A little look at life
One-off discoveries
More than 40 Irish-based craftspeople and fashion designers will be showing off their wares at a summer fair at Marlay House today and tomorrow, from 10am to 6pm (use the Grange Road entrance into Marlay Park in Rathfarnham to get there). The exhibitors include Heather Finn, Jennifer Rothwell, Heather McKay, Anna Vahey, Cormac Cuffe, Rebeka Kahn, Ruzica Ruane, Laragh McMonagle and Yvonne Beale, whose work is pictured above – so you are sure to find treasure. Parking and admission is free.
Patsey Murphy
Present space
A New Space, at 6 Chatham Street, Dublin 2, is just that. On first glance, it looks like a gallery – walls lined with graphic artwork and prints from international artists; frames stacked, five-deep, around the walls; graphic slogans in bright colours begging for your attention from each corner. But look a little closer: here’s a mug, imprinted with the words to Last Night a DJ Saved My Life; a Marc by Marc Jacobs pocket mirror; a doormat that says “Come In” on one side but, flipped over, reads “Go Away”; a shower curtain painted to look like that shower scene from Psycho. An eclectic mix of art and collectable knick-knacks means A New Space is not only a great place to find limited edition framed prints (from around €250) but also for last-minute gifts. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm and Sundays, 2pm-5.30pm. Closed Mondays. See anewspace.info or tel: 01-7079878.
Rosemary McCabe
Souper Dragon
Soup Dragon on Dublin’s Capel Street is 10 years old next month, and to celebrate they are having a Bloomsday celebration next Wednesday, with everything in the shop half-price for the day. Summer specials such as gazpacho Andaluz, and yellow split pea with lime and ginger keep the Soup Dragon menu seasonal, but Thai green chicken curry remains the bestseller in Fiona Fairbrother and Niamh Healion’s much loved refuelling spot. Apart from the Bloomsday half-price offer next Wednesday, there is great value on offer every day, with €3 buying soup, bread and a piece of fruit to go. See soupdragon.com.
Marie-Claire Digby
Index
Murphy's Ice CreamThe delights of Dingle are coming to Wicklow Street and Temple Bar in Dublin very soon. Mine's a scoop of burnt caramel, please
ChimichuriIt's the cool "now" sauce to make for grilled meats
Barry McGuigan, singerOne of the (many) highlights of the Flat Lake Festival, the best so far. From boxer to bandsman – a great transition. Jinx Lennon's performance, Pat McCabe's new play Emerald Germs of Ireland and Joe O'Byrne's play Flaying of Marsyas were great – look out for reprises
Bike Week(from tomorrow until next Saturday). For all youse who have been meaning to get a Dublin Bike card, here's a reminder
MicroplanesOne of those kitchen gadgets (they grate, you know) that makes you wonder how you ever managed without one
Go for yoga in the park todayor tomorrow in Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, 10am-6pm, before the Indian government starts patenting those moves and you have to pay for every pranayama
Bonkers road signsThe new motorways are swell, but the signage? And as for hitting that one kilometre stretch of the M1, between Dublin Airport and the new M50 ramp/Malahide exit/tunnel only lane . . . Take it handy!
Soaring holiday home rentalsThis is not the year. Do we need to point out, Irish landlords, that you can rent a nice villa in Provence, with a pool, for €1,100 a week?
Crystal SwingEnough of that carry on, now
Scratchy labelsNobody likes surprises in their underwear
MidgesTiny, terrible torture
Cafe culture
Amid the Joycean festivities next week you will find the Shannon Colleens, Sinead Murphy and Darina Gallagher, who are performing Songs of Joyce at Bewley’s Grafton Street Cafe Theatre, from next Monday until Saturday, June 26th. The performance starts at 1.10pm, and the €15 ticket includes a light lunch. You can book by telephoning 086-8784001 or by sending an email to info@bewleyscafetheatre.com.
Marie-Claire Digby
Hop on board
Tomorrow, your childhood dreams could come true, that is if you’ve ever fantasised about breaking a Guinness world record, or indeed about a world populated by people on space hoppers. As part of the AIB Street Performance World Championship, tomorrow sees an attempt to break the record for the most people bouncing simultaneously on a Space Hopper. The mass bounce takes place on Upper Mount street at 2pm, and a space hopper will be provided, which you even get to bring home after you’ve assured your place in the history books. Interested? Email worldrecord@spwc.ie or check out spwc.ie for more details.
Fiona McCann
Floral Fancy
It is always wonderful to see a vase full of an unlikely mix of branches and blooms, and the countryside is full of pluckable greenery just at the moment. The Blooming Amazing Flower Company in Dublin, which excels at mixing natural with traditional florist fare, is now offering to help you choose and arrange blooms to suit the shape, height and colour of your favourite containers. In addition, arrangements costing more than €50 will benefit from a €10 discount. No vase? You can choose from their selection of vases at €15 each, which will qualify for the discount on a return visit. bloomingamazing.ie, 01-4910233.
Phyl Clarke
