GoRail Summer 2017 vol7 issue 2

SUMMER 2017 • VOL:07 ISSUE:02

CELEBRATING OUR IRISH HERITAGE!

CILLIAN

MURPHY ON WORLD WAR II EPIC

DUNKIRK WILL FERRELL

ELEANOR McEVOY

THE STRYPES

The comedy superstar on his latest movie The House

On her stunning new album & saving the music industry

The Cavan rockers take the charts by storm

+ 2FM’S T R ACY CLIF FOR D & PR EM IER LEAGU E PR EVIEW

163452 Guinness Storehouse GoRailMag_Mar17_2.indd 1

23/03/2017 10:10

CONTENTS

AU T U M N 2 01 7

Volume 07 // Issue 02

KATHRIN BAUMBACH

Eleanor McEvoy

034 I N T E R V I E W O N PAG E

06/ Go For It

30/ Will Ferrell

From cultural outings to sporting events, we give you the lowdown on what there is to see and do across the country over the next few months.

The comedy superstar discusses his new movie, The House, and why he’d like to take on more dramatic roles.

16/ Train News The latest news and views from the Irish Rail network, including all the winners at the recent Best Station Awards.

20/ Cillian Murphy Roe McDermott talks to the Cork star about his role in Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed World War II drama, Dunkirk.

24/ The Strypes The Cavan rockers discuss their eventful career and cracking new album Spitting Image.

33/ My Favourite Train Journey

40/ National Heritage Week A preview of the brilliant range of events and activities taking place as part of the annual event.

50/ Fashion

Celebrated author Mike McCormack talks about his favourite rail destination.

Your guide to to the hottest new catwalk trends.

34/Eleanor McEvoy

54/ Reviews

We chat to the singer about her stunning new album and her recent election as chairperson of IMRO.

We select the highlights among the latest album, DVD and book releases, including Arcade Fire, Handsome Devil, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 and Conversations With Friends.

36/ Celebrity Table RTÉ 2fm presenter Tracy Clifford discusses her passion for radio, her eclectic musical tastes, and why Bono is her ideal interviewee.

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Credits SUMMER 2017

Volume 07 // Issue 02

MANAGING EDITOR

Máirin Sheehy

COMMISSIONING EDITOR

Roisin Dwyer

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Paul Nolan

CONTRIBUTORS

Stuart Clark Peter McNally Peter McGoran Anne Sexton Roe McDermott Rowan Stokes Stephen Keegan Ryan Platts Olaf Tyaransen

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Hot Press 13 Trinity Street Dublin 2

DESIGN

Lili Ferreira Eimear O'Connor

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Catherine Madden

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

Sheila Kelly Susan Clarke Vikki Martin

PHOTOGRAPHY

Kathrin Baumbach Karl Leonard

PUBLISHER

Niall Stokes

PRINTED BY GO RAIL IS PUBLISHED FOR IARNRÓD ÉIREANN BY:

Boylan’s Print Osnovina Ltd 13 Trinity Street Dublin 2

Contact TELEPHONE FAX EMAIL

(01) 2411 500 (01) 2411 538 gorail@hotpress.ie

LETTERS

The Editor, Go Rail Magazine, 13 Trinity St Dublin 2

While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine is correct, the publishers cannot accept any responsibilities for errors. The views contained in this magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Iarnród Éireann.

All material © Osnovina 2017.

All rights reserved.

Reproduction of material without permission of the publishers is strictly prohibited.

Editor's Message It's time to get to know Ireland

The Cliffs of Moher: one of Ireland's many stunning destinations

It is the place we live and love. But for most of us, there are huge parts of this island that we have never been next or near. There is no better time for us to change that than now!

H

ow well do you really know this country?

It is a question that’s well worth asking ourselves.

Of course, we are all inclined to think that we know all there is to know – and a little bit more besides. Kerry means football. Tipperary hurling. Mention Cavan and we may think of ‘Come Back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff’. But the truth, of course, is that there are vast swathes of this island that remain a complete mystery to many, if not to most, of us.

Lots of Irish people are more familiar with the area around Alicante or Malaga than the Wild Atlantic Way. That’s fair enough. Far be it from us to undermine the sense of adventure and open-ness that foreign travel encourages (well, some of the time at least). But there is no reason why we shouldn’t apply exactly the same desire to see, do and experience new and different things to the country in which we live.

Take a train: there is nothing quite as romantic and inspiring as the sound of the wheels turning, and the whistle blowing, as the locomotive pulls away from the station. Pick your destination well, and it is likely that you will find yourself in a whole other world. Cities like Cork, Limerick, Galway or Dublin can be used as a springboard: travel in a group, bring your bikes, and you can set off into the wilds.

Or choose one of the smaller train stations and disembark there. Consult your friendly hotelier about the nearby places to visit, hills to climb and walks to take. Or if you have to take the car, then go for it. There are nooks and crannies out there that will amaze and entrance you, if you give them half a chance.

All over Ireland now, historic buildings have been renovated and are open to the public. There is so much to learn about our history – and that is far easier if you can associate the people and the events to specific

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buildings and localities. And then there is the countryside itself. All over the world, Ireland is rated as a place of startling natural beauty. Too often, we are blind to this ourselves.

Cavan is a good example. For far too many years, it has been ignored and neglected. Now, finally, it is to be designated as part of Ireland’s Lake District. The irony is that putting a name to it really is likely to make people open their eyes properly to its attractions for the first time.

Reputed to have 365 lakes – that’s one for every day of the year! – it really is a remarkably beautiful county.

And if you haven’t explored it, then you’re genuinely missing out on something special. Reach a little bit further north, and the sprawling, multi-faceted scenic gorgeousness of Donegal hoves into view. How many of us from Cork, Dublin or Galway have been to Inishowen? Or to the far north-west, and places like Carrigart, Downings, Rosapenna and Dunfanaghy?

The famed Ring of Kerry, of course, is equally stunning. If you have the legs you can do it on a bike. But if not, it is a lovely place to drive – carefully of course.

Pick the right train journey, and it too will reveal unexpected delights, whether the route is along our rugged coastlines, or through the heart of the midlands.

In 2017, the world remains our oyster, which is the way we would always want it. But often it is better to look closer to home, to discover those once in a lifetime experiences that truly enrich our lives. This is a beautiful and a brilliant country. By enjoying it, we make it stronger.

A better deal than that you simply cannot ask for.

Máirin Sheehy, Managing Editor

ELEANOR MCEVOY

Eleanor McEvoy vocals, guitars, strings, keyboards, percussion Damon Butcher keyboards Eamonn Nolan flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet Eoghan O’Neill bass Guy Rickerby drums, percussion “…Her demilitarisation of The Minstrel Boy, along with the delicacy of At The Mid Hour of Night are highlights in what is a highly evocative and cohesive collection that may win Moore an entirely new audience.”

HHHH — Siobhán Long, Irish Times —The Ticket “…Eleanor McEvoy should be praised for these thoughtful reimaginings which reestablish the relevance of one of Ireland’s most important, yet most besmirched, national artists.” 8/10 — Peter McGoran, Hot Press “Eleanor McEvoy soft-rock refashioning of Thomas Moore’s iconic ballads.

Eleanor McEvoy delivers a kind of defiant melancholy on her interpretation of Thomas Moore’s songs…”

— Paddy Kehoe, RTE Ents Review

The Thomas Moore Project MOSCD4015

Release date 4th August 2017

Our exhibitions will be open over the festive season: 10am – 5pm, Wed 28 to Fri 30 December 2016

“…So, not an album for instant gratification, but The Thomas Moore Project rewards repeated plays, and may well prove to be one of Eleanor McEvoy’s most enduring works.” H H H H — Pete Whalley, Get Ready To Rock Portrait of Thomas Moore

by Sir Martin Archer Shee (1769-1850) National Gallery of Ireland Collection.

Photo © National Gallery of Ireland.

Detail from portrait of Eleanor McEvoy

by Robert Ballagh.

The original painting hangs in the National Concert Hall, Dublin.

GO FOR IT A R U N D O W N O F W H AT ' S H O T & H A P P E N I N G

by Stephen Keegan & Mark Conroy

A Country Practice New country music gathering Harvest Festival takes place in two locations – Westport, Mayo and Enniskillen, Fermanagh – on August 26 & 27. Each event will have two days of live entertainment, featuring 40

international and Irish acts across four different music stages.

Headliners will include American singer Miranda Lambert, the inimitable Nathan Carter, as well as legendary Mississippi singer and Country Music Hall

of Famer Charley Pride. Other artists set to appear include Dan & Shay, Maddie & Tae, and Sam Palladio from the hit US TV show Nashville. This is a festival tailormade for Ireland’s fervent country music base. Not to be missed!

For best value fares on all intercity services check out irishrail.ie

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Need to Know...

WHERE: Westport/Enniskillen WHEN: August 26-27

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Taking place from August 9-26, Ireland, north and south, will play host to the Women's Rugby World Cup. The Irish women will be hoping that home advantage will be enough to help them emulate or even better their achievements at the 2014 World Cup in France, where they became the first Irish side to defeat New Zealand and finished in fourth place. They’ll first have to negotiate a tricky

pool stage, where they’ve been drawn against reigning Six Nations champions France, and strong Australian and Japanese sides.

Captain, full-back and place-kicker Niamh Briggs and powerful secondrow Sophie Spence will be crucial to Ireland’s chances of progressing from the UCD-hosted pool stages to the knockout rounds in Belfast, where Ulster’s Ravenhill stadium will host the final.

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Trip Through Your Wires Daytripper Festival returns to Waterford City centre for its fifth year, with a new site at the Gasworks on the Waterside, and two new dates, August 25 & 26.

The festival will be headlined on the Friday by UK chart-

toppers Clean Bandit, who will be supported by 2fm’s Jenny Greene. Then on the Saturday, reggae legends UB40 take to the stage to play some of their greatest hits, amply supported by very special guests, The Blades.

Other acts heading to the festival include Tullamore group Chasing Abbey, dance music producer John Gibbons, Bob Marley tribute band Catch A Fire, and the incomparable Waterford folk rockers, Propeller Palms.

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Need to Know...

WHEN:

August 25-26

WHERE:

Waterford City Nearest Station Waterford, Plunkett

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Need to Know...

WHERE: Carlingford WHEN: August 11-14 Nearest Station Dundalk, Clarke

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The World Is Their Oyster The oysters of Carlingford Lough get their crisp flavour from the unique nutrients of the fresh water flowing from Slieve Foy and the Mourne mountains.

They’ve provided a living for the

people of the Cooley peninsula for centuries and every year seafood lovers flock to the town to sample, share and celebrate.

However, it’s not all about the bountiful bivalves. Carlingford

is also a walled medieval town, and celebrates this heritage by giving visitors the chance to participate in the Big Dig – an archaeological excavation for Viking treasure.

Good Air Days That's Really Ceol!

The 66th annual Fleadh Ceol, Ireland’s biggest celebration of traditional music, returns to Ennis between August 13-21. The very best of tradtional music talent – not just from Ireland, but from all over the world – laid siege to Ennis last year, meeting, competing

Obstacle course challenges are the current fitness rage, but if you don’t fancy plunging into ice-cold water, braving barbed wire or crawling through mud, then perhaps the Wild Air Run is for you. Last year, over 20,000 people tackled these 5km inflatable obstacle courses, which are open to people of all fitness

and participating in over 400 events, and there’s an even more ambitious programme in store this summer. Clare natives Sharon Shannon and Stockton’s Wing make headline returns, and Ed Sheeran collaborators Beoga are also set for an appearance.

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levels from age seven upwards.

There’s an emphasis on family fun, so nobody is timed, and there are little shortcuts only kids can get through to enable them beat the grown-ups. At the end, slide down to the Chill Zone for refreshments, seating and games. The Wild Air Run takes place in Dublin. Galway and Limerick on August 19.

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Lovely Hurling As the old saying goes, when the Cats are away, the mice will play.

Kilkenny’s early exit of the championship, with defeats first to Wexford in the Leinster championship and then Waterford in the qualifiers, is unprecedented in the Brian Cody era.

With Richie Hogan and co.

out of the equation, the quest for Liam MacCarthy has come down to four teams. Reigning champions Tipperary face off against favourites Galway in the semi-final for the third consecutive year, while the other pairing sees resurgent Munster champions Cork taking on

Derek McGrath's promising young Waterford team.

Whichever two teams emerge, it's guaranteed to be a fascinating encounter when the All Ireland Hurling Final – one of the major highlights of the Irish sporting calendar – takes place in Croke Park, Dublin on September 3.

CLAREMORRIS TOWN HALL Claremorris, Co Mayo.

(Just off N17 in The Heart of Connaught) Theatre & Concert Venue Interested in speaking with all touring acts. > Seating Capacity Studio – 100 > Main Hall Configurable 200 – 900 > Fully Licensed Bar. > Green Screen (8.83 mts wide x 4.3mts high.) > In-house Martin PA with Allen & Heath Digital Desk. > Theatre Lighting with multiple circuits.

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The newly renovated Harbourmaster Bar & Restaurant is very centrally located only 2mins walk from Connolly Station and Busáras and less than 10mins walk from Croke Park. In a beautiful setting with its’ floor to ceiling windows by the Dublin docklands.

Tel +353 94 931 0999. www.townhall.ie

Reserve a table today on harbourmaster.ie 01 670 1688

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WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE Jonathan Walters reaffirmed his position as one of the leaders of the Irish team and a hero of the fans when, his powerful 85th minute volley drew Ireland level against Austria in June's World Cup qualifier. The strike means that Martin O’Neill’s men remain

in a great position to make it to Moscow – they currently share top spot in Group D with Serbia, making this clash a potential group decider.

The Serbians have some big names – they boast the group’s top scorer in Newcastle’s

Aleksander Mitrovic, and their midfield will be marshalled

by Man Utd's Nemanja Matic – but the encouraging form of James McClean and Cyrus Christie means Irish fans will be optimistic going into this crunch decider.

Need to Know...

WHERE: Aviva Stadium WHEN: September 5th Nearest Station Lansdowne Road

Way Out Westport

The Boys Are Back In Town The most successful duo in UK chart history, the Pet Shop Boys are set to play two dates in Dublin’s Bord Gais Energy theatre on September 5 and 6. The electropop gods are coming off the back of their hugely successful

Super World Tour last autumn.

They’ve already sold out shows in USA, Canada, Germany, Holland and Denmark, with a second Dublin date added due to high demand.

With 22 top 10 hits

and four number ones in the UK, the band’s credentials should never be in doubt. Expect a mix of classics like ‘West End Girls’ and ‘Domino Dancing’ with cuts from their acclaimed latest record Super.

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For the first time since the inaugural concert in 2013, the Westport Festival of Chamber Music will be welcoming a string quartet to the mix.

They’ll be joined by eight world class musicians and 12 others based in Westport. The instrumentalists will perform a variety of material in

three beautiful venues, one of which is a theatre with specially designed acoustics. Pianos, flutes, violins and cellos will all combine to make some gorgeous music in a charming location. The festival takes place in the Mayo town from September 8-10.

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The Bryce Is Right Curated by The National’s Bryce Dessner and Cork Opera House, Sounds From A Safe Harbour returns this year with its biggest names yet. Dessner will bring his bandmates to the Opera House as The National kick off touring for their new album Sleep Well Beast.

Joining them on the bill is Wisconsin’s finest, Bon Iver – who will be glad of the indoor surrounds, and hoping the festival lives up to its name after his headline slot at Forbidden Fruit was halted by rain. For one weekend, Cork can seriously claim to be Ireland’s real music capital.

Need to Know...

