Enterprise Volume 16:03

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ENTERPRISE LINKING DUBLIN AND BELFAST Volume 16:03

BILLIE EILISH

W E MEET TH E WORL D ’S B I G G EST P OP STAR

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB

THE IN D I EROC KERS CO ME STORM I N G BACK

DAV I D NICHOLLS

ON HIS B R I L L I A N T N EW NOV EL

A L L S Y S T E M S G O !

CAN IRELAND WIN THE RUGBY WORLD CUP?

T H E B E S T AU T U M N E V E N T S + C A P E C O D T R AV E L G U I D E + F O O D & FAS H I O N

Make Belfast your next stop for lots of fun and exciting things to see and do.

The city is packed with unique events for all the family from festivals and gigs to amazing attractions. You can enjoy a walk along the maritime mile to uncover a Titanic history. Step through the wardrobe and rediscover Narnia at C.S. Lewis Square or journey through the land of Game of ThronesÂŽ on a locations tour.

Or taste your way around the city on a Belfast food tour, relax in the sun and dine al fresco, or reach new heights in one of the many rooftop bars.

With great hotel offers available, come for the day and stay for the night.

Find out more at

V O L . 1 6 / N O . 0 3

C O N T E N T S BRENDAN MORNAG/SPORTSFILE

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R E G U L A R S

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F E A T U R E S

18.THE HARDER THEY SCRUM Despite a topsy-turvy 2019, Ireland head to the Rugby World Cup in Japan as the number one ranked team in the world. Ahead of a mouthwatering tournament, we talk to Irish star Robbie Henshaw to assess the team’s chances, with additional input from squad members Andrew Porter and Jordan Larmour.

24. SCREEN SPIRIT With False Alarm, Two Door Cinema Club have produced their most joyous record yet. But as Kevin Baird explains, a return from the Bangor trio wasn’t always a sure thing. He talks touring, working with Jacknife Lee, and revisiting the band’s early days, with Peter McGoran.

26. THE EILISH TIMES She’s a once-in-a-generation pop phenomenon whose debut album soared to number one across the world. Before turning in one of the all-time great Electric Picnic appearances, Billie Eilish talked to Stuart Clark about Justin Bieber, Stella McCartney, Paul McCartney, Greta Thunberg and soon-to-be new best friend, Glen Hansard.

06. ENTER HERE A rundown of what's hot and happening at your next stop.

14. RAIL NEWS Up to the minute news from Irish Rail and Translink

24. GOING GREEN Áine Groogan on her ambitions to make Belfast a sustainable city.

3 0 . T R AV E L An in-depth guide to the must-see attractions in Cape Cod.

28. THE SWEETEST THING

41. REVIEWS

Following the success of One Day, Starter For Ten and Us, award-winning author David Nicholls discusses his latest work, Sweet Sorrow – an emotional coming-of-age novel exploring teenage romance, toxic masculine friendships and the power of Shakespeare.

We pick out the highlights from the latest book, album and Netflix releases.

3 7. O R A N G E I S T H E N E W B L A C K Roe McDermott on the hottest new fashion trends for autumn, including the return of orange.

4 4 . AT T R A C T I O N S Markets, bars, restaurants and hotels, and the best in shopping both North and South.

ENTERPRISE – EDITOR’S LETTER

CREDITS

VOL: 16 ISSUE:03

Tokyo, Japan's capital

EDITOR: Máirín Sheehy COMMISSIONING EDITOR: Roisin Dwyer CONTRIBUTORS: Stuart Clark, Roisin Dwyer, Peter McGoran, Roe McDermott, Paul Nolan, Peter McNally, Brenna Ransden, Lucy O'Toole DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Hot Press, 100 Capel Street, Dublin 1 DESIGN: Eimear O'Connor, Karen Kelleher, Emily Treacy ADVERTISING MANAGER: Tom Corcoran GROUP ADVERTISING MANAGER Catherine Madden

PUBLISHER: Niall Stokes ENTERPRISE IS PUBLISHED FOR N I R A I LWAY S A N D IARNRÓD ÉIREANN BY: Osnovina Ltd 100 Capel Street, Dublin 1 TELEPHONE: +353 1 2411 500 EMAIL: enterprise@hotpress.ie LETTERS: The Editor, Enterprise Magazine, 100 Capel Street, Dublin 1 PRINTED BY: Boylan’s Print COVER PIC: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

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 N I Railways and Iarnród Eireann.

All material © Osnovina 2019.

All rights reserved.

Reproduction of material without permission of the publishers is strictly prohibited

WAITING FOR THE YOKOHAMA TO FALL Despite a topsy-turvy year, Ireland can look forward to the Rugby World Cup in Japan with real optimism. The fact that the tournament is taking place in such an extraordinary country, meanwhile, adds to the excitement…

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uddenly all eyes turn to Japan. It is Rugby World Cup time. And for a change, there really does seem to be a feeling that Ireland are in with a chance.

Joe Schmidt’s team travel as World No.1s.

If that ranking feels a bit far-fetched, that’s because it is. The Irish manager has said so himself. Whatever the recent run of results might suggest, New Zealand are the real World No. 1 team. And the reality is that England are probably next in line. But Ireland can genuinely lay claim to a top four place. Which is why the determination is there, now more than ever, to make the semi-final stage. After that, all bets are off.

As well they might be. Who Ireland will play in the quarter final, if they make it, inevitably depends on how the group stage shapes up.

If Ireland can beat Scotland in their opening game in Pool A – and they are indisputably and justifiably favourites – then they are odds on to top the group.

On the other side of the draw, working on the assumption that New Zealand are the likely winners of Pool B, that seems likely to pit them against South Africa (though you can’t entirely rule out Italy). The feeling in the Irish camp is that they currently have the measure of the Springboks (and even more so the Italians). But a lot depends on who’s available – in both camps.

Trying to forecast the outcome in such a volatile situation is a mug’s game. The heat, and the likelihood of rain, will complicate matters hugely. All we can say for sure is that – the recent mauling by England aside – Ireland seem to be in pretty good shape. All rugby fans can do is dream.

EXTRAORDINARY PLACE Meanwhile, the Rugby World Cup offers us all the opportunity to think just a little bit more about Japan, where the finals are being hosted. It is a truly extraordinary place.

The conventional maps that we all grew up looking at seem so far away from the truth as to be an early example of Fake News. Did you know, for example, that Japan comprises a total of 6,852 islands, extending along the Pacific coast

of Asia and Russia on their east side? Or that it is over 3,000 km long, running from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Philippine Sea in the Pacific Ocean. It is the fourth largest island country, and with a population of 126 million, is the second most populous. There are 13.8 million people in Tokyo alone.

The five main islands, from north to south, are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikioku, Kyushu and Okinawa. The capital city Tokyo is located on Honshu, with Ireland’s first three games taking place on that island. Ireland’s opening match against Scotland on September 22 takes place in Yokohama, just a 50-minute train journey from the capital; they do battle with the host country Japan on September 28 in Shizuoka, a 60-90-minute train journey from the capital; and Kobe, about three hours away from Tokyo, will host the Ireland v Russia joust on October 3rd.

The final group game against Samoa will be held in Fukuoka, on the southerly island of Kyushu on October 12. This is a six-hour train journey from Tokyo. And the trains there are fast!

Here is another extraordinary statistic. 98.5% of the people living in Japan are Japanese.

Historically, the country adopted a fiercely isolationist policy, and latterly the sheer density of population has made inward migration more problematic. Some people might think that this would inspire a sense of security, familiarity and happiness. On the contrary, despite its high levels of affluence, and the fact that it ranks second in the world in terms of life expectancy, the general view is that Japanese people are unhappy.

Hopefully, the arrival of the Rugby World Cup 2019 in that extraordinary archipelago off the east coast of Russia will inspire more than a little bit of that kind of social dividend. Or at the very least, that it will make Japanese people feel just a little bit happier. Not by beating Ireland whom they play in the Group Stage. But we are willing to sacrifice Scotland for the greater good of the host nation.

The final takes place in the International Stadium, Yokohama, on November 2. Hopefully the eyes of the sporting world will be on Ireland, when the time comes...

MÁIRÍNSHEEHY | EDITOR 4

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WORK MEET DUBLIN REPEAT

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A RUNDOWN OF WHAT ’S HOT & HAPPENING B Y P E T E R M c N A L LY

3Arena, September 22, 23 & 25

ARIANA GRANDE 6

Get ready for the reigning queen of pop to take over the city this September, as she makes a three-night stopover on her world tour. Rising above a series of relentless public and personal tragedies, Ariana Grande has seen her career skyrocket over the last two years, with the release of mega-successful albums Sweetener and Thank U, Next. She became the youngest artist to ever headline Coachella back in April, while the smash-hit singles from her latest album made her the first artist to occupy the top three positions on the Billboard Hot 100 chart since the Beatles in 1964. The last time she played the 3Arena, she also found time to squeeze one of our favourite Dublin days out into her busy schedule: a stroll through the historic Glasnevin Cemetery with her dog.

ENTER|HERE

TASTE CAUSEWAY 2019 October 4 – 27

THE F RENCH ROOMS, BUSH MILLS

The days may be shorter and the leaves and temperatures dropping but there are still plenty of reasons to book an autumn break in the Causeway Coast and Glens.

Taste Causeway 2019 is a culinary celebration running from 4th to 27th October 2019 in the stunning location of the Causeway Coast and Glens in Northern Ireland.

From Limavady to Ballycastle there is a memorable foodie experience to suit you, using the very best of fresh local and seasonal produce, complemented by fine wines and artisan ales. With a growing reputation for food experiences, Taste Causeway promises a Potato Festival in Bushmills; themed nights, cookery classes, food tours, taster menus, pop-up supper clubs, markets opportunities to ‘meet the maker’ and a return of the Portrush Beer Fest.

For more details and ideas on what to do and where to stay during Taste Causeway 2019 go to visitcausewaycoastandglens.com.

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ENTER|HERE

MIGUEL RUIZ

LITTLE MIX SSE Arena, Belfast, October 6-7 & 13-14 Since their formation in 2011, Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, LeighAnne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall have established themselves as a global pop phenomenon. Breaking a record last held by The Spice Girls, Little Mix have had nine platinum-selling singles, along with four platinum-selling albums. Their last album Glory Days became the biggest selling album by a female group this millennium in the UK. They have sold over 45 million records worldwide. Hot Press described their latest album, LM5, as “an album made by empowered women to empower women.”

GR AFTON AR CH IT ECTS

OPEN HOUSE DUBLIN Various locations, Dublin, October 11 – 13

THE DIVINE COMEDY Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin, October 6 This summer, Neil Hannon and his fellow National Express travellers returned with Office Politics, their 12th album and the follow-up to their acclaimed 2016 record Foreverland. Populated with The Divine Comedy’s typically fascinating cast of characters, the Enniskillen troubadour said of his new opus: “It has synthesizers. And songs about synthesizers. But don’t panic. It also has guitars, orchestras, accordions, and songs about love and greed.” As is tradition with The Divine Comedy, the kitchen sink could also be added to that list.

The band’s Bord Gais date kicks off their October tour of Europe.

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Dublin’s reputation as a centre of architectural excellence has been growing, with the international successes of practices like O’Donnell Twomey and the critically acclaimed curation of the Venice Biennale

by Shelley McNamara and Yvonne Farrell of Grafton Architects.

But what about the architectural heritage of the city itself? That is the focus during the Open House Festival, in which people are offered the unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore normally hidden aspects of the city. For this very special weekend, buildings that aren’t normally accessible to the public, and also buildings of outstanding architectural merit, open their doors – for public inspection! Architectural tours are provided by expert guides – and all events are free. As part of Open House Plus, there are also walking, cycling and bus tours, as well as exhibitions and performances.

ENTER|HERE

COLIN PRICE

ST EVE 'N ' SEAGULLS

THE FARMER’S BASH SSE Arena, Belfast, October 11 After a hugely successful second outing in 2019, Ireland’s biggest celebration of all things country returns to the SSE for another spectacular hoe-down. The full line-up is yet to be announced, but one act sure to catch the eye of country music fans is that of ‘Combine Harvester’ singing Scrumpy and Western legends, The Wurzels. They join such stars of the Irish country music scene as Derek Ryan, Mike Denver, Johnny Brady, Cliona Hagan, and global internet sensations Steve ’N’ Seagulls.

DEREK RYAN

THE FIRST PLACE

ARMAGH GEORGIAN FESTIVAL Wed 27 Nov - Sun 1 Dec

VisitArmagh.com 9

ENTER|HERE

JOHN MAYER 3Arena, Dublin, October 16 Connecticut born singer-songwriter and highly underrated guitar hero, John Mayer, has won seven Grammy awards and topped the charts with hit singles such as ‘Your Body is a Wonderland’ and ‘Waiting on the World to Change’. His seventh studio album, 2017’s The Search for Everything, debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 and at number one on US Billboard Top Rock Albums. In 2018, he released the gold-certified ‘New Light,’ while working on his eighth solo album.

ANDREA BOCELLI SSE Arena, Belfast, October 24 As the biggest-selling solo classical artist ever, the Italian tenor is widely regarded as the best voice in classical music. After losing his eyesight in a football accident at age 12, Bocelli emerged as a vocal phenomenon in the 1990s and shot to fame internationally with his 1997 hit duet with Sarah Brightman, ‘Time To Say Goodbye’.

Since 1982, Bocelli has put out 16 solo albums of both pop and classical; released four greatest hits albums and 14 complete opera recordings; and sold over 90 million records worldwide.

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IDEAL HOME SHOW RDS, Dublin, October 25 – 28 Don’t Move, Improve! That’s this year’s message from Ireland’s longest running and most renowned interior design expo. As such, in 2019 the Ideal Home Show will be full of useful to tips on how to revitalise your home to create the comfort, style and space you’ve always dreamed of. In addition, the ESB-sponsored Eco Expo will teach you how to improve the energy efficiency of your household.

Audiences in excess of 30,000 are expected at the RDS, where exhibitors will showcase the hottest trends, most stylish products, and the very best of interior design.

ENTER|HERE

BRAM STOKER

SÉANCE

BRAM STOKER FESTIVAL Various venues, Dublin, October 25 – 28

S OU NDS OF WOOD ON MUSCLE: A MODERN RADIO DRACULA

Whether you’re a resident vampire, or have crossed oceans of time to be here, all ghosts and ghouls are welcome at Dublin’s annual celebration of the macabre, Promising four days of living stories and four nights of deadly adventures, the BSF revels in the legacy of the man from Clontarf, who wrote what is perhaps the most successful gothic novel of all time, Dracula – originally published in 1897. The festival consists of a gothicallyinspired programme of events, which will set the imagination racing…

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ENTER|HERE

DERRY HALLOWEEN Derry City, October 25 – November 1 Frights, folklore and food are all on the menu at one of Ireland’s biggest Halloween celebrations. The award-winning Derry Halloween – where the theme this year is 'The Other World Awakens', to reflect the event's roots in the anicent Celtic tradition of Samhain – has seen the number of revellers double in the past three years, and for good reason!

The historic city, which has been named the world’s best Halloween destination, is host to the largest celebration of this uniquely Irish holiday. This year’s action-packed schedule includes the first ever LegenDerry Halloween Food Village, and Awakening the Walls will celebrate the 400th anniversary of Derry’s city walls. There will also be a Little Horrors family programme; Tours and Trails; Samhain Sessions with music acts including Hudson Taylor; stunning street animation; and a Carnival Parade and Fireworks.

