Thirsty workThere must be an awful lot of thirsty people out there, going by the increasing number of off-licences. O'Briens continued its impressive development with the opening last night of a superstore at Beacon South Quarter, in Sandyford, Dublin 18. The 750sq m (8,000sq ft) shop, which uses the Enomatic system to have 70 wines available for tasting each day, has the "largest range of wines, beer and spirit in the country", according to David Whelehan, the company's marketing director. Joe Breen
Three-part dance
Those wowed by Fabulous Beast's Gisellefour years ago, and its 2005 sequel The Bullhave been suffering withdrawal symptoms for two long, dark years awaiting the final instalment in the dance theatre company's Midlands Trilogy. The cold sweats are over come Monday when James son of Jamesopens in the Samuel Beckett Theatre, Dublin. Michael Keegan Dolan is back with performers from Slovakia, Laos, Nigeria, Tanzania, France, England and Ireland with another highly-anticipated dance drama. This one tells the story of James, who returns home for his father's funeral after 11 years away, and becomes embroiled in the lives of the locals. A necessary fix for Fabulous Beast fans and a Dublin Theatre Festival essential for those who have yet to get their first hit. Fiona McCann
Tricks of the trade
A beauty seminar with a difference will be held in The Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire on next Saturday, October 6th. "Awakening Beauty through Rhythm & Ritual" will be chaired by Dr Hauschka devotees Susan West Kurz and Mary Berkery. It's a programme of personal care and beauty which also covers breathing and relaxation practices and meditation. The event will include a detailed section on the role of diet with emphasis on the power of raw foods. The seminar is open to the public and costs € 95. Further details from 01-2896990.
Starting tomorrow and running until Oct 1st at the RDS Dublin, the Professional Beauty Show features 125 exhibitors. Wares range from a new skin treatment from Japan which utilises gold leaf, to the latest nail technology from America and what's new in the cosmetics and skincare world for the trade. For details phone 01-4539207. Phyl Clarke
Cyber geeks
In South Korea, cyber-gamers are major celebrities who play computer games professionally and get mobbed by screaming fans. It's clearly not like that in Ireland, which probably explains why most of us don't know we have a national team heading to Seattle for the World Cyber Games taking place from October 3rd-7th. The team was chosen at our national championships, GAME:ON, which took place at Dublin's Digital Hub in September and is made up of seven guys aged between 18 and 24. Two players will take part in individual events - Dublin's Mark Kenny will be playing Project Gotham Racing, while Mike Traynor from Co Wicklow will play FIFA'07. Gavin Devine, Patrick Lucy, Eugene O'Beirne, Paul Madigan and Stephen Walsh will be in a team event playing Counter-Strike. Gold medallists stand to pocket up to $15,000 while the WGC Champion team takes home a cool $40,000. See www.worldcybergames.com. Michael Kelly
Fairground attraction
Fashion boutique Satina is a rare find. Located on a small street in Tramore, Co Waterord, It's across the road from a wonderful pub that hasn't changed in decades and in the distance one can see the fairground amusements. Altogether it's an unlikely place to find clothes by Lanvin, Plein, Christian Lacroix mainline and Missoni. But there they are, hanging in an elegant three-storey shop, all creamy carpet and mirrored walls. Owner Martina Collins opened the doors in 1989 and hasn't looked back. Unlike many boutiques with big reputations, Satina operates under the radar, supplying a sophisticated clientele with casual and evening clothes, shoes and accessories, as well as bridal wear. Yes, it's expensive, but these are special clothes. Satina, Queen Street, Tramore, Co Waterford. Tel: 051-386600. Eoin Lyons
From Clare to there
Clare Valley, the home of great Australian Riesling and other fine wines, is rich in Irish associations. The valley, which is centred on the town of Clare, north of Adelaide, was named in the 1840s by the town's mayor, Edward Burton Gleeson, in memory of his birthplace, Co Clare. So It's a Long Way from Clare to Here: The Story of the Clare Valley, presented by winemaker Tim Adams and journalist John Wilson next Wednesday, 7pm, at Mitchell & Son, Kildare Street, Dublin should be lively and informative. Tickets €15. To book contact Wine Australia at 065-7077264 or ireland@wineaustralia.com. Joe Breen
The colour of connemara
Anyone who saw Art O Briain's recent moving television tribute to the late great photographer Fergus Bourke will remember what a revealing portrait it was of a very private, warm and compassionate individual. Renowned as a chronicler of the street life of a vanished Dublin of the 1960s, Bourke was also a remarkable theatre photographer and portraitist and we worked together both at the Abbey Theatre and later on Kindred, a series of portraits of prominent Irish figures which became a book. His work was almost exclusively in black and white and what even O Briain did not know when making the documentary about him, was Bourke's landscape colour photography of Connemara where he lived with his family and which up to now has remain unseen. Next Thursday, however, an exhibition of this work from 1992 to 2003, thirty Connemara landscapes, will open at the Peppercanister Gallery, Herbert Street, Dublin and run until October 24th. Deirdre McQuillan
TCD reunion
Students who entered Trinity College in Dublin this week 10 years ago are organising a reunion in aid of charity at the Davenport Hotel, Dublin 2, on Saturday, October 13th. If you were at TCD around that time and are interested in meeting up with old friends, go to tcdreunion2007.blogspot.com
Ski school
For a country that conspicuously lacks both big mountains and suitable snow, we sure love to ski. So with the ski season fast approaching, the Ski Club of Ireland in Kilternan, Co Dublin is organising a ski and snowboard fest this weekend with ski instructors from the Wilde Kaiser Ski School in St Johann in Tirol, Austria on hand to help you get your ski legs back before you hit the snowy slopes. Lessons cost €15. Call 01-2955658 to book. Davin O'Dwyer
Birthday bargains
Harvey Nichols is celebrating its 2nd birthday this weekend, and to celebrate the Dundrum shop is offering some birthday bargains for shoppers: with every €100 you spend in store, you will receive a €10 gift voucher. Shame birthdays only come once a year, really. The offer runs until October 18th.
Winning wines
Six Irish Times Magazinereaders can relax with a magnum of the award-winning Spanish wine Marqués de Riscal Reserva and enjoy Paddy Woodworth's The Basque Country: A Cultural History, a series of essays offering an intimate insight into a unique and ancient European culture, whose mysteries have long fascinated romantic travellers. To enter email competitions@katebowepr.ie with your name and address.