WHERE: Cork WHEN: September 14-17 Nearest Station Cork, Kent

Game Of Throw-Ins The third Sunday in September – this year falling on the 17th – is a hallowed day for GAA fans. With Jim Gavin’s Dublin aiming for a three-in-a-row unprecedented in the modern era, you’d be forgiven for thinking

the passion of Dublin’s fans might have quelled a bit – but you’d also be entirely wrong. They may be near dead-certs to reach the final again, but no matter who the opposition, Hill 16 will be thronged

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with blue and navy, cheering on the likes of Stephen Cluxton, Ciaran Kilkenny and Brian Fenton. Their chief competitors this year again look to be Kerry, with resurgent Ulster champions Tyrone also in the mix.

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Speed The Plough The biggest annual showcase for Irish farming, food and culture, the National Ploughing Championships returns to Tullamore this year from September 19-21 for its 86th outing.

Europe’s largest outdoor event, last year saw over 280,000 people pour onto the 800-acre

site over three days. The traditional attractions return again this year – there’s sheep shearing, hunt chase, pony games, sheep dog trials and threshing all weekend, and live music throughout the site. There’s also a special showcase for firms at the Local Enterprise Village, while the

Innovation Arena is set to make a return, and will be home to groundbreaking technologies and cutting-edge ideas. For good measure, the Food and Lifestyle villages have marked the championships as a genuine foodie destination in recent years.

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Maritime Of Your Life Need to Know...

Aw, shucks. Think you’re pretty good at opening oysters, or shucking? The World Championships of the discipline is one of the centrepiece events of this year’s Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival.

The city goes mad for molluscs for the weekend, with much of the action taking place in the festival marquee at the Spanish

Arch by the River Corrib. A major highlight will be the Mardi-Gras style Masquerade parade, where punters are treated to an oyster and prosecco reception. There will then be a starter course in various venues around Galway, followed by a parade to the marquee for the main course, dessert and dancing.

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WHERE: Galway WHEN: September 22-24 Nearest Station Galway, Ceannt

Multi Award Winning Bar fantastic cocktails delicious food master screens for all sporting occasions

music till late 2 Kings Street South, Dublin, Ireland info@harrysonthegreen.ie +353 01 475 8504

CLASSIC CUTS & CLOSE SHAVES ESTABLISHED IN 1901, SAM’S IS A FAMILY RUN CHAIN OF BARBERSHOPS THAT COVER ALL ASPECTS OF MEN’S GROOMING FROM CLASSIC HAIRCUTS HOT TOWEL SHAVES TO BEARD MAINTENANCE. WITH 5 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT DUBLIN WE PROVIDE BARBERSHOPS THAT CATER FOR ALL.

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT www.samsbarbers.com Join Our Crew www.facebook.com/samsbarbering @samsbarbersireland

HEAD OFFICE 28 LOWER ORMOND QUAY, DUBLIN 1, IRELAND T: +353 1 874 75 00

All The Pretty Horses

Ballinasloe’s Horse Fair has been running for centuries, moulding and adapting, waxing and waning with the times. The London Times described it as “the largest of its kind in Europe”

as far back as 1804, while also naming it the “Great Cattle Fair”. Come the 20th century, and the fair’s focus turned to horses. New, nonequine traditions have been incorporated: local

Child's Play One for all the family, the Baboró international arts festival for children returns to Galway from October 16-22. The annual event attracts an eclectic selection of performing artists from Ireland and around the world. Their aim

is to inspire children through various forms of entertainment, including theatre, dance, puppetry, music, art and literature. This will be the 21st year of Baboró, and its packed programme makes it perfect for schools and parents alike.

Need to Know...

WHERE: Galway WHEN: September 16-22 Nearest Station Galway, Ceannt

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strongmen test themselves with the annual tugof-war, while the soapbox derby is also keenly contested. For good measure, there’s live music throughout town from October 1-8.

Modern French Irish Cuisine Serving Lunch/Diner 7 days from 12 Noon Vegetarian and Gluten free options Private Dining room available.

3 course set dinner menu €29.95 Available every evening.

Our city centre location, only a short stroll to the Abbey, Gate, Bord Gais theatre and 3 Arena. www.leboncrubeen.Ie 81 - 82 Talbot street, Dublin 2 | Tel: 01 704 0126 Email: info@leboncrubeen.ie

Quality accommodation at great rates, located on Talbot Street, in the heart of Dublin city.

Our lovely rooms are decorated in modern colours and fabrics with luxurious welcoming touches.

Just 5 minutes walk from both Connolly Train Station and Busáras, the main bus station in Dublin.

Popular attractions Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Zoo, Book of Kells at Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle and the Old Jameson Distillery are close by. www.celticlodge.ie 81-82 Talbot Street, Dublin 1 Tel: 01 878 8810 Email: info@celticlodge.ie

Traditional Irish Music Every evening from 9pm. Come on in for a pint and the craic!

Come along and experience the authentic atmosphere found only at The Celt Bar, the traditional Irish pub in Dublin that’s as full of life as it always has been. Friendly faces, a traditional bar menu with the finest selection of Irish whiskey’s, beers, ales and stouts, ciders and not to mention the goodness of real Guinness. www.thecelt.ie Tel: 01 878 8655 The Celt Bar 81-82 Talbot Street, Dublin 1

T R A I N news

Forget the Car this Summer

Take the train for the best family travel experience

This summer leave the car at home and take the train to some of Ireland’s top destinations, which boast so much to see and do for all the family.

Book online to avail of our best value fares for all the family and just pick up your tickets from the ticket machine when you arrive at the

station. When you book online you can reserve your seats at no extra cost.

Under 5s are free on intercity journeys and children 5-15 years are half the adult fully flexible online fares.

So, forget the car this summer and treat the family to all the joys of rail travel.

UPCOMING EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY NATIONWIDE NATIONAL HERITAGE WEEK Nationwide (August 19-27) With over 1,700 events planned by local community organisations across the country, this year’s National Heritage Week will be a massive celebration of Ireland’s stunning natural beauty. The week will focus on how we can all make small changes to preserve our natural environment for generations to come. Some of the fun events include whale watching tours at Hook Lighthouse, kaya tours of the Ardmore coastline, and nature drawing classes with beloved TV personality, Don Conroy, at the National Gallery Of Ireland.

DUBLIN DUBLIN THEATRE FESTIVAL (September 28-October 15) This year the Dublin Theatre Festival celebrates its 60th anniversary with a packed programme over 18 nights. Showcasing the best of international theatre alongside world class homegrown productions, the festival is always one of the highlights of the Irish cultural calendar. The line-up will feature a new opera, The Second Violinist, by Donnacha Dennehy and Enda Walsh, a thrilling new adaptation of Ulysses

by Dermot Bolger, and much more.

GALWAY INTERNATIONAL OYSTER FESTIVAL Galway (September 22-24) A mainstay – and one of the absolute highlights – of Ireland’s culinary calendar for over 60 years,

National Heritage Week: Hook Lighthouse

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Kilkenny Arts Festival: Mick O'Dea Festival Portrait 2017

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival

Muse play Vital Festival

the Galway International Oyster Festival is always a hugely popular event. Taking place at the Spanish Arch Marquee, it will again feature the famous World Oyster Opening Championships; a beauty contest to select the Festival Pearl; a Mardi Gras Party with Champagne, Guinness and Oyster reception; and an electrifying line-up of top class artists.

also be electrifying performances from the likes of Stiff Little Fingers and Le Galaxie.

CORK GREAT IRISH BEER FEST Cork City Hall (August 24-26) The second Great Irish Beer Festival in Cork City Hall features 24 Irish craft brewers and one distillery, each bringing a unique flavour to the event. Run by the Franciscan Well Brewery in association with Tom Keating Presents, the festival offers lectures such as ‘Learn How To Brew’ with the Lee Valley Brewing Club, and discussions led by Chris O’Flynn of the Malting Company of Ireland, among others. There will

GUINNESS CORK JAZZ FESTIVAL Cork (October 27-30) All roads lead to the People’s Republic at the end of October, as a stunning array of talent assembles for the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival.

This year the event will celebrate its 40th outing with a stellar line–up of city–wide performances.

Among the highlights so far is Miles Davis and Duke Ellington Orchestra alumnus, saxophonist Kenny Garrett and his quintet. There’s also a superb double bill with the Ronnie Scott’s AllStars and Scott Hamilton & The Champian Fulton Trio, all confirmed for the Everyman Palace Theatre.

KILKENNY KILKENNY ARTS FESTIVAL (August 11-20)

Since being established in 1974, the Kilkenny Arts Festival has gathered some of the finest musicians, writers, performers and artists and brought them to Kilkenny to entertain locals and tourists alike. For ten days in August, a variety of locations are used to host events from the castle courtyard to churches, offering intimate settings for festival visitors. Some of the events planned include Stephen Rea in Oscar Wilde’s De Proundis, Counting Sheep and Fidelio Trio.

KERRY ROSE OF TRALEE (August 16-22) For the 58th year running, 2017 sees one of Ireland’s largest and longest running festivals return. This global celebration of culture’s main feature is the choosing of the Rose of Tralee, where a young woman of Irish descent is crowned "Rose of Tralee". The festival also includes street entertainment, live concerts, carnival, circus, theatre, fireworks and Rose Parades. Tralee couldn’t be easier to access thanks to our Intercity service, running daily from Dublin Heuston.

BELFAST VITAL FESTIVAL (August 23-26) Boucher Road Playing Fields will play host to two concerts in late August. Muse will headline Belfast Vital on the 23rd and will be joined by special guests Biffy Clyro, Nothing But Thieves and Fangclub. Muse released their seventh album Drones last year, and headlined Glastobury as part of their world tour. On Saturday the 26th, Tiesto will headline the Main Stage and will be supported by special guests Robin Schulz, Sigala, Clean Bandit and Disciples. Tiesto has previously been labelled the world’s top DJ by Rolling Stone and remains one of the top dance acts in the world.

WEB FARES From Dublin to Cork from only From Dublin to From Dublin to Le Galaxie perform at the Great Irish Beer Fest

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Belfast, Galway and €19.99* Tralee from only €22.99* Kilkenny from only €17.99*

PEARSE IS THE BEST STATION IN IRELAND! Sligo wins customer service award Athlone, Templemore, Carrick-onShannon and Hazelhatch win regional awards

Sligo provides customer care of the highest standards. Customers recognised this in the voting, giving top marks to Sligo for customer service. Mary Connolly and all the staff at Sligo were commended for their excellent customer service to all who pass through the busy station; they always have a friendly smile and a helpful word, knowing many of the customers by name.

A special mention was given to recently retired Station Manager Jim Doherty for his dedication and hard work.

A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann said, “We are delighted that so many customers took the opportunity to vote in this year’s Best Station Awards. By encouraging keen competition between stations, we can raise the standards of customer care for the benefit of everyone who travels with us.”

ROLL OF HONOUR OVERALL BEST STATION – PEARSE BEST MUNSTER STATION Templemore HIGHLY COMMENDED Killarney, Cork BEST CONNACHT STATION Carrick-on-Shannon HIGHLY COMMENDED Westport, Ballina BEST LEINSTER STATION Athlone

Best Station Awards 2017

Pearse has been named Overall Best Train Station in Ireland at the annual Iarnród Éireann Best Station Awards, which took place at Iarnród Éireann’s Inchicore Engineering Works.

The station plays a key role in the life of Dublin City Centre and serves thousands of commuters every day. It has been significantly upgraded in recent years, with a new entrance opening out into Trinity College. The station has also greatly improved its retail offering. The staff were commended for their hard work and commitment to their customers.

David Franks, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, said: “Winning the title of Best Station in Ireland is a high honour and I congratulate Mick O’Grady, Caroline Troy, Damian Brazil and all who work so hard to give our customers a positive experience as they pass through the station every day. In a busy urban environment, building such customer support is a sign of excellence in the station team.”

The winners are chosen by public vote, with almost 15,000 customers rating their stations as part of this year’s awards, by Customer Information, Station Appearance, Staff Helpfulness and Staff Appearance.

Mick, Caroline and Damian collected the award on behalf of Pearse along with District Manager, DART, Chris Rafferty. The magnificent crystal locomotive trophy was presented to the team

and it will adorn Pearse Station throughout the next year.

REGIONAL WINNERS Pearse also collected the title of Best DART Station, beating off competition from Malahide and Greystones.

In Leinster, Athlone emerged victorious, with Station Manager Olivia Minogue leading the team to collect the award. Mullingar and Carlow were highly commended in Leinster.

Munster saw Templemore the top title, with Nicholas Moroney picking up the award. Killarney and Cork stations were highly commended by customers.

Carrick-on-Shannon was victorious in the Connacht category. Station Manager Jimmy Feeney was delighted to pick up their award.

Ballina and Westport were highly commended in the category.

The 2014 overall winner, Hazelhatch & Celbridge, took the title for Best Commuter Station, with Arklow and Rush & Lusk highly commended by customers.

CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD In addition to regional winners, a special award was presented at the ceremony. Sligo won the special crystal steam locomotive trophy for Best Customer Service. As a busy Intercity station,

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HIGHLY COMMENDED Mullingar, Carlow BEST DART STATION Pearse HIGHLY COMMENDED Malahide, Greystones BEST COMMUTER STATION Hazelhatch & Celbridge HIGHLY COMMENDED Arklow, Rush & Lusk BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE Sligo

Voting was conducted through an online poll and voting at stations, with almost 15,000 people voting as part of the competition.

Customers were asked to rate their station under the following criteria; Customer Information, Station Appearance, Staff Helpfulness and Staff Appearance. The votes were cast earlier this year.

The Iarnród Éireann Best Station Awards reward excellence in customer facilities, cleanliness, innovation and customer service in the country’s 144 railway stations.

PEARSE STATION TEAM WIN SAFETY AWARD FOR AVIVA STADIUM EVENTS The Pearse events team has been named as the overall winner at this year’s Always Safe Awards, which took place today at a special ceremony at the Iarnród Éireann training centre, Inchicore.

Station Manager Mick O’Grady and his team of 22 were praised for their safe practices and efficiency when it comes to managing the logistics of major events at the Aviva Stadium.

The stadium has a capacity of over 55,000 and it is a major undertaking to move that many people through the level crossing and off and onto DARTs before and after events. Pearse is on a winning streak after also being named Best Station at this year’s best Station Awards.

Speaking at the event David Franks, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, said: “I would like to commend Mick O’Grady and his team for their hard work and dedication in managing the transport logistics of major events at the Aviva Stadium. It is a major undertaking to move thousands of people over short periods of time safely and efficiently.”

OTHER CATEGORY WINNERS Aisling O’Connor, Signalling Compliance Co-ordinator, Athlone won Infrastructure Individual Of The Year for her work in the provision of signalling documentation that greatly assist the safety and efficiency of maintenance work within the Athlone region. Aisling narrowly beat Seán Gorman, also from Athlone signalling department, who was nominated for his work in managing safety on the Ballast Cleaning project, which is currently taking place between Dublin and Cork.

David Franks, Chief Executive Iarnród Éireann presents Mick O’Grady and Paul Parsons of the Aviva Events team with their overall Health and Safety Excellence Award.

Harry Beegan from Limerick won Operations Individual Of The Year for his work on the Limerick resignalling project. John Hayden, Station Controller, Dundalk won Operations runner up. John has worked at Dundalk Station for 23 years and has demonstrated great commitment to safety.

The District Traction Executives from the Infrastructure East region took the title of Best Team. This team of Incident Officers work in times of tragedy on the line to ensure that the emergency services can quickly and safely get to the scene and that railway operations can commence as soon as possible. These are very difficult incidents to deal with and the team were commended for their compassion and professionalism. Runners up in this category were Enniscorthy maintenance team for their hard work and great team spirit.

The Safety Innovation Award Of The Year went to the Athlone maintenance department for their work in designing a solution to prevent cattle from accessing culverts, whilst still permitting river debris to pass unimpeded through the channel. The DART Fleet Door Interlock Modification project was highly commended for

their work in safely and effectively improving safety onboard DARTs. Safety representatives are positions that staff volunteer to take on to champion safety innovation at their location. Caroline Troy from DART was named Safety Representative Of The Year for her ongoing commitment to safety. Damien Wallace from Heuston was runner up in the category.

