. Ridley Scott bought The Heart’s Invisible Furies for a 10-part TV show and Dominic Cook – who directed On Chesil Beach – is going to direct that. I also just sold the film rights to A Ladder To The Sky to the people who made the Patrick Melrose shows. Then I’ll be working on another adult book as well. So I’ve always got eyes on the next project!”

“If two people share an experience, and it’s both of their experiences, who owns those stories?”

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A Ladder To The Sky is out now, via Penguin.

The Boys Are Back In Town Having just released another superb album in Politics Of Living, Dublin rockers Kodaline discuss creative rebirth, international stardom and hanging out with U2.

Interview Stephanie Costello

D

own around 3Arena, gale force winds battered buildings and swept trees and debris onto nearby Luas tracks. A storm of a different kind was brewing when I met Irish indie-pop four-piece Kodaline, who are preparing to release their highly anticipated third studio album Politics Of Living.

The lads are in the midst of a hectic promotional schedule involving countless radio interviews, in-store signings, and live busking performances in front of hundreds of avid fans. It is a process they relish after a few false starts with the record that led them to cancel the European leg of their tour last September.

Fast-forward a month and the tour has been reinstated and the band – comprising Steve Garrigan, Mark Prendergast, Vincent May, and Jason Boland – have already sold out shows in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Their trajectory has been steadily upwards, starting with the release of their debut album In A Perfect World, which entered the Irish Album Charts at No.1 in 2013 and No.3 in the UK. A slew of Irish sold-out shows followed, including Marlay Park in

28

2016 and Malahide Castle in 2018. Meanwhile, their stand-out, soaring, soulful ballad ‘High Hopes’ has been a huge radio hit internationally.

In the face of all of this success, the band remain almost obstinately modest. They are, they insist, just a bunch of guys from Swords who grew up playing in Battle Of The Bands in secondary school, grimy dimly lit pubs and numerous wedding gigs before graduating to the major league.

Musically, Kodaline are eager to evolve and experiment, as demonstrated on their new and edgier pop-laden record. The band must be delighted to finally have it done and dusted.

“Yeah,” nods Steve. “We unfinished it and then finished it! It’s been a long journey to get it done. So yeah. It’s not so much a relief: it’s more, we’re very happy with it and really excited to get back on tour again and head off to places like America and Europe.

We haven’t properly toured in a while.”

What are your ambitions for it?

“I guess we just want to keep doing what we’re doing,” considers Vinny. “Keep playing more shows to bigger crowds – and just have the band grow.”

“We’ve had the same close group of friends since we were in school.”

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Clockwise from top: Kodaline pals U2, Dermot Kennedy and Josh Homme

MARK CARROL

“We’ve kinda been consistently growing, even with the new album,” notes Steve. “It’s bizarre: we went to Romania for the first time and played a festival and there were thousands of people there for us.

I saw some YouTubers commenting that they heard your track on an ad in Romania and you’re now their new favourite band!

“Yeah, it’s mad,” says Steve. “I think it was ‘Follow Your Fires’ that was the No.1 played song over there, in Slovakia and Romania.”

“We went to the Philippines in March,” adds Vinny, “and headlined a festival there in front of like 13,000 people.”

That must have been incredible.

“We’re going back to do a tour in Bangkok,” says Steve, “and also South Korea, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Everything has been a slow burner.

Every time we release something and every time we go back to a city, the venues get a little bit bigger. Which is cool.”

On the new album you’ve taken a different direction musically. You also mixed it up with producers and co-writers such as Steve Mac, Johnny Coffer and Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid.

“We’ve never worked with anybody before,” explains Steve. “Our comfort zone as writers and as a band is slow ballads. For me, as a writer, if I sit by a piano I’ll come out with something. Before we started making this album, we just knew that we didn’t want to do anything that we’ve done before.”

Does co-writing make it easier?

“I didn’t like it at all at the start,” replies Steve. “It was so uncomfortable because I’ve always written for myself. I suppose you just have to adapt to it and let go. Some songs, if they’re extra-personal songs, are better to do by yourself. But for others it’s kinda, ‘Yeah, when somebody comes out with an idea.’ We know each other’s ideas as a band and we’ve been working together for so long that, in the end, working with new people was refreshing.”

Where did the album title, Politics Of Living, come from?

“We’ve a song called ‘Politics Of Living’ that isn’t on the album,” says Vinny. “It might be released at some point. Everybody thinks that it’s going to be a really politically driven album, but it has nothing to do with politics. It’s more about the politics of life and how you deal with relationships, with your family, your friends or whatever.

It’s human relationships. You’ve got friends that don’t talk to other friends: it’s everyday stuff.”

“Every song tells a different story,” says Steve. “It’s about the trials and tribulations of everyday life.”

I imagine you’re all under a tremendous amount of pressure at the moment, and the record industry machine is an unforgiving beast. How do you cope?

“We’re quite lucky because there’s four of us and we are our own support system when we’re away,” says Vinny. “We travel with a decent sized crew and we’ve had the same crew for five or six years. We’re like a big family. You can always tell when someone is

DANNY NORTH

KODALINE

down or not having a good day and we know when someone just needs to be left alone for an hour or two.

“I can’t imagine what it would be like to be doing the stuff we’re doing by ourselves, or not having the big support system. All of our family, and wives and girlfriends and friends, are amazing too.”

Neither Steve nor Vinny say they feel particularly famous – is that an Irish thing?

“I think it’s more because we grew up together,” reflects Steve. “We started in Battle of the Bands in school, busking on the streets, rehearsing in Vinny’s parents’ house for years. We’ve had jobs, we’ve lost jobs. We grew up together, played in bars to drunk people, played cover songs.

“So we’re very appreciative of what we’ve achieved.

I remember in Singapore, playing a show and we were rushed out of the venue with fans chasing our car and that was a proper moment – but even then we keep each other grounded.”

“We’ve had the same close group of friends since we were in school,” says Vinny. “A mate of mine was moving to Australia and ten of us were down the pub having a pint last night – we still drink in Swords and live about five minutes away from each other.”

Who’s the main driving force in the band?

“I think it was me mostly at the start,” says Steve, “and then we got to a point where we all started doing it, but as of late, Vinny.”

“We all have different strong-points,” says Vinny.

“I look after the online social media stuff and the business side of things along with Jay; and Mark and Steve look after the musical side of things. When we’re in the studio, we’ll all throw our few cents worth in, but everything starts from Steve or Mark.”

Finally, when it comes to “pinch me” moments, the band, who express admiration for up and coming homegrown acts like Dermot Kennedy, say it was special to encounter US rocker Josh Homme – not mention a certain other Irish quartet.

“We got to hang out with U2,” says Vinny, “and The Script lads, who are great. When we’re all on the road doing the festival circuit, living on tour buses travelling to different cities, it can be a lovely time to catch up.”

MY IRELAND

Aidan Gillen

Inis Mor

Actor

Favourite Irish pub?

The one made out of tin near Ahakista, west Cork.

“Rosslare Strand Best thing about Ireland? is lovely and less than two hours from Dublin.

Give yourself time Fave Irish town? and walk the entire beach” Best view in Ireland?

For me probably the landscape and the countryside.

Particularly the west, and also the islands; Inisbofin, Blasket Mor, Inis Mor etc.

Eek... will get in trouble here.

Let’s keep it simple and say Dingle.

The Three Sisters, Smerwick Harbour and Mount Brandon when they suddenly appear before you on the Slea Head drive on the Dingle peninsula, heading towards Ballyferriter from Dunquin. There’s a sharp right turn at Dun an Oir and that’s where it’s at. It’s worth stopping there and walking out onto the headland, particularly at sunset. You can be really lucky with how everything appears here – on the right day it’s matchless.

Favourite restaurant?

Musashi, Capel Street

Although I haven’t been back for a while, I still love Tapas de Lola on Wexford Street. Also Musashi on Capel Street is pretty great.

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Favourite weekend retreat?

Rosslare Strand is lovely and less than two hours from Dublin. Give yourself time and walk the entire beach, then back on the road – you have to walk along the sandy track in a place called The Gut first. Also Inistioge in Kilkenny is great – bring your bike, stay at the Woodstock Arms and do the 70km bike loop.

Where do you shop for clothes?

Anywhere from Age Action on Camden Street to Brown Thomas via H&M. But if you want something really good, get Sean Jackson on Capel Street to make it for you!

Favourite Irish building?

