Feel the heat

An outdoor heat source can make living alfresco Irish-style an option, writes ALANNA GALLAGHER

THE LURE OF the campfire is as old as time itself. Nowadays, though, it’s about more than just warmth and protection. “People want to make a statement outdoors,” says Patricia Mulligan, marketing manager with BQ Ireland. “Heat is the key to alfresco living Irish-style,” adds Bill Simpson of Simpson Design Management. “Outdoor heating has transformed the ambience of Irish restaurants and bars. The idea is to recreate that ambience at home.”

Free-standing outdoor gas heaters have become things of beauty. The Santorini and Athena are two gas bottle styles that shoot up big flames of fire. The Athena is a tall, triangular heater that comes in white and is already a feature of many hip eateries in London. It looks wonderful at night.

Alternatively, you could try a table-top patio heater. Eamon O’Hare of The Outdoor Scene sells a style that lets you tilt the hood to direct the heat, cutting down on wasted energy. Prices start at €195. Mulligan suggests Chimineas as a cost-effective option.

THE CAMPFIRE IS a stainless steel bowl around which you can add whatever texture you desire. It costs €999. Tel: 01-6206 777, hearthandhome.ie

THE ATHENA IS a tall, triangular bottle-gas heater. It comes in white and looks especially striking at night. €499 at Hearth and Home and at the Outdoor Scene. Tel: 01-296 0212, outdoor.ie

LOVE REAL FLAMES? The Jotul Terrazza ( Jotul.com) is a rust-effect wood burner that can be left outdoors. It costs €355 at Fenton Fires, Greystones, Dublin, tel: 01-287 4310, fentonfires.ie; €400 at Sean Murphy Heating, Galway, tel: 091-637 159, murphyheating.com; €330 at Cork Stoves and Fires, tel: 021-4322 033, corkstoves.ie

THE BAHAMA IS a square, table-top gas design that will make patios and terraces look stylish. It costs around €3,956 through UK-based Prestigious Fires. Delivery is extra. Tel: 0044-1709 524 162, prestigiousfires.co.uk

A SIMPLE, MODERN real flame circular design called the Qrater features a steel dish set on a tripod. It is available from UK-based The Modern Garden Company. Retail price is €1,314, excluding delivery. Tel: 0044-1279 653 200, moderngardencompany.com

THE WHITE COPPER inlaid Rondo heater-cum-barbecue is a sturdy masonry design that burns wood or charcoal and can also be set up to work off gas. It is €799. Tel: 01-287 8404, outdoorfurniture.ie

A CHEAP CHIC option is a Chiminea. Choose from antique gold or burnished silver designs at Woodies, €89.99, a limed clay Santiago style at BQ, €73, or a cast iron Monterrey design at Homebase, €129.99.

BIO BLAZE is a range of bio-ethanol fuel fires whose stylish designs can be moved from one area to another and from outdoors to indoors. Small pipes cost €395 and large are €650; outdoor columns cost €950 and Veniz costs €845. Tel: 01-450 2662, lamartine-fireplaces.com. Naked Flame is a bio-ethanol series that starts from €49. It comes in a range of sizes all the way up a wall-hung design for €799, at Hearth and Home.

A GROWING TREND is a fire pit that can also double up as a Korean-style barbecue. The Jamie Oliver fire pit is a good way to experience the Korean style of cooking while also warming you up in the evening. It costs €1,299 at Outdoor Furniture.

THE BUZZ BY Faber ( faberfireplaces.co.uk) is a mobile outside fireplace that runs on bottle gas. It comes in black only. It was €1,299 and it is now reduced to €999. Stockists include Hearth and Home; Fitzgibbon Brothers, tel: 066-712 6177, fitzgibbonbros.com; Fenton Fires; and Heating Distributors, tel: 01-864 8950, heating-distributors.ie.