Frontlines

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

The Royal Hibernian Academy has had a pop-up shop in its gallery, with a rotating cast of artists and artisans, for several months, and it has been such a success the gallery has decided to extend the scheme. The corner unit is open to designers of fashion, furniture, craft, creative start-up businesses, and any innovative retail ideas. Footfall in the gallery si about 3,000 visitors per week, and the cost is €100 for one week or €175 for two weeks. To apply, tel: 01-6612558 or see royalhibernianacademy.ie LAURENCE MACKIN

Workshop for mini Matisses

The Chester Beatty Library – one of our very best assets, surely – is organising a week of activities for children (ages six to 11) inspired by the exhibition devoted to the art books of Henri Matisse, from July 18th-22nd.

The children will visit the exhibition and then work in small groups to create their own masterpieces, using paper-cut collages and other devices to explore Matisse’s use of colours, patterns and props. Participation is free but booking is essential at cbl.ie or tel: 01-4070750.

The Matisse exhibition runs until September 25th and is attracting record crowds of up to 1,000 a day.

PATSEY MURPHY

Brought to our knees by classics

Follow the cushions. If you’re looking for the village of Bofeenaun in Mayo’s Nephin mountains this weekend, watch out for the cars with cushions piled against rear windows.

They’re the cognoscenti, who know that fine music is even finer in comfort, and who recall the shortcomings of wooden pews. They also know that there’s only one road sign in the entire county to the village, named after the “bothan” or “hut” of St Finanun and on the route of the French marching to the 1798 “races” of Castlebar.

Tonight and Monday, Mayo Summer Classics, run by postmaster Tom Rowland and his voluntary committee, presents leading international musicians in St Mary’s Church for the eighth year in a row. Performing with Caroline Clemmow, a celebrated solo pianist, will be cellist Su-a Lee, who loves unorthodox stage locations, and Iain King, formerly of the London Philharmonic and the British Chamber Orchestra and now based in Ballina.

It was the Glaswegian King’s connection with the county, and with Rowland (his brother-in-law), that set it all off, and Rowland, nicknamed “Ticketmaster”, spends much of his year in the planning. There will be wine, tea and homecooking during the interval in the church hall, hosted by Fr James Cribbin, an avid Leonard Cohen fan.

Don't dare turn up without a ticket though (€20, telephone 096-51006) . . . and that cushion, if you are lucky. LORNA SIGGINS

INDEX

WHAT’S HOT

Saturday morning hot towel shaveFor the guys, because occasionally we're worth it too. Dubliners might try Grand Canal Barbers – but no doubt you all have your fave shaves

Culture FoxThe Arts Council's new website and free app for all cultural events countrywide – a smart phone essential, culturefox.ie

Connemara Seaweed Baths in Leenane, Co GalwayTotal immersion therapy. And only €25 (candlelight an option; plinky plonk music not mandatory)

Dublin Web SummitPlans are already afoot for the next one (October 27th-28th). For vouchers, see dublinwebsummitmail.com

Silicone oven mittsColourful, cone-shaped yolks that work more efficiently than oven gloves, although they might make you feel like a puppeteer on Sesame Street. From Avoca in Kilmacanogue and Rathcoole (€5.95)

Roberto Savianothe author of Gomorrah's new collection of essays, Beauty and the Inferno, is every bit as defiant and explosive as his exposé of the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia

Elderflower cordialCool, non-alcoholic beverage for summer weddings and parties.

Waddler.comAn adorable children's clothing site

Da Mimmo Tiny,authentic Italian eatery on Dublin's North Strand (near the bridge) with possibly the best pizza in town and amazing breads and sauces. Fantastic value (Tel: 01-8561714)

'The Dud Avocado'This bold 1950s novel by Elaine Dundy was originally reviewed by Groucho Marks thus: "It made me laugh, scream and guffaw (which, incidentally, is a great name for a law firm)". A handsome new edition has just been published by Virago Modern Classics, with an introduction by Rachel Cooke