Lynch’s Castle on Shop Street in Galway. I used to go into the bank that’s now housed in it and I think this is probably the best bank building in the world, let alone Galway or Ireland. It’s a medieval fort from the 14th century, a former stronghold of the Lynches, one of the 12 tribes of Galway. It’s apparently Spanish architecture – Galway had strong trade links with Spain

and it even has Gargoyles. I like the smoothness of the stone – that’s 700 years of rain for you… For runner-up, I’d choose Liberty Hall in Dublin, our finest skyscraper.

What do you recommend to tourists?

Apart from all the above, I’d say walk the South Wall in Dublin and take the DART out to Bray.

If it’s easier and gives you more time and money, live on chips.

Favourite Irish song?

The acoustic version of ‘Song Of The Faithful Departed’ by The Radiators. There’s a good few versions of it, but that’s the version you want to hear. It’s the B-side of the single ‘Kitty Ricketts’ and thankfully it’s up on YouTube. On the Ghostown album Phil Chevron sings it, but on the acoustic take it’s Jimmy Crashe, the drummer at the time. The song is made way more poignant now that Phil Chevron has gone on to join all the other ghosts that populate this classic album. I was torn between this and ‘Dublin’ by Thin Lizzy, another B-side by the other Phil.

Aidan Gillen stars in Bohemian Rhapsody, which is in cinemas now.

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We’re still in Granby Place at the top of O’Connell Street as we have been since 1933. Still original, Still delicious.

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On The Right

TRACK 32

RUBY WALSH

With a brilliant programme of action on offer at both Leopardstown and Limerick this Christmas, legendary jockey Ruby Walsh discusses the joys of Yuletide racing, winning the Grand National, meeting Queen Elizabeth, and being immortalised in song by Christy Moore. Interview Paul Nolan

I

ncreasingly, horseracing has become a favourite pasttime for people in the gap between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. There’s another mouthwatering festive programme on offer this year, with both Leopardstown and Limerick racecourses providing action-packed line-ups from December 26-29.

“Everybody’s off at Christmas and people need to be entertained,” notes one of Ireland’s top jockeys, Ruby Walsh. “Racing is a big part of that. A lot of people go to Leopardstown and Limerick at Christmas who probably don’t go racing at other times of the year. Also, they get a chance to catch up with people who they mightn’t have seen in a while.

“The other part of it is that everybody’s been locked up during the festive period and they like to get out and do something. You can walk off the Christmas dinner and enjoy the action on the racecourse. There is a great atmosphere and buzz during Christmas racing.”

Presumably, with Ruby looking to keep his weight down, he isn’t as free to indulge in the turkey and ham over the Yuletide season.

“A lot depends on what weights you’re doing,” replies Ruby. “My diet is pretty much the same all year round.

I only eat twice a day anyway, and I don’t do any different because it’s Christmas. I don’t change the size of the portion I’m eating – I just eat the same. It’s always been my way of life.

“Since I can remember, I’ve worked every Christmas. My dad was a trainer, so we worked at home on Christmas Day. I don’t remember that time of the year without racing. It’s never been a holiday period for me, it’s always

been a busy working period, but a very enjoyable one.”

It was especially enjoyable a couple of years ago, when Ruby rode three winners in Ruby Walsh: one day at Leopardstown. one of Ireland’s “I did,” he nods. “I often greatest ever got up and went to Dublin racing talents Airport and flew to Kempton on St. Stephen’s Day. I’d great success in the King George race there, which is the Christmas hurdle. But I did miss Leopardstown – the buzz there on Stephen’s Day is incredible. You have the Grade One Novice Chase, and you have the same thing at Limerick this year for the first time ever. I might even be going to Limerick on Stephen’s Day this year.”

Although 2018 for Ruby was somewhat blighted by injury, he did manage to ride a couple of winners at Cheltenham.

“I was just back from a broken leg,” he recalls. “But then I broke my leg again during the festival. So I was only racing for a day-and-a-quarter, but I did manage to ride a couple of winners. The injuries meant I was hampered last season, so I’m looking forward to getting going properly again.”

Notably, Ruby has the most winners of any jockey ever at Cheltenham, which is a remarkable achievement.

“It’s been a lucky place for me,” he acknowledges. “It’s a big pinnacle of the season and it’s championship racing; everyone wants to win. When I started, I hoped I’d ride a winner there – I never foresaw the success I’ve had. But it’s a great place to go and a brilliant place to win.”

What have been the other highlights of Ruby’s career to date?

“Winning the Grand National on Papillon,” he responds.

“I often got up and went to Dublin Airport and flew to Kempton on St. Stephen’s Day. I’d great success in the King George race there.”

33

That winning feeling: Ruby Walsh

“It was a privilege for me to even go to Aintree and ride in the race, but to actually win it, I never thought that would happen.”

“Then winning it again on Hedgehunter. Also, riding horses like Kauto Star, Hurricane Fly, Big Buck’s and son. I’ve had so many highlights. It’s been a career I couldn’t have dreamt of and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

Winning the Grand National must be a particularly special feeling.

“It was for me because my dad trained the horse,” reflects Ruby. “In 2000, I’d been out for four months before that with a broken leg. When I was growing up, Irish horses didn’t win the Grand National. Bobbyjo won it in 1999, but before that it was ’79 when an Irish horse last won, and I wasn’t even born then. In my eyes, it didn’t happen. It was a privilege for me to even go to Aintree and ride in the race, but to actually win it, I never thought that would happen.”

Ruby’s career has also coincided with another of Ireland’s greatest ever racing talents, AP McCoy, the Antrim rider who won the Champion Jockey title a record 20 consecutive times. Does Ruby view him as one of his peers?

“I probably never saw him as a peer,” he considers. “I always saw him as someone I looked up to; he was a bit older than me. Obviously, when I was in my early twenties and we rode together, then he became a peer. We were very friendly, but I always saw him as the standard bearer, and you had to try and get to his level. He was an unbelievable ambassador for racing. I do miss riding against him – he was an amazing competitor.”

Having seen documentaries on McCoy where he spent time with the likes of Alex Ferguson, I wonder who are the most high-profile figures Ruby has encountered throughout his career?

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“I suppose they don’t get any higher profile than the Queen of England,” he says. “I’ve been lucky enough to meet her twice, in Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. When the Queen was coming to Ireland, there was a reception in Buckingham Palace before she came over. I was at that with Barry Geraghty and Paul Carberry.

“I’d been at Windsor Castle prior to that with my wife Gillian, and that event was to celebrate 200 years of Ascot racing. Going to those events is a privilege. Buildings like Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle are incredible architectural feats and amazing to look at.”

Another noteworthy moment for Ruby was being immortalised in song by fellow Kildare man Christy Moore, who penned ‘The Ballad Of Ruby Walsh’ in his honour.

“Christy called into Kill to my mum and dad’s house,” explains Ruby. “My dad knew Christy through different things, probably through Liam O’Flynn more than anyone.

Christy said he was writing a song about the Galway races, and he wanted to know if he could use my name. I was a Christy Moore fan, so he didn’t really need to ask.”

With Ruby celebrating his 40th birthday next year, people have been speculating about his retirement, though he says he intends to continue in the saddle for a while yet.

Given that his dad Ted is perhaps the most high-profile racing pundit in the country, is that a route Ruby would ever go down?

“I find racing punditry quite easy,” he says. “Racing has been my life, so I know what I’m talking about. But there has to be more to it than just punditry. It’s great, but Ireland’s a relatively small country, so there’s only so much punditry you can do.”

As he looks ahead to the end of the year, Ruby is keen to emphasise the special nature of racing over the Christmas period.

“People get so much enjoyment out of it,” he enthuses.

“Whether it’s Leopardstown or Limerick, it is a good place to go on Stephen’s Day. You couldn’t be in a better place.”

The Christmas Racing Festivals at Leopardstown and Limerick take place from December 26-29.

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04/10/2018 18:11

BUSINESS

Ready, Distilling & Able Blackwater Distillery’s award-winning gins have attained international popularity – and the thriving business continues to go from strength to strength.

C

raft beers and whiskeys are enjoying a major boom in Ireland, while the traditional brewing and distilling powerhouses also remain hugely popular. This explosion has provided a fresh impetus to the nation’s pubs, clubs and restaurants.

It’s an industry that’s wedded to our natural heritage, with the rye, malt, barley, wheat, fruit and other natural ingredients grown here in Irish fields.