A-HA 3Arena, Dublin, October 29 / SSE Arena, Belfast, October 30

CARNI VAL PARADE

These exclusive concerts are expected to be completely different from anything the Norwegian '80s pop superstars have done before. Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy will be performing in ‘An Evening With…’ format, with an interval.

For the first half of the concert, they will play new and old, familiar and less-familiar songs. Then, after returning to the stage, they will play the 10 songs of their 1985 debut album Hunting High And Low in the running order of the original release.

An Evening of Live Music and Discussion on Mental Health, featuring some very Special Guests.

LIVE

10th October World Mental Health Day Smock Alley, Dublin 2

For updates and further info go to hotpress.com/nowweretalking and follow Hot Press Social Media #nowweretalking

PIETA HOUSE Through its network of centres nationwide, Pieta House Offers counselling and support free of charge.

ie a

House

If in crisis, you can call 1800 247 247 or see their website www.pieta.ie/contact-us.

For clinical support please email: mary@pieta.ie. For all other queries please email: info@pieta.ie

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ENTER|HERE

WARKE'S DELI, PORTSTEWART

ATLANTIC SESSIONS Causeway Coast, November 14 – 17 Following a sellout last year and its 2017 NI Tourism Award, the Atlantic Sessions Music Festival is back in Portrush and Portstewart for four days of musical heaven from 14 – 17 November 2019.

Over 50 of Northern Ireland’s finest musicians will perform live in coffee shops, hotels, restaurants, music venues and bars across the four. See high profile and up and coming artists in intimate settings with the stunning Atlantic as a backdrop.

Each artist performs their own original music for one hour, and this will form a music trail across the resorts of Portstewart and Portrush.

Stay up to date by following on www.atlanticsessions.com.

ARMAGH GEORGIAN FESTIVAL Armagh, November 27 – December 1 Armagh’s ancient streets will be abuzz with evocative Georgian costumed figures, street entertainment and festive market stalls at this year’s Georgian Festival. Marking the beginning of the Christmas festive season, Armagh’s historic buildings will open their doors and remember Richard Robinson, enthroned as Archbishop of Armagh in 1765, and responsible for transforming Armagh into a city of stunning Georgian architecture. The festival includes a Georgian Banquet at Archbishop Robinson’s Palace, where guests can travel through the mists of time to Georgian Armagh. As darkness falls, a dramatic light show will illuminate the Georgian Market House. Here, stalls will be hosted by traders in traditional costume, offering high quality gifts and locally produced, artisan food and drink.

HARRY MURPHY/SPORTSFILE

JONNY EVANS OF NORTHERN IRELAND

NORTHERN IRELAND v NETHERLANDS November 16, Windsor Park, Belfast With Northern Ireland currently joint top of Group D in the race for a Euro 2020 berth, this clash with Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands will go a long way to deciding the team’s ultimate fate. The side have been on a continual upward curve during Michael O’Neill’s tenure and have maintained their fine form in this campaign. Boasting some of the current superstars of world football – including Virgil Van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong – the Netherlands will present a fearsome challenge, but Northern Ireland’s home advantage and celebrated spirit make this a mouthwatering tie.

PÚCA HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL Athboy, Drogheda and Trim, October 31–November 2 Failte Ireland invite you to visit the birthplace of Halloween with a fantastic new festival set to take over three towns in Ireland’s Ancient East. The festival will open with the traditional lighting of the Samhain fires at the Hill Of Ward in Athboy, which will ignite a three day programme of theatre, music, film and light installations in one of Ireland’s oldest towns, Drogheda. Over the course of these three nights of spooky celebration, the stunning and historic Trim castle will host three supernatural nights of music, lights and halloween spectacle, featuring concerts by Jerry Fish, KORMAC, Just Mustard, Pillow Queens and Æ MAK.

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T RA IN|NEW S

WHAT ’S HAPPENING ON THE RAILWAYS

Belfast Celebrates Glider’s 1st Birthday

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Pictured at CS Lewis Square in East Belfast are Harry Connolly, Director, Fáilte Feirste Thiar, The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor John Finucane, Maurice Kinkead, Chief Executive, EastSide Partnership, Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive and Kerrie Sweeney, Chief Executive of Titanic Foundation.

“We’ve committed to promoting sustainable transport in the city as part of our Belfast Agenda; it’s vital that we all seek to decrease our dependency on cars for the sake of the environment. The Glider is also a really relaxing, reliable and affordable way of getting around the city – and with this excellent new Glider guide, produced by Fáilte Feirste Thiar, EastSide Tourism and The Titanic Foundation, there’s no better way of exploring and discovering Belfast’s many attractions.”

Harry Connolly, Director, Fáilte Feirste Thiar, said: “The introduction of Glider has been a welcome addition to our way of life, as local citizens helping to connect our city.

Furthermore, it has had a positive impact on growing visitor numbers across the city, helping to ensure that areas beyond the City Centre feel the full and positive impact associated with tourism. This publication is a practical example of partnership in action, highlighting to locals and visitors alike everything that our great city has to offer.”

Maurice Kinkead, Chief Executive, EastSide Partnership, said: “Over the last

twelve months, we have seen more and more folks from all across the city using the new Glider service to visit the CS Lewis Square, or walk the Connswater Community Greenway. We now want to build on this positive momentum and showcase the wealth of attractions on offer all along the Glider route. We see this cross-city service as the golden thread which ties some of our city’s most unique visitor experiences together.”

Kerrie Sweeney, Chief Executive of Titanic Foundation, said: “Titanic Quarter welcomes over 1 million visitors every year, many of whom are international tourists.

The Glider plays a key role in making it easy for visitors to access local attractions, increasing the length of time they stay in the city and how much they spend. It also encourages local people to get out and about and enjoy different parts of their city, including our new Maritime Mile experience along Belfast’s iconic waterfront.”

• For more information on Glider visit translink.co.uk and follow @Translink_NI #GliderBelfast.

PHOTOS: BRIAN MORRISON

lider celebrated its 1st anniversary on 3rd September, following a highly successful year of service.

Over 2 million additional Glider passenger journeys were made in comparison to previous bus journeys taken along the route – an increase of over 30% – which means around 1.67 million fewer car journeys, reducing congestion and enhancing city air quality.

Representing a £90 million investment funded by the Department for Infrastructure, Glider is Translink’s first direct cross-city service connecting east and west Belfast, linking into Titanic Quarter via the city centre.

Glider’s huge popularity contributed to Translink’s overall 84.5 million passenger journeys across NI in 2018/19 – the highest level in over 20 years – and supports the draft Programme for Government which recognises the vital role of public transport in developing a more competitive and prosperous region.

Marking the one-year milestone, three local tourism and heritage development organisations – EastSide Tourism, Fáilte Feirste Thiar and the Titanic Foundation – have launched a special ‘Glider Experience’ guide to exploring the city featuring their top-rated attractions that are all accessible

by Glider.

Celebrating Glider’s first year of operation, Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive, said: “Glider has transformed public transport in Belfast, and there’s been a fantastic public response to the service over the past year – it’s really been embraced by people across the city!

“This new ‘Glider Experience’ Guide created by local heritage and tourism groups is a real tribute to the unique energy, creativity, culture and innovation found across Belfast, and demonstrates just how much Glider connects people to their city – our thanks to everyone involved in its development and joining the celebrations!

“I’d also like to thank all our customers, staff and the local community for making Glider such a success story and look forward to many more exciting milestones ahead,” said Chris.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor John Finucane, said: “I’d like to add my congratulations to Translink on the Glider’s first birthday. An additional 2 million passenger journeys is an incredible achievement in one year – and I look forward to seeing those figures continuing to rise.

Launch of ‘Glider Experience’ marks 1 year milestone.

T RA IN|NEW S

WHAT ’S HAPPENING ON THE RAILWAYS AARON McCRACKEN

Active Travel Challenge

Motivates More Commuters Out Of Their Cars Private and public sector organisations recognised for sustainable travel credentials

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lmost 33,000 journeys on public transport, foot and bike were made by commuters as part of a month-long Challenge to beat the traffic and get healthier in Northern Ireland.

More than 2,000 people from a wide range of workplaces across Northern Ireland left their cars at home and walked, cycled or hopped on the train or bus.

Staff from public and private sector organisations went head-to-head in the Active Travel Challenge in June, organised

by Sustrans and Translink and funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI). This was one of the most successful Challenges to date.

Belfast Lord Mayor Cllr John Finucane congratulated the winners and all those who took part in the regional Challenge at a recent awards ceremony at the Black Box in the city’s Cathedral Quarter.

Active Travel Challenge

Allstate NI were champions in the largest workplace category, with Libraries NI and AECOM also winners in their workplace categories. Three employers were joint winners in the smallest workplace categories: Strabane Community Project, MCR Consulting Ltd and Clarus Financial Technology.

[See full list below] Civil servant Laura O’Hare from the Department of Finance logged the most overall journeys; while Jessica White from Jacobs Engineering took first place for the most public transport journeys.

The workplaces that topped the Active Travel leaderboard were: • Small Workplace winner (3-20 employees) Joint winners: Strabane Community Project, MCR Consulting Ltd and Clarus Financial Technology

• Workplace winner (21-90 employees) Jacobs Engineering • Workplace winner (91-249 employees) Arup Belfast • Workplace winner (250-499 employees) AECOM • Workplace winner (500 -1000 employees) Libraries NI • Largest Workplace winner (1001+ employees) Allstate NI Over 80 workplaces registered for the Challenge with a total of 2,120 people registered, 70% of whom actively participated.

The Active Travel Challenge is just one part of a wider PHA-funded project called Leading the Way with Active Travel, that is engaging with staff in some of Belfast’s largest workplaces to encourage and facilitate active travel.

PAUL FAITH

Metro Life is a Cabaret this Culture Night & Day! Translink recently teamed up with Culture Night and Culture Day during September for a show-stopping performance on board the first-ever Metro Cabaret Bus. Parked on Donegall Street outside North Street Arcade, the free show featured a unique mix of comedy, magic and music, all hosted by Master of Ceremonies actor and writer Stephen Beggs. Audiences laughed, sang and celebrated on board this cultural extravaganza in the heart of the city.

Culture Night Belfast is the biggest event in the city's cultural calendar, and this year it's been extended to bring you 'Culture Day’.

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TRAIN|NEWS

EXPLAINER

Leaves On The Line E N T E RPRI S E F I RST PLU S

Time Well Spent, In Luxury Have you travelled by Enterprise Plus yet between Dublin and Belfast?

You’ll be greeted by our On-Board Host, and directed to your reserved seat.

A complimentary welcome drink and morning newspaper will get you on your way, and free on-board wi-fi is available for work, or to catch up on news or social media, in a quiet and relaxed environment.

In-seat dining with a personal touch is available, and you can adjust your seat for your comfort. All ensuring you’ll arrive at your destination relaxed and refreshed.

Learn more, including seeing our new video introduction to Enterprise Plus, at irishrail.ie and book your journey today.

It’s

that time of year again.

Everyone has heard the apologies for delays due to “leaves on the line” – but what does that mean? How can a small thing like leaves affect a big heavy train?

The leaf fall in autumn often causes poor rail head conditions and can affect train performance and punctuality in a number of ways.

When leaves fall on to the line, particularly in damp or wet weather, the rolling action of passing wheels compresses them, causing a greasy ‘mulch’ to cover the rail. This mulch is to rails what ice is to roads. It reduces the adhesion between wheel and rail – hence the phrase “low rail adhesion”. The leaf mulch can also affect the operation of track circuits, which is a key element of train signalling. The contamination is very difficult to remove from both wheels and rails and is often compared to Teflon, being very difficult to remove and very slippery.

In order to comply with safety requirements, Train Drivers adopt defensive driving techniques. This includes reducing speed to prevent slipping or over platforms or signals, and as braking can be affected, braking distances are extended.

If you’re a regular rail traveller, you can probably sense the wheel “slipping” on a train if you’re travelling through an affected

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area. This is usually why delays are more prevalent at this time of year, particularly in the early morning and early evening.

We tackle the problem in a range of ways…

• Vegetation management: Removing trees from our property, and making sure other vegetation is cut back and managed.

• Specialised water-jetting and gel application machine: We have a train which has specialised machinery to tackle railhead contamination. The train operates prior to early morning services on key sections of the network. It tackles the problem by cleaning the railhead with a high-powered water-jet at the front of the train and then applying a special ‘gel’ substance to the rail.

• Traction gel applicators: Iarnród Éireann has also invested in Traction Gel Applicators – 111 of these units are installed across the network in known areas of low rail adhesion.

When a train passes over the unit, it dispenses traction gel which improves the grip between the wheel and rail interface.

• Manual gel application: Hand held gel applicators and specialised rail-head scrubbers are positioned at strategic locations, near junctions etc. and are utilised by specially trained maintenance staff in

order to provide a rapid response when necessary.

• Regular train on-board sanding equipment: Most of our rolling stock has been equipped with on-board sanding systems which will dispense sand when wheel slip is detected.

• Best practice: Low rail adhesion affects many countries with a temperate climate, and Iarnród Éireann are a member of a group consisting of UK and Irish Train Operating Companies, which meet on a regular basis to tackle the problem.

• Data Collection: We have a dedicated team of people who continuously work on ways of tackling the various components that come together and cause the problems described above.

• Frontline Staff: Tackling low rail adhesion can be a difficult task. Iarnród Éireann staff work tirelessly to ensure our rail system operates safely in these conditions. This often involves frontline staff members from different departments working at all hours in all weather conditions. The dedication of these people means that the difficulties experienced at this time of year are kept to a minimum.

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

COAST WITH THE MOST

BUSHMILLS DISTILLERY The world’s oldest licensed distillery is idyllically located beside the rippling River Bush. Savour the evocative sights, sounds and smells on a tour that celebrates centuries of the distilling craft, and its connection to the village and its people.

RATHLIN ISLAND Wild and beautiful Rathlin Island is only 20 minutes from the seaside charm of Ballycastle. Explore the island on foot, bike or by boat, and take in the three lighthouses and the RSPB West Light Sea Bird Centre, with its chorus of puffins, guillemots and kittiwake.

DUNLUCE CASTLE

Not only has Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route been lauded as one of the world’s great road journeys, it was also named alongside Belfast as the #No 1 Region to Visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet. Here are our top picks on the stunning route...

GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

Perched on the cliff edge, this brooding castle, on the outskirts of Portrush, with its turbulent back-story of battling clans, is said to have its own banshee. Walk through the crumbling rooms, take in the dramatic sea views, and explore historical and archaeological exhibits.

THE GLENS OF ANTRIM G I A N T ’ S C A U S E WAY

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Giant’s Causeway is a spectacular location on every level. Walk through narrow pathways lined with tall hexagonal columns, climb to the top of the strangely sculpted stacks and clamber across rows of stones, each with six perfect sides, pounded by waves for millennia.

THE DARK HEDGES

CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE BRIDGE Test your nerve as you cross the swinging rope between the mainland and the fisherman’s island, with the waves crashing below you. Once across, you’re rewarded with magnificicent views of the coast and Rathlin Island.

W E ST ST R A N D, P O R T R U S H

This beautiful tree-lined avenue is one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland since it was featured in Season 2 of Game Of Thrones®. Be sure to check out more filming locations for the hit series in the area.

BINEVENAGH AND BENONE

DOWNHILL DEMESNE AND MUSSENDEN TEMPLE Mussenden Temple is a dream-like location, perched on a cliff above miles of fine golden sand. A short walk away, you’ll find the eerie shell of the once glamourous and thriving 18th century Downhill Castle. Afterwards, tour the 17th century thatched cottage in nearby Castlerock.

