The rocky road to stardomIrish ballad group The High Kings give meaning to the Irish proverb "go mbriseann an dúchas trí shúile an chait", or "nature will break out through the eyes of a cat".
The band's four lead singers continue the musical tradition of their respective families, including the Clancys, the Fureys and the Dunphys. As Finbarr Clancy, Martin Furey, Brian Dunphy and Darren Holden prepare for their first US tour next month, their first album has already gone to the top of a number of international folk charts. The songs on this album feature many of those made famous in the 1960s and 1970s by groups such as the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. Complete with Aran jumpers, bodhráns, soft caps and the driving rhythms and melodic harmonies of great folk revival, The High Kings are ready, too, to take the American public by storm. The group will also be touring venues in Ireland over the coming weeks, performing folk songs from their repertoire, including favourites such as Will Ye Go Lassie, Go? The Rocky Road to Dublin, The Auld Triangleand The Black Velvet Band. Catherine Foley
Landed entry
The Landed group show is an unusual exhibition that has been organised by artist Aoife Tunney. It features art that takes inspiration from the landscape, as well as craft-based elements particular to the Irish landscape, and lands them in an incongruous city-centre space. The exhibition opens on Thursday, April 8th from 6pm to 9pm at the Back Loft on St Augustine Street, Dublin 8 (just off Thomas Street) and involves installations, paintings and photography. Tunney has transformed the space by commissioning site-specific traditional dry-stone walls, a currach and an installation of haystacks. Artists taking part include sculptor Helen O'Connell (who had a sell-out solo show last summer at the Taylor Gallery), Mark Redden, Turlough Rynne, Christopher Millar and Bríd óg Norrby (including her painting Sraghoe - Chill Mhantáin, above). Musician Liam Ó Maonlaí will also show work, while photographs by Suki Stewart and Lois Crighton will also feature. Tunney will present her own painting and installation work for the first time and Christy Moore will officially open the exhibition. See www.landedartists.com. Eoin Lyons
Smock-a-block with bargains
Smock, the fashion boutique in the west end of Temple Bar (between Parliament Street and Cow's Lane) is something of a hidden gem. Owners Karen Crawford and Susan O'Connell opened their doors seven years ago. They are now relocating to new premises in the Grafton Street area, and while the address has yet to be revealed, the good news for fans of avant-garde fashion is that they are having a massive sale prior to the move. Next Saturday (April 5th), they begin a three-day sale, with huge savings to be made on labels such as Martin Margiela, AF Vandevorst, Vanessa Bruno, Dries Van Noten and Veronique Branquinho. "There will be at least 70 per cent off everything, but even more off most clothes - we'll have rails with pieces for €50," says Crawford. An Easton Pearson silk jacquard beaded dress that was €975 will sell for €245, and a Martin Margiela grey padded jacket that was €1,175 will now cost €275. Opening hours: 10.30am-6pm. 20-22 Essex Street West, Dublin 8, 01-6139000. Eoin Lyons
Where angels don't fear to tread
Photographers around the country are donating their services on Tuesday, April 1st to raise funds for the Irish children's charity, Angels Quest. You can have a professional portrait photograph taken for €35, which will go towards the construction of a new respite care home in Donabate, Co Dublin. To find those participating, see www.irishphotographers.com or call 01-4298648, Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm. See also www.angelsquest.ie
Fine time for fine wine
Ely Wine Bars are now offering the first of what is billed as a series of exciting and informative promotions. I tasted my way through an excellent range of 10 wines from the Rhône Valley, all offered by the glass or bottle. My favourites included a luscious Viognier from Domaine du Monteillet, a snip at €32 per bottle or €8 per glass, or the fruity red Côtes du Rhône from Château Terre Forte at the same price.
Former Irish Timescolumnist Mary Dowey continues her series of highly successful wine weekends in Ballymaloe House with "Classic Blends and New Trends". The course runs from April 25th to 27th. Call 021-4652531 or see www.ballymaloe.ie for details. John Wilson
Tasty take-away
Bombay Pantry, the popular Indian take-away, recently opened its seventh store, in Rathfarnham. Everything is 100 per cent natural, with no artificial additives or colourings. Call the new branch at 01-4932222 or see www.bombaypantry.com to find a branch near you.
Bargains by bottle
Due to the success of its autumn sale, Superquinn is holding a spring French wine sale, which continues until next Friday. Prices have been reduced by 25 per cent and there are plenty of bargains. If you don't like oaky Chardonnay, try Vin de Pays d'Oc Domaine Bégude Le Petit Ange 2006, a light, citrussy white without a trace of oak. It's a steal at €7.49. Another Chardonnay, Pouilly- Fuissé Fortin 2006, is a complete contrast, with lashings of buttery oak and dense ripe apple fruit, and it's reduced from €23.99 to €17.99.
The lively Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne Domaine de Pellehaut Rosé 2006, with its crushed strawberry flavours and zesty acidity, is a refreshing rosé that belies its price tag of €7.09.
Margaux Château Notton 2005, from a great Bordeaux vintage, is a fragrant, medium-bodied claret with red fruit flavours, a touch of pencil shavings and light tannins. Reduced to €19.99, it's drinking beautifully now. From further south, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Alan Grangeon Cuvée Tradition 2005 is fuller-bodied, with smooth cherry/plum fruit with an earthy touch. It's worth every cent of €18.99. Patricia Carroll
Indoor fore
Irish weather cannot be relied upon when it comes to outdoor sports and activities, and the gym is not always the most exciting back-up plan. Pinball Alley, Ireland's first indoor minigolf course in Co Kildare, appears to tick all the boxes - first dates, family outings, company nights, birthdays, distracting the kids, distracting the husband . . . whatever the occasion. The course includes 18 "challenging" holes to attempt, and boasts an array of water features and greenery. Leagues and hole-in-one tournaments are among some upcoming highlights, and a junior golf shop will be opening on-site shortly. Two rounds of fun, taking up to 40 minutes each to complete, costs €10 for adults and €7 for children. Young golfers can be left to their own devices while parents can watch from the viewing platform on the first floor. This surreal "tiki" world brings a splash of colour to the Tougher Business Park in Naas. Open Tuesday to Sunday, family discounts are available. Call 045-409998 or see www.minigolf.ie. Rebecca McAdam
In the Mink
Mink, the cult D4 hand and foot spa in Donnybrook, has just opened a new salon in Ballsbridge. The new premises is five times bigger than the original one, where the waiting list can be from two to three weeks.
With 10 pedicure chairs, 10 manicure tables and a chiropodist on site from June, the new salon will offer not just more space, but new treatments such as a medi-pedi to soften the hardest and most cracked and calloused soles.
Given that the open-toe season is upon us, with sandals, platforms and wedges all leaving the feet to serious scrutiny, it's the perfect place for an intensive foot treatment that might make looking down at your toes a pleasure rather than a pain.
The new Mink is located in the Oval, a big glass building beside Starbucks on Shelbourne Road, just down from Ballsbridge Motors. It is open from 10am to 8pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am to 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays and from 10am to 6pm on Saturdays. Call 01-6362100 or see www.mink.ie. Deirdre McQuillan