It’s also a sector that has begun to contribute to Ireland’s tourism industry. Craft beer bus tours have seen a rise in interest, and many of the larger distillers offer tours and tasting packages. That’s not to say that smaller scale distillers aren’t keen to get in on the action, and tours can now make up part of their business plan. Thanks to legislation recently passed in the Dáil, craft brewers and distillers will be now be allowed to sell their produce to visitors on their own premises.

Waterford’s Blackwater Distillery have been right in the thick of the action. And if you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years,

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you might have missed the surprise announcement that Ireland’s best gin is stocked exclusively in Aldi. That’s right, the award for Best Irish Gin at the prestigious Irish Whiskey Awards 2016 went to a brand that is available for just €25 at your favourite local discount supermarket! The award-winning tipple is called Boyle’s Gin and it’s produced by Blackwater Distillery.

“We thought it would be hilarious to sell Ireland’s best gin in Aldi for €25!” laughs Blackwater Distillery’s Peter Mulryan, “So we did, and we still do. That’s very much the Blackwater philosophy, to be a bit different and to try things that people may not expect.”

Mulryan has a background as a daytime TV producer, who worked with celebrity chefs James Corrigan and James Martin. He has also written many books about spirits, including 2002’s Whiskeys Of Ireland, which led him to his current career as a partner in a successful micro-distillery.

“About 15 years ago I had a stab at setting up a micro-distillery,” he recalls. “But there was no real traction at the time. Five years ago I decided to have another bash and this time it was very different.

There was much more willingness on the part of the government to help. I raised some money and got some funding from LEO (Local

BUSINESS

“For our Juniper Cask Gin, we decided that ageing it in whiskey barrels would be too boring, so we had special barrels made out of juniper wood.”

Enterprise Office). There are four directors of the company and we’ve all got a background in media.”

Since then the distillery has produced a range of award-winning gins, not least of which is their flagship Blackwater No. 5, which took home the gold at last year’s International Wine and Spirit Competition against some of the biggest gins in the world.

“We didn’t go for the whole ‘local botanicals’ angle because that’s all marketing,” says Peter. “If you put loads of juniper and oranges in, you’re not going to taste much else anyway. Given my background, I thought, ‘Let’s just be honest with people and make a really outstanding, classic gin.’”

That’s not to say that local botanicals don’t factor into Blackwater’s range of gins, but Peter has very strong feelings about how they should be used.

“With our Wexford Strawberry Irish Gin the idea was, if we were to use local botanicals, then why not make them the ‘hero’ botanical?” he asks.

“Why not use them so that their flavour is to the fore. Strawberries are the only iconic botanical that are local to the south-east, so we teamed up with a strawberry grower in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.” The resulting gin took home two more awards at the IWSC. The company also produces Ireland’s first aged gin.

“For our Juniper Cask Gin, we decided that ageing it in whiskey barrels would be too boring, so we had special barrels made out of juniper wood.”

The resulting gin comes in strictly limited quantities, as due to the relatively small size of juniper trees, none of the casks hold more than 50 litres.

Peter designs all of Blackwater’s range of gins, which he regards as the most fun part of the process.

“We do a few mad things,” he notes. “We did Barry’s Tea Gin for Christmas last year and it’s back out for Christmas this year. The idea behind that was to do something that a multinational would never do. It would make no sense for them to do something so parochial. But it made huge sense for a micro-distillery to do something so exclusive and say, ‘Here’s something that would only appeal to you if you’re Irish, and possibly only appeal to you if you’re actually from Munster.’” It’s the kind of thing we should be doing at small distillers: instead of aping the big guys, we should be ploughing our

own furrow.”

Blackwater’s next big adventure will be opening a brand new distillery in nearby Ballyduff. There they will be housed in a 6,000 square foot premises. It will contain a bespoke labelling line, three stills, a brew house, an automatic bottling line, café and tasting room. Peter is understandably proud of the move.

“We’ll be the first micro distillery to scale up,” he says. “A lot of distilleries have set up in the past four or five years, but we’re the first to outgrow their initial building and set up a new bespoke distillery.”

The new premises will provide the company the space to branch out into whiskey.

“We’ve employed the former head-distiller of Rogue Spirits in the USA, John Wilcox. He’s quite well known in the States. It was a coup for us to land him and he’ll be spearheading the development of our whiskey line.

Having John on board as someone steeped in a different tradition is, I think, going to make for a very interesting spirit. We have plenty of plans.”

Blackwater also plan to branch into the growing tourism industry that has sprung up around distilleries in Ireland.

“We’re the only gin in the south-east, so we hope to be very busy because it’s a really lovely part of the world,” says Peter. “You’ve got Lismore Castle, you’ve got the cathedral and the Blackwater Distillery, and you’ve got the river which is famous for its fishing, kayaking and boating. Then you’ve got the Greenway between Waterford City and Dungarvan.”

Ahead of the grand opening of the new distillery, Blackwater is already going from strength-to-strength, and they are about to start exporting their range of gins to Denmark and Australia.

“We set up in 2014 and only started releasing gins in 2015,” reflects Peter.

“So we’re four years in operation and three years producing. For a small Irish brand to do all that in three years is pretty cool!”

Blackwater Distillery open their new premises in Ballyduff, Co. Waterford in November. For more information see blackwaterdistillery.ie

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EAT

CELEBRITY TABLE

New Lisa Life Over a delicious meal at Bistro One, TV presenter Lisa Cannon discusses the return of her Virgin Media show Box Office – as well as some other exciting plans.

Interview: Aoife Bradshaw Photography: Miguel Ruiz

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EAT

I

t comes as no surprise that former Xposé presenter and Box Office host Lisa Cannon knows how to pick a good restaurant. As I walk into Bistro One in Foxrock, I immediately get the sense of warmth elegance that has made this one of her favourite dinner spots.

We begin the night by sipping on glasses of Rosé and chatting to owner Mark Shannon behind the bar.

The family-run restaurant is intimate and classy, a mix that Cannon first became familiar with when she visited on one of her first dates with husband Richard Keatley.

“We were sitting right in the corner,” she reflects, “so it always holds a special meaning. Even when I told him I was coming here with you tonight, he mentioned that.”

The relaxed vibe in Bistro One also leads Lisa to note, “It’s the kind of place where it doesn’t matter if you’re wearing a jumper or a beautiful dress.”

Indeed, with all of the TV appearances, interviews and public events, you might think fashion is a huge preoccupation for the TV presenter, but Lisa says she prefers a less-ismore approach.

“I’m a little bit of a chameleon,” she notes. “I think it’s because I do it for a living. You’re in heels and you’ve

“I want it to be about a love of cinema in general and not make it too niche.”

39

got so much product on your face that when you’re home, you just want to scrub it all off. When I’m not on TV, I just have my hair scraped back, no make-up, and I’m in black jeans and a leather jacket. But I do buy statement pieces.”

The Box Office presenter matches the almost effortless style of her surroundings, pointing out her statement Gucci trainers with a red strap across the front, paired with large-rimmed glasses. Ultimately, Lisa explains, “you have to accept who you are and what you’ve been given. As I get older, I find the less makeup women have on the more beautiful they are. Not that it’s anything to do with men, but I’d say they’d agree.”

As we dive into the delicious homemade olive oil and selection of breads, Lisa reflects on her recent non-stop schedule, filled with meetings, projects and of course, preparing for the hotly anticipated return of Box Office on Virgin Media Two. The show will screen every Friday night at 9pm, and this time around Lisa and her team have decided to put a different spin on the show, to open it up to a wider audience.

“I want it to be about a love of cinema in general and not make it too niche,” she explains. “If you have any interest in movies at all, tune into Box Office and we’ll take you on a journey of what’s out, what movie news is coming up, and some throwbacks to classics.” She shows me pictures of the backdrop she’s been busy working on, filled with scenes of spaceships, castles and classic spy silhouettes. Lisa’s crowning glory for the

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“When I’m not on TV, I just have my hair scraped back, no make-up, and I’m in black jeans and a leather jacket.”

The Damage (2 course set menu - €24) Beetroot, St. Tola goat’s curd, honey & crumbs - €7 Chicken liver pate, fig relish & toast - €7 Portobello mushroom & leek pie with colcannon - €17 John O’ Reilly’s fillet steak with crispy onions - €29 Madregale 2017 Red Wine - €24

set is a Panavision camera, which she promises she’ll be guarding with her life. Overall, she promises, “it’s going to be bigger, badder and better than ever.”