Situated within one of the nine Glens of Antrim, the breath-taking Glenariff Forest Park has superb walking trails and a threemile long ‘Waterfall Walkway’. If you’re lucky, you might see red squirrels and Irish hares on your way.

The majestic Binevenagh Mountain, ideal for walking and hiking, overlooks Benone Strand - seven miles of golden sand with views of the Inishowen Peninsula. Take some time out for some surfing, paddleboarding and blokarting.

GLENARIFF FOREST

For information and ideas on where to stay and what to do, go to visitcausewaycoastandglens.com

FEATURE RUGBY WORLD CUP

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HARDER

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Despite a topsy-turvy 2019, Ireland head to the Rugby World Cup in Japan as the number one ranked team in the world. Ahead of a mouthwatering tournament, we talk to Irish stars Robbie Henshaw, Andrew Porter and Jordan Larmour to assess the team’s chances. By Stuart Clark

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Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

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eading into this summer’s World Cup warm-ups on the back of a disappointing Six Nations, Ireland’s prospects took a further battering following a historic 57-15 mauling by England at Twickenham.

There was a growing sense of unease amongst fans and pundits alike, but consecutive wins against Wales restored some optimism, and also ensured Ireland got onto the plane to Japan as the number one ranked team in the world.

Certainly, there’s a good atmosphere amongst the squad when Enterprise meets with them for a pre-tournament chat.

First up is Leinster star Robbie Henshaw, who after a stellar display against Wales in the final warm-up game, is widely felt to have played himself into serious contention for a starting 15 berth. But before we get to that: of all the people you expect

to have hangin’ in L.A. with Shawn Mendes stories, Henshaw is probably not one of them. In town for a spot of pre-World Cup R&R, Robbie found himself at the same glitzy A-List party as the gazillion-selling Canadian singer who took a shine to a pair of the sunglasses from his Henshaw Eyewear range.

Yep, the Athlone ranger has been putting that recently obtained UCD Economics degree of his to extremely good use.

“I was at a 4th of July party with a friend of mine, Sean Mulholland, who’s living in L.A and is really good friends with Shawn Mendes’ marketing manager,” a beaming Robbie explains. “I’d given Sean a pair of the blue light glasses we do and said, ‘Throw ‘em on and see what you think.’

At the party he gets talking to Shawn Mendes who’s like, Man, I love your glasses, where did you get them?’ I’m standing across the room and Sean literally points at me.

I actually had apair of them on my head so I say to Shawn Mendes, ‘Here, do you want to try these?’ He went, ‘Yeah, awesome, class’ and went off all pleased with himself. Three days later, there’s this paparazzi picture of him wearing them as he’s goofing around on the street with his girlfriend Camila Cabello.

RUGBY WORLD CUP

Shawn Mendes sporting the Henshaw eyewear range. (Opposite page) Robbie Henshaw during the Guinness Summer Series againts Wales “He also posted a picture of him wearing them onto his Instagram – he’s got around 50 million followers – so, yeah, I was chuffed.”

Rugby players, including some of his Leinster teammates, have rightly been getting flak for their off the pitch behaviour, but Robbie remains the same amiable, low-key sort of guy that Enterprise sat down with for the first time in February 2015 in an Athlone hotel. Back then he was the Ireland new boy still marvelling at his rubbing shinpads with the likes of Paul O’Connell, Tommy Bowe, Johnny Sexton, Rory Best and Brian O’Driscoll who anointed him his no. 13 shirt successor. Now he’s a senior member of the squad, albeit one who’s had his fair share of injury issues ahead of Ireland’s trip to Japan for the Rugby World Cup.

You never underestimate the All Blacks, but were we to come up against them in the World Cup, we definitely wouldn’t be frightened going onto the pitch.

Asked how that 6ft 3in, 227lb body of his is doing, Robbie pauses for a moment and then says: “It’s good to be back in the swing of things. I’m getting there slowly but surely; it’s all about building week on week.

I’ve been doing a lot of my own gym work when we’re not in training camp.”

Did I see something about the Ireland lads powering their way round an army assault course recently?

“Yeah, we were out in Killary Harbour, which is a gorgeous part of the west of Ireland. I stuck to paddle boarding and kayaking, but some of the guys got filthy crawling through the muck and doing all that sort of stuff.”

Who appeared to be cut out for military service?

“Andrew Porter was loving it! He’s one of the most competitive lads in the squad and good at pretty much everything he tries. Tommy O’Donnell from Munster was up the front too. Those things really help to bring everyone together.”

Speaking of Mr. Porter, when Enterprise catches up with him for a pre-World Cup chat, he is buzzing about the tournament. Looking back over the last 12 months, he cites the Aviva victory over the All Black as a career highlight.

“Playing in a winning side against the All Blacks was a childhood dream come true,” he enthuses. “I got about twenty minutes. It was one of the fastest games I’ve ever played in. The ball was up one end of the pitch and then down the other because they can move it so fast. We treated it like a cup tie – ‘one-off game, eighty minutes, anything can happen’. The confidence

that comes from beating the best team in the world – they’ve been No.1 for I don’t know how long – is massive. You never ever underestimate the All Blacks, but were we to come up against them in the World Cup we definitely wouldn’t be frightened going onto the pitch.”

Like their 2019 as a whole, Ireland’s pre-World Cup warm-ups ran the gamut of form. There was the hugely disappointing opening defeat to Twickenham, which caused an outbreak of worry amongst fans and the media, only for back to back wins against Wales to steady the ship again.

Unlike football World Cup warm-ups where it’s “After you Cristiano/Lionel/ Harry/Kylian/Sergi/Edinson”, the Summer Series were anything but friendly.

“In football you can pull out of tackles and not run headlong into their biggest man, but it doesn’t work that way in rugby,” notes Henshaw. “You might be a bit, ‘The aim here is to not get injured’, but when the whistle goes and the ball’s kicked, you’re literally, ‘Let’s go!’ same as you would be in the Six Nations.”

Having been ruled out for the season afterwards, Robbie had a lot of time to reflect on that opening 32-20 Six Nations defeat to England. “It was a tough game,” he winces when asked what went wrong.

“Ireland v England is probably the biggest international rivalry and for periods we definitely matched them.

We got ourselves back into the lead on a couple of occasions, but for a few moments we dropped our concentration and focus and they punished us. It was knife-edge stuff, but they got the opportunities and scored – which is what good sides like them do.”

There’s also plenty of optimism about Ireland’s chances from 22-year-old Leinster full-back Jordan Larmour. Cards on the table time: does he think that Ireland can win the World Cup? “We believe that if we play to our full potential we can beat anybody,” says Jordan, which we’re taking as a “Yes, we’re going to go to Japan, whoop everybody and kickstart the biggest pre-Christmas party this or any other country has ever seen. And then some…”

For all of his breaking into the Irish squad, though, Jordan hasn’t been able to get anywhere near the team hi-fi yet.

“James Ryan is in charge of the tunes. He’s always making playlists, which have to include a bit of Christy Moore! I have my own music on shuffle, which is stuff like Post Malone and Khalid. I’m a bit of a hip hop boy!”

When talks turns to the enormous physical challenge the World Cup presents, Porter tells me that he didn’t know what a big hit was until Courtney Lawes bulldozed into him.

“Nathan Hughes is another one who lets you know he’s there,” Robbie Henshaw winces again. “Then you’ve the two Vunipolas and Manu Tuilagi. They’re physical boys. If you don’t match them, you’re in trouble.”

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FEATURE RONAN O'GARA

Last time round I’d have thought of myself as the inexperienced young boy, but now I’ve moved on to the next level.

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well. Gary’s class too. He’s really quick and a great passer. A ‘selection headache’ for a coach is having too few options, not too many. We’ve three or four different ways of playing at the moment, which is what you need if you’re looking to advance through a tournament.”

Does Robbie feel better-equipped going into this World Cup than he did four years ago heading to England as a relative rookie?

“Yeah, last time round I’d have thought of myself as the inexperienced young boy, but now I’ve moved on to the next level in terms of playing a lot and being around the squad.

I feel I’ve matured. Age alone isn’t going to get picked you, though. The likes of Jordan and Andrew, who both played in the same Ireland Under-20s team, are far more together at their age than I was. They’re excited to be involved and getting better and better as they go along. I haven’t seen anything phase them.” Japan will be a managerial swansong for Joe Schmidt who’d dearly love to go out on a World Cup winning high. What has Robbie learned from the gaffer?

“One of the big things is the simplicity of the game; just doing the basics, like catch/pass, well. Another big thing for him is your spacial awareness; the structure and seeing how different planned moves can break down teams. He’s come up with some ingenious moves to help us score with our first phase attacks. He has really good plays that work.”

After what we hope is a victorious November 2 in Yokohama Stadium, Joe will be replaced by current Irish defence coach, Andy Farrell. Will that make the transition fairly seamless?

“Yeah, I think so,” Robbie nods. “It’ll be exciting too because Andy is a great coach who’ll have his own ideas about how things should be done. He’s been in three quality set-ups – England, the Lions and Ireland for a few years – so he’s loads of experience.” International games aside, Robbie must have picked up a thing or two about how New Zealanders, Australians and South Africans play from coming up against the likes of Rhys Marshall, Jarrad Butler and Jean Kleyn in the Pro14.

“Definitely,” he agrees. “You see an individual or a team from

Photo: Aki David Fitzgerald / Sportsfile

Although England have deservedly picked up plenty of plaudits for some exceptional performances this year, Henshaw reckons the Welsh will also be a serious threat come kick off in Japan.

“They’re not too far off England in how they play and dominate teams,” Robbie reflects. “Their main strength is that they’re doggedand do things consistently. They’re very disciplined, which means youdon’t pick up too many points against them from penalties. Across the board Wales have players that you need to keep quiet. Their skipper, Alun Wyn Jones, and Ken Owens are big leaders. I’ve played alongside both of them with the Lions and they’re different class in terms of inspiring their teammates. Justin Tipuric is a quality player, Leigh Halfpenny… I could name the whole squad.

They’ve serious strength in depth. You just can’t afford to make unforced errors or let your concentration slip against them.

“It was the same for both sides, of course, but it was spilling rain and there was a bit of wind when we lost to them in Cardiff in the spring,” he continues. “They started well, but we definitely got ourselves back into it, which will give us confidence going into the two Summer Series games against them.”

Joe Schmidt has a massive call to make in terms of who out of Robbie, Bundee Aki and Gary Ringrose will be his midfield pairing for September 22’s World Cup opener against Scotland. Leaving himself out of the equation – which he’ll be hoping Joe doesn’t! – what are their respective strengths? “Bundee’s a sort of wrecking ball full of energy,” Robbie reflects. “He’s physical but has that nice skill set as

Robbie Henshaw and team-mate Jack Carty during the Guinness Summer Series againts Wales

RONAN O'GARA

Clockwise: Andrew Porter, Robbie Henshaw, Jordan Larmour, Bundee Aki

Photo: (Porter) Brendan Moran, Aki: Katrhin Baumbach, Larmour: Glen Bollard

the Southern Hemisphere do something and think, ‘Can we apply that to how we play?’ The game is always transforming and developing; different patterns come and go. If we come up against the All Blacks or the Wallabies or the Springboks, we’ll know what to expect – although that doesn’t necessarily make it any easier!”

First up for Joe Schmidt’s men in Yokohama are Scotland, the 22-13 smiting of whom in February was Ireland’s best Six Nations performance by quite soe distance.

“We attacked well and scored off one of our first phase plays through Jacob Stockdale,” Robbie resumes. “We lost Johnny Sexton but Joey Carberry came on and set up a lovely try for Keith Earls and kicked his goals. There were a few moments in the game when we defended superbly and held our line and didn’t let them in. It was a really good performance after a tough week losing to England. The team talk will be more or less ‘same again.’”

What sort of weather are they expecting in Japan? “The chat is that it’s going to be very humid and pretty hot. We’re going to Portugal to get ready for the warm environment, so that shouldn’t be an issue.”

Most supporters regard Scotland as Ireland’s sternest Pool A test, but September 28’s game against Japan in Shizuoka positively screams “banana skin!”

“To have the host country in our group is class,” he says before cautioning that, “It’ll be their second game after what you’d imagine will be a comfortable win against Russia, so they’re going to be totally up for it. Japan are a really decent side.”

You can also imagine Irish nerves jangling if Joe Schmidt’s men go into October 12’s final group stage tussle against

Samoa in Fukuoka needing a win to reach the quarters.

“I’ve never played them before, but they’ve quality throughout the squad including a couple of genuinely worldclass players,” he warns. “One thing you know with them is that it’ll be bruising. We’ll prepare for Japan and Samoa as thoroughly as we would do for the All Blacks.’”

What’s the World Cup atmosphere like?

“From the moment you fly over and land, everybody’s welcoming you,” Robbie recalls of his England 2015 experience. “The opening ceremony is where how big a deal it is properly sinks in. The eyes of the world are literally on you. The sheer number of people out on the streets before games is crazy. England’s somewhere we all know really well, but being in Japan will probably make it feel even more surreal. The key is to enjoy the occasion rather than being overwhelmed by it.”

Does it suit the underdog part of the Irish psyche that, having had a poor Six Nations, they’re no longer one of the favourites to win? “I’m not sure. Going back to the last World Cup, we did a lot of hard work that summer and got to the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, in our final group game against France, three of our big players picked up injuries, which meant heads were down a bit playing Argentina. We’ve learned an awful lot as a team since then.”

Will anything less than bringing the Webb Ellis Cup home be deigned a failure by Robbie and his teammates? “Absolutely, yes,” he agrees. “We’re good enough to win the World Cup; the trouble being that so are three or four other countries!

You need a little bit of luck, especially in terms of injuries, but if the squad stays reasonably fit there’s a real chance of the silverware flying home with us.”

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FEATURE RONAN O'GARA

Scrumming Back For More Irish legend Ronan O’Gara feels Ireland can learn from past mistakes and make a major impact at this year’s Rugby World Cup. Interview: Paul Nolan

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SCOTLAND

(YOKOHAMA, SEPTEMBER 22) The view of Ireland’s World Cup chances has fluctuated wildly in 2019. A disappointing Six Nations was followed by a record defeat against England in a warm-up game for Japan, though hopes were restored by back-to-back victories against Wales.

All things considered, there was perhaps a bit of an overreaction to the team’s dips in form.

“That sometimes happens in sport,” notes O’Gara. “I suppose when you get a team that has created really high standards for itself, the disappointment is always a little bit more acute. The great thing about this team has been their level of consistency, so for them to lose two games in the Six Nations was a bit of a shock to everybody, because of what they’d done in the previous three years.

“Disappointment is one thing, but if there was a malice in it, that would be different. However, I didn’t detect anything like

Photo: Sarah Henry

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true legend of Irish rugby who sealed his iconic status with his Grand Slam-winning kick against Wales 10 years ago, Ronan O’Gara has of late emerged as a coach of real promise, taking over the hot seat at French Top 14 club La Rochelle. This comes after two hugely successful years as backs coach at New Zealand side Crusaders, where O’Gara helped the team secure back-to-back Super Rugby titles during his tenure.

Sitting down for a chat with Enterprise during a visit to Old Wesley Rugby Club in Dublin, where he helped launch Energia’s new rugby campaign, The Power Behind Positive Energy, O’Gara turned his analytical skills to Ireland’s highly

anticipated World Cup games in Japan, kicking off with a showdown against Scotland in Yokohama.

RONAN O'GARA

The game management and cup rugby mentality in the northern hemisphere is very hard to beat.