Contractors working for Iarnród Éireann are an integral part of operations. Shane Carroll from Questor maintains ticket vending machines and barriers in the Cork and Kerry area, and he was highly commended for his hard work and commitment to safety. Gerry Holmes from South Coast Diesel was named as contractor of the year. Gerry is based at the Drogheda Depot and carries out his duties with safety as his number one priority.

As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to safety, a suggestions scheme for safety was launched this year. Kieran McGee from Claremorris and Philip Conway, Station Manager Limerick, were commended, with Alan Morrison from the Signalling Department winning this category.

Major counterterrorism emergency exercise held at Docklands Station On Friday July 14, Iarnród Éireann hosted a Garda Síochána counterterrorism emergency exercise at Docklands Station. The exercise tested Garda response, and also enabled railway colleagues to engage with the Gardaí on the issues a terrorist incident would generate.

The scenario saw multiple incidents, including an initial road accident, followed by attacks on civilians on both the public road and in the station area. Finally, the scenario saw one of the attackers taking hostages on-board a stationary train waiting on the platform.

This was a very well run exercise and provided a learning opportunity for all involved in order to improve our training programmes if required.

We were delighted to be given the opportunity to assist the Gardaí in planning for all types of emergency situations, so they are able to respond to security threats if required in the future. Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan thanked Iarnród Éireann in her press conference after the exercise for assisting in the planning and allowing the use of the facilities.

Well done to everyone involved, especially Noel Ryan, Infrastructure Dept., DART, Pearse Station, who was the direct liaison to An Garda Síochána, and made sure everyone who needed to be included was kept well-informed.

Docklands Counter-Terrorism Exercise

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Life during wartime: Cillian Murphy (right) and Tom Glynn-Carney in Dunkirk

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Cillian Murphy

Murphy’s Awe Cork star Cillian Murphy admits to being overawed by the making of Dunkirk, an epic movie examining one of World War II’s defining moments. He talks blockbusters and A-List casts with Roe McDermott.

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hristopher Nolan’s dramatic, action-fuelled and emotionally harrowing Dunkirk opens with hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea, they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in. RAF Spitfires try to protect them from above, while hundreds of small boats manned by both military and civilians mount a desperate rescue effort, entering the danger zone to try to save individual soldiers.

The film boasts an incredible cast, including Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh, our own Barry Keoghan (Love/ Hate), and Nolan’s frequent collaborator, Cillian Murphy.

Murphy, who is now 41, was drawn to the project as he believes it’s an important addition to the canon of war films. In addition, it’s helmed by an English director, thus offering a unique and much-needed perspective on a monumental historical event.

“What first struck me about Dunkirk was that it wasn’t an American war movie,” notes Murphy, “which so many of the great movies about war have been. If you were making a list of great modern war movies, I can’t think of a British film over the last 30 or 40 years that you would necessarily place on it. So, I think this appealed to Chris as a filmmaker because he recognised something in the

story that was hugely unique and that audiences wouldn’t necessarily have seen before.”

The Cork native reveals he knew little about Dunkirk, and through his research he came to understand not just the political relevance of the event, but the cultural and emotional impact it had on Britain.

“Ireland was a neutral country during World War II, so my understanding was quite limited until I learned more about it through research,” he admits. “It truly was an incredible moment in World War II, and in British history as a whole. It was the result of a wartime offensive that went terribly wrong, leaving hundreds of thousands of soldiers stranded on the coast of France. But it was redeemed by the will and determination of the people to bring these boys home. That’s the ‘Miracle at Dunkirk.’ The scope of this immense evacuation, under extreme duress and despite impossible odds, speaks to both the unity of a nation and the sacrifice and heroism of the individual soldiers and civilians who came together and, ultimately, were able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.”

Murphy plays a man known only as the Shivering Soldier, a shell-shocked individual who is picked up by a civilian boat and has no intention of returning to the hell he’s just barely escaped.

“I think my character is representative of something experienced by thousands and thousands of soldiers,”

“It’s a film about courage and survival and the triumph of the human spirit.”

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Cillian Murphy

Cork on the wild side: Cillian Murphy in the Christopher Nolan movies Batman Begins and (below right) Inception.

says Murphy, “which is the profound emotional and psychological toll of war. We first meet him when he is picked up by the Moonstone, which is one of the civilian ships crossing the English Channel to evacuate soldiers at Dunkirk. He’s someone who has survived an experience that is mind-alteringly horrific, only to be told, ‘Actually, we’re just heading back into it.’”

A hallmark of Nolan’s films is his preference for capturing the action in-camera and eschewing digital effects and CGI as much as possible.

Adding to the verisimilitude, the filmmakers, cast and crew filmed a portion of Dunkirk on the actual beach and at the exact same

“When you’re in the environment and things are happening for real,” he says, “it leads to a more honest, truthful portrayal of your character’s journey. I think Chris’s determination to capture as much of the action in-camera as possible is why his films have such an intensity and visceral quality. On Inception, I remember shooting on the side of a mountain in a snowstorm, and Chris continued to shoot even when it became absolute white-out conditions. If you want to get the most authentic reaction from actors, throw them into the real sea or fly real Spitfire airplanes over them. The audience will feel the reality of that – the actors certainly do.”

“To get the most authentic reaction from actors, throw them into the real sea or fly real Spitfires over them.” time of year that the miraculous evacuation happened. Murphy’s scenes were even shot out on the water aboard the actual ship, the Moonstone. The actor has worked with Nolan on four other films – Inception, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises – and appreciates the director’s commitment to authenticity, and finds it elevates his own performance.

While fans of Christopher Nolan often cite his incredible vision and action as reasons for their adoration, Murphy appreciates the intimacy and humanity that is the driving force behind both Nolan’s films and his directorial style.

“My best memories of working on Christopher Nolan films are never the large-scale stuff,” he says. “It’s the very involved, intensely focused, extremely rigorous work, with Chris right

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there beside the camera. That’s what I always remember because all of the big stuff – as incredible as it is to witness – doesn’t mean anything unless the human story is driving it. For me, Interstellar succeeded because it was a very emotional film, and it made me cry. No matter the scale of the set-pieces he can pull off or how mind-blowing it is, none of it would have any impact if the story and performances didn’t hit you in the solar plexus.”

At such a divisive time, many people may prefer to go to the cinema for escapism rather than gritty and devastating war films, but Murphy believes that the bravery, perseverance and unity portrayed in Dunkirk will prove inspiring.

“I hope the film takes people on an exciting, visceral journey into this experience, but that they’re ultimately moved by the human story that anchors it all. At its heart, it’s a film about courage and survival and the triumph of the human spirit, really. That might sound trite, but I think in this case it actually applies. That is what the real Dunkirk evacuation represents, and I think that spirit is present in every frame of the film.”

AVAILABLE AT

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The Strypes

Showing Their TRUE STRYPES The Strypes talk about the trials and tribulations of being in a rock band, and stitching together their most accomplished album to date, the incredible Spitting Image. Peter McGoran reports…

T

he four Cavan lads who make up The Strypes are remarkably articulate and forthright, with an attitude to the world way beyond their young years. They’re also exceptionally funny individuals.

When I meet them in Universal Music offices, early in the morning, it’s obvious that I represent just the first of many promotional chores the band will have to complete over the course of the day. You couId forgive them for greeting me half-heartedly. Instead, I’m practically welcomed into the clan. Every question I ask is jumped upon with an enthusiasm that makes my job incredibly easy.

“It’s really exciting getting back into the swing of things,” says bassist Pete O’Hanlon. “There’d been a few fallow months since we recorded it back in November.

So in the meantime we did a tour in March, just to kind of warm ourselves up. We did about 20 gigs in pubs up and down the length of the country. That got us in fighting form for the album release.”

It was in small pubs and clubs that The Strypes sharpened their live performance, until it became the exhilarating beast that it is today. They got their first opportunity to showcase their new tunes to a wider audience when they headlined Hot Press’ 40th Anniversary celebrations back in March.

“That was a mental day,” says drummer Evan Walsh. “It was an incredible honour to be included in that exhibition to begin with. It really put it into perspective to see all the covers lined up like they were and to see the company we were keeping on the wall. Then even when we were at that, we got to meet some great people. People who we’d always idolised, like Bob Geldof. We got chatting to him and ended up playing on stage with The Boomtown Rats for Rock Against Homelessness that same night.”

While their ability as a live act has always been central to the band’s appeal, album number three was geared as much towards patenting a collection of intelligent rock songs.

“We recorded the album in Rockfield Studio in Wales,” Evan tells me. “That was a big buzz for us because a lot of our favourite records were made there: albums

by Dr. Feelgood, Oasis’ Morning Glory, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. Too many great records to name.”

Not only were The Strypes working in an iconic studio, they were also under the guidance of one of rock’s most revered producers, Ethan Jones.

“We were doing a couple of demos in Real World Studios in Bath,” guitarist Josh McClorey explains. “And Ethan just happened to be in another studio. He asked could he hear what we were working on and he was really impressed. That led to him asking if we wanted to do some work with him.

“We got chatting to Bob Geldof and ended up playing on stage with The Boomtown Rats that night.”

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The Strypes

Suits you, sirs: The Strypes

“So then, of course, he came to Cavan with us.

We did a bit of pre-production in the Town Hall and found him incredible to work with.”

“Bags of enthusiasm,” Evan adds. “As soon as he walked into the Town Hall he thought ‘Maybe we’ll record it here!’ That didn’t actually happen, but he’d just throw these ideas at you. Get you motivated. That, in turn, made us work harder for this.”

The pay-off is in the songs themselves. Spitting Image is loaded with quick-fire, sharply-written narratives about small-town living, situational humour and, as the lads themselves describe it, “kitchen-sink drama”. Not only are these songs smart and perceptive, they’re also damned entertaining.

“We were always going for something that would be entertaining,” Pete says. “None of us are fans of wilful obscurity. We wanted to put the imagery right out there in the song. Chris Difford was the master of that kind of thing. Elvis Costello and Paul Cleary from The Blades too. You could see what colour the paint was in the room when they sung their lyrics. You knew exactly what was going on. The idea of storytelling is something that I’ve found very lacking in music recently. The idea of telling a narrative from beginning to end.”

What’s the process behind the songwriting then?

“We’d normally have Josh and Ev writing,” says Pete. “Sometimes I’d come in with a very nebulous idea and Ev would hammer it into

shape. Then we’d take it to the lads and they’d hammer it into shape even more.”

“It’s always a collaborative process,” lead singer Ross Farrelly quietly concurs.

I ask whether they’ve found it hard to shake the media – and maybe even the public – perception of them as a cut-and-paste Mod Revival band.

“Oh yeah,” laughs Evan. “Just recently we were written about in a piece for Time Out and they called us ‘roughed-up Beatles indie’, which is a really annoying perception.”

“Roughed up like!” Pete says incredulously,

“The idea of storytelling is something that I’ve found very lacking in music recently.” gesturing my eyes towards his pristine tweed blazer. “What were they thinking? We’re dressing in suits!

“Bands get pigeon-holed all the time. We’re not alone in that. The annoying thing is that this album is very different from the last two, but still

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people might look at us and say, ‘Ah The Strypes?

I’ve got their beat, I’m not going to listen to anything else that they write’.”

“I feel like in the beginning we were a lot more conscious of it,” adds Josh. “You know, with the age thing. When we were 16 or 17, it was really annoying.”

Pete nods in agreement. “We came to the conclusion recently that maybe we were signed a bit too young and that, ideally, this new album would be our first. We’ve had to mature in our music under the microscope of the whole world watching – and with people thinking they already have our number. If it was a film, we’d be getting signed now.”

Wrongful perceptions or not, the lads are pretty confident about the work they’ve done with Spitting Image. They’re set to follow its release with an ambitious tour over the next few months.

“We’re looking to head out to America, Australia, Europe, South America,” says Pete. “We haven’t really toured properly since the summer of last year and so, the touring schedule we’re looking at now will keep us busy right up until March/April of next year.

“The band’s forte is the live show. So now we’ve got an album that we feel is really accomplished, we’re armed with a good set of songs, and we’re confident in our ability to go out and perform.”

The Strypes’ Spitting Image is out now

Season Preview

United they stand: Victor Lindelof, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard

Let The Games Commence The money that has changed hands in football during the summer break has been staggering. But now that period of behind-the-scenes wrangling gives way to potential on-thefield heroics, as the Premier League swings back into action. Rowan Stokes takes a look at this season’s leading title contenders.

F

or every Premier League fan, it is a familiar feeling: the long, dead months of June and July are finally behind us and there is a sense of high expectation in the air.

With no major tournament football to fill the void, the eighty-two days between the end of the old season and the start of the new have felt like an eternity. There’s always the early optimism of the transfer window, with your club linked strongly to Oghenekaro Etebo, Ethan Ampadu, Denis Suarez, Hans Leupold (please insert name of a young player you’ve never heard of, who the papers are convinced is the missing piece that your team needs). Sadly Chelsea pipped you to it and signed him before sending him on loan to the Netherlands.

Since then, you’ve waited for the signings that – in my case, as a Liverpool fan – haven’t arrived, forever in fear that a club with more money will steal your best player. Now, however, the season is so close that you can smell the freshly cut grass when you waken up every morning. We’re in that beautiful and brief moment of hope and possibility, which every football fan experiences, before the realities of a season full – for most – of pain and suffering take effect.

If you’re supporting one of the Big Six, there’ll be results that’ll break your heart and crush your spirit. It could be a Sunday away to Burnley; perhaps it’ll be Chris Hughton’s Brighton’s first win of the season; Bournemouth are always a good

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bet for some giant killing; on a bad day you might even lose to Swansea.

At point zero in the season, however, the big six, plus Everton and Southampton, are the only outfits that seem like they’re a sure thing to be safe. For the other 12, it’s a race to 40 points.

The moment you reach that target you can look up and see who’s ahead of you and how high you might possibly dream. Last year there were 10 teams, from 8th to 17th place, who ended the season spread across a mere 6 points. With margins that tight, the three points lost to Huddersfield in August could be what sends you down.

US-VERSUS-THEM For neutrals, this is one of the most intriguing seasons in decades. Chelsea were excellent last season and they’re surely the team to beat, but there’s definitely a question mark over their summer activities – or effective lack thereof. Diego Costa looks sure to depart – and there’s not a player in the world who would find it easy to fill his shoes. While it’s possible that Álvaro Morata could replace Costa’s 20 league goals next season (Morata averaged just 10 league goals a season over the past three, at Juventus and Madrid), Costa’s greatest asset was not his goals but how he terrorised defenders, and how he lead the line – holding-up the ball, creating space for the likes of Hazard, Pedro and Willian.

The Chelsea hierarchy also took a gamble by

SPORT

selling Nemanja Matic, who played in 34 of their 38 league games last season, to one of their big rivals, essentially in the hope that Tiemoue Bakayoko will be an upgrade on the Serbian battler. Their season will be defined by the decision to allow Matic and Costa to leave – and the calibre of players with whom they chose (or choose – they may make another significant signing or two) to replace them.

Meanwhile, Tottenham, the team who were closest to them last season haven’t bought a single player.

They have some really fine footballers on board in Lloris, Vertongen, Alderweireld, Alli, Eriksson and Kane and they have a great manager in Mauricio Pochettino – but Kieran Trippier isn’t an adequate replacement for the world’s most expensive defender, Kyle Walker, and you feel that with many of their rivals having strengthened, Tottenham have perhaps gone backwards over the summer.

Nonetheless, with that core of players and that manager, they could still contend.

Having underwhelmed since arriving in England, Pep Guardiola has decided that the best approach is to throw another £210 million at the problem. On top of the £170m he spent the year before, and the £150m his predecessor spent the year before that, they have surely build a group of should-be title contenders. I mean, if half a billion can’t buy you a meaningful trophy, what can it buy?