BISTRO ONE Awarded Best International 3 Brighton Road, Foxrock Village, Dublin 18 Female TV Presenter for Tel: (01) 289 7711 / bistro-one.ie 2018 in London recently, Lisa recounts her standout celebrity encounters from her time on both Xposé and Box Office, as we sip a beautiful Sicilian red wine and make our way through the pre-starter ravioli on a gorgeous bed of sauce.

“All of them were lovely, but I think the bigger ones stand out more because you’ve grown up with them,” she says. Bob Geldof was particularly memorable for her.

“My father Michael Cannon helped set up Hot Press in the early ’70s and interviewed Bob in 1978,” says Lisa. “So when I was interviewing him last year, I took my dad’s Hot Press interview and gave it to Bob. It was like coming full circle.”

As we speak, our food arrives. Lisa has the chicken liver paté accompanied by fresh crusts of bread, while I go for the beetroot mixed with goat’s cheese curd, sprinkled with honey and crumbs.

Lisa has been raving about the steak since the beginning of the night so when it arrives, I’m hopeful it will live up to the billing.

When a medium rare delight appears for her drizzled with pepper-

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sauce, I know it will not disappoint. Meanwhile, I have the Portobello mushroom and leek pie topped with a flaky crust. A side of creamy colcannon completes the mouthwatering offering, while a fantastic arra of array of greens, chips and potatoes are also placed on the table to dip in and out of.

As we sit back afterwards, Lisa explains that during Box Office’s break over the past few months, she has also had the chance to take some much needed time off – although her definition of time off might differ from others’.

“I was ten years in Xposé, then moved straight to The Breakfast Show, then straight to Box Office,” she says. |So when it went on a break I got to though, ‘What does Lisa want to do?’ I hadn’t asked myself that question for a very long time. Initially, I didn’t like it because I’m a workaholic, but then you realise there are things that you might have had in your heart, or had a passion for, but you never had the time to think about.

“So for me, there’s writing – I have a book on the way – and I also did a course for a new online business I’m trying to set up. I’m not just a presenter, I’m a producer too and there are ideas I would love to see on-screen, so I’ve been pitching shows in the UK and America.” With such a tireless work ethic, it makes sense why Bistro One would be one of Lisa’s top-picks. It’s the perfect place to indulge in beautiful food and wine and have great chats in a laidback setting - an ideal recipe for any night of the week.

Box Office will air on Virgin Media 2 every Friday night at 9pm, and will be repeated on Saturday night at 11.45pm.

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

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

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.

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.celticlodge.ie 81-82 Talbot Street, Dublin 1 Tel: 01 878 8810 Email: info@celticlodge.ie

www.thecelt.ie Tel: 01 878 8655 The Celt Bar 81-82 Talbot Street, Dublin 1

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Whiskey Business Stuart Clark Brings You The Latest Foodie News

THE GRAIN EVENT Winter cockles will be well and truly warmed on November 23 and 24 as Whiskey Live returns to the Printworks in Dublin Castle.

The fine Irish distilleries attending include Lough Ree, Clonakilty, Knappogue Castle, Redbreast, Lambay Whiskey, Slane Castle, Dublin Liberties, Glendalough, Sliabh Liag, Kilbeggan, Teeling, Boann, The Shed and Tullamore D.E.W. Add in overseas guests like Jack Daniel’s, Talisker and Glenmorangie and such welcome domestic interlopers as Dot Brew, Chinnery Dublin Dry Gin, Mad March Hare Poitin, The House Of Botanicals and Heytesbury Rum, and it’s a must-be-at for all lovers of quality libations.

There’s a single 6pm-9.30pm session on the Friday, and two running from 1pm-4.30pm and 5.30pm-9pm on the Saturday with tickets available from celticwhiskeyshop.com.

THE SAUSAGE OF LEGEND Nearly a century ago there were a number of traditional sausage-makers in Dublin proudly making by hand, mouthwatering sausages that had a distinct taste you could only find in the city. The sole survivor from then is Granby, now onto its fourth generation and still residing in Granby Place at the top of O’Connell Street where they’ve been since 1933. As fresh and delicious as they were all those years ago, they remain a mandatory part of any breakfast fry or saussie sandwich (with ketchup ‘n’ mayo, naturally), although Go Eat has gone all Italian by using them as the key ingredient in our Red Wine Sausage Casserole! And let us not forget their equally legendary black and white puddings, which are a taste of not just Dublin but the whole of Ireland.

STARS IN THEIR EYES Hearty Go Eat congratulations to the holy triumvirate of Cork restaurants who’ve been awarded Michelin Stars for the first time.

First to be announced online was ichigo ichie, the city-centre shrine to fine Japanese dining presided over by the remarkable

Chef Miyazaki. The menu, which changes with the season, includes a stunning King Crab, Cepe, Ginko Nut, Mitsuba & Sudachi Lime creation, which is the best thing we’ve tasted all year.

No less evangelical about their food are Rob Krawczyk, the former Tankardstown man who’s turned Ballydehob’s Chestnut into the most gastro of pubs – the Lamb, Aubergine, Parsley & Lamb Jus was the star performer when we popped in - and Mews in nearby Baltimore where Ahmet Dede gets up to his Tasting Menu magic.

Reservations at all three are likely to be rarer than hen’s teeth, but give it a go!

KING CONG If you fancy a pre-Christmas boutique hotel splurge, look no further than The Lodge at Ashford Castle in Cong, County Mayo, which is celebrating Thanksgiving with a room, dinner and breakfast package starting at €249 for two people sharing. Commencing November 22, guests will be treated to warming pumpkin soup, perfectly roasted turkey and sweet and sticky pecan pie just like Mom/Pop used to make. With their resident mixologist creating a Fall Cider Cocktail and Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog to wash all this deliciousness down, a trip out west seems to be in order. thelodgeac.com.

From top: The Lodge at Ashford Castle, Chef Miyazaki at work in ichigo ichie & Granby sausages

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Media

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FASHION

RIVER ISLAND

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FASHION

FASHION

COUNSEL

The Autumn/Winter catwalks were gloriously sumptuous affairs, as designers amped up the drama with capes, sequins and shine.

By Roe McDermott

Caped Catwalks

RIVER ISLAND

Women are all about empowerment right now, and you know what that means: capes. Designers embraced this strong accessory in various forms for autumn and winter, and no wonder – capes are the perfect way to add drama to an outfit. The billowing movement allows you to hide and show your body as you please.

Another trend that has been appearing regularly for the past few seasons is the long cape worn over billowy gowns, adding quite a bit of flair and certainly standing out on the catwalks. It’s also a fantastic way to transform the simple act of turning into a cinematic moment.

Designers were all over the cape trend in the Autumn/Winter showcase catwalks, and included some extra accessorising and quirky styling to make the cape feel fresh and modern. Noon by Noor added a sparkling gold criss-cross belt to their capes, while Prabal Gurung threw the cape down from below the arms, effectively revealing the décolletage. Surprise capes that only appear to one side were also a lovely innovation, with Christian Siriano’s red and pink combo gown looking incredible with its train in the back.

If you love capes but don’t want to go full-on melodrama heroine, embrace the more subtle approach of donning cape sleeves instead. The flowing sleeves on Pamella Roland’s burgundy dress have us craving more events to attend – perhaps an opera or two?

PRABAL GURUNG

Sequin Suits This is the year of the suit. From the catwalk to the high street, the red carpet to the office floor, women are taking a traditionally masculine outfit and adding some unapologetic girl power. Designers were making everything feminine and irresistible with small tweaks to traditional designs.

Cropped ankle-length trousers, bold hues like canary yellow and plunging necklines were all spotted, elevating the pantsuit into something special. From Bottega Venetta’s cheerful sunny look to Marcel Ostertag’s glitter, the powerful woman with a sexy but stylish suit is back with a vengeance.

And you know what makes a powersuit even more powerful? Sequins. Suits in 2018 and 2019 are now getting a burst of showstopping bedazzlement, and there seemed to be shiny suits on every catwalk this year. Tadashi Shoji’s rose gold version grabbed quite a bit of attention, while Greta Constantine’s green sequin suit looked what the Wicked Witch of the West would wear to the Met Ball – and yes, that’s a damn good look. Meanwhile, a dark blue striped and sequined cinched-waist number caused quite a stir among the audience at Malan Breton. The disco ball look is even more intriguing on a mostly sequin suit as per Christian Cowan, bringing the Kira Kira app to life.