O’Gara cautions against complacency in the Irish players, pointing to his own experience of the 2007 tournament. Then, Ireland went into the competition on a high, only to notoriously fail to emerge even from the group stages. “Because we were struggling against weaker nations, we were getting psychologically disturbed about it and trying to rectify it,” he reflects.

“Sometimes the best way to rectify it might be to trust in the plan you always had.

It’s important to have someone in charge of that: the mental side of the game has become huge.”

Is it now the most important element? “I think at that level, yes,” nods O’Gara. “There’s very little between the teams physically, and you’re spot on – this World Cup, for the first time ever, you couldn’t name the potential winners on just one hand. That wasn’t the case for all the other tournaments. There might be two or three at a push who you thought could win. If you did a poll out on the street today, you could get seven different countries.”

Japan’s captain Michael Leitch and (below) Scotland’s Finn Russell.

that. It’s just the way it goes – when people get interested in sport, everyone’s opinions differ, don’t they?”

Ireland’s opening opponents, Scotland, have been outside the elite of international rugby for many years – the last time they claimed a title was fully 20 years ago, when they won the final Five Nations tournament.

Still, the feeling remains that on their day, they are well capable of springing a surprise.

“A lot will depend on how Finn Russell goes,” reckons O’Gara. “He has the capacity to win a game. There’s a few potentially difficult games before you can even consider the quarter-finals.”

JAPAN

Photos: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile & Brendan Moran/Sportsfiles

(FUKUROI, SEPTEMBER 28) Japanese rugby has made considerable progress in recent years, and in the 2015 World Cup, they caused a sensation when defeating South Africa in one of the tournament’s most memorable games.

Though they will be underdogs against Ireland, led by captain Michael Leitch, they could pose real problems for Ireland.

“Japan as the host nation will be dangerous,” says O’Gara. “They had that huge win against South Africa last time out and the game is growing there all the time.

From working in New Zealand these past couple of years, I know they would scout players in Japan, and a lot of New Zealand players actually go to play in Japan at the end of their careers. It’s a lifestyle change and a different challenge.”

Looking at the tournament more broadly, is the humidity in Japan likely to prove a huge factor? “I’ve talked to a lot of guys who’ve played there in Japan around October and November,” says Ronan. “There’ll probably be fast pitches, but I don’t think there’ll

SAMOA

be searing heat or anything. It’ll be humid, yes, but I think that’s better – it’s better as a spectacle and for growing the game. It’s better having the dry ball, because it’s a very different game when it’s wet. In soccer and football, it’s not as much of a factor, but in rugby it really is. Dry conditions will make it very interesting.”

RUSSIA

(KOBE, OCTOBER 3) Notably, the Russian forwards coach is Irishman Mark McDermott, who last year was even acting head coach for a period following the resignation of Aleksandr Pervukhin. With Welshman Lyn Jones now at the helm, Russia will be looing to improve on their previous World Cup appearance in 2011, when Ireland had fully 50 points to spare in their Group C encounter.

(FUKUOKA, OCTOBER 12) With New Zealander Steve Jackson at the helm, Samoa have yet to record a signature World Cup win, although they’ve had some close encounters against South Africa, Wales and Scotland.

“Samoa, to be fair, they’ve done a bit of damage in World Cups previously,” says O’Gara. “They have some incredibly powerful rugby players, even if they’ve struggled to put it together as a team. Another factor as the tournament progresses will be Ireland’s strength in depth. We probably have a stronger squad this time out, although there are obviously still key men like Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray. Then you have guys like James Ryan, Rory Best, Furlong and Healy. “ In terms of style, there’s probably more space in the southern hemisphere and more of an attacking mindset. But the game management and cup rugby mentality in the northern hemisphere is very hard to beat.”

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FEATURE BILLIE EILISH

T H E E I L I S H T I M E S She’s a once-in-a-generation pop phenomenon whose debut album soared to number one across the world. Before turning in one of the all-time great Electric Picnic appearances, Billie Eilish talked to Stuart Clark about Justin Bieber, Stella McCartney, Paul McCartney, Greta Thunberg and soon-to-be new best friend, Glen Hansard.

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tarstruck? Ever so slightly. It’s not every day that you get to meet – apologies to Taylor, Miley, Lana, Beyoncé etc. – the hottest pop star on the planet.

And with oodles of credibility to boot.

We’re backstage at Electric Picnic where in just over three hours, Eilish will play to one of the biggest Main Stage audiences ever – and get a humongous roar when she mentions her Irish roots.

“I’m Scottish and Irish,” she tells us. “I can’t tan AT ALL. For years nobody had ‘Eilish’ even in their vocabulary. Literally the other day somebody stopped me in the street to take a picture and he said that his girlfriend’s first name was ‘Eilish’.

I was like, ‘Oh my God’. I’m excited to go to Ireland and not be the only one. I like being unique and everything, but I would also like to be somewhere people can pronounce my name correctly.”

Accompanied by her mum, dad and elder brother Finneas, the prodigiously talented 17-year-old arrived in Dublin yesterday afternoon. Time has been tight, but they managed to drive round the Phoenix Park, which she

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proclaims to be “stunning.”

“We saw some deer, which you don’t get too many of in LA,” she jokes. “It was really pretty. Our hotel’s right next to the river, which looks incredible. I don’t really get to walk anywhere these days, but I get the sense that it’s a great city to just dive into and explore.”

She genuinely couldn’t wait to get to Dublin because that’s where one of her all-time favourite movies, John Carney’s Once, was shot.

“Our schedule didn’t allow it, but the next time I’m in Dublin I want to recreate that photo of Guy with his guitar on his back and Girl walking through Temple Bar,” Billie says with a grin as wide as the aforementioned Liffey.

The whispers I’d heard earlier about Once co-star, Glen Hansard, coming down to Stradbally to meet Billie turn out to be true.

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to hold it together when we meet because I’m such a massive fan,” she confides as we sit down for our natter. “Once was my mum and dad’s movie and my brother’s movie, so it was sort of handed down to me by them. I love Glen Hansard.

Meeting your heroes is sometimes disappointing, though. I hope this won’t be.”

“Getting to meet Justin Bieber and FaceTime Paul McCartney; that’s never going to be normal.”

BILLIE EILISH

When I tell her not to worry, Glen’s coffee. lovely, she almost yells back: “Great, I Has Billie got to meet Stella’s old fella love hearing that! Actually, dude, I’ve met yet? some really great people recently. Sporty “I’ve not, no, but when we went to meet Spice who’s so nice, Billie Joe Armstrong her at her headquarters she was like, from Green Day, Avril Lavigne and Justin ‘Let’s FaceTime dad.’ I was there with my Bieber. It was very surreal because for all whole family and we all grew up on The my childhood and teenage years I had Beatles.” posters of Justin on my wall. He’s a really Quick quiz; what’s the best Fab Four nice guy.” album?

Billie has only nice things to say as well “Er, The White Album.” about Pharrell Williams who interviewed Correct answer. And song? her recently for V, the style magazine “Dude, tough questions! I only have to for cool kids who think that Vogue has listen to ‘Something’ to be reminded of passed its sell-by date. all that’s good and beautiful in the world.

“He’s so sweet,” she coos. “That was a I love that song. ‘A Day In The Life’ is couple of months ago on the phone. I amazing too.” was in Seattle on tour but we’d met a Right again. Back to Billie’s “let’s couple of times before. It was so wild to FaceTime dad” story… be hanging out with Pharrell; he’s always “Yeah, so I’m like, ‘But your dad’s Paul been such a legend.”

McCartney…’ and she goes, ‘Er, yeah, I The striking cover shot by Dutch brother know.’ Stella gets him up on screen and sister fashion duo, Inez and Vinoodh, and my mum cries, my dad cries, my makes her look like a goth princess. brother cries and then I cry; it was a chain “That was a verrrrrry long shoot,” she reaction. We were all blubbering, but it recalls theatrically rolling her r-s. “With was cool!” them being as weird as they are, I‘d Billie’s belief in herself and her normally have said, ‘No’ to those pictures. generation was evident earlier in the Did you see, like, the cat mask? On any year when she proffered that, “Teenagers normal day, I’d have been like, ‘Ewwwww, know more about the country we’re hell no, I’m not going to put those living in right now than anybody. We’re extensions in, I’m not going to wear that being ignored and it’s so dumb. We know F R O M T O P : Paul McCartney, Greta Thunberg and Billie Eilish with Glen Hansard mask, I’m not going to wear this outfit, everything.”

I’m not going to be in front of this chair…’

Which given what the likes of Greta For some reason I was in this mood where Thunberg and gun control activist Emma I went, ‘Hell yeah, let’s do that, I’m down!’”

González have been up to recently is Pharrell’s gob was comprehensively impossible to argue against. smacked when Billie told him she literally “I’ll be eligible to vote for the first time dreamed up the video for ‘ilomilo’ – that’s in 2020,” she eagerly notes, “which I the one where she’s slo-mo sitting on a can’t wait for. Last year I took part in a giant ladder – in her sleep. registration drive in Los Angeles with “I immediately woke up and was like, ‘Oh the mayor, Eric Garcetti, because one my God, that’s a video I have to make!’” of the most fundamental ways to feel she explains. “My dreams are so random empowered is to vote. People think, ‘Oh, and so intense no matter what I do. I dream a lot of my visuals; like I’m only one person’ but it’s like, ‘Bro, if we all thought that way the whole album is based around a drawing of this character who nothing would ever change.’ You gotta vote!” repeatedly features in them. It’s kind of cheating because I’m doing Billie Eilish seems to take this pop star lark in her stride. the work subconsciously!”

"My one wish is to not take things for granted. If you think about Another of Billie’s A-List celebrity pals is Stella McCartney who things while you are doing them… ‘well, this is insane’ - that kind of supplied her with the psychedelic Beatles-inspired two-piece she messes you up,” she continued. “In my head, I take everything that wore at Glastonbury. comes as if it is normal. I do my thing as if no one is watching or “Billie, her brother and her whole family have a musical story which listening.” completely fits with my own upbringing,” McCartney enthused Even so, there must be moments when she goes, “Hang on a afterwards. “We’re all vegetarians, vegans and animal lovers; we second, this is insane!!!!” spent a lot of time talking about our obsession with horses and how “Oh my god, that thought has been floating around my head more they are completely healing and save our souls. In my eyes, she has than ever before recently,” she confides. “How can walking out to been really great at self-preservation. It’s important for me to align all those tens of thousands of people at Glastonbury be anything myself with people that believe in the same things as I do, so I can other than crazy? My first ever arena show was in March, so this is have honest and true conversations.” still new to me. I was standing on stage in Prague the other night Which, as endorsements go, is pretty damn ringing. with all these people screaming my name and just started crying.

“I went to Stella’s headquarters when we were in London,” Billie The crowds in Russia had no idea what I was saying but, oh my god, resumes. “I totally respect that she doesn’t use any animal materials the energy coming from them. Getting to meet Justin Bieber and in her products. There’s no leather, there’s no fur. It’s all vegan and FaceTime Paul McCartney; that’s never going to be normal.” animal cruelty-free, which with global warming and everything is Does she feel the pressure of people, particularly young teenage really, really important. A big part of the problem is people not girls who are out in force at Electric Picnic, being so emotionally realising the impact that the meat and dairy industries are having. invested in her music?

The Amazon forest is being burned down to make way for farms “Growing up I felt exactly the way that they feel,” she concludes. where they kill and butcher cows. That’s why it’s happening.

“When somebody comes up to me in what might seem an “It may sound stupid and simplistic, but enough of us doing the inappropriate way or says something weird, I remind myself that right things will make this world a happier and better place.” the reason they’re doing it is that they have an intense feeling for I’ve been dabbling with veganism myself recently; the biggest you. I never ever met any of my idols when I was little, but if I had conundrum being which milk substitute to go with?

I’m sure I’d have lost my mind and sobbed. It’s such a privilege to “Oatly’s great,” she recommends. “They do a special barista one for be doing what I am right now.”

“It may sound stupid and simplistic, but enough of us doing the right things will make this world a happier and better place.”

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FEATURE TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB

SCREEN SPIRIT

With False Alarm, Two Door Cinema Club have produced their most joyous record yet. But as Kevin Baird explains, a return from the Bangor trio wasn’t always a sure thing.

He talks touring, working with Jacknife Lee, and revisiting the band’s early days, with Peter McGoran.

K

evin Baird is having a well-deserved day off. He’s in the midst of a busy summertime festival schedule, which has seen himself, Alex Trimble and Sam Halliday perform everywhere from Glastonbury to Vienna.

It’s been nearly 10 years since the release of the Bangor band’s debut, Tourist History. A clean-cut gem of an album, it secured their spot at the top of a massive pile of indie-electro artists, and paved the way for international stardom.

In the years which followed, Two Door Cinema Club have continued to impress with each album release. But they’ve sometimes found themselves as victims of their own success. Early popularity, coupled with a sometimes rigorous touring schedule and a phalanx of critics who wanted to compare everything they released to their first

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album, has meant that Two Door Cinema Club have had their own share of difficulties. Despite this, Kevin Baird is happy to be back on the road again.

“It’s been good,” he nods, chilling in his London home.

“It’s gruelling obviously. I feel like when we were younger we thought, ‘We’ll get a bit more successful and we’ll start playing later at festivals and that’ll just mean we’ll have less work to do’. But I don’t know… With every year and every album, it feels like more people want a piece of you.”

Not that that’s a bad thing, Kevin says.

“It’s a good problem to have – and the gigs have been great.”

Having been in this game for over a decade, are they better at saying ‘enough’s enough’ when it comes to touring, or do they still like to gig as much as possible?

“I think we’re slightly more cautious than we were in the past,” Kevin says. “But in the past, the workload was only part of the problem for us. It was more a case of us getting into a mental space that pushed us over the edge and led to us needing time off.

“So even when we’re away from home and on the road, we’re much better at looking after each other and checking in with ourselves, and being as happy as can be.

Because ultimately, none of us want to go back to playing shows or being in a band and not enjoying it. What’s the point in that?”

What were they were doing wrong in the past that led

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB

to those mental problems?

“A lot of them were just common things for young men.

I mean, we were teenagers when we started out, and we had to have that transition into adulthood while being in a band that was doing well. Those first formative adult years, between 18 to 23, were the most intense in our lives. That played a part in the struggle to figure out who each of us was. And that manifests itself when you have to spend a lot of time together making music. We weren’t very good at communicating with each other, and we weren’t always able to stand up and say, ‘Look I don’t like this’. It was a pressure cooker sometimes, and we had to let it explode before we got the pot back on the simmer.”

Is that all behind them now?

“Yeah, definitely,” he nods. “Even when it was at its worst, there were still parts of it that we enjoyed. And even now, despite the times where you’re tired or you’re in a bad mood , we’ll forget all that as soon as we step out on stage. That’s the most enjoyable part of our day.

If we weren’t able to get up on stage and do what we do after a five-hour layover or something, we wouldn’t be doing it at all.”

Two Door Cinema Club were one of the acts who joined Snow Patrol for their seminal Ward Park gig in May. Given that they’re another band from Bangor, was it an important gig for them?

“Yeah, it was really great,” he says, before laughing.

“You know we keep getting asked about it and I keep having to stress the point that all credit is due to Snow Patrol. We were very much along for the ride. They kindly asked us to come along to play. We had to move heaven and earth to make it possible, but honestly we wouldn’t miss it. It wasn't just embracing great Irish music – it was bigger than that, I think.”

How so?

“Just the sort of cultural climate around it. Gary in particular did a great job of making that show be about all the right things. Not just celebrating local music or platforming it. You look at the care with which he curated small events in Bangor even before the gig.