City’s noisy neighbours haven’t been afraid to splash the cash either. Manchester United made Paul Pogba the most expensive player in the world last season and over the summer they spent another £90m on Romelu Lukaku. Jose Mourinho’s first season at United was a huge improvement on the shambles Louis Van Gaal had overseen. Since arriving at Porto in 2002, Mourinho has won a league title during every stint in charge of a club. Last year, he won the League Cup and the Europa League – and the resources he has at Manchester United easily match anything he’s had over the years.

Mourinho has the ability to create an us-versusthem attitude within the dressing room – and a team that will win at all costs. Historically, the combination of his colossal ego and his lack of loyalty to his players means that eventually the squad will turn on him, but I certainly wouldn’t bet against Mourinho ending the longest period the fans at Old Trafford have had to wait for a title since Alex Ferguson’s first in 1993.

THE GENIUS OF MAN From long to eternal waits, we move from Manchester across to Liverpool. Many a Kopite believes that Jürgen Klopp is the man to win Liverpool their first Premier League crown. He’s built perhaps the most exciting group of attacking players in the league, and although it’s possible that by the time of printing Coutinho will be a Barcelona player, if they were to keep Coutinho, the addition of Salah to the nine-strong group that encompasses Coutinho, Firmino, Mane, Sturridge, Lallana, Wijnaldum, Origi, Solanke and Ings surely makes for a unique group of attacking players: technical, intelligent, quick and bound to score goals.

The major problem is at the other end of the pitch, where Liverpool have thrown away countless points. Mamadou Sakho’s exile seems inexplicable, considering he’s Liverpool’s best centre half – and Ragnar Klavan is still a Liverpool player. Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren have done well together but both are injury prone. If Virgil Van Dijk does end up at Liverpool, his presence alone could transform their defence from stuff of nightmares to that of dreams.

Over at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger has decided to keep Sanchez and Ozil, choosing to let them leave for free next year, rather than cashing in on the £100

London calling: Chelsea’s Ngolo Kante, Eden Hazard, David Luiz and Willian. (Below) Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino.

million or so he could earn by selling them sooner. That speaks to both the desperate situation that the Gunners are in – and also the esteem in which they hold Alexi Sanchez. He’s a player that every team in the league would love to have and he – along with Coutinho, Hazard and Aguero – has the ability to win a game by himself. On paper, Arsenal are as good as anyone, with a plethora of classy midfielders, more attackers than they can use, and in Bellerin, Kocsielny, Mustafa and Monreal a more than adequate back four. With the horrible abuse Wenger has had to endure over the last few years, he seems determined to win a title, to bow out on a high and show his ungrateful fans exactly what they’ll miss when he does go.

Finally, Hot Press Deputy Editor Stuart Clark would turn in his yet to be dug grave if I didn’t mention ‘The People’s Club’. His treatment of Ireland midfielder James McCarthy aside, Ronald Koeman had an excellent first season with Everton. They’ve bought the best young keeper in the league in Jordan Pickford, the best centre-back outside the top 6 that isn’t named Virgil Van Dijk, and two highly-rated players in Davy Klaassen and Sandro Ramirez.

The return of Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, could be a masterstroke, as playing at a club where there isn’t the pressure or expectation of Manchester United, he might have an Indian summer. Besides, if it doesn’t work out, they’re not losing much. No one really expects Everton to challenge for the title, but they’ve assembled a squad that could burst from the pack and break up at least some of the contenders.

At the heart of it all is the beautiful game. Beyond the cameras, the wages, the transfer fees, the jerseys, the sponsors; beyond the 24-hour media coverage, there is the beautiful game of football itself, involving 22 players, a ball, two goals and a referee.

The unpredictability of chaos combined with the genius of man; our creativity combined with our natural competitiveness; 90 minutes and a spell of injury time that will always be disputed. A draw, a win or a loss.

A journey of 38 games is just around the corner and beyond the back post. Watch your house!

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Family ties: Will Ferrell with Amy Poehler (left) and Ryan Simpkins in The House

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Will Ferrell

Ferrell INSTINCT We love him for his comedic roles in the likes of Anchorman and current hit The House, but Will Ferrell wouldn’t mind being taken seriously for once. Interview: Roe McDermott

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an plans, and God laughs – often we end up laughing too. Especially when someone’s life plans go so awry that they end up being world famous actor and comedian Will Ferrell. You see, Ferrell never wanted to be in show business. A child of divorce, young Will watched as his father, Lee Ferrell, toured with the Righteous Brothers for decades, never able to live a steady life – or be counted on to send Ferrell’s mother child support with any regularity. “The instability of that life was something I never wanted,” Ferrell muses. “I wanted to get a real job, although I didn’t know what that meant. And I wanted to live in a house because we were always in apartments. I envisioned myself walking with a briefcase.”

Watching Ferrell onscreen, whether he’s dressed as an ecstatic Santa fanatic in Elf, an evil fashion mogul in Zoolander, or a bumbling moustachioed misogynist in Anchorman, it’s impossible to imagine his hyper-expressive, wildly-riffing comedic persona fitting into an office building. In person, however, Ferrell is soft-spoken and reserved, wearing an unflashy suit and exuding the quiet seriousness of a firm but fair vice-principal. His ability to switch from calm

and mild-mannered to wild madman perfectly suits The House, the tale of a married couple so desperate to pay for their daughter’s college tuition that they team up with their best friend and start an illegal casino in the basement of his house.

“The idea combined a lot of things I love,” the actor remarks. “Whether you sincerely enjoy Vegas or love to hate it and make fun of it, think about bringing all that energy and the potential for bad decisions into a smalltown setting, where people are looking for a reason to cut loose and let their hair down.”

The film also touches on the incredibly harsh reality facing students in America, who often emerge from college with student loans of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The actor has three sons under ten, and reveals he already has college funds set up for each of them.

“It’s getting so expensive, I hope it’s enough,” he says seriously, sounding for all the world like any other father and not a comedian with a net worth of $100 million dollars.

Though maybe Ferrell’s gravity springs from the fact that his own student debt followed him well into his career. After taking a BA in Sports Information and Broadcasting, it wasn’t until Ferrell became a famous sketch comedian that

“You get into shape to do Saturday Night Live, it’s like being an athlete.”

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Hatchet man: Will Ferrell in The House

“How do you top a person like Trump, who is literally more absurd than the comedians?” he was able to pay them off. “I had a lot of student debt, I was writing cheques for $50 a month which was barely covering the interest. But then I got a job with Saturday Night Live and was able to write the final cheque, it was such a relief.”

It was during Ferrell’s stint on SNL that he became known for his bumbling, lip-licking impression of George W. Bush. However, despite the wealth of comic material being provided by President Trump, Ferrell admits he doesn’t miss being on SNL. “Obviously I loved my time on the show, I’m really thankful for it, but it really is both the best and hardest job you will ever do,” he reveals. “You get into shape to do SNL, it’s like being an athlete. You don’t consciously notice it at the time; the hours you put in, the way your brain is always on, coming up with ideas. And now, when you’re dealing with a person like the President – if you pitched the things he says and tweets, people would literally give you notes saying ‘Its’s too much, no-one would ever say this!’ So how do you top a person like

that, who is literally more absurd than the comedians?”

For now, Ferrell has just wrapped filming on Holmes And Watson – “John C. Reilly and myself as Holmes and Watson. We have an incredible cast of really posh actors like Ralph Fiennes, and then us. Stuck in the middle, lowering the tone.”

But he tells me that he’s hoping to take on more roles in dramedies as he enters his fifties, recalling how much he enjoyed playing the straight man in the quirky 2006 tale Stranger Than Fiction.

“I had a great time making that movie, it’s one of my favourite things I’ve ever gotten to do,” he reminisces.

“I’m always up for doing stuff in that vein. It’s easier said than done, because no matter how high you are on the food chain, there are still obstacles. People still put you in boxes and categories so it’s hard to be considered for those types of projects, but I’m very open to playing more serious roles.”

Casting agents, I can confirm: Will Ferrell is far more serious than any of us thought.

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GO DESTINATION:

Galway-Dublin

A Memorable Ride to Dublin With his latest novel Solar Bones having just been nominated for the prestigious Man Booker Prize, Mike McCormack tells Peter McGoran about the train journey from Galway to Dublin that started it all.

Kathrin Baumbach

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ne of Ireland’s finest contemporary writers, Mike McCormack is well used to travelling from the West of Ireland to the capital. Most of the journeys have been enjoyable, but then there’s the occasional few – normally on the third Sunday of September – which he’d rather forget…

“The first train journey I’ll make mention of is the one I take from Westport to Dublin every time Mayo make it to an All-Ireland Final. That’s always good sport in the morning time; it’s always great craic on the journey down there with all the hopefuls convinced that this’ll be our year. Understandably though, the general mood coming home

in the evening time is a bit more subdued. We’ll get our win one of these years though!

“But I think my favourite train journey was a single journey that I took from Galway to Dublin, with my wife Maeve, back in May. The two of us went up to the capital for the launch of my newest book, Solar Bones. My wife had booked the tickets for us and, when we got on the train, I saw that she’d quite romantically booked our ticket under the name ‘Solar Bones’. I thought that was the sweetest thing.

“It was a funny sort of day travelling because this was a culmination of so much hard work for both of us. We’d put a lot of our frustrations and disappointments behind us and there was a sense of excitement

about going to finally see this book being launched. It was a lovely day too and we spent the entire journey sitting opposite each other talking.”

In a sense, going by train only really marked the start of the journey. Solar Bones went on to become one of the most critically acclaimed books of last year and was recently put on the long list for 2017’s Man Booker Prize.

“None of that was on the radar that day,” Mike admits. “My modest expectations for the book – on the day we went to Dublin on the train – was that it would at least get respectful reviews. I knew that everyone working on it had put their hearts and souls into the marketing and distribution and I knew that it had the right publisher and everything. But none

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of us thought for a second that we’d still be talking about it 14/15 months later. That’s a long shelf life!”

Would Mike take the train often?

“I would,” he replies. “There’s something of a special reward about going on the train. The bus can be relatively prosaic, but you sit on the train and you can eat, you can converse, you can meet new people sitting across the table from you. That always tends to happen with me. I remember once meeting a group of teenagers, who must’ve been about 15 or 16, and we spent a two-hour journey engrossing ourselves in a conversation about video games and films. That’s precisely the sort of conversation you’re not going to have on a bus or in a car or anywhere else.”

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Eleanor Mc Evoy

Up Moore STREET Recently elected as the Chairperson for the Irish Music Rights Organisation, Eleanor McEvoy talks about her hopes and fears for the music industry, as well as discussing her new album, based on the work of the great songwriter and supporter of the United Irishmen, Thomas Moore.

Interview: Peter McGoran | Photography: Kathrin Baumbach

T

here are some organisations where being ‘chairperson’ equates to taking on the role of a toothless figurehead. This is certainly not the case where Eleanor McEvoy and the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) are concerned.

IMRO is a collective of over 11,000 members – made up of songwriters, composers, music publishers and others – who aim to “protect, promote and develop the collection and distribution of music royalties.”

When she was first appointed chair in June this year, Eleanor said in a statement that technological changes have given rise to both “opportunities” and “threats” within the music business. And she added that we are currently going through one of “the most challenging times in our industry.”

“Now more than ever, we need to take this industry seriously, the way that the Bord Scannán na hÉireann has done for Irish film,” she tells Go Rail. “I look at what the Film Board has achieved in such a short time, in terms of tourism and generating creativity and income in Ireland, and I think ‘God, wouldn’t it be great if we could get that happening in the music world too?’”

Similar observations were made in the report conducted earlier this year by Justin Greene of Wide Awake Communications, titled Let’s Celebrate: The Cultural and Economic Contribution of Live Entertainment Events in Ireland.

The report outlined the extensive benefits that live entertainment has for the Irish economy – that for every €1 spent on a ticket for a concert in Ireland, €6.06 is generated. By allowing its musicians and artists to be treated poorly, Ireland is not only doing itself a cultural disservice, but an economic one as well.

To say that Eleanor McEvoy is an ideas woman would be an understatement. Aside from her forward thinking plans for IMRO, she’s also been dipping into uncharted waters musically. Last year, she released her 12th album, Naked Music, which led to a collaboration between her and

English artist Chris Gollon, who painted exclusive artwork for the record and accompanied her for a visual/audio tour across several galleries in England. Following this, she toured Ireland and the UK, before deciding to embark on a new project.

The Thomas Moore Project, Eleanor’s newest studio album, stemmed from the singer’s lifelong fascination with the much-misunderstood 19th century Irish poet, Thomas Moore. Using modern-day arrangements and enlisting the help of Irish music luminaries such as Damon Butcher, Eamonn Nolan, Eoghan O’Neill and Duke Special, Eleanor steps back from her own enchanting lyrics and “revisits past scenes of delight” in order to elevate the legacy a somewhat derided national figure. It’s a noble pursuit – but Eleanor is quite aware that it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.

“This will, without a doubt, be the most unpopular thing I’ve ever done,” she laughs. “Thomas Moore lyrics are the kind of thing you hear sung by drunken people in pubs.

It’s associated with parlour bars and someone in an old frock singing, ‘That Harppppp that onceeee through Taraaaa’s Hallsss’. That’s the type of singing that people associate with it.

“But if you take it away from that context, and you look at the actual words, there’s work that you can do there. This album is about taking the words and arranging them, using 21st century styles and methods.”

Each of the 11 songs on The Thomas Moore Project offer a new opportunity to appreciate the artistry of the poet. Taken together, these careful, thoughtful reimaginings help re-establish the pre-eminence of this national figure. And it’s long overdue, according to Eleanor.

“It’s often forgotten, but Beethoven thought Moore was amazing,” she says. “Dickens and Joyce loved him. Lord Byron was his best friend in England – worshipped the ground he walked on and thought he’d never be anywhere as talented as the great Thomas Moore. Above all, this album is about trying to elevate one of Ireland’s most neglected artists.”

“It’s often forgotten, but Beethoven thought Moore was amazing.”

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EAT

Celebrity Table

BROADCAST VIEWS

Over a delicious meal at Pacino’s in Dublin, 2FM presenter Tracy Clifford talks about her passion for radio, her eclectic musical tastes, and why Bono is her ideal interviewee.

Interview: Anne Sexton Photography: Karl Leonard

Tracy Clifford is a woman with an appetite – for music and food.

“I am a food fan. I eat all of the food, all of the time,” she laughs. “I think about what I’m going to have for dinner when I’m eating my breakfast, and when I’m in bed I’m thinking about breakfast!”

It’s good to meet a kindred spirit and, thankfully, Pacino’s portions are generous! As we tuck into our starters, we talk music. Tracy grew up around the corner from U2’s old stomping ground and was in attendance at their recent Croke Park show.

“It was like Christmas morning for me,” she enthuses. “It was like,‘This is my day!’

I’m a massive fan, but it wasn’t my favourite concert. I don’t know why – maybe I was in the wrong position. Musically it was amazing, you couldn’t fault it. I need to see it again. I went to the Innocence and Experience tour and that was phenomenal. I’ve been to Slane, and the other U2 gigs in Croke Park, the PopMart tour. I’ve been to all of them. Maybe I’m just older.”

Tracy also loves all of the music, all of the time – or a least a wide spectrum of it.

“I love everything! I love house music – it’s my favourite thing. I recently reviewed the new Public Service Broadcasting album and it blew me away. Jay Z has a new album and I’m loving that as well. I’m not a music snob.

Anything that makes me bop my head, or has a message or a great guitar riff, I’m into.”

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EAT

Saffron Tagliatelle with Prawns, Crab & Scallops and (above) Beef Carpaccio with Rocket, Cherry Tomatoes & Pecorino

Irish music, Tracy reckons, is having a bit of a moment.

“Working on radio for as long as I have,” she says, “Irish music has never been healthier in all areas and all genres. I could fill my whole playlist with Irish music and nobody would bat an eyelid, because the quality is so good. The likes of All Tvvins are amazing. There’s a great hip-hop movement at the moment in Ireland, like Hare Squead, AikJ and the rapper Mango. I couldn’t get over how receptive Irish kids were to grime at Longitude. It was just hopping.”

