Unexpected angles in Kilkenny:Many readers of The Irish Timeswill be familiar with photographer Dylan Vaughan, whose work is regularly featured in this newspaper.
The Kilkenny-based photographer has selected a series of abstract, landscape and portrait images for an exhibition at the Grennan Mill Craft School in Thomastown as part of the Kilkenny Arts Festival, which runs until August 17th. The exhibition will open from 10am to 6pm daily for the duration of the festival and the featured images will be unrecognisable from his press work, according to Vaughan. "One of the refreshing things for me about this exhibition is that it's a chance to look at some of the other work I've done, often when there's been no particular client or deadline and I'm not consciously looking out for a photo."
The 35th Kilkenny Arts Festival features more than 100 performances in music, literature, art, children's events and theatre. Up to 85,000 visitors are expected, and highlights include a night-time street spectacular called Hélios II; a concert by countertenor Andreas Scholl; a day of film dedicated to Donal McCann; underground theatre by Belarus Free Theatre; and Mercury Rev and Spiritualized. Michael Kelly
Glass menagerie
A trip to the Leadbetter family's Jerpoint Studios in Stoneyford, Co Kilkenny, is even more of a delight than usual. During Kilkenny Arts Week, and into September, Animal Kingdom is a mixed craft exhibition of objects, mugs, teapots, jewellery and paintings - and somewhere on all of them, either prominent or hidden, lurks an animal. Everything is for sale, and 50 per cent of the profits go towards the Kilkenny SPCA, so it's cuteness in a good cause. While you're there, be seduced by Jerpoint's fabulous glass goblets, tumblers, bowls, jugs and candlesticks, and step into the studio to watch those objects of desire being created. Keep an eye on the website too, as glass-blowing courses take place throughout the year. According to Sally Leadbetter, there are now three generations of Leadbetters living in Stoneyford. Taking in the gorgeous countryside, and the lovely objects they make, it's easy to see why. Animal Kingdom is on until September 7th. See www.jerpointglass.com.Gemma Tipton
Here's a nifty little idea to make life easier when showering. Shaving and exfoliating legs usually requires a one-legged balancing act - which is not the safest thing to do in a wet shower. ElevEase Shower Step is a simple solution - a foot rest that fits snugly into a shower corner with special adhesive - there's no need to get the drill out to install. It also comes with a holder for your razor and to top it off the design is the brainchild of 22-year-old Irishwoman Aoife O'Driscoll. It costs €29.99 and is available at bathroom showrooms or at www.elevease.com.
Flowers are outlawed in most hospitals nowadays so you need to be a bit more creative when delivering a bit of cheer and solace at visiting time. Making up your own box of tricks is a good plan, and we recently admired the wit that went into the following goody bag: one Book of New Yorker Cartoons, one colourful cashmere pashmina, one scented pillow, an eye mask and some posh hand cream. Richard Ford's Collection of American Short Stories is another good option. Vanity Fair with Carla Bruni on the cover . . . Meanwhile, two sisters from Dublin, Hazel Mander and Tracey Traynor, decided there was a gap in the market for original, quality gift hampers, so they set up a modestly named enterprise, Me Me Me, which involves purple boxes full of elaborately wrapped surprises, priced from €60 to €300. About 80 per cent of their stock is sourced from Irish suppliers and they have smart ideas for pampering men and women. (See www.mememe.ie or tel: 086-3295502).
Our favourite brothers in ice-cream, Sean and Kieran Murphy, have sent us this simple idea for a low-sugar treat for the freezer, designed especially for children. It's nothing more than a banana, frozen, but is none the less exotic for that (you can also freeze grapes, which are sure to cheer up a child with a sore throat).
This is the simplest of great recipes from their Book of Sweet Things, published by Mercier Press and available from bookshops all over the country, not forgetting the Murphys' ice-cream emporia in Dingle and Killarney, Co Kerry.
To make a frozen banana pop, peel a ripe banana and cut it in half. Push a plastic spoon or lolly stick into the cut end and put in a freezer-safe dish. Leave in the freezer for a few hours. That's it!
If you want to take it a step further, melt some bittersweet (70%+) chocolate (generally quite low in sugar if the quality is high) or good quality dark diabetic chocolate. On a shallow plate, roll the frozen pops quickly in the chocolate, which will harden immediately.
The beautiful surroundings of Anaverna House in Dundalk, the Irish ancestral home of the Lenox-Conyngham family is the location for a forthcoming watercolour weekend with watercolour artist Alwyn Gillespie. Owner Vere Lenox-Conyngham has transformed part of the stable yard buildings into artists' studios and music recital rooms, and participants will have views not only of the wonderful gardens but of Anaverna Mountain, the highest in the Cooleys. No previous experience is needed for aspirant watercolourists, but the course may also attract artists interested in learning another medium from an established practitioner. The two-day event, which costs €120, takes place from 10.30am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, August 30th and 31st, with lunch provided.
The Carrickdale Hotel is offering a special deal for participants of €65 per person sharing for B&B, €70 for a single room. For further details, contact Alwyn Gillespie at 087-2056390 or Constance Short at 087-9847797. Deirdre McQuillan