That’s so important. So it was amazing to play, but I think the bigger enjoyment was watching everything around it.”

Would the band keep an ear to the ground for new Irish music?

“Yeah, for sure,” Kevin says. “It’s hard sometimes because we’re not there as much, but there’s some amazing poetic-punk happening with Fontaines D.C.

“You look at the care with which Gary Lightbody curated small events in Bangor even before the gig. That’s so important.” and The Murder Capital. There’s some exciting stuff coming out of Belfast as well, and so much variety.”

FALSE ALARM Two Door Cinema Club’s fourth album, False Alarm, was released back in June. Dabbling in everything from funk to Afropop to rap featurettes, it’s a record that very nearly wasn’t made.

“At the beginning, when we were writing and recording Gameshow, we didn’t know whether it was going to be successful or whether the three of us would even be able to get through an album cycle and a touring cycle and not kill each other,” Ken explains. “We didn’t know at the end of it whether we’d say, ‘OK, that was that, now we’re done.’ That was the thought going into it. It felt very much 50/50. We didn’t know whether we were going to be a band at the end of it. Then we stood back at the end of that tour and said, ‘You know what? That was fun’. We enjoyed the gigs. We enjoyed the album.

We enjoyed spending time together. Our relationship changed in a way. We found a new comfort with each other, even outside of writing music. So it wasn’t so much a plan, but more of an appetite.”

The band teamed up with producer Jacknife Lee again (U2, The Killers). He’s been behind every album they’ve released since 2012’s Beacon. What was it like going back into the studio with him?

“It was awesome,” Kevin beams. “It goes without saying that he’s one of the most talented producers in the world. But on top of that, we consider him a really good friend. He’s almost the fourth member of our band now.

We’ve been mates with him for about eight years, so the relationship has really grown. And it’s not just hard work – it’s also really fun working with him. It’s a chilled but driven process.”

• Two Door Cinema Club’s new album False Album is out now. They play the Big Top in Galway on July 26.

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FOOD

A FOOD AWAKENING The latest dining news from resident foodie Stuart Clark

(Clockwise from left) Roe & Co whiskey, Where The Wild Cooks Go by Cery Matthews and Buba restaurant

THE MEAL DEAL

There are tenner lunches and £15 two-course Early Birds to be had as Belfast Restaurant Week returns from September 23-29.

Running across BT1/BT2, the 40-plus participating restaurants include Buba, Fish City, Home, Mourne Seafood Bar, Novelli, Top Blade and the various members of the Deanes empire. Seriously tasty stuff!

Get the full lowdown at belfastrestaurantweek.org.

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

Having established themselves as a highlight of the summer culinary calendar, Taste Of Dublin is running its first ‘festive edition’ in the Dublin RDS. Running from November 28-December 1, expect all manner of festive treats including plenty of alternatives to the Xmas tukey – and tipples to go with them!

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Tickets priced ¤15 are available from dublin. tastefestivals.com.

BORN TO BE WILD

Having successfully transferred to radio – keep an ear out for her BBC 6Music appearances – Cerys Matthews now turns gourmand globetrotter with Where The Wild Cooks Go: Recipes, Music, Poems And Cocktails.

As beautifully written as it is illustrated, the fifteen chapters take us to such foodie havens as Jamaica, Spain, France, Italy, Morocco, India Japan, the Middle East and Ireland where she recommends reading W.B. Yeats’ ‘The Song Of Wandering Aengus’ and listening to Van Morrison whilst scoffing Champ And Colcannon, Mussels In Wine (some quality vintages are produced nowadays in Wicklow) and Chocolate and Guinness Fondants.

Our favourite is the instant Raspberry ‘Gelato’ cheat Matthews pairs with a classic Campari spritz and Beniamino Gigli’s ‘Santa Luca’.

GOOD COMPANY

Diageo’s eagerly awaited distillery, Roe & Co., has opened to the public at 91 James’ Street, Dublin 8.

The old Guinness power station – think Pink Floyd’s

Animals album cover, only slightly smaller – has been converted into a state of the art facility that, in addition to those all-important copper vessels, includes a visitors centre and extremely chi-chi bar where whiskey cocktails reign supreme.

Book a visit at roeandcowhiskey.com.

FEATURE ÁINE GROOGAN

G O I N G G R E E N Having topped the poll in Belfast’s Botanic Ward in May, Green Party councillor Áine Groogan was part of Northern Ireland’s own ‘Green Wave’. Here, she shares her vision for how Belfast can become a sustainable city.

B

efore discussing what we need to make Belfast a sustainable city, we need to properly acknowledge that we are facing a climate emergency. We have 11 years to stop global warming going beyond the point of no return, and that must be the focus for our city; every single decision we take now must be future-proofed for climate change.

We have some ambitious goals for the city in the Belfast Agenda, but we must ensure that we are developing in a sustainable, resilient and inclusive way.

The Green Party vision for Belfast is about creating healthier, happier communities. We want to tackle air pollution by improving our public transport and active travel network. We want to move towards a sustainable economy that addresses climate breakdown and economic inequality. We want a city built on genuine peace and inclusivity, and we want to prioritise community spaces and services that are accessible for all. At the centre of all of this is the concept of a Just Transition – implementing the Green

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New Deal in a way where no community is left behind.

Belfast is a unique city and the challenges and opportunities we face can’t be neatly compared to anywhere else. But there are examples that we can draw on to help develop a more sustainable city. Copenhagen is an example of a city that really transformed itself. It has an amazing transport system, an energy-efficient housing stock that meets the city’s needs, and it’s on track to be the first carbon neutral city in the world.

I believe that it’s possible to build a culture of cycling in Belfast – we just need the political will to do it! The impact of some of the new Greenways in Belfast has been fantastic for cyclists, and I’d like to see an expansion of that project. Like most things, it will require much more investment, but the benefits far outweigh the initial costs. We need to build a proper cycling network, because at the moment it’s patchy at best and downright dangerous at worst.

We need joined up and segregated cycle lanes; more secure cycle-parking provision; a strategic expansion of the Belfast Bikes scheme; and we need to introduce

ÁINE GROOGAN

"We want a city built on genuine peace and inclusivity, and we want to prioritise community spaces and services that are accessible for all."

20mph speed limits in residential areas and around schools… Lots to be working on!

One of our goals is encouraging more people to use public transport. Translink have recently announced their highest ever passenger numbers, which shows that we are moving in the right direction, but we still need to break the ‘cult of the car’. The Green Party have recently started an Air Quality campaign in Belfast and, as part of this, we tested the air right across the city. I think we even shocked ourselves at how bad the pollution in the city is. With over 500 deaths a year in NI from air pollution-related causes, we know we have no choice but to treat our car usage as a serious public health risk, and that’s without even looking at the wider impact on climate change!

Public transport must be affordable, accessible and easy to use. The Glider bus is a good example of what we can do when we properly invest in our public transport. I want to see that replicated across Belfast and hopefully see a North-South route, as well as the current East-West route. The network outside of Belfast is also way behind where it should be.

In terms of waste, Belfast is doing okay in comparison to some places, but there’s still plenty of room for

improvement. We want to see a target of 70% for household recycling and composting by 2025, and this must be accompanied by improvements in our waste management infrastructure locally. We also want to see vast improvements in recycling in the commercial sector; we want to see recycling targets set for commercial waste and improvements in how it is managed.

I would also support a ban on plastic packaging in supermarkets. I tried to go completely plastic-free about six months ago and it really is impossible! I’ve made changes and tried to reduce my plastic use, but until supermarkets and big businesses actually start making substantial changes to their practices, we won’t see the reduction in plastic that is needed.

For people who want to learn more on Northern Ireland’s climate change record, the Committee on Climate Change issued a report in February of this year on NI’s emissions, which gives a good overview of where we are. I would definitely recommend keeping an eye on the newly announced Energy Transition and Climate Resilience Commission for Belfast, and the work that Grainia Long, the Commissioner for Resilience in Belfast, is doing.

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FEATURE DAVID NICHOLLS

THE SWEETEST THING

T

Following the success of One Day, Starter For Ten and Us, award-winning author David Nicholls discusses his latest work, Sweet Sorrow – an emotional coming-of-age novel exploring teenage romance, toxic masculine friendships and the power of Shakespeare.

INTERVIEW: STEPHEN PORZIO PHOTO: SOPHIA SPRING

itles rarely come as apt as Sweet Sorrow, the fifth novel from English writer David Nicholls. Set predominantly in the ’90s, it centres around the character of Charlie Lewis, a 16-year-old inbetweener with a troubled home life and little confidence (“My distinctive feature was lack of distinction,” he says of himself in one of many witty lines).

After most likely flunking his final year exams, he is prepared for an agonisingly long summer taking care of his depressed and divorced father, working part-time at a petrol station and binge-drinking with his laddish mates. However, a chance encounter with fellow teenager and aspiring actress Fran Fisher leads him to take part in something he would never normally participate in for fear of ridicule – an amateur theatre production of Romeo & Juliet (a line from which gives the novel its title). While she is Juliet and he is Benvolio,

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the two develop quite a bond over the summer.

Nicholls describes the novel as a “memory book”, with an older Charlie reminiscing over this pivotal time in his youth.

“My first novel, Starter For Ten, was a coming-of-age book that was very much about being in the moment. I didn’t want to rewrite that,” says the novelist. “I wanted to write about that experience of looking back with a certain amount of regret, sadness and fond embarrassment.”

In this era of nostalgia, what’s especially refreshing about Sweet Sorrow is that it doesn’t gaze at the past through rose-tinted glasses. It explores deftly the awkwardness of being a teenager, while also – through Charlie’s father – the stigma with which previous generations regarded mental health issues: “A bit blue, not himself, down in the dumps... it was remarkable, really, our ability to devise coy phrases and euphemisms, like a parlour game in which you’re not allowed to use a particular word,” Charlie states in the novel.

“It’s a terrible summer in a way,” says Nicholls. “Falling in

DAVID NICHOLLS

"I wanted to write about that experience of looking back with a certain amount of regret, sadness and fond embarrassment."

love is wonderful, but Charlie also has a certain amount of trauma.”

Nostalgia, it seems, isn’t all it’s cracked up to be!

“I’ve just turned 50. There’s always a certain amount of looking back that’s involved in that. I try not to. It can become a bit of a trap. Nostalgia is a double-edged sword. At some point, I was reading the book and thinking it would be nice to be this age again. Other times, I forced myself to remember what it was really like and how difficult it is.”

While the book is not autobiographical – “I don’t have a summer like Charlie’s to look back at,” jokes Nicholls – the novelist does say Sweet Sorrow is his most personal yet. “I feel a certain amount of regret about childhood. I imagine everyone does to a degree.

We’re young and foolish. We make mistakes. I wasn’t particularly like Charlie, but if there is any overlap, it’s in a certain self-consciousness and lack of confidence.

“With Charlie it’s education. He doesn’t feel he’s smart enough,” David adds. “I wasn’t like that at school. I was very driven and ambitious academically. But the awkwardness, the inability to express himself – that’s something I identify with.”

Another element which feels personal to Nicholls is the depiction in Sweet Sorrow of toxic male friendships.

Charlie’s mates struggle to express their true feelings, constantly hurling insults at each other. These include calling the protagonist by the nickname ‘Council’ because he lives in a council estate, a type of behaviour Charlie dubs early on as “sentimental abuse”.

What does he mean by that?

“It was the refusal to say anything nice. The insults were constant. There’s a terrible word for it which even now makes me shudder – ‘banter’ – this idea of a bond where you can be fondly abusive to people. I really hate it. But no one ever said: ‘This is crazy, let’s stop’.

That’s just how it was. Culturally that’s changed a bit, but maybe not entirely.”

Sweet Sorrow also captures that time in artistic young men’s lives when they realise it’s fine to extend their interests beyond laddish things. While for Charlie this occurs through meeting Fran and her theatre troupe, for Nicholls it was when he attended university.

“There were maybe three or four boys in my year who were prepared to be in plays or who were very bookish,” remembers Nicholls. “It was quite a tough

school. It was something immediately leapt on, if you expressed any kind of enthusiasm. It was considered posh and snobby.

“My first book was about going to university and that was a huge change. It became okay to be proud of your work or to be interested in your subject. That was a great relief. I’d never really experienced that in school.

You had to hide your curiosity. It was almost a kind of furtive business to love books, films or being in plays.”

Set in the UK in the ’90s, music is a big part of Sweet Sorrow. Not only are there passing references to Britpop bands and the Trainspotting soundtrack, in the acknowledgements section Pulp’s spoken word track ‘David’s Last Summer’ is given a shout out.

“It’s a beautiful piece of poetry and a brilliant evocation of a time of life and a place,” says Nicholls. “I wanted to capture and convey that sense of the leaves turning on the trees and the birds leaving and summer being over – a kind of sweet sorrow that’s contained in that song.

“Pulp have always been very good about adolescence, that particular awkward, sticky, tricky time in our lives.

There is a passing reference to Blur and Oasis. But it’s always been Pulp that were important to me from that era.”

Having adapted his novels Starter For Ten and One Day into movies, next up is his 2014 book Us – which is getting a four-part BBC series starring Tom Hollander (Bohemian Rhapsody). It centres on a man whose wife says she is considering leaving him. Having already planned a family grand tour of Europe, the husband works both to make his spouse fall in love with him again and to grow closer to his son.

Will Sweet Sorrow also get a starry onscreen adaptation? “I’m not sure,” answers Nicholls. “It has a tricky structure. Flashbacks are difficult because you lose some emotional engagement with the main story if you are constantly leaping around.

“At the same time, it has those cinematic influences. I thought a lot about Gregory’s Girl while writing it. But I haven’t really grappled with that yet. I’ve avoided all those conversations because I love it as a book and want it to have life as a book.”

• Sweet Sorrow is out now, published by Hodder & Stoughton

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TRAVEL CAPE COD

MARITIME OF YOUR LIFE Renowned as the favourite summer destination of New Englanders, Cape Cod also has plenty to offer the regular tourist, including gorgeous beaches, sporting thrills, culinary delights, and more.

BY BRENNA RANSDEN

C

ape Cod, endearingly known as “the Cape”, is a 100-km peninsula in eastern Massachusetts comprised of 15 small towns and villages.

As it was the site of the first landing of the Pilgrim ship the Mayflower in 1620, many of the town names resemble those of England, such as Chatham, Falmouth and Sandwich – where, yes, the Sandwich Police patrol town. There are also two small islands, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, accessible by ferry from the mainland.

When explaining its geography, locals will hold up a flexed arm to mimic the shape of the peninsula. It’s universally-understood cartography down the Cape.

Of course, people are very territorial about which part of the Cape to visit, since most Cape-goers have been summering there their whole lives. That said, the Lower Cape – the elbow, cartographically – is definitely the best as it’s less commercialised than its western neighbours but has more local shops and restaurants than those to the north. Also noteworthy is Provincetown – the fist – which is probably the most recognisable gay town in the United States, after San Francisco. Commercial Street is dotted with gay bars and clubs and drag shows, and the annual Bear Week draws people from across the country.

But there really is no bad place to go on Cape Cod! Also, the islands can be good for either a day trip or a weeklong stay.

As it’s a seasonal destination, Memorial Day on the last Monday of May, and Labor Day on the first Monday of September bracket what’s known as “Cape season”. Outside of

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these dates, many shops, restaurants, and hotels that run on a seasonal basis are closed. That said, visiting as late in the season as possible is recommended since it is better in terms of crowding, and the water is warmer.

To get to Cape Cod is a two-step process: first, flying to the States, and second, getting down the Cape.