Although she loves playing music on the radio, Tracy likes to keep certain songs to herself.

“I love making playlists on Spotify,” she notes, “and having different playlists for different things – like when you’re having a party or cleaning your gaff. I love that – but I was talking to a guy recently and he asked if I had a

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Spotify playlist, and I was like, ‘Yeah, but you’re not seeing it!’ That’s like a window in to my soul. That’s private.

Only when you trust people can you let them in to see the depths of your soul. One of my favourite songs of all time is Wings’ ‘Silly Love Songs’, and sometimes that doesn’t go down well with people. You don’t share that stuff until there’s real trust – until marriage,” she laughs.

Radio was always Tracy’s first love, although she never expected to front a music show.

“I was fascinated from listening to it in the mornings, when dad was taking me to school,” she says. “I was fascinated with breakfast radio, and with the news. I wanted to be the first to know everything in the mornings. That’s why I started off with news. I never thought I would be a music presenter, because that was always just my little hobby.

“I started on pirates as a teenager.

EAT

Burrata Mozzarella with Grilled Asparagus

There were dance pirate stations when I was in secondary school, and I did work experience on Hot FM. I was a raver – I still am. Then I went into college to do news broadcasting; I wanted to be a newsreader. I had the head focused on doing news, and the raver part of me was for the weekends.”

News, however, is still a passion.

“You need to get the proper news – not just curated for you by Google. I was searching on my phone for Love Island for the show and the next day my news feed was full of, ‘Because you searched for Love Island’ stories. You need to know what is going on, even if it doesn’t interest you on social media. You need to know what law Leo Varadkar is trying to pass, you need to know who is saying what about water charges or whatever issue. I feel radio still gives the news.

You get your headlines at the top of the hour on all radio stations. So if you want to get the news, go on to 2fm.”

If Tracy could interview anybody, who would that be?

“Bono! But I don’t want to interview him. I want to sit down with a glass of wine and just chat to him, to get inside his head. I think he is quite spiritual and complex; I think there is a massive ego there, a vulnerability. I listen to the songs and I think I know the person, but I haven’t got a clue. No time constraints, though. That would be my only stipulation – no time constraints!”

“Who’d you love to interview?” she asks me. Journalists are more used to asking the questions than answering them.

Hillary Clinton, I tell her.

“Damn!” she replies. “That’s a much better answer than mine. Wouldn’t you love to have a crack at Donald Trump as well? I think he thrives on aggression. I can’t deal with him. I call it Trump trauma. The day he won I had anxiety all day. I woke up with a fright and I never caught my breath all day. I went on air and I was like ‘What do I say?’ I know I’m not speaking for the whole country, but everyone I knew was in shock.”

Tracy’s upbeat personality is one of the major draws of her show. Smiling, she says, is her secret weapon.

“No matter how I’m feeling I have to get it together on air, because it’s my job. You force yourself to smile, watch a funny YouTube video.

If I smile and play a great song, I feel better. I’m happy bopping around. I smile when I talk on

air. Sometimes when I come off, my face is sore. I think happiness is man-made. You’re born happy and then the world happens to you, so you have to work at being happy.”

The Damage Pacino’s is one of Dublin’s best-loved and most stylish Italian restaurants. Tracy began with a starter of Italian Burrata Mozzarella & Grilled Asparagus (€7.95). I was jealous of all that cheese! It was, says Tracy, ”gorgeous”.

Not that I can complain about my dish – the Irish Beef Carpaccio with Rocket, Cherry Tomatoes & Pecorino (€12.95) was outstanding.

For her main courses, Tracy chose the Paccheri, Salsiccia e Peperoni (€17.95). This is a large maccaroni, Italian sausage, red pepper and rich tomato sauce.

Tracy asked them to add extra spice, which the kitchen gladly did.

“I like a bit of chilli,” she told me. The dish more than lived up to her requirements and Tracy reckoned it was “amazing”.

I had the Saffron Tagliatelle with Prawns, Crab & Scallops (€24.95). It was so good I tried to recreate it at home a few days later. Let’s just say I’ll have to go back to get my fix.

We were too full for desserts, sadly. Most of these are priced at €6.95. Pacino’s also offers an extensive wine list and a range of cocktails.

A MATTER OF TASTE Stuart Clark Brings You The Latest Foodie News Indian street food joint on Camden Street, D2. August 15, September 12 and October 15 bookings are being taken now at picklerestaurant.com.

All Porks Of Life

On the Pig’s back

Malay Pride Among the many good reasons to visit Capel Street is Kopotiam, which is on a mission to bring authentic Malay street food to Dublin 1. Our recent sampling of their Roti Canai pancakes, Teochew Sea Bass and Rendang Chicken, a coconut-y festival dish, suggest that they’re royally succeeding. facebook.com/ kopitiamstreetfoodbar.

On the other side of the Liffey, the wonderful Sunil Ghai is offering spice masterclasses followed by a two-course dinner in his Pickle

Not content with its staging in October of the World BBQ festival, Limerick is hosting the Pigtown Culture & Food Series of events in September and October. A nod to the city’s famous bacon industry, there will be a Culture Night Pig Parade, an Ancient Ireland: What Did Our Ancestors Grow, Pick & Catch lecture, a Veganism In A Meat Eater’s World panel, a Pig In The City food trail and loads more tasty porcine treats. pigtown.ie.

This Is The Sea Dublin Delicious have launched a Howth Seafood Tour, which for €60 will whiz you around some of the village’s finest eateries with lots of samples included. Definitely worth shellfishing out for. Sorry, we’ll get our coats… deliciousdublintours.com.

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Spice up your life at Pickle

It’s A Family Affair A Mecca for Italian food lovers since 1993, Scoozi is our go-to place in the Real Capital for gourmet burgers, other grilled and baked meats like their legendary Salsa Wings, pastas, stone oven pizzas – the Quattro Formaggi is especially good – and market fresh fish.

The Eggs Benedict, Clonakility Sausage Paté and Fresh Waffles with Berries & Fruit, Creamy Yoghurt & Maple Syrup are three of the very good reasons to check out their breakfast menu, served Monday-Saturday from 8am-noon.

You can also bring a bit of Scoozi home with you courtesy of their bottled Wing Sauce and Balsamic Vinaigrette.

The family-friendly restaurant resides at 2-5 Winthrop Lane, Cork. Tel: (021) 427 507, scoozis.ie

My Ireland GRAHAM KEOGH

Rosslare Strand Favourite restaurant?

Although I haven’t been back for a while, I still love Tapas de Lola on Wexford Street.

Also Musashi on Capel Street is pretty great.

AIDAN GILLEN Actor

“Rosslare Strand is lovely and less than two hours from Dublin.

Give yourself time and walk the entire beach”

Best thing about Ireland?

For me probably the landscape and the countryside. Particularly the west, and also the islands; Inisbofin, Blasket Mor, Inis Mor etc.

Fave Irish town?

Eek... will get in trouble here.

Let’s keep it simple and say Dingle.

Best view in Ireland?

The Three Sisters, Smerwick Harbour and Mount Brandon when they suddenly appear before you on the Slea Head drive on the Dingle peninsula, heading towards Ballyferriter from Dunquin.

There’s a sharp right turn at Dun an Oir and that’s where it’s at. It’s worth stopping there and walking out onto the headland, particularly at sunset. You can be really lucky with how everything appears here – on the right day it’s matchless.

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Favourite Irish pub?

The one made out of tin near Ahakista, west Cork.

Favourite weekend retreat?

Rosslare Strand is lovely and less than two hours from Dublin. Give yourself time and walk the entire beach, then back on the road – you have to walk along the sandy track in a place called The Gut first. Also Inistioge in Kilkenny is great – bring your bike, stay at the Woodstock Arms and do the 70km bike loop.

Where do you shop for clothes?

Anywhere from Age Action on Camden Street to Brown Thomas via H&M. But if you want something really good, get Sean Jackson on Capel Street to make it for you!

Favourite Irish building?

Lynch’s Castle on Shop Street in Galway. I used to go into the bank that’s now housed in it and I think this is probably the best bank building in the world, let alone Galway or Ireland. It’s a medieval fort from the 14th century, a former stronghold

of the Lynches, one of the 12 tribes of Galway.

It’s apparently Spanish architecture – Galway had strong trade links with Spain and it even has Gargoyles. I like the smoothness of the stone – that’s 700 years of rain for you… For runner-up, I’d choose Liberty Hall in Dublin, our finest skyscraper.

What do you recommend to tourists?

Apart from all the above, I’d say walk the South Wall in Dublin and take the DART out to Bray. If it’s easier and gives you more time and money, live on chips.

Favourite Irish song?

The acoustic version of ‘Song Of The Faithful Departed’

by The Radiators. There’s a good few versions of it, but that’s the version you want to hear. It’s the B-side of the single ‘Kitty Ricketts’ and thankfully it’s up on YouTube.

On the Ghostown album Phil Chevron sings it, but on the acoustic take it’s Jimmy Crashe, the drummer at the time. The song is made way more poignant now that Phil Chevron has gone on to join all the other ghosts that populate this classic album.

I was torn between this and ‘Dublin’ by Thin Lizzy, another B-side by the other Phil.

National Heritage

Heritage

Nation

Ireland is uniquely rich in history and culture – with the great outdoors forming a crucial part both of what we have lived through as a people, and what we have to offer the world. So let’s embrace the elements, travel the length and breadth of the country – and enjoy the pleasures of this remarkable European island.

A special report, by Peter McNally, Stephen Keegan and Ryan Platts.

S

omething remarkable has been happening here in Ireland in recent times. For many years it had seemed that there was a chronic lack of awareness about different aspects of our heritage. And in particular, our natural heritage was far too easily taken for granted.

A bog, Irish people seemed to think, is just a bog. But of course, when you stop, think and look, it can prove to be much more than that – as was underlined by the extraordinary archeological discoveries at the Céide Fields in Co. Mayo, to take just one example.

Hidden underneath the accumulation of peat on the bog was the oldest extant example of Stone Age dwellings in the world, offering the most amazing insights into the way our ancestors lived, worked and fed themselves.

Gradually, in particular since the turn of the century, a far deeper appreciation has emerged of the wealth of world-class heritage attractions on our doorstep. And this in turn has fed into a much more informed awareness of the value that international tourists place on things to which we

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had too often been blind in the past.

From our medieval castles, Victorian houses and exquisite historic cathedrals to our many wildlife reserves, national parks and abundant neo-lithic monuments, as well as our literature and music, nearly 90% of all tourists who visit Ireland declare that the nation’s rich heritage is a key factor in influencing their decision to holiday here.

The launch of the Wild Atlantic Way, and Ireland’s Ancient East, as unique tourist destinations has made this country an even more alluring option for the international traveller; but this new focus has also contributed to an increase in the number of Irish people choosing to holiday at home rather than undertake an often expensive sojourn abroad.

Indeed, according to Fáilte Irland, Irish people went on 4.7 million domestic holidays in 2015 – almost a trip for every citizen – spending an estimated Ð1.73 billion here, which might otherwise have been spent abroad, in the process.

In light of this increasing trend, we here at

myriad of attractions in Cork that everyone in Ireland really should experience. To the east are Fota House (see panel) and wildlife park; the historic port of Cobh, itself on an island, where the doomed Titanic famously made its last stop on its maiden voyage; and Midleton, where Jameson and its sister whiskeys, John Powers, Midleton Very Rare and Red Breast, among others, are distilled.

To the west is a series of towns of great beauty and historic significance, set along a stunning coastline, as well as inland, including Bandon, Kinsale, Clonakilty, Roscarberry, Union Hall, Skibbereen, Ballydehob, Bantry and Glengariff. Michael Collins House, Clonakilty, in the heart of the rebel county, is a superb new museum dedicated to the Irish Revolutionary hero and the history of Irish independence.

Situated in a restored Georgian terrace house on Emmet Sq, where the ‘Big Fella’ once lived, history is brought to life for all the family with guided tours, audio visuals, interactive displays, original artefacts and information boards.

Another option is to travel north from Cork city, through the towns of Fermoy and Mitchelstown, to Co. Tipperary. There, in the eponymous town of Cashel, you’ll find The Rock Of Cashel,, which forms the foundation of a spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone, amid the rich farming heartland of the Golden Vale.

The site is an outstanding grouping of a 12th century round tower, high cross and Romanesque Chapel; a 13th century Gothic cathedral; and a 15th century castle. There are guided tours and exhibitions available to help visitors to fully appreciate this remarkable collection of Celtic art, and medieval architecture.

Moving west from the rebel county, meanwhile, we encounter the striking Skellig Michael, the larger of the two Skellig Islands, both of which lie west of the Iveragh Peninsula in Co. Kerry.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, Skellig Michael is famous both as the site of a well-preserved monastic

inhabited the isolated Blasket Islands – famously described by Peig Sayers – until they were finally evacuated in 1953. The Blasket Centre provides an enchanting insight into the daily struggles of island life as well as the language, culture, folklore, customs and extraordinary literary legacy of the island community.

Following The Wild Atlantic Way

Wild Atlantic Way is the longest ‘signed’ coastal route in the world. In terms of outdoor attractions, visitors are spoiled for choice, no matter where they join the journey, with exciting outdoor family activities like surfing, swimming and cycling linking up with some of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, many of them entirely natural in their origin.

Cycling is more popular than ever before in Ireland, and one of the finest experiences for devotees of two-wheel transport is to be found in Limerick, where the Great Southern Greenway begins. This special cycling route,

The Cliffs of Moher

The Skelligs, Co Kerry

Go Rail have set ourselves the task of providing you with a brief guide to the best family friendly heritage destinations Ireland has to offer. This year, why not avoid the inconvenience of air and sea travel, and the expense of setting off for foreign shores, and instead take the time to discover some of the bountiful, and frequently fascinating, historical and natural attractions on our own doorstep.

Where Better To Start Than Cork?

The wonderful county of Cork has more than enough heritage to justify its claim to be the “real capital” of Ireland. They love to celebrate it too, with Cork Heritage Open Day (August 19) putting renewed focus on sites like CIT’s striking Blackrock Castle Observatory. Built in Elizabethan times, by the River Lee, as a deterrent to pirates, these days it hosts an interactive astronomy centre, where visitors can get a “tour of the universe”. But of course that’s just one of a

starting in the village of Rathkeale, is a fascinating rural trail that takes you across 25 miles of beautiful countryside, largely unhindered by traffic of any kind. Look out also for the Ballyhoura Mountain Michael Collins House Bike Trails, which spill from Limerick into neighbouring counties Cork and Tipperary.

Back out on the coast, in Co. Clare, are The outpost of the Early Christian period and as the Cliffs of Moher, long renowned as Ireland’s home of the second largest colony of gannets most stunning natural destination. The visitor in the world. The island has benefited from a centre there welcomed over 1.4 million visitors massive boost in profile following its stunning last year. The arresting sandstone, siltstone and appearances as Luke Skywalker’s refuge in shale cliffs stand 230 metres at their highest the latest Star Wars films. And then, of course, point, and stretch for eight kilometres along there are the wonderfully scenic environs of the Atlantic coast of Co Clare. Providing some Kenmare, the glorious ring of Kerry, and the of the most incredible views in Ireland, on a legendary lakes of Killarney – in an area of clear day it is possible to see the Aran Islands great natural beauty, where Muckross House, and Galway Bay; the Twelve Pins and the Maum Ross Castle and Killarney National Park are all Turk Mountains in Connemara; and Mount well worth more than a passing dalliance.

Brandon in Kerry.