Brix Chocolate for WineIn milk, dark, smooth dark and extra dark. Perfect if you've left no room for dessert. See brixchocolate.com or buy it in James Fox Cigar and Whiskey Store, 119 Grafton Street, Dublin 2

WHAT’S NOT

Election postersStill a few hanging around – not good at all, especially in scenic spots around Connemara . . .

iPhone snatchersBe careful using your phone – especially iPhones – while standing in the street. Thieving is rife – they watch you chat away and come up and grab it in broad daylight. Not nice

Find my iPhone AppMight help you locate your stolen or mislaid phone, though thieves "wipe" them immediately

Green-flyArriving in clouds, as if on cue, midge-like

ALONG THE GRAND CANAL: Cycling

Anyone who cycles in Dublin knows how enjoyable but bone-rattling and nerve-jangling it can be. So what does the most luxurious stretch of tarmac in the city – the new “premium cycle route” from Portobello to Grand Canal Dock – feel like?

I’m starting on a Dublin Bike, from the Dublin Bikes scheme at Rathmines Bridge, to try the part-finished route. I sail past cars stuck in traffic on the smooth double lane, then get directed off to Adelaide Road, as they’re finishing a boardwalk near Leeson Street Bridge. Going back to negotiating parked cars on one side and traffic on the other side feels like a hardship after the dedicated cycle path that separates cyclists from traffic.

Back on the cycle path after Leeson Street Bridge, I come to the first of what will be a toucan crossing (as opposed to a pelican crossing). There is nothing simple about these crossings. When I talk to Dublin City Council’s senior traffic engineer Eoghan Madden, he explains how they will involve changing legislation and educating road users.

When they are finished they will have a green man and a green bike, each timed slightly differently to let cyclists and pedestrians negotiate the route. The tension between road users is clear from the bad-tempered exchanges when cyclists, pedestrians and cars try to share the crossings.

Madden is hoping that the “guerilla cyclists” who ignore lights will leave the premium cycle routes to the more careful two-wheelers. “We hope it’ll be used by families and beginner cyclists, people who are trying the city bikes for the first time.”

Back on my test ride, the nicest stretch brings me down Percy Place and then suddenly, like the end of a pleasant dream, it all finishes in a snarl of traffic on Lower Grand Canal Street. (The final plan will involve another crossing here and then a cycle lane on the opposite footpath to bring you under the railway bridge.) At the moment, crossing this is not easy and a cobbled street brings you under the Dart bridge to Grand Canal Basin. A stretch of cobbles is being lifted to smooth the way for cyclists here.

And the time on the still-to-be-finished route? Thirteen minutes from Portobello Bridge to the Grand Canal Theatre. By car it would take at least twice that in normal daytime traffic. Barring road crossings, it's also some of the most pleasant city cycling available. The final route is expected to open in September. CATHERINE CLEARY

Starstruck at the Ulster Museum

From the moment you set foot inside the spectacular glass-walled foyer of the Ulster Museum, you will be starstruck. Follow the arrows along the Hollywood-style “walk of fame” to the second floor, where, in one of the main gallery spaces, you’ll be confronted by the sight of more than 50 of the world’s most filmed and photographed costumes.

The opening act of Starstruck, the museum's summer exhibition, is Elizabeth Taylor's checked taffeta and midnight blue velvet two-piece from Zeffirelli's Young Toscanini. The grand finale is Colin Firth's morning suit, ruffled shirt and embossed waistcoat from Pride and Prejudice, while his and other costumes from The King's Speechoccupy a separate section.

“The best costume designers look to museum collections for historical accuracy and authenticity,” says Kim Mawhinney, head of art for National Museums Northern Ireland. “You can’t underestimate the star quality of these clothes.”

Elise Taylor, curator of applied art, notes the subdued colours and soft drapes worn by the ladies of Downton Abbey– on public display here for the first time – and explains how, in the early years of the 20th century, women were meant to stand quietly, looking pretty and unobtrusive."The way in which costumes are constructed helps actors to feel their way into the characters and the way that they carry themselves," she says.