EVANS

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FASHION

RIVER ISLAND

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FASHION

“Saint Laurent sent models down the runway in leather shorts and ’80s-style oversized leather jackets.”

Very Velvety

DOROTHY PERKINS

Velvet is such a rich, sumptuous and tactile fabric that it’s ideal for autumn and winter, and has proved to be a top trend for several years now. A favourite for Christmas party season, the style will again be everywhere this season.

Jeremy Scott paired velvet with crop tops and emphasised underwire – another big trend for next spring – creating an intriguing silhouette. Prabal Gurung really had fun with colours, clashing yellows and purples, and giving some of his models flowing capes, because being extra is so en vogue, darling. Saint Laurent went for some Russian-inspired winter looks, adding tasselled batwing sleeves to black velvet mini-dresses, and teaming these with knee-high velvet and fur-lined boots for a feminine Doctor Zhivago look.

We’re also loving the autumnal elegance of velvet pantsuits, which bring a surprising femininity and tactile quality to the traditionally staid and masculine outfit. Jewel tones are perfect to play with in a velvet pantsuit, as you can pair teal of turquoise suit pieces with a stunning burgundy blouse. This allows you to play up the delicacy of the fabric, while also eschewing the darker tones of black and red. Flared velvet trousers, meanwhile, will add a ’70s silhouette for some more personality.

Lots of Leather Leather is huge for autumn and winter. This season, matte designs were big, adding a subtle edge to outfits, but intriguing colour selections and contrasting styles dominated the catwalks. If anything was clear, it’s that the ’80s are officially back, as Alexander Wang models sashayed down the runway in black leather minidresses with circular, zipper-trimmed pockets. It was ’80s-extravagance-meets-The Matrix, with the long black leather coats appearing especially foreboding while oozing pure sex appeal.

Mini-dresses proved popular, as Miu Miu gave us short and sassy, while Loewe was all about the irresistible ankle length. Elsewhere, Hermes ensured we got shirt dresses in leather as well.

Saint Laurent sent models down the runway in leather shorts and ’80s-style oversized leather jackets, with sleeves rolled up for some rebellious chic. Teamed with leather widebrimmed hats and chic ankle boots, Laurent’s looks combined the masculine and feminine, tough and tender.

Stella McCartney also went for contrasts, combining casual pieces with more formal layers to create a unique look. Cobalt blue leather dresses were layered over taupe boots and cotton long-sleeved tops for a fashion-forward ensemble, while Lanvin was all sophisticated sex appeal – their skin-tight tangerine trousers and black tops brought a modern twist to a head-to-toe leather look.

ALEXANDER WANG

MONSOON

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SHOPPING

Glittering Prizes Your guide to some of the country’s finest jewellery stores

A family-run business, McIntryre’s Jewellery Exchange has been serving the local community for the past 25 years. They are specialists in Diamond and Gold handmade jewellery, of which there is a wonderful selection at their impressive Naas store. McIntyre’s is a true treasure chest, offering incredible bargains without compromising on quality. Whether you’re looking for vintage or modern pieces, there is something to suit every taste and every budget in their stunning collection – making McIntryre’s the perfect place to treat yourself – or that someone special.

Crafting jewellery for the past 45 years, William Rabbitte has gained a wealth of experience in both Ireland and the UK. Initially serving his apprenticeship in Dublin and London, over the years he has collaborated on projects with numerous Irish and international designers. In 1995, he set up his own independent workshop in picturesque rural Westmeath. With an emphasis on handcrafted design, William creates beautiful, unique pieces of customised jewellery. Regarded as one of the foremost jewellers not just in the midlands, but in Ireland, William Rabbite specialises in diamond engagement and wedding jewellery that is to die for.

Contact Details McIntyre’s Jewellery Exchange 22 North Main Street, Naas Tel: (045) 897 123 facebook.com/mcintyresjewelleryexchange

Contact Details William Rabbitte Jewellery Tel: 043 6676127 williamrabbittejewellery.ie/

Murphy Jewellers of Kilkenny was founded in 1903 by Patrick T. Murphy. The business, which has traded from the same fine premises at 85 High Street for 115 years. is now run by Patrick T’s great grandsons, Martin and Stephen Costello.

Before taking over this remarkable Kilkenny institution, Martin studied gemmology at the GIA (Gemmological Institute of America), while Stephen studied gold and silver smithing. This exceptionally high-calibre training makes Stephen and Martin two of only a handful of Irish jewellery store-owners who are qualified in gemmology and goldsmithing. Specialising in engagement rings, fine gold and gemstone jewellery, and high-end watches, Murphy Jewellers are still building impressively on the founder Patrick T. Murphy’s original success.

Contact Details Murphy Jewellers 85 High St, Gardens, Kilkenny, Tel: (056) 772 1127 murphyjewellers.ie/

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SHOPPING

Rhinestones is a Dublin landmark. Located just off Dame Street, the shop stocks a huge array of antique, vintage, and modern pieces, including early Victorian brooches, Edwardian keepsake lockets, Venetian glass beads and one-off ’60s studio creations. Rhinestones’ stunning collection ranges from antique to modern and reflects trends in art, fashion, history and romance, ensuring that all tastes are catered for. Inside this lovely shop, you can find European and American designer jewellery from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, such as Miriam Haskell and Trifari, as well as a great range of traditional Italian gemstone and pearl jewellery. The carefully curated pieces are all unique, meaning that each item has its own often very personal story. The distinctive nature of Rhinestones’ jewellery makes the shop a lovely place to pick out striking pieces that can commemorate a special occasion, show a loved one you care – and make new memories that will last a lifetime.

Overlooking the iconic Spanish arch in Galway, Cobwebs is justifiably renowned all over Ireland. It boasts a stunning stock of antique and modern jewelery, and engagement rings. Founder Phyllis MacNamara refers to her carefully selected antique pieces as “objects of beauty” and no wonder. Each one boasts a unique history and character: they are true mementos of life’s most joyous moments.

Cobwebs was established in 1972. That was when founder MacNamara originally went to help her sister in the shop shea was launching. As Phyllis recalls, “I offered to help for a week and stayed for 45 years.” For Phyllis, jewellery is more than a business: it is a way of life. Her academic knowledge, passion and enthusiasm are infectious, making a visit to Cobwebs an experience not to be missed.

Contact Details Rhinestones 18 Andrew Street, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 679 0759 facebook.com/rhinestonesjewellers

Contact Details Cobwebs 7 Quay Lane, Galway, Ireland Tel: +353 91 564388 info@cobwebs.ie

Music Industry Xplained.

For More Info or to Secure Your Place: Contact: (01) 241 1500 mix@hotpress.ie www.hotpress.com/mix

Get Ahead in the Music Industry.

The MIX Course (Music Industry Xplained) is for those seeking careers in the music industry or music media.

Brought to you by Hot Press, the course is aimed at those who want to succeed in music, management, media, publicity, promotion, publishing, record labels and lots more.

Perhaps you’re a musician who wants to maximise your income?

Want to manage a band? Want to work in PR or the media? Or do you simply

MIX is a 13-week, lecture based course (one each week) by top professional exponents of the Irish and international music industry.

Key Areas Covered Include: Record Companies/Music Marketing/Publicity/Image Development/The Independent Route/Record Production/Songwriting/Music Publishing/Music Online/Radio/ Working With The Media/Management/Finance/Touring & Distribution/Publishing

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DESTINATION

California Love

Universal Studios

Aoife Bradshaw guides you through the must-visit locations of America’s movie capital, Hollywood.

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or those of you who don’t know, Hollywood is located in central Los Angeles, as opposed to the small village in Wicklow (and you don’t want to mistake the two when making bookings). If the gorgeous weather and equally stunning people aren’t enough to clue you in, the iconic sign resting over the Hollywood hills will reassure you that you’ve made it (to the city at least).

There are so many reasons to pay a visit, not least among them because

everybody goes. But if Madonna’s wisdom isn’t enough to go by, rest assured the city offers enough enticements to sell itself. Any serious film fan will want to make a pilgrimage to the home of the stars. The city oozes glitz and glamour from a time gone by, yet still manages to remain relevant.