Also in Co. Kerry, The Blasket Centre is Staying in Clare, the historic village of a fascinating heritage centre and museum Kilfenora is a gateway to one of Ireland’s most dedicated to the solitary community who

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National Heritage

The Burren

Take Us Back To Monto, Monto, Monto…

unique landscapes. The Burren is a limestone plateau originally formed by ice and hard weather. Its rocky landscape is at odds with the rest of Ireland’s natural greenery. At The Burren Centre in Kilfenora, visitors will find all they need to know about the history of the Burren, and guides to its many walks, hiking trails, cycling routes and day tours. There is also a great opportunity to relax in their local tea-rooms or to browse the craft shop before heading out for a day’s exploration.

Galway is an historic city that deserves a few days of anyone’s time. But it can also be used as a base to explore the wonderful western part of the county, including the rugged landscape of Connemara National Park and the characterful town of Clifden. There’s surfing, kayaking and swimming on the coast, as well as hillwalking and mountain-climbing, surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty. And for the record, there really is nothing quite as beautiful as

Glendalough

watching the sun go down on Galway Bay. Travel further up the west coast to Mayo, and the gorgeous coastal town of Westport – a place that buzzes with energy, as well as historic buildings like Westport House. A real treat is to slip across to beautiful Clare Island – immortalised in song by The Saw Doctors. Or to spend a day exploring Ballycroy National Park, where there’s hill climbing and bird watching opportunities, with Greenland white-fronted geese, whooper swans and peregrine falcons to be observed. You need to loop inland to learn about the most defining event in relatively recent Irish history, the Great Famine. The Irish Famine Museum is located in a former ‘big house’ in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, that was home to the landlords of the Strokestown area, and the museum displays papers and artefacts documenting the story of this important period in Irish history. Together the house, museum and gardens embody over 300 years of Irish history.

Welcome To Ireland’s Ancient East

Cross the Shannon from West to East and you move into a different sort of country. Called the Royal County, Meath is home to the Hill of Tara, a strategic vantage point that became the seat of Ireland’s ancient High Kings. Inevitably, some of the nation’s most famous and important heritage sites are close by. Newgrange, Ireland’s most celebrated Neolithic passage tomb, has been dated to 3,200 BC and is world renowned as a site of pilgrimage during the winter solstice.

On the shortest day of the year, if weather conditions are propitious, a shaft of light enters

Our capital city (the real, Real Capital!) is home to numerous captivating heritage sites and relaxing green areas. Conveniently located near Heuston Station, the beautiful green spaces of Phoenix Park have always been a popular destination for families and visitors during the summer months. It is a wonderful place to run, walk, cycle – or just hang around!

Just a short journey from the busy city centre, Phoenix Park is also convenient to many other local attractions, while offering plenty of its own interesting diversions – including the residence of the President of Ireland, Áras an Uachtaráin. There’s also an exploration of the history and wildlife of the park at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and its adjoining Ashtown Castle; Dublin Zoo and the colourful People’s Flower Gardens.

the inner chamber of the tomb, through a small opening in the roof box, dramatically illuminating the passage and chamber, and marking the beginning of the new year.

Less than 10km away in Drogheda, Co. Louth and located in the recently restored 18th Century Oldbridge House, is the Battle of the Boyne Visitors Centre. This unique attraction provides access to the site of the Battle of the Boyne, one of the most critically important battles in Irish history. The infamous tussle took place in 1690, and was fought by forces loyal to King James II pitted against those marshalled by his son in law, William III. There are self-guided walks to the battle site, exhibitions of 17th century weaponry, a laser battlefield model and, on every Sunday and bank holiday Monday during the summer, the Living History Display – a 20 minute demonstration by a costumed Musketeer and Cavalry Officer.

The rest of Ireland’s scenic east coast is packed with interesting and enchanting national heritage attractions. Just south of Dublin lies the vast natural expanse of the Wicklow Mountains National Park and its stunning jewel, the glacial ‘valley of the two lakes’ at Glendalough. At the mouth of the valley, surrounded by soaring mountains, you will find the ‘Monastic City’, an early Christian settlement first established

by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Including a 30 metre high round tower, a cathedral and the ruins of St. Kieran’s church, it is also home to a gateway structure that is unique in Ireland. The nearby visitor centre is an invaluable resource as it provides guided tours, an exhibition and an audio-visual guide to the area.

But no matter where you travel in Wicklow, there are new and wonderful things to see, organic farms to visit, and lots more. A place of stunning natural beauty, with gorgeous beaches, as well as impressive mountains, rivers and lakes, it is called The Garden of Ireland, and for very good reason.

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Phoenix Park

For more relaxation in child-friendly and picturesque surroundings, The National Botanic Gardens (in Glasnevin) are just a short distance away, as are the historic Glasnevin Cemetery and the city centre oasis of The Iveagh Gardens.

Many of Dublin’s most famous heritage destinations can be found within easy walking distance of each other. A brief ten-minute stroll will take you from the 800-year-old Dublin Castle, host of every Presidential inauguration since 1938, past the magnificent Christ Church Cathedral (Dublin’s oldest building) and on, in the direction of The Coombe, to the impressive, towering structure of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

A short bus or cycle ride out of the city centre, past the looming Guinness Storehouse, will bring you to the grounds and gardens of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham – which houses the Irish Museum of Modern Art – and a site dedicated to Ireland’s more recent history, the imposing Kilmainham Gaol. Built in the 1790s, Kilmainham Gaol was the scene of the executions of the leaders of the Easter Rising and gained new life as one of the centre-pieces of the centenary commemorations last year.

For cycling enthusiasts, the new Green Route cycle-path along the Grand Canal, which covers 8.5km in all, is a trip to savour. Outside the city, you can head to Dollymount strand to the north of the city or Sandymount strand to the south – there are great walks on and around both beaches. A little further inland and to the south are the peaks of the Dublin mountains, which offer beautiful places for hill walking and mountain-biking – not to mention taking in spectacular views of the city in particular from Tick Knock.

Contact Details Tel: 023 8858676

MICHAEL COLLINS

Opening Times

Summers Opening Times (May to September) Tues-Sat: 10am to 5pm Sunday: 12pm to 5pm (last admission 4pm)

HOUSE

Winter Opening Times Wed - Sat: 10am to 5pm (October to April)

CLOICH NA COILLTE No. 7 EMMET SQUARE, CLONAKILTY, CO. CORK, IRELAND.

Adult €5 Family €12 Senior Citizens €3 Students €3 Children (U14) €2

Michael Collins House,

a new museum dedicated to Michael Collins and the history of Irish independence, suitable for all the family.

Opening hours: Open every day: 10.30-16.30* Address: Kilmantin Hill, Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

Tel: +353 (0)404 61599 For more information, Visit www.wicklowshistoricgaol.com

Admission Prices

Interactive and audio visual displays suitable for all ages

3723 IHT Half Page Advert Senior mag St3 copy.pdf

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www.michaelcollinshouse.ie

BRINGING PLACES TO LIFE

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Fota House PA S S I O N AT E A B O U T G R E AT V I S I TO R EXPERIENCES

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Strokestown Park

H E R I TAG E BROUGHT TO LIFE FOR E V E RYO N E Contact us for suggested itineraries and rates for your day out: Strokestown House, Co Roscommon, T: + 353 71 9633013 or info@strokestownpark.ie Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens, T: +353 21 4815543 or groups@fotahouse.com W W W. I R I S H H E R I TA G E T R U S T. I E

SHARING SPECIAL PLACES

National Heritage

National

Treasures

Gleanveagh National Park

Ireland’s rich cultural history is celebrated during National Heritage Week, which offers a wide range of exciting events and activities. By Peter McNally

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reland’s natural heritage is something that can be experienced and enjoyed for 12 months a year – but there is a particular focus on what the country has to offer, in what is called National Heritage Week.

From Patrick Kavanagh’s ‘Stony Grey Soil’ of Monaghan, to Seamus Heaney’s ‘Lovers Of Aran’, and William Butler Yeats’s final resting place ‘Under Ben Bulben’, the natural landscape of Ireland is a hugely important aspect of our distinct cultural identity. It moved CS Lewis, author of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, to marvel that, “I have seen landscapes which, under a particular light, made me feel that at any moment a giant might raise his head over the next ridge.”

Indeed, many of our most important natural resources get their name from characters out of Ireland’s deep and mythical past. The River Shannon takes its name from the grand–daughter of Manannán, the sea god; Slieve Gullion in Co. Armagh is named after the hero of Irish legend, Cúchulainn; and the Hill of Tara’s gaelic name, Teamhair na Rí, comes from the site’s historical significance, as the pre– Christian seat of the Irish High Kings.

This year, National Heritage Week – which takes place from August 19 to 27 – will focus on Ireland’s natural heritage and show how we can all make small changes to assist in preserving our natural environment for generations to come. The aim of National Heritage Week is to build awareness and education about our heritage – and thereby to encourage the active investment of time and resources in its conservation and preservation. The motto of the event is

“Discover the past. Build the Future.” It is an ambition greatly to be encouraged.

With this in mind, the Heritage Council encourages hundreds of local and community organisations to participate in events that will engage and educate people – whether from Ireland or abroad.

Knowledge is power. Once we start looking,

The River Shannon

we are far more likely to embark on the process of preservation and renewal as a community of concerned citizens.

It is estimated that in 2017, over the nine days of the extended week, in excess of 400,000 people will participate in over 1,800 heritage events nationwide. Most of these events are led by local enthusiasts and are free to the public. They include scenic tours of Glenveagh National Park in Donegal; The Green Mile walking tour of St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin (August 26); and the unique opportunity to explore the site ‘where Ireland began’ – the historical landing point of the first invasion of Ireland,

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in Kilmokea in Co. Wexford (August 19).

For the more physically adventurous, Three Rock Orienteering Club will provide an exciting way to explore the Phoenix Park, with a timed map-reading challenge on August 22; and Ardmore Adventures in Waterford will take you out on the sea, by kayak, to explore the stunning Ardmore coastline, while getting up close with the wide variety of marine and bird life, and to learn about the area’s colourful history (August 20–26).

Close by, at Hook Light House in Wexford, August 26 is Irish Whale and Dolphin Day, when visitors can find out how best to spot the Minke and Humpback Whales, which are frequently seen off the Peninsula, along with other sea life.

The influence of Ireland’s unique natural gifts on the arts will be explored at an exhibition dedicated to the aforementioned Patrick Kavanagh, one of Ireland’s best-loved poets, which will be hosted, on August 26, by The Patrick Kavanagh Rural and Literary Resource Centre in Inniskeen, Co Monaghan. The exhibition will feature twelve specially commissioned paintings, illustrating Kavanagh’s epic poem The Great Hunger; a miniature model depicting Kavanagh’s classic poem A Christmas Childhood; Kavanagh’s Death Mask; and other memorabilia associated with the poet.

On the same day, well-loved Irish artist and TV personality, Don Conroy, will be hosting The Art Of Birds on the grounds of the National Gallery Of Ireland (August 26), where participants will have the opportunity to learn how to sketch with the help of a beautiful bird of prey from Falconry Ireland.

These events represent just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a huge calendar of attractions and events scheduled to take place from August 19–27. While it may seem a clichéd turn of phrase, there really is something for everyone – and for all ages – at this year’s National Heritage Week.

Six Of The Best

There are wonderful attractions all over Ireland.

Our team pick a half dozen that should be on everyone’s bucket list…

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FOTA HOUSE Fota House in Co. Cork is Ireland’s foremost example of Regency architecture. Lavish neoclassical interiors, pleasure grounds and walled gardens are of particular interest, but the service wing showing what life was like for those who made the genteel lifestyle possible is fascinating in its own right. Public guided tours run until September 30 from 10am to 5pm, and there are monthly cultural events.

On August 23, the tenth annual evening of music, song and conversation will take place, organised by Gaeilge Bheo, and featuring harper Laoise Kelly and West Kerry Gaeltacht singer Mossie O Scannláin. Tickets are ¤15 each and can be reserved by contacting 021 4613222. irishheritagetrust.ie

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STROKESTOWN PARK HOUSE Strokestown Park House in Co. Roscommon showcases the Irish ‘Big House’ par excellence. Built on the site of the 16th century castle of the Gaelic O Conor Roe chieftains, the House became the family home of the Pakenham Mahon family. Sixacre walled pleasure gardens speak to the horticultural passions of Henry Pakenham, who collected many exotic plant species and

has great relevance as famine still haunts the world today. Mary Robinson was President of Ireland when she opened the Museum in 1994, and said “more than anything else, this Famine Museum shows us that history is not about power or triumph nearly so often as it is about suffering and vulnerability.” Open from 10.30am to 5.30pm. irishheritagetrust.ie

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JOHNSTOWN CASTLE Johnstown Castle is an outstanding example of gothic revival architecture and is encircled by beautiful ornamental grounds and gardens.

Lake and sculpture walks are open for visitors to enjoy, and the Irish Agricultural Museum is housed in the former estate’s farm buildings. The Museum is a comprehensive learning experience, which gives visitors a window into the past of Irish rural life and Strokestown Park House

companies, and Irish country kitchens. irishheritagetrust.ie

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NATIONAL LIBRARY OF IRELAND The National Library of Ireland is home to a vast collection of Ireland’s extraordinarily rich literary heritage and is a beautiful, contemplative place to spend time. At the National Library itself, the acclaimed William Butler Yeats Exhibition is still running, offering unique insights into Ireland’s greatest poet.

Meanwhile, their most recent exhibition is the Hot Press Covers Exhibition, which runs to the end of August, at the National Photographic Archive building, in Temple Bar’s Meeting House Square. This exhibition is a brilliant way to explore the nation’s vibrant pop–cultural history over the magazine’s long lifespan.

There’s more than a bit of politics in evidence too! National Library of Ireland, 7-8 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 603 02 00 nli.ie

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WICKLOW’S HISTORIC GAOL Wicklow’s Historic Gaol is fast-becoming one of the most iconic ‘must-visits’ on the trail of Ireland’s Ancient East. A major transformation of the visitor experience in 2014 saw the ancient prison become one of

Johnstown Castle

Fota House

Hot Press, National Photographic Archive

brought them here. Meanwhile, the House itself allows visitors to discover how an aristocratic Big House functioned. Tours are three times daily from 10.30am to 5.30pm. irishheritagetrust.ie

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IRISH NATIONAL FAMINE MUSEUM Strokestown House also houses the Irish National Famine Museum, a haunting and vital document of the single greatest social disaster of 19th century Europe. Between 1845 and 1850, potato blight destroyed the main food source of the peasantry in Ireland. This combined with the thoroughly inadequate response of the government in London resulted in almost one-quarter of the entire Irish population either dying or emigrating.

The Museum is located in the Stable Yards of Strokestown Park House. It uses unique documents and records to tell its story, which

Wicklow’s Historic Gaol

farming. On offer are recreated workshops of blacksmiths, coopers and wheelwrights, restored tractors, carts and machinery, a large display of country furniture and model kitchens, and family-friendly activities for kids and adults alike. While the castle itself is currently closed to the public, the gardens are open all year round, 7 days a week from 9am to 4.30pm. Current exhibitions in the Museum include histories of the National Ploughing Championships, important Irish agricultural

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the country’s most high-tech virtual reality historic attractions. The project is designed to engage the senses and bring to life two of the most turbulent centuries of Irish history. Holographic projections of cruel prison guards, lifelike mannequins of major historic figures and state of the art audiovisual systems recreate the sounds of the defiant cries of the 1798 rebels, the famine era, the War of Independence and the Civil War. The replica two deck transportation ship, meanwhile, now features holographic interaction with the ship’s captain as visitors climb aboard the torturous 200-day journey to Van Diemen’s land. Elsewhere, the Jailer’s Rest Café and Bistro caters for all visitors with mouth-watering breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Wicklow’s Historic Gaol, Kilmantin Hill, Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow Tel: 0404 61599 wicklowshistoricgaol.com

CYCLING IN IRELAND - A SPECIAL PROMOTION

LET’S SET OUT ON A BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY TOGETHER The Great Southern Greenway in Limerick is becoming a mecca for cyclists. And things can only get better...