The costumes of the Crawley sisters are a far cry from the magenta and purple bustle and bows worn by Minnie Driver in The Phantom of the Operaand inspired by the opulent world of the Paris Opera. Drew Barrymore's renaissance-style ballgown, complete with gossamer wings, from Ever After: A Cinderella Storyis every little girl's dream. Beside it is Kate Winslet's elegant wrap-over velvet coat from Finding Neverland,and among the treasures of the Wedding Belles section is Nastassja Kinski's pin-tucked pearl satin wedding dress from Tess.

Two of Helen Mirren's jewelled brocade gowns from Elizabeth Iframe the flowing russet dress worn by Cate Blanchett as the younger queen in Elizabeth. Al Pacino's Venetian-inspired breeches and jerkin from The Merchant of Venicecontrast sharply with Tom Cruise's homespun tweed in Far and Away, as does Liv Tyler's ruby silk ballgown from Oneginwith Renée Zellweger's tailored serge from Miss Potter.

Starstruck runs until early September, with admission at £3.50 (€3.90) for adults and £3 for under 18s and concessions. See nmni.com JANE COYLE

Restaurant all snapped up

Chez Youen, west Cork's celebrated Breton restaurant which was opened more than 30 years ago by Youen Jacob, is being transformed into a photo gallery for the months of July and August. Five local photographers will exhibit: Aedan Coffey (whose work is pictured above), Pierce Higgins, Youen Jacob, Rohan Reilly and Brigid Tiernan. All photos have been taken in the west Cork area over the past year. The restaurant, meanwhile, has moved next door above Jacob's Bar, where there are magnificent views of Baltimore harbour. The enterprise now includes a pub, hotel, pizzeria, restaurant and photo gallery. ChezFoto will open seven days a week from 11am to 7pm. FIONA BOLGER

Celebrating in style

Temple Bar is celebrating 20 years since it kicked off its regeneration plans, with 10 days and 70 events of parties, performances and street madness that has already begun. There will be movies on the street tomorrow with Breakfast at Tiffany's at 11am and Alice in Wonderland at 2pm. Next Sunday, Ryan Sheridan, Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, We Cut Corners, Róisín O, The Gorgeous Colours and Vertigo Smyth will be gigging on Temple Bar Square, and there are piles of other arts and kids' events. Most shows are free but ticketed; for a full programme see templebar.ie. LAURENCE MACKIN

Boards, bikes and beats

School’s out for summer? Not quite, and this is one that kids will be queuing up to get into. This year, the Kings of Concrete festival is offering a chance for little Shaun Whites to sharpen their street skills during a weekend of street dance, art and sports events on July 23rd and 24th. What better way to live your life vicariously through your children than to force them to learn all those hip, complicated moves that you are too old and lazy to learn (oh come on, their centre of gravity is really low, and it’s character building)?

While parents still clinging to their youth can check out the demonstrations (including the eight-foot RampRage Titan ramp, skate, inline and BMX competitions, and a big air trick battle), their kids can learn how to nail some BMX moves, spray paint the perfect tag, or perfect their rollerblading or dance moves. Places in the classes are registered each day on a first come, first served basis, with class sizes varying depending on the skill involved, so get there early. See kingsofconcrete.com for more details. LAURENCE MACKIN

Catch them while you can

"Captivating" ( Irish Times).Well, we would say that, wouldn't we, of Louise Holden, one of our education correspondents who also happens to be a swinging, kick-your-shoes-off singer with her Dublin roots band, I Draw Slow , which has been drumming up enthusiastic reviews in Ireland since the release of their second album, Redhills."Achingly beautiful", says Hot Press; "polished and gutsy", says the Sunday Times.Their impact abroad is redrawing the map for these Irish/Americana songwriters, who have been described in the UK press as "American top league equivalents", destined "to blow the opposition away", drawing favourable comparisons with Gillian Welsh and Alison Krauss. Yikes.

The band has been invited to tour the UK, Germany, Denmark and Belgium in 2012, so catch them while you can in the Grand Social in Dublin this Wednesday July 20th, at 8pm. See idrawslow.com.

PATSEY MURPHY