Step one is pretty straightforward: roundtrip flights between Dublin and Boston, the nearest major city to Cape Cod, are regularly available for under ¤400.

Step two can be achieved in many ways. But for maximum flexibility, car rental is the best way to get from Boston to the Cape, since it’ll also allow more freedom. Be warned: traffic will be rough during rush hour and on the weekends, since there are only two small bridges connecting Cape Cod to the rest of the state. On average, the drive takes anywhere from 1 – 2 hours, depending on the destination.

For those who don’t feel like braving a drive on the right side of the road, The Plymouth and Brockton Bus Street Railway Co. (p-b.com) will do the driving for you with busses that connect Logan Airport to most Cape towns along the main highway. Adult tickets run from $27-$38 depending on the final destination.

Bay State Cruise Company (baystatecruisecompany.com) and Boston Harbor Cruises (bostonharborcruises.com) both run daily ferry services between Boston and Provincetown from mid-May to mid-October for a $30-$90 roundtrip, depending on time and age. The trip takes about 90 minutes.

Friday through Sunday, the CapeFLYER train (capeflyer.com) runs from Boston’s South Station to Bourne

TRAVEL

MICHELLE SCHAFFER

“Just like any vision of a classic American summer, the Cape Cod experience always includes three elements: ice cream, the beach, and baseball” CLOCKWISE FROM TOP

Princetown; Flying the flag; Martha's Vineyard; Chatham Candy Manor; and the Wellfeet Drive-In Theatre.baseball in Cape Cod.

and Hyannis. Seats can’t be reserved in advance, so be sure to get to the station early to ensure you get one. Roundtrip tickets cost $35-$40 depending on the final destination.

And finally, for those who wish to splurge, Cape Air (capeair. com) has plane routes to Hyannis, Provincetown, and the islands from Boston. While it’s technically the fastest way to get there with only about 30 minutes of air time, roundtrip tickets can be upwards of $300 during the summer months.

Cape Cod was built for visitors, so expect lots of lodging options. The most common, however, are classic bed and breakfast and home rentals.

For holidays of at least a week, a home rental is normally the most economical choice. A quick internet search will reveal a myriad of rental sites.

Just like any vision of a classic American summer, the Cape Cod experience always includes three elements: ice cream, the beach, and baseball. And if there is only one thing that almost all Cape-goers can agree on, it’s that Sundae School (sundaeschool.com) is the best place to get ice cream. This comes as no surprise, seeing as USA Today named them the fifth

best ice cream shop in the country last year. The original ice cream parlour in Dennisport (381 Lower County Road, Dennisport, MA 02639) will transport you back to 1950s America, complete with a self-playing piano. They also have parlours in Harwichport (606 Main St., Route 28, Harwich Port, MA 02646) and East Orleans (210 Main Street, East Orleans, MA 02653). If you go around the 4th of July, they offer a special sundae with fresh berries and homemade whipped cream that cannot be missed.

More controversial is determining the best place to swim on Cape Cod. Fortunately, it’s hard to go wrong when finding a good beach.

Each town’s website lists their public beaches and they’re all sure to satisfy. However, if it’s big waves you’re after, the Cape Cod National Seashore (nps.gov/caco), a national park, has some of the greatest.

Coast Guard Beach (2 Ocean View Dr, Eastham, MA 02642) and Nauset Light Beach (780 Ocean View Dr, Eastham, MA 02642) are two of the most popular beaches along the National Seashore. There are often shark sightings off this coast though, so be sure to check ahead of time whether or not people are allowed to swim that day.

In the evenings, catch a game in the Cape Cod Baseball League (capecodbaseball.org), an amateur summer baseball league that is known for churning out future prolevel stars. The season runs midJune to mid-August and there are 10 teams scattered across the Cape.

The best part? Admission is free.

When the weather gets dreary, hitting the downtown shops is the best way to keep busy. Check out the homemade fudge and nostalgic candy selection at the Chatham Candy Manor in downtown Chatham (484 Main Street, Chatham, MA, 12633, candymanor.com) and

the locally-made jewellery and stationery at Sativa in downtown Harwichport (517 MA-28, Harwich Port, MA 02646, facebook.com/ Sativastuff). For those iconic colourful sweatshirts with “CAPE COD” adorned across the chest, head to Cuffy’s (723 Main Street, West Dennis, MA 02670, cuffys.com) to grab a cosy souvenir.

Finally, the Wellfleet Flea Market, hosted at the Wellfleet DriveIn Theatre (51 State Highway, Route 6, Wellfleet, MA 02667, wellfleetcinemas.com/drive-intheatre), is the ideal place to shop for anything from cheap trinkets to one-of-a-kind vintage pieces.

At night, the drive-in presents a double feature under the stars, which starts with a family-friendly movie followed by something for the adults.

Of course, when the hunger hits, there are a million brilliant places to fill up. For an unforgettable breakfast, head to Hole In One (98 MA-6A, Orleans, MA 02653, theholecapecod.com) which has scrumptious homemade donuts and numerous variations on eggs benedict. It wouldn’t be a Cape Cod vacation without at least one serving of lobster, so head to Sesuit Harbor Café (357 Sesuit Neck Road, Dennis, MA, 02638, sesuit-harbor-cafe. com) to enjoy one of their famous lobster rolls on the patio by the water for the ultimate experience. If you still have room, top it off with some pie from Marion’s Pie Shop (2022 Main St, Chatham, MA 02633, marionspieshopofchatham.com), where fresh pies of every flavour imaginable are whipped up every morning.

And no matter where you venture, keep an eye out while exploring – many places have an annual sand sculpture competition, where artists will create showstopping sandcastles across town!

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Orange Is the New Black Roe McDermott on the top Autumn fashion trends, including orange’s resurgence.

RIVER ISLAND 36

FASHION

T R E N D S

S U N S E T

S H A D E S

Burnt orange Dress ¤28, Pretty Little Thing

Tangerine Skirt, Marks & Spencer

Fiesta print headband ¤19.90, Accessorize

O

ASHION E N T E R PF R I S E

range is often embraced as a spiritual colour – the colour of fire, passion and transformation. It’s beloved for its cheerful, energising and creative energy, and has long been a favourite of spiritual and creative leaders.

Whether you are spiritual or not, you cannot deny that orange is a bold, warm, and eyecatching colour, the colour of sunrises and sunsets, of ripe fruit and bright flowers – making it the perfect shade with which to bid goodbye to summer.

In the Spring/Summer 2019 collections, orange was a mainstay on the catwalks. Fendi featured bright apricot kaftans and flowing beach ensembles, paired with geometric patterns of black and eggshell blue for striking contrast. Peter Petov featured bright tangerine, oversized suits, while Stella McCartney used the same hue in her draped, billowing dresses, paired with white ankle boots for a orange sherbet and cream twist. Marc Jacobs went for melon-hued cocktail dresses complete with ruffled flowers, while Versace kept it slick in sunrise coloured silk. Ermanno Scervino showed how to rock a goldfish orange hue with his elaborately ruffled gowns, but also embraced street-style with some loud and proud orange camouflage ensembles, with puffer jackets and rusthued corsets.

The orange trend is a perfect transitional colour, as the tropical citrus hues will keep you feeling bright and summery. Team your bright orange shorts and skirts with crisp white shirts for an impossibly fresh looking outfit, or pair tangerine with shades of hot pink or baby blue for an eye-catching contrast.

Burnt orange and rust shades will ease you into autumn, creating a more cosy and subtle vibe as they evoke the changing leaves. Comfy orange camo is going to be a trend that persists through September and into October – where, of course, pumpkin shades will emerge. Pantone, the arbiter of all things colour, have also predicted that turmeric will become a big hue of the Summer/Autumn transition. These darker shades look beautiful when paired with browns, navys and black. Of course, if you want to ease into the orange trend, look for prints that feature orange, or embrace sunset-hued accessories such as shoes, bags and earrings.

Now go bring some sunshine into your wardrobe.

Dress, Pretty Little Thing Burnt orange polka dot wrap over tie detail midi dress, Pretty Little Thing

Baili Bag €33, Head Over Heels

Orange stripe trousers €35, Pretty Little Thing

Orange Bag with Ring, Penneys

Orange jumpsuit €23, Pretty Little Thing

Orange Cropped Camo Trucker Jacket €20, Pretty Little w Thing

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T R E N D S

T R A N S I T I O N

"Late ’80s/early ’90s was an iconic time for student fashion."

RIVER ISLAND 38

F A S H I O N

FASHION

Pink floral corset €29,Pretty Little Thing Red faux leather belted dress €42, Pretty Little Thing

Belted on shoulder pink dress €18, Pretty Little Thing

Cream linen off the shoulder dress, River Island

Longline pink blazer €20, Pretty Little Thing

Silver sequin jacket, River Island

Pinstripe dress puff sleeve €16, Pretty Little Thing Wide suit trousers €16, Pretty Little Thing

PRETTY LITTLE THING

xx €xx, Pretty Little Thing

As

we enter the transition into autumn and winter, it’s only fitting that we revisit a transitional era of fashion for one of this season’s biggest trends. It’s 2019, which means it’s officially time for ’90s fashion to come back in style. Or, to be very precise, the ’80s/’90s transitional fashion period.

As many adults will remember with nostalgia, and some younger students will just be discovering for the first time, this specific time period of the late ’80s/early ’90s was an iconic time for student fashion. It can be understood by watching classic high school films from the late ’80s – such as Heathers, The Breakfast Club, Say Anything and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – and seeing how these trends evolved into early ’90s fashion. The decade’s look was best exemplified high school movies, particularly Clueless. The garish, exaggerated silhouettes, fabrics and accessories of the previous decade evolved into the ’90s’ youthoriented street-wear and contemporary casual looks.

During the ’80s, key trends included colour blocking; strong blazers; belted jackets and dresses; vinyl clubwear; and corsetry (thanks, Madonna). As ’90s designers such as Calvin Klein, Givenchy and Alexander McQueen started showcasing more streamlined looks, the transition between decades was a perfect blend of new and old trends. Alexander McQueen’s catwalk shows featured blazers with sharp shoulders – but with tailored waists; a move from the ’80s straight lines. Calvin Klein favoured figure-hugging silhouettes, but the fabrics were still shiny and satiny, embracing the glitz and razzle dazzle of the ’80s.

Pop starlets also began pairing corsets with jeans on the red carpet. This was a slightly more PG-13 interpretation of Madonna’s controversial habit of donning bridal lingerie, and the now infamous cone bra, designed for her by Gaultier during the 1990 Blonde Ambition tour.

Luckily for fashion-lovers looking to recreate this trend on a budget, the blend of two different decades gives you the ideal excuse to go thrifting in vintage stores, or rummaging in your older siblings’ and parents’ wardrobes.

Keep an eye out for pieces that combine the best of ’80s and ’90s fashion. Look for bold colour, big belts, and exaggerated shoulders and puffed sleeves. Shiny satin and vinyl-look fabrics will make for a bold dancing outfit, and look for this era’s ubiquitously sexy approach to officewear, exemplified by Clueless and shows like Ally McBeal. If it’s pinstripe, make it mini. If you wear an oversized blazer, make sure there’s a corset underneath.

But please: no lowrise jeans. The world is going through enough right now.

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E N T E R | TA I N

MUSIC

ALL THAT JAZZ We sift through the latest album releases, with Chrissie Hynde's collection of jazz standards among the highlights.

FIONN REGAN

Valve Bone Woe (BMG)

Cala (Abbey Records)

There may come a point in every artist’s career when, through lack of inspiration perhaps, they ask themselves – time for the jazz album? Or perhaps the covers album.

Employing the one bird/two stones system, Chrissie Hynde has gone one better by combining them. Her thoroughbred “rock and roll animal” pedigree notwithstanding, she‘s managed the whole business with ease – wrapping an aching vocal around woozy big-band arrangements.

Along with producers Marius De Vries, Eldad Guetta, and backed by The Valve Bone Woe Ensemble, she ably traverses a mix of jazz standards, show tunes and a few upgraded pop covers. Hynde is a natural for the weary resignation employed on ‘I Get Along Without You Very Well’, and lethargically drags out the beautiful melody of ‘Wild Is The Wind’, but these are not slavishly reverent renditions.

On ‘Caroline No’, we’re in distinctly Space-age-Bachelor-Pad territory, with its bubbling synths and echoing snares, while Ray Davies’ ‘No Return’ gets a blissed-out Dub treatment.

Graciously taking a back seat, Hynde allows the band to cook on a couple of instrumentals: John Coltrane’s somnolent ‘Naima’ and the midnightjungle of Charles Mingus’ ‘Meditation On A Pair of Wire Cutters’.

Without naming all the tunes, between the likes of Sinatra, Nick Drake and Rogers & Hammerstein, there’s plenty of variety, with Hynde acquitting herself beautifully, despite stiff competition from past interpretations.

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Unbelievably, it has been 14 years since Bray musician Fionn Regan unleashed his distinctive brand of indie folk upon an unsuspecting world with the awardwinning The End Of History, and he is here to deliver once again with his sixth LP, Cala, which is the Spanish word for ‘cove’.

The album opens with the dexterous finger-picking and subtle electronica of the exquisite but all-too-short ‘Collar Of Fur’ before ‘Head Swim’ and ‘Riverside Heights’ deliver much of the same in terms of tone and style. Regan, it seems, is not intent on pushing too many musical boundaries with Cala, and that is just fine as the songs here exude a delightfully wistful charm.

The rich sonic palette is comprised of lo-fi beats and ambient sounds layered over Regan’s sparse guitar and piano work. Rather than leading the songs, his voice manoeuvres itself in and around the multiple sonic layers that swirl through the tracks, his words not just weaving narratives but becoming an inseparable part of the overall ambience of this delicate and sublime world that he crafts. Listen to the way ‘Hunting Dog’ lingers long after Regan has ceased singing, the ambience droning on majestically as it transports us into the resonating low-end notes of ‘Glaciers’.

Cala is Fionn Regan’s most rewarding and hauntingly beautiful record to date, an expressive musical experience that takes the listener to a meditative place with its richly melancholy melodies and surrealist lyricism. A fine record indeed.

PAMELA COCHRANE

AUTUMN de WILDE

CHRISSIE HYNDE

LANA DEL REY Norman ******* Rockwell! (Polydor)

Lana Del Rey is taking no prisoners. Normal ******* Rockwell! feels like a calculated moving-on from the muse-to-David Lynch persona honed on her earlier work, in particular her debut Born To Die. “Goddamn, man-child / You act like a kid even though you stand six-foot-two,” she coos terrifyingly on the title-track.

It’s an explicit diss to an acquaintance so convinced of his own genius he’s impossible to be around. “Often I’ve ended up with these creative types,” Del Rey elaborated to Zane Lowe. “They just go on and on about themselves.”

That sense of ushering in a Lana Del Rey 2.0 is borne through on the single ‘F*** It, I Love You’. She’s no longer a daddy’s girl or prom queen crying on the porch in her new dress. Instead, she’s the one in control. Over a breathy Laurel Canyon melody, she tells a lover she’ll stay with him but on her terms – which means accepting, not ignoring his flaws.

It’s thrilling, as are the lulling soundscapes conjured with new producer Jack Antonoff (studio handmaid to Taylor Swift, Lorde, St Vincent and others).

Here is where Del Rey most unashamedly connects to her past. As before, the guitars have a gauzy retro twang. And her vocals feel like they’ve got lost on their way from the ’60s Los Angeles evoked by Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

What shines through is the daring simplicity of her songwriting, and also her complicated perspective on being a woman in the world today. Love is tricky, the album argues. But a killer torch song can contain multitudes, even as it floors you with a knockout chorus.