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he Great Southern Trail/ Greenway (GSG) is one of Ireland’s most fascinating and attractive amenities for cycling enthusiasts and walkers alike.

An off-road greenway, on which no cars are allowed to travel, it follows the often stunning route of the former Great Southern and Western Railway Limerick to Tralee line, which opened between 1867 and 1880 and was finally closed in the mid-1970s.

The Greenway currently runs over 40 kilometres (25 miles), from Rathkeale in Limerick to the Kerry border, near Abbeyfeale. Passing through the characteristic Limerick town of Newcastle West, and close to the villages of Ardagh and Barnagh, it is a wonderful route for cyclists to travel, offering unique views of the Irish heartland, of a kind that can never otherwise be experienced.

The Great Southern Greenway forms part of Eurovelo Route 1 which runs along the Western Coast of Europe from

National Bike Week in Limerick

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CYCLING IN IRELAND - A SPECIAL PROMOTION

GREAT SOUTHERN GREENWAY – BEALACH GLAS AN MHÓR-DHEISCIRT RATHKEALE TO ARDAGH (9KM) The trail head in Rathkeale is at the old station building which is now home to the Palatine Museum, a museum dedicated to the settlers from the Palatinate in Germany who arrived in Ireland 300 years ago. The westward journey continues through lands associated with the Palatines. You will encounter five beautiful cutstone overhead bridges on the trail to Ardagh.

The final bridge is at the former Ardagh Station (house private) from where you can visit the village of Ardagh where the Ardagh Chalice was found in 1868.

ARDAGH TO NEWCASTLE WEST (4KM) You will cross the River Daar as you approach Newcastle West and then cross the R521 bringing you to Newcastle West station. The only surviving features of the railway age are the restored Station House (private) and the mature oak trees which lined the approach avenue from Bishop Street. Newcastle West is an ideal stopping point for rest and refreshments. Take time to visit the local shops and boutiques, and relax in the demesne of the Medieval Desmond Castle, which covers over 100 acres of parkland.

NEWCASTLE WEST TO BARNAGH (10KM) For the walker/cyclist, this is the section of the trail with the steepest incline. The Rooskagh Hill Loop is well worth the 4km additional detour as it provides wonderful views of the Limerick Plains and the Golden Vale. Back on the trail, you will cross the restored Ferguson’s Viaduct before

Scandinavia to Portugal including Ireland.

Bike Hire is possible at any location along the Greenway. Users will be collected and dropped off at locations to suit.

Come and enjoy the Great Southern Greenway and be part of this wonderful development, aimed at Irish people, visitors and tourists alike. * Limerick City and County Council is involved in detailed plans to further develop the Great Southern Greenway.

Watch this space…

entering a roadside section running parallel to the N21. Access to the tunnel is from the lay-by at Barnagh on the N21 (westbound).

BARNAGH TO KERRY BORDER VIA TEMPLEGLANTINE AND ABBEYFEALE (17KM) From Barnagh, the trail passes downhill under two stone bridges. Leaving Templeglantine, the trail enters the tranquil Tullig Wood. Further on

is the restored station (house private) at Devon Road. The trail now levels out as it comes parallel to the River Allaghaun and keeps company with it until Abbeyfeale. A stone bridge spans the trail and 2km later the station (house private) at Abbeyfeale is reached. Turn left onto the R524 for Abbeyfeale Town Centre. Continuing westwards toward Co. Kerry, the River Oolagh is bridged and Purt Castle (ruin) soon appears on the left.

Barnagh tunnel

Abbeyfeale railway station

www.limerick.ie

WELCOME TO BALLYHOURA The Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails

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form the largest trail network in Ireland. f you are looking for adventure, try out the Ballyhoura Mountain Trails. Situated mostly in Co. Limerick, the mountain bike trails also spill into neighbouring Cork and Tipperary. In all, there are 98km of trails – including forest road climbs and tight twisty singletrack runs, with loads of ups and downs, board walks, tight turns and technical rocky bits. At every stage, it is both playful and challenging – and guaranteed to leave you smiling.

Ranging from the moderate 6km Greenwood loop to the demanding Castlepook loop, over 50km in length the trails cater for starters and experienced enthusiasts alike!

Facilities at the trail head include map boards, car parking, toilets, showers and bike wash facilities.

There is a secure car park with monitored CCTV cameras. There are also good value snacks, tea and coffee available.

Bikes can be hired locally. Accommodation and good food are available.

Having a wheel good time

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BUSINESS

Rock stars: LocalMoo’s Jonathan Bomser and Tom O’Connor

Scene And Not Herd Go Rail meets the two entrepreneurs behind the ingenious new Galway-based travel website LocalMoo. Interview: Olaf Tyaransen

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“The people that know a place best are always the locals.”

hen we told our guide that we didn’t want to go to all the tourist places, he took us instead to the places where they take tourists who say they don’t want to go to tourist places. These places are, of course, full of tourists.”

So wrote the late Douglas Adams in his acclaimed travel book Last Chance To See. It’s a common problem when holidaying abroad or visiting a new city on business. Every place has its hidden gems, its off the beaten track bars, clubs, shops and restaurants that won’t be found in the Lonely Planet guidebooks or on websites such as TripAdvisor. But how on earth to find them?

It’s a dilemma that new Irish website LocalMoo is seeking to solve. “The people that know a place best are always the locals,” declares LocalMoo founder and CEO Jonathan Bomser.

“When you go to Trip Advisor or other places, you’re not getting genuine local insight. On LocalMoo, we’re offering genuine local insight.”

The simplest ideas are often the best ones, and LocalMoo is incredibly straightforward. The website features profiles of people – known as

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‘LocalMooers’ – from all over the planet, and lists their interests and areas of specific local knowledge (best food and drink, places to go, cool local attractions, family activities, etc). A traveller who hasn’t been to a place before picks a suitable profile and pays a $9 fee to ask as many questions as they need answers for (eg.

“What’s the best venue for indie music?”; “Where can I buy vintage clothing?”; “Where’s the best kebab shop?”). The LocalMooer gets paid for their time and knowledge, and the traveller gets the inside scoop on the location.

Go Rail is meeting Jonathan Bomser and his business partner Tom O’Connor in their office in Salthill, Galway. A self-made millionaire entrepreneur with more than 25 years experience in the digital space, New York-born Jonathan has been living in Ireland for the last three years. “I moved over here mainly because I love the vibe and the quality of life,” he explains. “Working here is easy. The best part of the internet is the worldwide connectivity, which brings people together.”

A native Galwegian, Tom has been involved in digital e-commerce for more than a decade. He also has over 30 years of hospitality experience

BUSINESS that he brings to LocalMoo.com. His family, for three generations, have owned the renowned O’Connor’s Bar in Salthill (recently made internationally famous when Ed Sheeran shot his ‘Galway Girl’ video there). “I started an online company almost ten years ago called Send A Gift To Ireland, selling products across the world. We sold in 45 countries to Irish people who wanted to send a gift back home.”

The pair have been working together on various online projects for a couple of years now. LocalMoo is Jonathan’s brainchild.

“I was driving up towards the Salthill prom one afternoon and I saw these two American tourists,” he recalls. “For some bizarre reason, we Americans are instantly recognisable to each other! They were carrying a guide book to Ireland. I was considering stopping to give them some local tips. They were standing right outside The Black Cat, which is literally one of the best restaurants in the country, let alone Galway.

And they obviously didn’t know it.

“As it turned out, I didn’t stop to talk to them, but it gave me the idea for the website. I actually drove straight back to the office, told Tom the idea in about 20 seconds, and he went, ‘This is perfect!’”

A trip he made to Berlin soon afterwards solidified the idea. “Before I went there I was looking up stuff on TripAdvisor, looking up neighborhoods, and speaking to people who had been there. But nobody could tell me the neighborhood where I should be staying. So we ended up staying in a Radisson Blu in a business district, and I’m not a business district guy. I’m more into culture, fun, music, art and all that stuff. I’d much rather have stayed in a neighborhood like that.

“And I ended up getting a taxi every day going to and from the hotel to all the different neighborhoods I went to. I was thinking, ‘Jeez, I would have hired four or five different LocalMooers to find out what the best neighborhood is.’ I wouldn’t have hired one, I’d

have hired five. Because if you’re spending 1500 on a holiday, what’s an extra few bucks to spend to speak to somebody to make sure you enjoy it more?

“The concierge in the hotel would just give you all these touristy places that suck, so we wound up talking to taxi drivers looking for the best places for live music or Turkish food or whatever.

And everywhere we went was awesome, but I would much rather have found out all this stuff beforehand. You go on TripAdvisor… and there’s no way that every restaurant has five stars. Every place has good reviews. It’s impossible to trust it.

Anyway, when I got back, I decided to go full throttle with the website.”

Tom is equally sceptical of sites such as TripAdvisor.

“TripAdvisor is the tourist leaving a review, they’re not the locals,” he observes. “It’s completely different.

TripAdvisor is from the tourist who’s visited and then gone home.

LocalMoo is from the person on the ground.

And it’s genuine. It’s a local person going, ‘Yeah man, we go to such-and-such a pub on Tuesday nights, they have an awesome house band that night and the pints are ¤2.50.’ That’s what you want to hear.”

The LocalMoo logo is a smiling cow. Why did they decide to go with that name and image?

“My wife and I have a nickname for my son, Mick,” Jonathan explains. “We always called him Mickey-Moo. And it’s difficult to find URLs that are catchy and fun or whatever. Tom and I were looking for an animal logo and we discovered that the cow is actually the most liked animal on the planet. That’s why our logo is a smiling cow.

We were going to call the site Local something.

But both the cow thing and the story about my son kind of tied together, so we called it LocalMoo. It’s easy. It’s short, fun and easy to remember.”

Tom laughs and points out, “It’s also a bit better than LocalYak, which we also briefly considered.”

Of course, while LocalMoo offers a terrific service for tourists and travellers, it also works well for the LocalMooers.

“It’s a job site, too,” explains Jonathan.

“Most people are proud of their city and really into their local amenities.

If you don’t have a job and you need some extra income, LocalMoo is an easy way to make some extra cash. Even if you already

“People used to book their holidays through travel agencies, but nowadays they build their own holidays.”

LocalMoo maps out your trip and (above) the company’s logo

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have a job, you could be answering questions on your phone during lunchtime at work. You could be sitting in the park answering questions from people. You can also do it as a fulltime job: you can promote yourself. You can take your profile and push it out through your social media, your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts or whatever.

“What’s great about it is that the moneymaking ability here is direct,” he continues. “You don’t have to wait 30 days to get paid. You do the job, you get paid the next day. If you do the job well then people are going to recommend you and you’ll get more people looking to ask you for info.”

Why are all the prices in US dollars?

“We’re doing it in dollars right now simply because the currency is so strong. Eventually we’ll do multiple currencies.”

LocalMoo only went live a few weeks ago, but already the response has already been phenomenal. “We’re obviously building up our LocalMooers right now, but the uptake has been amazing,” Jonathan enthuses. “Without us even pushing too hard, we’ve already got LocalMooers in more than 50 countries. I’ve started up a lot of websites and tech companies in my time, and the portents for this one are really good.”

Although still in its infancy, the website is evolving quickly. It already offers more than just local information. “The add-ons are pretty simple.

Let’s say you’re a tour guide in Galway. You can not only get paid for chatting online with people, and giving them information, what you can also do is they’ll be able to book tours through the system. So you can put in your profile, ‘I’m also a tour guide and I can do tours for x number of people at x price.’ You can also offer them a place to stay if you’re a guesthouse or hostel or whatever. There’s also an airport pick-up option.”

In a nutshell, LocalMoo is selling insider knowledge and giving its users the stuff they won’t find anywhere else.

“People used to book their holidays through travel agencies, but nowadays they build their own holidays,” Tom observes. “They book their own flights and hotels and rental cars, and so on. But what’s missing is the person giving you information when you arrive. And if you rely on a concierge in a hotel, he’s going to send you to a place that’s paying him to send you there. So the basic premise of LocalMoo is simply that local knowledge is king.”

To register with LocalMoo visit localmoo.com

FASHION

Putting it into neutral

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Looking to stay on trend as the seasons change? Look no further! Roe McDermott has combed through the catwalks to discover what’s going to be in style as summer turns into autumn.

NEUTRAL MEN Luckily for the lads, it’s going to be very easy to look slick and stylish over the next couple of seasons. Unlike 2016, which was heavy with loud patterns and statement pieces, current menswear trends are focusing on classic pieces and timeless styling, so you can utilise clothes in your existing wardrobe and carry on new pieces for years.

See, now you can justify any shopping as fashion investments, and yes, we’ll happily write a note to your bank confirming this.

While last year was all about loud, bright patterns and prints, this season is about the classy understated appeal of muted palettes and neutrals. Neutrals have long been deployed by men as a way of anchoring other, more vibrant pieces.

However, this year it’s about mixing and matching complementary neutral shades, going top-to-toe tonal. Creams, whites, tans, greys and stone hues were everywhere on the catwalks. J.W. Anderson matched stone hues with subtle highlights of black and white for a graphic look, while Astrid Anderson gave his ensembles a regal desert feel by draping gold scarves on top of tan base pieces. Gucci kept their silhouettes crisp and clean and their palette matched this fresh feel, layering light tan overcoats over all-white ensembles.

The key to achieving this look is layering, so pair your crisp white tees with stone-coloured trousers and a tan jacket, or layer your tee with a neutral v-neck sweater. Overcoats in muted tones are huge this year, and beloved by style icons like Pharrell and Kanye West. While black and grey overcoats have dominated the past two winters, and will always have a classic appeal, neutral toned overcoats have a lighter, more fashion-forward appeal, and without the heavy colours, are more wearable year-round. To keep overcoats from seeming too formal, team with your favourite ripped jeans and coolest white kicks.

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5 1. Brown bomber jacket ¤39.99, New Look 2. Grey longline coat ¤99.99, New Look 3. Cream zip-up sweater ¤49.99, New Look

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4. Stone canvas bag ¤34.99, New Look 5. White perforated sneakers ¤39.99, New Look 6. Suede stone boots ¤44.99, New Look 7. Double denim shirt ¤29.99, New Look 8. Black bleached jeans ¤39.99, New Look 9. Stone two tones hoodie ¤29.99, New Look

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FASHION 2

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MELLOW YELLOW Yellow is the hue of the summer, and it’s been beaming from the catwalks of all the major designers this season. Creatures of Comfort’s catwalk featured long, billowing shirt-dresses, while Chloé went for more statement-making silhouettes with dramatically ruffled hems and sleeves adding even more movement to their flouncy short skirts. Tibi went for a sleeker silhouette, using body-clinging fabrics to emphasise the sensuality of their sundresses, though some off-the-shoulder necklines and bishop sleeves added some romantically windswept elements.

The now-iconic image of Beyoncé twirling and swirling through the streets in a yellow off-the-shoulder ruffled dress was undoubtedly an influence on many a designer, and exposed shoulders and bright yellow ruffles were everywhere – the perfect match of shade and shape. Gucci’s yellow floral dresses featured one-shoulder silhouettes and ruffled draping, while Rosie Assoulin layered more structured folds for a chic ensemble with a Bardot neckline.

But it wasn’t just about off-the-shoulder shapes. The joyful femininity of the lemony hues make yellow the perfect colour to pair with ultra-femme silhouettes. The beachfriendly tone makes it the perfect colour for short and flirty rompers and mini-dresses, while it also looks fabulously chic when styled with 1950s glamour. Look for full-bodied midi skirts for some Betty Draper perfection, and set off the sophisticated air of your ensemble with the perfect dandelion-hued handbag. If you prefer a more modern silhouette that’s still feminine and season-appropriate, yellow jumpsuits and kaftans have an effortless summer eve cocktail party elegance.

If canary yellow tones are too bright for you, fear not. Mustard and ochre tones are also an option, and these more mature tones will easily translate into your autumn and winter wardrobe.