There’s also a good chance of celebrity sightings whether on the streets or at the numerous film premiers taking place throughout the year. If nothing else, go for the people watching. Hollywood is home to those trying to make it, whatever ‘it’ is.

The district boasts a distinctive medley of the weird and the wonderful with enough culture and attractions to keep even the most cynical entertained. The best time of year to visit is from March to May, when the weather is temperate and the crowds are manageable. Average temperatures during these months range from the low 50s to low 80s, which makes walking around and visiting outdoor attractions much more comfortable.

LAX Airport (1 World Way, Los Angeles) is the primary airport serving Los Angeles and only an hour by car to central Hollywood. Recently the ban that prevented Uber from picking up passengers outside the airport has been lifted, making travel much more convenient.

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Before you go, you’ll want to brush up on the local language. People in Hollywood speak an interesting hybrid of west coast dialect and pop culture infused slang. Visitors are advised to brush up on choice phrases like ‘Carmageddon’ (the mile long tailbacks seen on blockbusters), and the ‘NorCal’ and ‘SoCal’ divide (Northern/Southern California), because there’s a big difference, apparently.

The long drawn out swagger of the surfer dude and the high-pitched speak of the valley girl will soon become your soundtrack. I even heard someone say ‘gnarly’ without a hint of sarcasm. Everything in Hollywood is a performance, so embrace it. And if you have an Irish name, take this opportunity to rebrand yourself – your barista will thank you for it.

As for what to see and do, I would recommend starting your visit by diving into the area’s rich back-story in the Hollywood Museum (1660 N Highland Ave), an eclectic mix of props, costumes, scripts & photos contained within a historic building. A landmark slice of Hollywood history, the Walk Of Fame (N Highland Ave & Hollywood Boulevard) is a must-see for the second act of your stay.

It contains over 2,600 stars and spans roughly 18 blocks.

This impressive array of celebrities includes classic figures such as Katherine

DESTINATION

“People in Hollywood speak an interesting hybrid of west coast dialect and pop culture infused slang.”

Hepburn, Cary Grant and Charlie Chaplin along with newer additions including Taylor Swift, Tom Cruise and Scarlett Johansson. For the grand finale, take the opportunity to see the inner workings of the many film studios nearby.

Universal Studios (100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City) is an experience that could easily take two days to experience in its totality, while the calmer Warner Bros Studio tour (3400 W Riverside Dr, Burbank) will take you inside the setting of many popular shows including Pretty Little Liars and The Gilmore Girls along with The Ellen Show studio.

As for where to rest your head, when in Rome do as the Romans do. Take this opportunity to live like the stars and book a night or two in the Hollywood Roosevelt (7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles). The luxury hotel boasts a fantastic location, overlooking the Walk of Fame with suites as glamorous as the area, featuring plush decor and live music events held nightly. Alternatively, the Banana Bungalow (5920 Hollywood Blvd) is a quirky, Tiki-inspired hostel complete with its own movie theatre.

What’s the catch, I hear you say. Well, the US has a thing or two to learn from Europe when it comes to public transport. While cities like New York may be well connected, in LA you go fast or go home and driving is the only real way to get around. If you can’t drive or would prefer not to rent a car, make sure you have Uber installed or at the very least save a cab number in your phone (LA Yellow Cab Co. are a safe bet).

Whether you’re hungry for fame or hungry full stop, you will soon realise the amount of restaurants here is as extensive as the number of aspiring actors.

Granville ( 8701 Beverly Blvd) in West Hollywood has an impressive array of options suited to meat eaters and vegetarians alike. The dimly lit, decorative interior makes this the venue for an occasion meal (and being in LA is an occasion in and of itself).

In the nearby Estrella (8800 Sunset Blvd) you will find many of the patrons are couples on dates – which is always a good indicator of quality in a restaurant.

A perfect brunch spot, the menu is made up of small plates making it well suited for sharing and sampling. If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, Froma on Melrose (7960 Melrose Ave) offers sandwiches, beer and coffee in a chilled, comfortable setting.

As for nightlife, the Frolic Room (6245 Hollywood Blvd) and Lost Property Bar (1704 Vine St) are two venues popular with locals and tourists alike. Famed for its jukebox, the Frolic Room’s historic walls are lined with on-screen royalty, while Lost Property has a special focus on whiskey, served in a moody interior.

If you want a reprieve from the limelight and prefer to combine liquor and literature (and who doesn’t?), the Library Bar (7000 Hollywood Blvd) is your spot. This hidden gem also features an ever-changing seasonal cocktail menu along with all of the classics.

The choice of coffee in LA is also extensive. The eccentric Blackwood Coffee Bar (7509 Sunset Blvd) boasts a ‘Kabocha Latte’ which wins points for its

garnishes alone, containing oven roasted kabocha squash, ginger, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Coffee Commissary (801 N Fairfax Ave) is another great choice with a modern, minimalist atmosphere.

Alternatively, Homeward Ground (5960 Sunset Blvd) provides a classic, homey decor with bookcases and a great breakfast menu.

For your trip’s encore, be sure not to miss the renowned TCL Chinese Theatre (6925 Hollywood Blvd). While you catch a movie inside, the iconic handprints outside are the real selling point. Start with classic on-screen legends like Marilyn Monroe, John Ford and Mary Pickford and move through cinema history to newer entries like Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling.

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Clockwise from top left: TCL Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Harry Potter tour at Warner Bros Studios

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TRAVEL NEWS

Maritime Of Your Life We look at an exciting range of new cruise destinations, as well as winter attractions in Belfast and cultural events in Manchester Cruising from Ireland gets a significant boost Back in 2017, Irish Travel Company JMG Travel and UK cruise company Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) joined forces to offer direct cruises from Ireland which focused on quality service and convenience.

Just over a year later and the partnership has been so successful that they’ve lined up a rake of new departures for 2019 and beyond.

Family-owned JMG Travel is part of wellknown Donegal Coach holiday operator McGinley Coach Travel and started to offer cruise holidays in 2011.

Most Irish departures will be onboard Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ impressive 1250 guest medium-sized cruise liner Magellan, which features a wide range of comfortable lounge areas, well-appointed facilities and expansive panoramic viewing.

Starting in July 2019 and continuing into 2020, there will be sixteen departures from Dublin and Cobh ports. Complimentary coach transfers are included from most major towns so nothing could be more convenient.

Here’s some of our cruising picks from the summer 2019 schedule: 10-Jul ‘19 for 11nights - Iceland & Faroes 21-Jul ‘19 for 7 nights - Summer Gardens & River Seine 28-Jul ‘19 for 12 nights - Grand Fjordland Splendour 09-Aug ‘19 for 10 nights - Spain, Portugal & Gibraltar The prices for each crew include en-suite accommodation, all meals on board, entertainment, port taxes and coach transfers to and from the ship. Check www. jmgcruise.com or call 074-9135201 for a brochure.

See you on the seas!

Book your stay for a buzzing winter in Belfast!

From the delights at St. George’s Market and the seasonal festivities at the Christmas Market in City Hall, to shopping in Victoria Square and checking out the bars and restaurants in the city’s Cathedral Quarter, Belfast is set to be buzzing in the run-up to Christmas time.

It would be hard to pick a better location to stay in the city centre than Hilton Belfast, (4 Lanyon Place, Belfast, BT1 3LP, Tel: +442890 277000, Hilton.co.uk/Belfast) just across the road from Lanyon Station (formerly Central) and brilliantly positioned for shopping, sightseeing, nightlife and soaking up the local culture.

If you are planning some Christmas shopping while the exchange rate is favourable, this hotel is next to the aforementioned St. George’s Market, five minutes from Victoria Square and Royal Avenue, and a short walk from pretty much anywhere in the city centre.

The hotel is also right beside the Waterfront Hall, where you’ll be able to catch some of your favourite live performers and comedians in action. Or, if you prefer to soak up some local culture, check out some of the fantastic bars in the area, including the Black Box, McHugh’s, The National and much more.

The hotel itself has plenty to offer.

Sonoma Restaurant has pre-theatre dining; the famous Hilton breakfast boasts incredible views of the River Lagan, as well as the famous Samson & Goliath cranes at Harland & Wolff; and you can also enjoy light meals and cocktails in Cables Bar. The Hilton is currently running a Book The Breakfast On Us promotion which you can sign up for by phone using Special offer/promotion code PR20BB, phone: +442890277000, or on their website at hilton.co.uk/belfast The range of bedrooms and suites is also exceptional. For those looking to get the best experience possible, book into the top floor executive rooms and suites. There you’ll find an executive lounge with drinks and snacks served daily from 6-8pm, with spectacular city views from the 11th floor.

