A collection of other stories
Lavender fields
The annual Lavender Harvest Sale is on at Fragrances of Ireland, Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow on the weekends of Saturday, July 10th and Sunday, July 11th, and Saturday, July 17th and Sunday, July 18th. There will be fresh lavender plants, freshly cut bunches of lavender, lavender oil, soaps, perfumes and more. See www.perfume.ie or call 01-2867125 for more details.
New restaurants buck the recession
Recession? What recession? The restaurant industry is flourishing at the moment, with the arrival of a new gastropub in Stoneybatter, the reopening of China Sichuan in Sandyford, and the establishment of a new venture called Pinot’s – with former Harvey Nichols executive chef Thomas Haughton at the helm – in the former South Bar Restaurant, also in Sandyford.
L Mulligan Grocer, at 18 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, is a collaboration between whiskey expert Michael Foggarty, craft beer specialist Colin Hession, and award-winning food blogger Seáneen Sullivan, who have been working day and night to get the premises ready for a planned opening next Thursday. Bar food, including their take on the “toasted special”, made with Gubbeen cheese and smoked rare-breed ham, will be served from the outset, with full lunch and dinner menus available from the middle of next month. See lmullingangrocer.com.
In Sandyford, Kevin Hui has reopened the venerable China Sichuan at The Forum, Ballymoss Road. The menus and restaurant style will be the same as in its previous incarnation. Bookings are being taken on 01-2935100.
Pinot’s Cafe Bar Bistro at Beacon South Quarter, also in Sandyford, is scheduled to open tonight and will serve an affordable, all-day menu upstairs, and a more upmarket “but affordable” option downstairs, according to Thomas Haughton. He says the food he will be cooking “won’t be a million miles away” from the elegant style he has been honing in Dundrum for the past five years. See pinots.ie or call 01-2936938.
Marie-Claire Digby
Tag rugby
The IRFU beach tag rugby tournament is moving to the shores of Derry, Kerry, Sligo and Wexford this summer, with a growing number of five-a-side teams competing and having a great weekend break while they’re at it. The closing date for the Dingle fest, now in its third year, is next Wednesday, June 30th at 4pm, and the fun and games, hosted by Cumann Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne, will take place next Saturday, July 3rd on Muirioch Beach. There are always a few notable players about. Mick Galwey, perhaps? See irfutag.ie for details.
Celebrating India
The Muraqqa Imperial Mughal Albums, which have been touring in the US, return to the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin today, an excuse if ever you needed one to visit Ireland’s very finest treasure trove. The library holds about 1,000 single pages of calligraphy and miniature paintings from the Imperial Mughal Court which record the power and vast wealth of Mughal India at its peak – roughly between 1526 and 1858. The stories are told, the costumes and traditions are recorded, and each page is a sumptuous eyeful.
With the recent symposium at Trinity College Dublin devoted to “Perspectives on India and the West”, and the current Indian Film Festival Ireland 2010 in full swing this weekend (at the Swan Cinemas in Rathmines, Dublin), it’s a fine time to learn more about this exuberant culture. For information about the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin Castle, see cbl.ie. Objects similar to those found in the paintings will be available for handling, thanks to the Libaas Asian Boutique in Dublin, which might make the manuscripts more accessible to younger viewers. For the film festival details, and a touch of Bollywood, see cfcp.ie/iffi.
Patsey Murphy
Sunny delights
● MAC To The Beach Bronze Body Oil, €23 Leaves skin looking fabulous with a subtle moisturising sheen and a hint of golden reflection.
● Voya Ritzy Spritzy, €25 A facial mist enriched with an energising blend of essential oils. On warm and sticky days, spray to boost moisture levels and revitalise skin. Can be used over make-up.
● Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche, €59 The creamy amber heart of this luscious scent instantly transports you to a tropical beach. Summer in a bottle.
● Laura Mercier Zen Collection, €60 Everything matches, interacts and harmonises in this brilliant compact for eyes, lips and cheeks. Start with a soft day look which can easily be intensified for evening glamour. Just beautiful.
● Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan Make-Up, €7.92. Perfect for topping up or evening out a tan, it dries instantly and doesn’t transfer to clothing. Every bit as good as more costly versions.
● Giorgio Armani Tokyo Coral Nail Lacquer €19 This divine shade is the perfect complement to tanned skin and will add a flash of sunny pizzazz to any outfit.
Phyl Clarke
Roly's turns back time
Roly's Bistro in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, is turning back time for one night only on July 12th, when the restaurant will serve dishes from its 1992 opening menu, and charge the equivalent price in euro. It promises to be a bargain for diners, and the Down Syndrome Centre will be the beneficiary. There will be two sittings, 6.30pm and 9pm, and tables can be booked by calling 01-6618000 or e-mailing
info@downsyndromecentre.ie.
Marie-Claire Digby