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1. Yellow Tropical Print Tie Front Top ¤17.99, New Look 2. Mustard Yellow Longline Coat ¤89, Miss Selfridge

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3. Yellow Frill Trim Bardot Neck Dress ¤24.99, New Look 4. Yellow ruffle dress ¤65, Dorothy Perkins 5. Mustard Mini Box Bag ¤19.99, New Look 6. Yellow Cross Mules ¤24.99, New Look 7. Neon Yellow Pom Pom Drop Earrings ¤4.99, New Look 8. Yellow Lace Midi Skirt ¤34.99, New Look

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FASHION 2

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MIX AND MATCH

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Sometimes fashion rules are hard to follow. Can people outside of the United States wear white after Labour Day? Why are navy and black banned from being worn together when they look so chic? Rompers are only for tweens?

We say goodbye to all that, and hello to throwing the rule-book out the window for this summer’s new trend: the infinite possibilities of the mix and match. This was all over the catwalks, as designers blew open the doors for madcap combinations.

If the idea of creating this kind of eccentric ensemble seems intimidating, don’t worry. There are a few tips and tricks that will help you ease into this new wave of eclecticism. Pick one solid piece and use it as a foundation, and a garment around which to select the palette of your other pieces. It’s easy to think in opposite hues; got a yellow jumper you love? Try pairing it with a patterned purple. Have some stunning opal pants? Look to a print with sea-green tones to make a statement.

Looking for contrasts also applies to prints.

While you can always mix and match the theme of your patterns – animal print with floral, graphic with tropical, etc – also take the size of the print into account. If you have a delicate pink and white gingham blouse, this can act as your solid under a blazer featuring big and bold blooms. Or if one of your favourite party pieces is covered with small multi-coloured sequins, team that disco ball with large geometrical shapes so that the boldness and intricacy of each piece stands out.

And if all else fails, accessorise to the max!

Mix decorated shawls with multi-toned shoes; sequined belts with printed bags. Bold art-deco jewellery can add flair to delicately printed dresses, and even decorated hair scarves will transform an outfit when paired with different patterns. Play matchmaker – and embrace the idea of an imperfect coupling!

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1. Navy Button Trim Cold Shoulder Midi Dress ¤29.99, New Look 2. Parisian Blue Denim Bralet ¤22.99, New Look 3. Blue Denim Embroidered Backpack ¤29.99, New Look 4. Blue Skinny Dungarees ¤39.99, New Look 5. Blue Tie Front Long Sleeve Dress ¤34.99, New Look 6. Ripped jeans with Sequins, Coming soon to Topshop 7. Jeans with Tulle Overlay ¤70, Topshop

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GO

REVIEW Albums. Movies. Books

H A I M pg 55 GOLISTEN.

GOWATCH.

GOREAD.

Our round-up of the best new albums includes Californian trio Haim, Cavan rockers The Strypes and Canadian icons Arcade Fire.

We look at the best new DVDs, including acclaimed Irish comedy Handsome Devil and Hollywood blockbuster Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2.

We sift through the finest new book releases, including Paula Hawkins’ thriller Into The Water and Sally Rooney’s superb debut Conversations With Friends.

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LISTEN

GOLISTEN. T H E

U N F O R G E T T A B L E

F I R E

Candian rock heroes Arcade Fire lead the way on our round-up of the best recent music releases, which also includes excellent efforts from Cavan’s The Strypes and Californian trio Haim.

Over the past decade, Arcade Fire’s glorious po-facedness has almost been enough to restore belief in the potency of arena rock. Nonetheless, they’ve occasionally walked the line between sincere and grumpy a little too waveringly, as demonstrated by 2013’s preachy and over-long Reflektor.

Nor were the omens positive ahead of the follow-up. A move to Sony Music was trailered by a declaration that they had been sequestered by the evil Everything Now corporation (a haveyour-cake-and-eat-it bit of wheedling of which Boris Johnson would be envious). The eponymous first single suggested a crestfallen Abba – a conceit even a performer as ardent as Win Butler struggled to sell.

The big reveal is that Everything Now the album is a blast. The Canadian-American ensemble lean away from their traditional piousness, delving into Talking Heads-style chill-funk.

The new paradigm is announced early on with ‘Creature Comfort’, a skittering groover in which Butler and his wife Regine Chassagne’s voices interweave on a proudly slinky chorus. If the album’s putative theme is corporate greed, there are also hints of relationship angst and renewal, with Butler movingly declaring himself a Lost Boy in search of his Wendy on ‘Peter Pan’.

The future classic in waiting is meanwhile likely to be ‘Put Your Money On Me’, another love song that rides a switchback tempo, with the group’s puritanical angst wholly absent. Welcome to the

New Arcade Fire – much the same as the old, only with the portentousness dialled down and some human vulnerability bubbling to the surface instead.

Closer to home, Cavan tyros The Strypes have a lot riding on third album Spitting Image. Too much talk around debut Snapshot focused on the band’s age rather than the music itself, and second LP Little Victories was patchy and unloved by the band themselves. The novelty has passed; it’s time to man up, literally. It’s a relief then to report that this record has more bangers than a Halloween party.

The album is a reflection of the records they’ve been listening to, according to a recent interview.

There’s prime-era Squeeze on ‘Grin And Bear It’, and echoes of Elvis Costello & The Attractions throughout - that could be Steve Nieve’s keyboard on ‘(I Need A Break From) Holidays’. For good measure, the boys even doff the cap to Thin Lizzy on both ‘Get It Over Quickly’ and career-highlight ‘Great Expectations’.

Thanks to producer Ethan Jones, we get to hear a band bouncing off each other in a room, as nature intended. The rhythm section of Peter O’Hanlon and Evan Walsh is both subtle and powerful, while vocalist Ross Farrelly continues to grow in confidence. Josh McClorey is also a very exciting guitarist, channelling Pete Townshend on ‘Easy Riding’ and lashing out solos that would make Scott Gorham proud.

In addition, the lyrics – O’Hanlon, Walsh, and

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McClorey all get the biros out – are maturing nicely as well. The smalltown characters in the aforementioned ‘Grin and Bear It’ and ‘Great Expectations’ show men contemplating what might have been had things gone differently, while the fair-play-to-me-Ma acoustic ode ‘Mama Gave Me Order’ most likely has the ghost of Phil Lynott grinning somewhere.

It doesn’t all work. Fleetwood Mac rewrite ‘Garden of Eden’ isn’t great, but it’s worth remembering that The Strypes are a worldwide draw thanks to a ferocious live show, and this fine, road-ready album is only going to build on that.

Going from Cavan to California, sisters HAIM continue their fusion of ’70s soft pop-rock and ’80s ballads on Something To Tell You. While the lyrics often touch on emotional pain, the music remains infectiously upbeat. Classic pop and rock references permeate the album, with nods to Shania Twain, Prince and Hall & Oates. ‘Found It In Silence’ and ‘Walking Away’ have the feel of ’80s chart classics, while ‘Little Of Your Love’ – with its echoes of ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ – is a proper summer anthem.

Some may accuse Haim of being a little too derivative in their approach, but while they undoubtedly wear their influences on their immaculately tailored sleeves, their music always sounds impressively fresh. And thanks to the bruised, confessional nature of the lyrics, the sister-trio’s latest also packs a hefty emotional punch.

WATCH

GOWATCH. T H I S

H A N D S O M E

M A N

Acclaimed Irish comedies, Hollywood blockbusters and insightful dramas all feature in Roe McDermott’s round-up of the best new DVD releases.

One of the best new DVD releases is Handsome Devil, a funny, tender and uplifting offering from Irish writer-director John Butler. Fionn O’Shea plays Ned, a boarding school student left ostracised by his rugby-mad peers who believe him to be gay – a fact that’s refreshingly never confirmed nor denied. When he’s assigned a new roommate, rugby star Conor (Nicholas Galtzine), Ned is understandably wary. But as the two slowly become friends, it’s clear that both young men have had limiting identities inflicted upon them by other people.

Butler has endless faith in and respect for teenagers’ capacity for wit, empathy and intelligence, and Ned and Conor’s friendship is a joy to behold. Despite the cruelty inflicted upon him, Ned has an unshakeable sense of humour and of self that inspires similar bravery in others. Occasionally, Handsome Devil can feel too safe and familiar, with its strong echoes of Dead Poets Society and The Breakfast Club. But it manages to gently undo the assumptions and limits of even these classics. If that’s not worthy of a Judd Nelson-style fist in the air moment, nothing is.

Another summer highlight is Their Finest, an utterly charming dramedy about the screenplay writers of a war drama being made at the height of the Blitz. Lone Scherfig’s romantic comedy is chockful of dry British humour, endearing perfor-

mances, and some subtly devastating insights into the effects of the air-raids that are constantly interrupting the filming process.

Gemma Arterton brings plucky charm to the role of Catrin, a woman hired by the British Ministry of Information’s film division. Though initially singled out to write ‘slop’ – dialogue between women for short wartime propaganda films shown in the cinemas – Catrin’s writing talents are recognised by a scathing young screenwriter, Buckley (Sam Clafin.) When they’re commissioned to write a film about two sisters who supposedly helped ferry soldiers back from Dunkirk on their father’s boat, the shenanigans begin in earnest.

The supporting roles are immensely fun, including appearances from Richard E. Grant and Jeremy Irons, while Jake Lacy plays a guileless American soldier cast in the film purely as an attempt to encourage America to join the war.

Clafin and Arteron share a delightful barb-filled chemistry, but the film has deeper emotions too. Scherfig’s images of bomb-ravaged London become increasingly – though never manipulatively – upsetting, and the toll realistically grows on each character. We begin to understand why creating a funny, uplifting and distracting film is so important to them – and appreciate how well Their Finest fulfils that brief, too.

September brings Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2, which marks the return of our favourite collection of ragtag misfits, including the charmingly cocky Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), who has recently discovered that his father is an alien; rebellious bad girl Gomorrah (Zoe Saldana); hulking muscle man Drax (Dave Bautista); motor-mouth racoon Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper); and of course Groot, a walking heart

All the young dudes: Handsome Devil

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in the form of a monosyllabic tree, now in irresistible baby size after the last film’s emotional climax.

When Rocket’s sticky fingers land them on the wrong side of the law, they have to high-tail it through the starry skies yet again. In a move reminiscent of The Empire Strikes Back, the characters are separated from each other – a way of letting them find themselves. Paired off, the group’s dynamics are elevated while each individual experiences their own subtly complex arc.

The dazzlingly vibrant palette brings extraordinary life to the spectacular planetscapes with their extra-terrestrial shapes and textures. Even travelling through these worlds is thrilling, as the camera, like the characters, bounces through time and space. Of course, the soundtrack is also phenomenal, featuring the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Aliotta Hayes, Cat Stevens, Glen Campbell and more. This is a very welcome return of Gunn’s auteur vision, as well as some absurd heroes you can’t help but love.

Jessica Chastain’s character in Miss Sloane, out in September, feels like the kind of role only ever written for and allowed of men. Elizabeth Sloane is ice cold, unapologetically ruthless and one-dimensionally focused on work, treating food and sex with the impatient disdain of someone too busy to care about basic bodily needs. Think James Bond meets Blake from Glengarry Glen Ross in heels.

A ruthless and powerful lobbyist always after a challenge, Elizabeth is approached by the gun lobby to help make guns seem more appealing to women. Laughing in their faces, Elizabeth quits her position in a leading firm and assembles a small team to take down the lobby. Manipulating and exploiting everyone around her, including her co-workers, the goal is to win at all costs. But why?

Underlying Elizabeth’s obsessive need to play the game at the highest stakes seems to be a semblance of morality – but Elizabeth’s not telling. The genius of Chastain’s electrifying performance is her ability to subtly evoke pathos even while her character’s actions remain abominable. Director John Madden’s steely palette captures the coldness of Elizabeth’s world, while Jonathan Perera’s slick screenplay has whipsmart dialogue reminiscent of Aaron Sorkin. As a glimpse into the power and workings of DC lobbyists, Miss Sloane has a lead character and message that bite.

READ

GOREAD. C H A T ’ S

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Sally Rooney’s acclaimed debut novel Conversations With Friends is one of the highlights of our book round-up, which also features superb offerings from thriller author Paula Hawkins and Irish literary legend Roddy Doyle.

MARK NIXON

Irish writer Sally Rooney lends her debate skills from her days at Trinity College to dialogue that pings across the pages of her debut novel, Conversations with Friends. The hot new talent found herself at the centre of a bidding war for this book, having published several acclaimed short stories in the likes of The Stinging Fly and Granta.

In Conversations…, the reader watches four relationships play out between ex-girlfriendsturned-best-friends Frances and Bobbi, and wealthy couple Melissa and Nick. The 21-yearolds return to Melissa’s Monkstown home after she sees them perform a spoken-word poem together. Bobbi falls for Melissa, while Frances embarks on an affair with Melissa’s actor and Marxist husband Nick.

Set in post-boom Dublin, where the author herself lives, the characters are blind to their privilege as part of the city’s elite. Living off inherited wealth, they work in the arts and despise capitalism. The highly perceptive work is ironically as much about the conversations the characters avoid, as the ones they have.

It highlights the emotional undercurrent in relationships where both sides refuse to make

themselves vulnerable. Still only 26, Rooney very much deserves her newfound literary stardom.

Next up is Paula Hawkins’ psychological suspense novel Into The Water, the follow-up to her massively successful The Girl On The Train. Thankfully, Hawkins has not opted for the easy option – à la Dan Brown – of churning out the same hackneyed and predictable plotlines.

Instead, this is a much more ambitious effort, reminiscent of novels such as Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones and Donna Tartt’s The Little Friend.

The fascinating story commences with a single mother turning up dead at the bottom of a river; soon after it emerges that earlier in the summer, a vulnerable teenage girl met the same fate.

Hawkins unfurls a gripping, twisting and layered tale, told in an unfussy but powerful style. The Girl On The Train, of course, was turned into a Hollywood film, and it’s easy to see this atmospheric effort getting the big screen treatment as well. Told from the alternating perspective of ten different characters, it’s a book rich in detail, which rewards close attention from the reader.

While Hawkins’ may never win the Booker, she certainly knows how to craft an engrossing yarn,

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meaning the sinister Into The Water may yet rival The Girl On The Train in the popularity stakes.

With the play adaptation of Two Pints winding down its tour of 23 Irish pubs, Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle is maintaining momentum this autumn with his latest novel, Smile. The story follows protagonist Victor Forde, a failed writer who is recently separated and living alone. He frequents local pub Donnellys on a nightly basis, and it’s there that a flamboyantly dressed man, calling himself Fitzpatrick, interrupts his solitude one evening.

Fitzpatrick claims to remember Victor from their school days, and the latter is perturbed by the memories he stirs of being taught by the Christian Brothers. He also causes Victor to reminisce about his stint as a controversial journalist, which earned him his own brief period of fame. But it’s the flashbacks to school, and to one Brother in particular, that Victor cannot control and which eventually threaten to destroy his sanity.

Smile boasts the black humour, witty dialogue and nostalgia that are Doyle’s hallmarks, and addresses some big subjects in characteristically insightful fashion.

GOWIN. GO RAIL COMPETITION

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(0)1 670 8124 | info@fleetstreethotel.com To enter, simply email your answers to gorail@hotpress.ie. Please include your contact details, and let us know on which train route or at which station you picked up your copy of Go Rail.

THE QUESTIONS: 1. Cillian Murphy stars in which 2017 WWII epic, directed by Christopher Nolan?

- Downfall - Saving Private Ryan - Dunkirk

2. Which Irish county are The Strypes from?

3. Which club won the 2016/2017 English Premier League?

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Terms & Conditions: The prizes are valid until the 23rd of December 2017, subject to availability and not applicable to bank holidays, July or August. No cash alternatives will be offered. Entrants must be aged 18+. Go Rail may contact competition winners with details of future special offers. Your details won’t be passed on to any third party. Please specify in your email if you would like to opt out of this.

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