Aer Lingus adds North American destinations Elsewhere, good news for jet-setters as Aer Lingus have added new North American destinations from Dublin for 2019. Starting from the summer onwards, you’ll be able to benefit from direct flights to Minneapolis-St Paul – where you can check out Prince’s legendary Paisley Park home – and Montreal – Go Rail’s favourite place to watch ice hockey, munch poutine.

(From top) The Magellan cruise liner complete with outdoor whirlpools; King Studio Room at Hilton Belfast; Montreal; Joy Division.

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Exciting cultural events in Manchester Morrissey, Mark E. Smith, Buzzcocks, Joy Division, A Guy Called Gerald, Pale Waves and Shaun Ryder, who was young once apparently, are just a handful of the legendary locals featuring in There Is A Light That Never Goes Out: A Photographic Celebration Of Manchester’s Rock Music History.

Running until February 29 in the city’s Central Library, admission is a very reasonable free. librarylive.co.uk/whats-on.

Music fans will also adore Louder Than Words, November 9-11’s rock ‘n’ roll literary fest, which features guests of the calibre of OMD’s Andy McCluskey, Chris Difford from Squeeze and The Wedding Present’s David Gedge, plus reflections on the iconic likes of David Bowie, Madonna, Manic Street Preachers and some young pup by the name of Billy Shakespeare. louderthanwordsfest.com.

GO DESTINATION:

Dublin-Galway

WEST IN SHOW Ruth Scott of Radio Nova and Virgin Media One on why she’s always loved taking the Dublin-to-Galway train.

H

aving taken on the weekend role at Radio Nova, found herself filling in for Elaine Crowley on the Elaine Show on Virgin Media One, and somehow managed to become a ‘wedding celebrant’ in the midst of it all, Ruth Scott is a busy woman. When she does find time to relax, it’s normally when she’s on the train from Dublin to Galway.

“I’m from Roscommon originally,” she explains, “so as a child, getting the train to Galway was always a bit of a treat. It was normally me and all my cousins jammed into the one car when we went anywhere, so to get the train was always very exciting.

You’d have your own seat and not be killing each other in the back seat.

my bag of tunes. There’d always be a great atmosphere on the train, because everyone would be coming in at that time for their nights out.”

Does Ruth manage to get much work done on the train?

“I have a short attention span, so I’d always have something on my phone to watch,” she says. “But can I just say, the greatest thing that Irish Rail ever did was put plug sockets under all the tables. That was an absolute game-changer. I can’t express enough how brilliant it is. For those of us who can’t read on transport, it just makes everything about the journey so much more comfortable and accessible. I can get my work done, or can I watch whatever I want, or I can keep in contact with people. The beauty of it, as well, is that there are spots along the way where there’s no phone

“There’s something magical about sitting in peace enjoying a chicken stuffing sandwich and a train cup of tea – it’s almost a ritual now.”

“Then as the years went on and I moved to Dublin for work, it’d be a regular enough occurrence that I’d have gotten the train to Galway. There’s just something magical, I find, about sitting in peace enjoying a chicken stuffing sandwich and a train cup of tea – it’s almost a ritual now. I particularly enjoy the part towards the end of the journey to Galway, where you pass the water on the left-hand side as you come in, and it’s really a slap on your face which says, ‘Hey look! You’re in the west now. The next stop after this is the Aran Islands, then America.’”

In previous years, Ruth used to make the journey back to Galway to DJ in some of the city’s nightlife hotspots.

“I’d always get the last train on a Saturday night at maybe 10 or 11,” she reflects. “Then I’d stroll across Eyre Square to a club with

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signal, so those are the moments when you just sit back and enjoy the view.”

Does Ruth have any recommendations for people visiting Galway?

“Go to Salthill and walk the prom for starters,” she insists.

“Then once you’ve had a long walk, you can take your pick of places for lovely food in the city centre. There’s a great chipper on Shop Street called McDonagh’s, which is a great mix between being a normal chip shop, but also doing lots of fancy battered fish as well. Then honestly, there’s music pouring out of every pub in Galway, so you’ll have the craic anywhere you go!”

Ruth Scott hosts the 1-3pm afternoon show on Radio Nova.

GO

REVIEW Albums. Movies. Books

MIGUEL RUIZ

VILLAGERS

pg55

GOLISTEN.

GOWATCH.

GOREAD.

On our desks and in our ears are the latest releases from Villagers, Christine And The Queens and Kodaline.

Fed up of endless scrolling? We pick out the best streaming options for comfortable couch consumption this autumn, including How To Be Single, The Party and Dr Strange.

We pick out the highlights from the latest book releases, including Michael Ondaatje’s Warlight and Cecelia Ahern’s Roar.

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LISTEN

GOLISTEN. I T

T A K E S

A

V I L L A G E R MIGUEL RUIZ

RICH GILLIGAN

The superb latest effort from Irish act Villagers, The Art Of Pretending To Swim, leads the way in our round-up of the best new album releases.

T

he rhythm of Villagers’ The Art Of Pretending To Swim is established from the starter’s gun: “I found again,” frontman Conor O’Brien sings, “a space in my heart again/ For God again/ In the form of art again”.

The opening lyrics to the train-like ‘Again’ confirm that the beautiful introspection of 2015’s Darling Arithmetic endures as a modus operandi, but the sparsity of that record gives way here to all the bells, whistles and seagulls O’Brien has in his extensive locker. The tempo ebbs and flows. ‘A Trick Of The Light’ sounds like a Flight Of The Conchords track fused with the concept of an Enda Walsh play.

The album has a deft touch of everything: from the curious (‘Fool’), to the ominous (‘Love Came With All That It Brings’), to the idiosyncratic (sumptuous closer ‘Ada’).

O’Brien wrote, produced, mixed and is the primary performer throughout the entire album. For a brief moment, you can’t help wondering how easily all of this comes to him? Is it possible that his genius somehow diminishes the material?

Every note of the album screams control.

The craftsmanship, lyrics and production are exemplary. Indeed, with The Art Of Pretending To Swim, O’Brien has crafted his most accomplished album to date.

Gallic insouciance receives a glittering makeover on the second major label album from French pop heroine Héloïse Letissier.

The front-woman of Christine And The

Queens more than lives up to the promise of her international debut, Chaleur Humaine – confirming Letissier as effortlessly conversant in the international language of pop, and showcasing her ability to wear her heart on her sleeve without it feeling as if she is wallowing in misery.

We already had an inkling what a special record this was going to be with single ‘Girlfriend’ – a sophisticated stomper that deals in high-emotions and deep, deep grooves. Just as impressive is ‘The Walker’, which updates Abba’s happy/sad dynamic for Generation Snapchat, while ‘Goya Soda’ sees her singing out her sorrows against a twinkling, Giorgio Moroder-style synthscape.

Granted, there isn’t a huge amount of variety. Letissier has found her metier and here she doubles down on it. Those whose appetites were whetted by what came before will be delighted she has done so.

Newcomers will be thrilled to witness the birth in real time of a genuine star. It’s a special LP from an artist who may well define the arriving era in mainstream pop.

Kodaline’s Politics Of Living had a difficult birth. It was initially scheduled to be released almost a year ago, but the Dublin four-piece felt unhappy with the album’s initial incarnation and opted to scrap some of the songs and return to the studio, record company (and fan backlash) be damned.

Needless to say, it was a seriously brave move at a pivotal time in their career. Fans

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will be both delighted and relieved to learn that their courage has paid off handsomely: the resulting confection should ensure that their stock will continue to grow at an exponential rate. Boasting an impressive array of hit-making co-writers (including long-time cohort Johnny McDaid from Snow Patrol, Ed Sheeran collaborator Steve Mac and Beyonce/ Rag ‘N’ Bone Man tunesmith Johnny Coffer), Politics Of Living sees the Swords natives take another massive stride into the world of mainstream pop superstardom. Along the way, it doffs its cap to the work of Ryan Tedder’s OneRepublic (‘Shed A Tear’) and Maroon 5 (‘Hell Froze Over’).

The album is at its best when it employs stadium-rattling backing vocals: a superbly crafted track like the euphoric, falsetto driven pop- rocker ‘Hide And Seek’ is surely destined to score a multitude of TV talent show “journeys” over the months ahead.