E N T E R | TA I N

THE MEDIEVAL THAT MEN DO QUICHOTTE

Robert Harris’ historical thriller The Second Sleep leads the way in our round up of the latest book releases.

Salman Rushdie (Jonathan Cape)

Unlike his literary namesake, who read too many chivalric romances and ended up one blade short of a windmill, Mr Quichotte’s cheap television addiction prompts his quest to win the love of film star/chat show host Selma R. But before you can shout “Flann O’Brien!”, Salman Rushdie's story switches to Sam DuChamp, author of ropy spy novels, who is composing Quichotte’s tale, one that mirrors his own situation the more the novel progresses.

As it’s a Rushdie book, Quichotte’s son Sancho (of course) is wished into being during a meteor shower and helped by talking crickets and blue fairies. There are also subplots involving wronged sisters; Dr. Smile’s effective fentanyl spray which leaks across both narratives; and CentCorp’s interdimensional doorway, echoing what’s happening in our ‘real’ world in this crazy “Age of Anything-Can-Happen”.

Along with the nod to Cervantes, Rushdie also gleefully borrows from Ionesco (Mastodons!) and Arthur C. Clarke (Gods! Aliens!) for this brilliant, head-spinning triumph.

THE MEMORY PLACE Yoko Ogawa (Penguin Random House)

The latest novel from one of Japan’s leading writers tells the dystopian story of an island where a military force known as The Memory Police have come into totalitarian power, frequently ‘disappearing’ objects for reasons which are never made clear to the citizens living there.

Faced with their new reality, the people on the island learn, almost mechanically, to expunge memories of the disappeared from their minds.

Those who can’t forget face being disappeared themselves.

Tapping into modern concerns about memory and forgetting on a societal level, as well as channelling the greats of dystopian fiction like Orwell and Kafta, The Memory Police sounds like a modern day masterpiece on paper.

And yet, Ogawa’s understated prose (many have called it ‘dreamlike’, but this feels like a reach) gets in the way of what could be a gripping story.

The plot often slows to a crawl, while the dystopian nature of the Police themselves isn’t really developed.

Underwhelming.

THE SECOND SLEEP Robert Harris

(Penguin Random House)

Master of the historical thriller Robert Harris returns with what, at first glance, seems like his usual fare. It’s the year 1468 and Robert Fairfax, a young priest, has been dispatched by his bishop to attend to the burial of Father Lacy. Lacy’s name has been whispered about in terms of heresy, and the banned books Fairfax finds in the late clergyman’s house confirm it.

The village of Addicott St George is indicative of this England as a whole – superstitious and suspicious, a society firmly under church rule. Alongside Lady Durston and her suitor Captain Hancock, and aided by the antiquarian Shadwell, Fairfax investigates just what Lacy was up to when he died at local spook spot, The Devil’s Chair.

This is a well-constructed page-turner that’s completely flipped on its head on precisely page 23. While it would be churlish to reveal what happens, suffice to say it’s a genre-hopping surprise, and the resulting narrative is genuinely gripping.

THOSE PEOPLE Louise Candlish (Penguin Random House) “Could you hate your neighbour enough to plot to kill him?” is the question posed by Louise Candlish’s fourth novel. Set in north London, Those People is an examination of what happens when the delicate ecosystem of a leafy suburban street is disturbed by unruly newcomers.

The title brims with the snobbery displayed by the disgruntled residents who live in this middle-class utopia. It is their perspective we follow throughout the book.

Candlish has a delightful skill for weaving a suspenseful narrative whilst exploring the delicate fabric of relationships – whether they are neighbour, spousal, sibling or other. The human condition in all its foibles and frailties is also laid bare, as we examine the anxieties and obsessions of the characters.

Compelling stuff.

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E N T E R | TA I N

TAKING THE SPOTLIGHT As summer begins to cool down, it’s time to start cosying up in the evenings with a good film – and luckily, Netflix has you covered. By Roe McDermott

T H E LEGO BAT M A N M OV I E SPOTLI GHT

SUL LY

SPOTLIGHT Winning Best Picture at the 2016 Academy Awards, Spotlight is the true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation into the Catholic Church and child sex abuse. This intelligent and passionate procedural reveals the machinations of the investigation, as well as the layers of complicity that shake its characters and their city to its core.

Director Tom McCarthy (The Station Agent, The Visitor) is known for creating protagonists brimming with authenticity, and his characters in Spotlight are worthy of the incredible cast. Michael Keaton is the brains of the operation as the seemingly hardnosed but deeply empathetic head of the team, while Rachel McAdams is the team’s hardhitting fist, digging into horrifying interviews with former priests. Finally, Mark Ruffalo is the team’s beaten-down but still beating heart. Together, they not only work through the layers of corruption, but also the stages of grief when they realise their city, their Church and their faith was based on the most violent lies.

S U L LY While the world knows that Captain Chelsey Sullenberger miraculously landed a plane on the Hudson River after a bird strike destroyed the engines, the aftermath may

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BLAD E R U NNE R 2049

not be as familiar. Sully (Tom Hanks), a quiet and dignified man, was not only thrust into the spotlight, but also suspicion. Director Clint Eastwood plays with emotion and expectation, jumping between that fateful January afternoon, and the investigations that followed. Hanks is perfect as Sully, capturing his quiet dedication to his work, and his difficulty grappling with reality after the crash. Suffering PTSD while also wondering how saving 155 lives could draw such scrutiny, both Hanks and Eastwood tap into two different forms of fear, navigating them with grace, empathy and tension.

BLADE RUNNER 2049 Director Denis Villeneuve is a philosopher, tackling personal, social and metaphysical issues with grace and power. His sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi classic takes the themes of technology, power, autonomy and soul and pushes them even further, against a backdrop of such mind-blowing visuals that the only possible reaction is genuine awe. Ryan Gosling plays K, a limitedtimespan replicant police officer whose job is to hunt down and “retire” first generation replicants, who have now been outlawed. When evidence emerges that a child may have been conceived between a human and replicant, K is dispatched to investigate, unearthing truths about the forces that design and control the world

around him. Roger Deakins’ cinematography is jaw-droppingly beautiful, capturing the monolithic scale of Villeneuve’s dystopian vision. For good measure, when Harrison Ford makes his highly-publicised return to the franchise, he puts in the performance of a lifetime. Truly exceptional stuff.

T H E L E G O B AT M A N M O V I E In an era where all superhero films are now ultra-violent, existential angst-fests only suitable for adults, The Lego Batman Movie is a welcome exercise in unapologetically fun escapism. It’s completely kid-friendly while also being a whipsmart satire of heroism and Hollywood. Will Arnett perfectly voices Batman, whose mopey existence in Wayne Manor clashes with his narcissistic cool-guy posturing. Saving Gotham yet again seems far less glamorous when celebrating consists of a microwaved dinner for one. But suddenly, his identity as an anti-social vigilante is thrown into disarray. In one eventful evening, he unwittingly adopts irrepressibly upbeat sidekick Robin (voiced

by Michael Cera); gets a crush on Gotham’s new kick-ass commissioner, Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson); and is told that he needs to start working with Gotham’s police force. A helter-skelter mix of dazzling visuals, dizzyingly fast action and madcap mayhem, The Lego Batman Movie is an incredible rollercoaster ride.

Enjoy a relaxing Railbreak... ...with

NIR Travel is Northern Ireland’s leading operator of short break holidays by rail. Our ready-made packages make it easy to take a trip to both Dublin and Northern Ireland; all our breaks are inclusive of rail travel on the Enterprise with an excellent choice of hotels on offer- ranging from 3* to 5* to suit all budgets. This is just a small selection of the fantastic hotel breaks we have on offer.

For further information visit: www.translink.co.uk/nirtravel and browse online for the hotel and then simply complete the online booking form.

Alternatively call NIR Travel direct on 028 9033 7004 or pop in to the Translink . Travel Centre, Glengall Street, Belfast.

DUBLIN THEATRE BREAKS

Grease

Midweek/Weekend s

17 Sep- 28 Sep

Joseph

08 Oct - 12 Oct

We Will Rock You -

£205/£215

£195/£215 £195/£215

28 Oct 02 Nov • All breaks include return rail travel from any NIRailways station.

• All rates are per person sharing / single room supplements will apply.

• All offers are subject to availability and T&Cs and are subject to change.

• Any complimentary 1st Plus upgrade will be subject to availability • Not all dates can be offered (peak events)

Theatre Break includes: Grand Canal Hotel Return Rail (1st Plus) Pre-show dinner Overnight with breakfast and Show ticket *All prices correct at time of publication

Call us now on

028 9033 7004

or visit www.translink.co.uk/travelcentre

MIDWEEK DEALS

May- Sept

2 nights B & B + 1 Dinner

Harcourt Hotel

from £119 pps

DAY EXPERIENCES Dublin

Rail & Hop-On Hop-off Bus Tour Includes Walking Tour £55pp

Derry - Londonderry

Rail & Afternoon Tea @ The Maldron Hotel

£29

NORTHERN IRELAND BREAKS Belfast - 1 night B & B from Europa Hotel from Grand Central from Holiday Inn from Hampton by Hilton from Jurys lnn

£95pps £115pps £65pps £70pps £75pps

Outside Belfast - 1 night B & B from £55pps from £65pps

Atlantic Hotel, Portrush Marine Court, Bangor City Hotel, DerryLondonderry Everglades, DerryLondonderry

from £65pps from £65pps

AT TR AC TIO N S

KARL LEONARD

ENDA CAVANAGH

GUINNESS STOREHOUSE

NATIONAL WAX MUSEUM PLUS

DUBLIN EPIC – THE IRISH EMIGRATION MUSEUM The CHQ building, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1 Tel: (01) 906 0861 epicchq.com One of the newest major attractions in Dublin, EPIC tells the unforgettable story of the 10 million Irish people who left their homeland over the centuries – and how they influenced and shaped the world. The interactive galleries make this family-friendly experience an essential destination for everyone with an interest in Ireland’s people, culture and history.

The museum also houses the Irish Family History Centre, with experts helping visitors uncover their Irish roots. Shortlisted for European Museum of the Year 2018 and included in the Top 5 Irish Museums on TripAdvisor, EPIC is open from 10am to 6.45pm daily (last entry 5pm)

GLASNEVIN CEMETERY TOURS Finglas Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 11 Tel: (01) 882 6500, glasnevinmuseum.ie The largest non-denominational cemetery in Ireland, Glasnevin is the resting place of some of the most famous figures in Irish history.

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Daniel O’Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, Michael Collins and Eamonn DeValera are buried here, next to well-known artists such as Brendan Behan, Luke Kelly and Christy Brown.

The hauntingly gorgeous Victorian Garden cemetery covers 124 acres of glorious parkland. Guided tours of the cemetery and museum are available daily, with each guide passionate about telling the stories of Ireland’s complex and fascinating history. The tour of Glasnevin Cemetery gives a fascinating view of its heritage.

GUINNESS STOREHOUSE St. Jame’s Gate, Dublin 8 Tel: (01) 408 4800 guinness-storehouse.com Leased to Arthur Guinness in 1759 for 9,000 years, St. James’s Gate Brewery has been the home of Guinness for more than two centuries. Formerly a fermentation plant at the brewery, it was transformed into the seven-floor Guinness Storehouse. It offers daily tours, and includes the ‘Taste experience’, where visitors can learn about the four ingredients that go into Guinness and the all-important pouring process. The beer is poured first about three quarters full, left

for about a minute to settle, and then filled to the top. It takes 119.5 seconds to craft a perfect pint of Guinness, and visitors are guided through the full process.

IRISH MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (IMMA) Royal Hospital, Military Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8 Tel: (01) 612 9900 imma.ie As the name suggests, the Irish Museum of Modern Art houses the country’s largest collection of contemporary art. Moreover, it provides a space where contemporary life and art connect, inspire and uplift one another.

Opened in 1991, the museum sits in the former Royal Hospital Kilmainham, a 17th century building that previously served as a home for retired soldiers. The location is beautiful, with long corridors surrounding an open courtyard. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday and is free to the public.

NATIONAL WAX MUSEUM PLUS 22-25 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 671 8373 waxmuseumplus.ie

The National Wax Museum Plus was opened in the iconic Lafayette building that divides Westmoreland Street and D’Olier Street – an appropriately central location for a museum full of figures central to Irish history. Visitors can explore the past via the museum’s own Augmented Reality app – watch Brendan Behan’s face spring to life and recite poetry, or a sketch of the Liffey morph into an animated pictorial history of Dublin. Kids will love how the app gamifies the museum too, with treasures (and ghosts!) to find and Night at the Museum events, where visitors are taken through the museum in masks and actors bring exhibits to life. Game Of Thrones fans will also want to watch out for the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, who was unveiled earlier this year to coincide with the final season of the epic series. Be sure to visit their sister museum The Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum (Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2), to experience the wonderful history of Irish music.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

Dublin & Belfast BILL ABERNETHY

CRUMLIN ROAD GAOL

TITANIC BELFAST

BELFAST BOTANIC GARDENS College Park, Botanic Avenue Tel: (028) 9031 4762 Visitbelfast.com Occupying 28 acres, the Botanic Gardens are a must-see attraction for all lovers of the outdoors. This lush public space opened in 1828 as a private park run by the Royal Belfast Botanical Gardens and attracted thousands of visitors per day. Today, the gardens, which feature two stunning Victorian conservatories – the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine – are fully open to the public. A number of notable concerts have also taken place amongst the gorgeous scenery from the likes of U2, The Kings of Leon and Snow Patrol.

BLACK TAXI TOURS Tel: (028) 9064 2264 belfasttours.com A great way to soak up the history of Belfast is to take a tour in a classic black taxi. Out of the chaos of the Troubles came some of Belfast’s most recognisable landmarks: its murals. The 90-minute taxi ride will take you from east to west and north to south, taking in both sides of the community and how they depicted

the conflict through amazingly detailed murals. All of the drivers have their own lived experience and are always willing to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of the city’s history.

CAVE HILL COUNTRY PARK Antrim Road, Belfast visitbelfast.com/partners/cave-hillcountry-park Climbing to the top of Cavehill over unsurfaced paths, caves, moorlands and meadows, you’ll arrive at the most breath-taking vista at the top of McArt’s Fort; a sweeping panoramic view of Belfast, the Lough, and (on a good day) the outline of Scotland and the Isle of Man can be seen from the hill’s pinnacle. The surrounding country park also features a variety of wildlife, several historical and archaeological sites and the famous Belfast Castle.

CRUMLIN ROAD GAOL 53-55 Crumlin Road, Belfast Tel: (028) 9074 1500 The Crumlin Road Gaol is a 19th century Grade A listed jail and the only Victorian prison left in Northern Ireland. Much like Kilmainham Gaol

in Dublin, its story is synonymous with the history of Belfast, and some notable historical figures have passed through its walls, including Eamonn DeValera and Martin McGuinness. The tour of the Gaol allows access to all areas, including the underground tunnel which links to the courthouse on the other side of the Crumlin Road, the hanging cell, the Governor’s office, the hospital and the graveyard.

W5 The Odyssey, 2 Queens Quay, Belfast Tel: (028) 9046 7700 w5online.co.uk Right beside the River Lagan, W5 will fascinate children and adults alike with its interactive and fun methods of learning. With humanoid robots, and a MED lab explaining pharmaceutical and biomedical science in an entertaining way, it is not to be missed. W5 also recently revealed their new technological space AMAZE. This immersive experience has state-of-the-art screen projectors with soundscapes, motion graphics and props that will take you to some of Northern Ireland’s stunning landscapes

without leaving the room. W5 also has Quiet Sessions for children with special needs, who may need a more relaxed and quieter environment. W5 is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5:30pm.