And for good reason. The mostly a capella ‘I Wouldn’t Be’, meanwhile, successfully flirts with Irish balladry, and promises to be a huge crowd-pleaser when played live.

There are tracks that aren’t as well realised: opener ‘Follow Your Fire’ has a wistful vibe that doesn’t fully convince, but songs such as the aforementioned ‘Shed A Tear’ – which has a fragment of Foreigner’s ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ in its DNA – will surely earn them lots of new admirers.

Politics Of Living is filled with potential hits and stylishly proves that fortune really does favour the brave.

WATCH

GOWATCH. A

L O V E

S U P R E M E

Roe McDermott looks at the best new movies available to stream on Netflix, including Dakota Johnson’s charming rom-com How To Be Single.

comforting in their familiarity. However, the cast do prove winning, with Alison Brie bringing a nice amount of smarts to her highly strung character, while Leslie Mann brings punchlines and compassion in equal measure. Indeed, her performance and endearing chemistry with Johnson ultimately prove the movie’s trump cards.

THE PARTY

HOW TO BE SINGLE How To Be Single stars Dakota Johnson as Alice, who ends her picture perfect romance in order to explore being single in New York.

Thanks to her party-loving friend and casual sex guru Rebel Wilson, she experiences the highs and ultimate lows of dating – and rom-com tropes. The movie relies heavily on pop culture allusions and covers well-trod ground.

From references to Sex And The City and Bridget Jones, to pseudo-playboy bartender interactions lifted straight from He’s Just Not That Into You, the film is like the pop songs it uses to indicate emotion: remixed and rehashed love clichés that aren’t original, though somewhat

Janet is having a good day. She’s just been appointed as Health Minister, and all her friends are coming for dinner to celebrate her success. What unfolds is not the refined soirée she has in mind.

Sally Potter’s film combines the oldfashioned charm of theatrical drawing room comedy with the biting wit of a modern social satire. Kristin Scott Thomas stars as Janet, the person responsible for assembling a motley Nocturnal Animals crew of eccentrics in her home.

There’s her caustic best friend April (Patricia Clarkson, wonderfully wicked) and her hippie guru boyfriend; lesbian couple Jinny and Martha (Emily Mortimer and a vicious Cherry Jones); slimy banker Tom (Cillian Murphy); and, of course, Janet’s husband Bill (Timothy Spall). The group’s contrasting world views and contentious histories are already simmering below the surface upon arrival, but when Bill makes a shocking announcement, it sets off a series of explosive revelations that just keep coming.

The hypocrisy of this group of elite individuals means that they contradict their own principles as much as they criticise others’. A bitingly funny treat.

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DOCTOR STRANGE Doctor Strange hasn’t appeared onscreen since 1978, but his arc feels very familiar.

A brilliant New York neurosurgeon turned superhero after a life-altering accident, the transformation of Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is typical Marvel fare – a Tony Stark-style reinvention. But as the character enters the realm of ancient mysticism and the occult, he and the film find powers both beautiful and unexpected.

Travelling to Kathmandu, Strange seeks guidance from the mysterious, Jedilike Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). Showing a natural affinity for sorcery, he learns how to manipulate time, space and matter, accessing unimaginable realms. The visuals are genuinely dazzling, a masterclass of boundless imagination combined with perfect execution.

Cityscapes bend and move with a kaleidoscopic grace that Christopher Nolan would kill for, while air and time ripple and move like liquid. It’s a pity that a film with such bold and courageous vision sticks to a safe formula, but it’ll still leave you breathless.

NOCTURNAL ANIMALS Tom Ford’s hyper-stylised filmmaking may alienate some viewers, but his approach isn’t just for show; it illustrates how his characters are concealing truths.

His fascination with the performative comes to a fascinating climax in Nocturnal Animals. Amy Adams, her natural beauty covered in a cake-like layer of dramatic make-up, plays Susan, a successful gallery owner whose world is populated by shallow, pretentious people.

Just as she begins to wonder how she lost her idealism and joy, Susan receives a manuscript from her ex-husband, Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal). His manuscript is the antithesis of his sweet and sensitive nature.

A violent, disturbing tale of a family hunted and torn apart in a desert wasteland, the characters are clearly based on he and Susan. The novel terrifyingly comes to life before our eyes – a film within a film. Step into Ford’s heart-pounding world, and savour his exhilarating vision.

READ

GOREAD. L I F E

D U R I N G

W A R T I M E

Michael Ondaatje’s compelling drama Warlight tops our recommended reading list, which also includes Cecelia Ahern’s short story collection Roar, and Anthony Horowitz’s new James Bond adventure Forever And A Day.

IN

Michael Ondaatje’s Warlight, Nathaniel and Rachel are seemingly abandoned by their parents in post-war London, left behind as their father’s work takes him abroad. Their lodger and caretaker, The Moth, introduces the duo to a strange cast of characters including The Darter, who takes the young Nathaniel under his wing.

They smuggle greyhounds, and dodgy crockery, up and down the Thames. School is all but abandoned, and the young man falls in love in the wilds of a city still trying to get back to normal. But what of his mother? A violent incident brings things to a head. Ondaatje’s onion of a novel, his first since 2011’s The Cat’s Table, combines rich intrigue with a meditation on how we rewrite our memories by examining them, as the adult Nathaniel tries to piece together his mother’s past in order to illuminate his own.

However, as he discovers, some things

might be better left where they are. This is a stunning return from one of modern literature’s most acclaimed authors.

Roar is a collection of 30 short stories from Cecelia Ahern, with each focusing on a different female protagonist. The tales tackle the everyday barriers women face, often taking a common phrase and making it literal. For example, ‘The Woman Who Had A Ticking Clock’ features a woman whose biological clock begins to physically tick.

Each story sees a flawed character conquer their obstacles, usually with the help of her fellow women. ‘The Woman Who Slowly Disappeared’, in which a woman comes to the realisation that she is valid in spite of her changing image, is a strong opening, and sets the tone for the rest of the book. A lighter highlight is ‘The Woman Who Forgot Her Name,’ in which the titular character must attend three separate dinners in order to uncover her identity.

These uplifting tales encourage the reader to savour every victory, however mundane,

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and examine the struggles and benefits of being a modern woman.

“007 is dead.” So begins Anthony Horowitz’s second run at the secret agent, Forever And A Day, after 2015’s marvellously monikered Trigger Mortis. It’s the perfect opening sentence to draw you into the latest James Bond adventure. Surprisingly enough, Bond survives the first page of this prequel to Ian Fleming’s debut novel, Casino Royale.

Here, he is promoted to the Double-O section and packed off to Marseille on his first mission.

There are fast cars, punch- ups, a bad guy called Scipio and, of course, a luxury yacht. Original Fleming material is reworked to deliver the harder Bond of the early novels, rather than the more gadget-centric celluloid incarnation.

As with his two Sherlock Holmes novels, Horowitz proves himself so adept at getting inside the iconic character, and Fleming’s writing style, that it’s difficult to see the join.

Rip-roaringly recommended.

GOWIN. GO RAIL COMPETITION

Win Two Nights Bed & Breakfast

IN MULRANNY PARK HOTEL Plus Dinner in the Nephin Restaurant

The four star Mulranny Park Hotel is perched on the breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way in the most scenic section overlooking Clew Bay & Croagh Patrick Mountain. Steps away from the beautiful Mulranny Beach, this four star hotel is perfect for short breaks full of stunning wildlife and natural scenery. Suites are beautifully decorated and feature private balconies whilst the hotel is complete with a 20-meter swimming pool, steam-room, Jacuzzi and fully equipped gymnasium, making Mulranny Park Hotel the perfect destination for a relaxing break away.

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To enter simply email your answers to gorail@hotpress.ie. Please include your contact details, and let us know on which train route or at which station you picked up your copy of Go Rail.

THE QUESTIONS: 1. Barry Keoghan first came to prominence in which Irish TV show?

- Red Rock - Amber - Love/Hate

2. Hozier hails from which Wicklow town?

3. Ruby Walsh has twice won which major international race?

- Greystones - Bray - Arklow

- The Grand National - Kentucky Derby - Dubai World Cup

Terms & Conditions: The prizes are subject to availability. No cash alternatives will be offered. Entrants must be aged 18+. Go Rail may contact competition entrants with details of future special offers. Your details won’t be passed on to any third party. Please specify in your email if you would like to opt out of this.

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