TITANIC BELFAST 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Titanic Quarter, Belfast Tel: (028) 9076 6386 titanicbelfast.com “It’s really quite phenomenal. It’s a magnificent, dramatic building, the biggest Titanic exhibit in the world,” enthuses Titanic film director James Cameron, and we’re not about to disagree with him. The Titanic Belfast is an unforgettable experience and since opening, thousands of visitors have thronged to the centre to learn about the history of the world’s most famous shipping disaster. It was voted the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the 2016 World Travel Awards in the Maldives – the Oscars of tourism. Titanic Belfast is open to the public and seasonal opening hours are available at titanicbelfast.com

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RESTAURANTS

DINING OUT

Dublin & Belfast

THE WINDING STAIR, DUBLIN

DUBLIN THE WINDING STAIR 40 Lower Ormond Quay, North City, Dublin 1 Tel: (01) 872 7320 winding-stair.com For a wholesome Irish restaurant overlooking the River Liffey, complete with a downstairs bookshop, look no further than the Winding Stair. Dishes showcase the finest Irish ingredients by focusing on old-fashioned home cooking and no-fuss recipes. Named after Yeats’ poem, the Winding Stair combines fine cuisine with literary delights, with two floors connected by an 18th century staircase. After treating yourself to a delicious brunch, lunch or dinner, be sure to wander down and peruse the vast selection of books on offer.

BONSAI BAR First Floor, 17 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 526 7701 thebonsaibar.com Celebrated chef Dylan McGrath is the man behind this concept in highend, Japanese-influenced food and drink, which is to be found between his Rustic Stone and Taste at Rustic eateries in the city-centre. Along with an unrivalled list of Japanese whiskeys, beers and sake, you’ll find bespoke cocktails and tempting bar bites like Crispy Artichoke Skin with Miso, Sesame Dust & Fermented Black Garlic Emulsion. Yum!

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SIX BY NICO

BELFAST PEARL BRASSERIE 20 Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 661 3572 pearl-brasserie.com “We serve modern French cuisine in a warm, relaxed environment”, it says on the website and this much-loved D2 institution duly delivers, with a range of dishes that change with the season. Sample the Pan-Fried Quail Breast with Turnip Puree, Mini Pickled Veg, or the John Stone Irish Beef Fillet with Red Wine Risotto with Taleggio Cheese & Red Chicory, and you’ll understand why chef Sebastian Masi has a mantlepiece full of awards. The restaurant itself is equally impressive with contemporary artwork on the wall and a famous farmhouse cheese trolley. For the full Pearl Brasserie effect, splurge on the Six-Course Surprise Tasting Menu with matching fine wines, which is a truly unforgettable dining experience.

Their Ginger Pan-Fried Halibut with Homemade Pasta, Mushroom Sauce & Chanterelle Mushrooms comes highly recommended at €32.

BIA REBEL 409 Ormeau Road, Belfast Tel: (028) 9543 5964 biarebel.com While you have to be an Irish speaker to appreciate its punsome name, everyone will love the steaming bowls of ramen in this Cathedral Quarter newcomer. “36 hours; 26 ingredients; a lifetime of knowledge” proclaims the shortsharp menu, which also includes a wondrous Ewings Smoked Salmon Bánh Mi baguette. No wonder it’s such a popular student hangout.

SIX BY NICO 23 Waring Street, Belfast Tel: (028) 9032 9467 sixbynico.co.uk Already a big hit in his native Glasgow, Nico Simeone has now crossed the Irish Sea with his unique dining concept. A man who loves to have fun with the food he creates, he’ll be treating the Cathedral Quarter to a new themed menu every six weeks. First up is The Chippie, which includes contemporary takes on Chips ‘n’ Cheese, Scampi, Steak Pie, Fish Supper Smoked Sausage and – best of all! – Deep-Fried Mars Bar. The six-course experimental feast is £28 or £53 with paired drinks included.

OX 1 Oxford Street, Belfast Tel: (028) 9031 4121, oxbelfast.com Looking out on the River Lagan, this Michelin starred eatery seats just 40, which makes for a wonderfully intimate dining experience. The £60 six-course Seasonal Tasting Menu – £95 with paired wines – is extraordinarily good value and lets you experience the full scope of chef Stephen Toman’s culinary imagination. He’s a firm believer in nose to tail eating, which means lots of alternative cuts of meat. They also push the envelope in terms of the fish and veggie dishes they serve. The diverse drinks selection includes locally microwbrewed beers, and the new wave of gins you rarely find elsewhere in Northern Ireland.

More casual dining is available in the next-door OX Cave, which was voted Best Wine Experience in Ireland in 2018.

BAR

LIQUID REFRESHMENT

Dublin & Belfast Sale of the century: Titanic Belfast

R.I.O.T., DUBLIN

DUBLIN THE WILD DUCK 17/20 Sycamore Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 535 6849 thewildduck.ie Dublin’s most exciting new theatre, music and food venue, The Wild Duck is a fusion of old Ireland with a contemporary retro flavour.

Owned by renowned restaurateur and actor Gary Whelan, The Wild Duck operates as both a stylish place for a quiet drink and a fantastic music venue. It’s also a great place to grab a quick bite if you’re in the Temple Bar area! You’ll find funk rock and traditional bands playing during the weekend; burgers and hotdogs being served up seven days a week; and stunning decor on which to feast your eyes.

R.I.O.T 4 Aston Quay, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 444 2906 riotdublin.com Dublin’s newest dive bar has brought a dash of scuzzy New York cool and Berlin back alley chic to the quays. Serving up premium drinks and retro cocktails, r.i.o.t. is also home to a unique basement venue, which hosts weekly free parties with Ireland’s top DJs and international acts. The r.i.o.t experience comes complete with pool tables, darts, retro arcade games, and a tasty Mexican

MURIEL'S CAFE BAR, BELFAST

BELFAST influenced snack menu.

THE OLD ROYAL OAK 11 High Road, Kilmainham Lane, Dublin 8 Tel: (01) 671 3967 facebook.com/theoakd8 Offering up a little slice of the country in the bustle of Dublin 8, the Old Royal Oak is one of the city’s most treasured hidden gems.

While it may have the outward appearance a classic old-timer’s pub, the Old Royal Oak attracts a diverse range of customers across a range of ages, and is famed locally for its inclusive atmosphere. Tucked away on Kilmainham Lane, the pub has been operated by the highly accommodating Costello family for over 46 years. To many of its frequent customers, the Old Royal Oak serves as a trip back in time, from its simple interior décor to the perfection of its Guinness

MURIEL’S CAFÉ BAR 12-14 Church Lane, Belfast Tel: (028) 9033 2445 facebook.com/muriels.cafebar Belfast’s newest gin bar reflects the changing character of the city centre. Mixing its classy setting with a decadent interior (lingerie hangs brazenly from the roof), Muriel’s is part of a number of emerging bars which have made Belfast a hub for nightlife and tourism. Offering some of the best cocktails you’re likely to find anywhere, the Bee’s Knees in particular – featuring Hendrick’s gin and a slab of honey to garnish – is the perfect concoction to get you ready for summer.

THE NATIONAL

THE SPANIARD 3 Skipper St, Belfast Tel: (028) 9023 2448, thespaniardbar.com Tucked away in the Cathedral Quarter, there’s a chance you could pass this gem without even realising; we can’t stress what a mistake that would be. Combining a traditional feel with flavours of Iberia and good old-fashioned rock’n’roll, it boasts a flabbergasting array of rums and an unbeatable atmosphere, ensuring there’s never a quiet night. Keep your eyes peeled for a familiar face or two, as the likes of Bill Murray and Sean Bean have been known to pop by when in town.

62 High Street, Belfast Tel: (028) 9031 1130 thenationalbelfast.com Situated on Belfast’s famous High Street, with the Merchant Hotel beside it and the trendy Club 66 above – not to mention the Cathedral Quarter on its doorstep – the National Grande Café has become a hub for students and young professionals in recent years. Hardly a surprise, given its stunning décor, good music and excellent range of drinks (the Aren’t You Glad? cocktail comes highly recommended). A spot that’s sure to provide a memorable night.

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SHOPPING

BEAUTIFUL BUYS

PAUL TIERNEY

Dublin & Belfast

ST. GEORGE'S MARKET

& OTHER STORIES, DUBLIN

DUBLIN FOLKSTER 9 Eustace Street, Dublin 2 Tel: (056) 770 3312 folkster.com An affordable, street style-inspired vintage store, Folkster sells everything from uber-glamorous sequin dresses to rough and ready military jackets. Dublin’s Folkster was initially meant to be a pop-up, but its eclectic boutique blend of vintage, contemporary fashion, and interiors has captured many hearts.

With stunning costume jewellery, delightful flapper designs and a beautiful bridal section, as well as modern pieces, each handpicked by the owners, we can’t get enough of this gorgeous fashion chest.

INDUSTRY & CO DUBLIN 41 A/B Drury St, Dublin 2 (01) 613 9111 industryandco.com Located just off Grafton Street, Industry has been a welcome addition to Dublin’s design scene since 2010, when it started out as a small boutique. Since then it has expanded to become one of the capital's best-known lifestyle stores, housing both Irish and international products. The award-winning Industry & Co stock everything from plants to cutlery and furniture. As you peruse, be sure to stop by the café for some healthy, freshly made soups, salads and cakes.

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BELFAST NOWHERE 65 Aungier Street, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 607 8983 nowhere.ie This upmarket, independent menswear store on Aungier Street features an array of incredible designers, labels and collaborations: individual pieces in the store ooze class and style. We love their perfectly tailored coats and shirts, their cutting-edge Craig Green collections and their Adidas X line, which sees the trainer giant collaborate with new designers.

We also love the retro-inspired backpacks and watches.

& OTHER STORIES 26-27 Grafton Street, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 247 0100 stories.com A relatively new addition to Ireland’s fashion scene, & Other Stories opened its Grafton Street store in 2016, and has already built up an adoring fanbase of fashionistas. A part of the Swedish H&M family along with COS, Monki, Weekday and Cheap Monday, & Other Stories features simple, welltailored pieces. They stock classics like jeans, t-shirts and jumpers, as well as on-trend pieces and a great selection of beauty products, jewellery and handbags.

BELFAST PRINT WORKSHOP Cotton Court, 30-42 Waring Street (028) 90 231 323 bpw.org.uk Located in the city’s Cathedral Quarter, the Belfast Print Workshop is a playground for artists. At present over 100 artists are involved in the company, rekindling a passion for printmaking. The public can visit the workshop to browse, pick up some prints or book one of the courses available and learn the craft.

LIBERTY BLUE 19-21 Lombard Street, Belfast, Tel: (028) 9023 0396 libertybluebelfast.co.uk Liberty Blue is renowned throughout the city for selling local, independent labels that have a glam vintage flare. An alternative to high street fashion, Liberty Blue is perfect for women who want a touch of uniqueness to their wardrobe without breaking the bank. Not just stocking clothes, the shop sells jewellery and accessories to match your new outfit.

NO ALIBIS 83 Botanic Avenue, Belfast Tel: (028) 9031 9601 noalibis.com Perhaps the most loved

independent bookstore in Belfast, No Alibis has gained a reputation for its support of local, emerging writers in Northern Ireland, as well as for being a haven to students of Queen's University Belfast. No Alibis is best known for its vast selection of crime fiction and has received the seal of approval from authors over the years, including new writer Steve Cavanagh and Colin Bateman, who immortaliseD the bookstore in his thriller Mystery Man.

ST GEORGE'S MARKET 12-20 East Bridge Street, Belfast Tel: (028) 9024 6609 If it’s atmosphere you’re after, look no further than this indoor market known for its selection of beautifully crafted goods and mouthwatering street food stalls.

St. Georges is particularly brought to life by a live band strumming in the awe-inspiring surrounds and it’s local independent retailers.

The last surviving Victorian covered market is open for only three days a week, Friday - Sunday so be sure to plan accordingly.

ACCOMMODATION

STAYING OVER

Dublin & Belfast ROB DURSTON

THE MARKER

DUBLIN THE NORTH STAR Amiens Street, Dublin 1 Tel: (01) 836 3136 northstarhotel.ie Newly refurbished, the four-star North Star Hotel is conveniently located in Dublin’s city centre. The property boasts 235 exceptional guest rooms and suites, offering every amenity to ensure a comfortable and luxurious stay. As well as a fully equipped cardiovascular gym and Scandinavian Saunas, the ground floor features an array of vibrant dining experiences including McGettigan’s Cookhouse and Bar, all day café The Parlor, and trendy loft style cocktail bar The Place. The exclusive Premiere Club Lounge, located on the 7th floor, boasts spectacular views of Dublin’s skyline, with complimentary refreshments, newspapers and full wi-fi connectivity. Guests are invited to relax there any time of the day or night.

THE MARKER Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2 Tel: (01) 687 5100 themarkerhoteldublin.com Extraordinary, surprising and luxurious, this is the perfect urban retreat for those who crave the unconventional, yet still expect exceptional standards of service.

Rising up from the rich urban heartland of the Dublin Docklands,

BULLITT HOTEL

BELFAST the hotel slots seamlessly into one of the most vibrant cultural hubs of the city. The sleek architecture combines elements of the Irish landscape with an urban aesthetic, creating an experience that is distinctly Irish and truly inimitable.

For those seeking a sanctuary, the wellness spa boasts a stunning infinity pool, while there are also a host of beauty treatments on offer.

BROOKS HOTEL 62 Drury St, Dublin 2 (01) 670 4000 brookshotel.ie Brooks Hotel is a distinctive, luxury four-star boutique hotel in Dublin’s Creative Quarter, a short walk from Grafton Street. Enjoy modern Irish and international cuisine at Francesca’s Restaurant, a favourite of the critics, where Head Chef Pat McLarnon serves dishes created from locally sourced ingredients, including fresh herbs from the Brook’s very own ‘urban herb garden’. Elsewhere, you can also visit Jasmine Bar at Brooks, an award-winning Great Whiskey Bar of the World with over 100 different varieties on offer. Bedrooms are well appointed and spacious with quirky designs. The hotel also boasts an oak-panelled Residents Lounge, a private cinema room and a fitness suite.

TEN SQUARE 10 Donegall Square South, Belfast Tel: (028) 9024 1001 tensquare.co.uk An extraordinary boutique hotel located in the centre of Belfast city’s shopping, business and culture hub, Ten Square impresses guests with its uber-stylish, eclectic look. Aesthetics aside, this is the perfect place to spend a busy city centre break and for a girlie getaway. The cocktails in a teapot come highly recommended!

BULLITT HOTEL 40a Church Lane, Belfast Tel: (028) 9590 0600 bullitthotel.com Want to stay somewhere with all the necessities, none of the nonsense and extra comfort? Look no further than the Belfast Bullitt Hotel, named in honour of the classic 1968 mob movie starring Steve McQueen.

Straddling Victoria Street and Ann Street, the hotel has 74 rooms and three bars including an Espresso Bar. If you’re a foodie (who isn’t?) you can get a good grilling at Taylor & Clay, the in-house restaurant, before washing it down with a Bullitt beer in the Bullitt Bar or head on up to the rooftop bar and garden, Babel – a quirky spot for some seriously cool customers. Bullitt offers a variety of room choices, ranging from ‘Dinky’ over ‘Comfy’ to ‘Roomy’, catering for

both those travelling solo and those on a family city break.

CULLODEN ESTATE & SPA Bangor Road, Holywood, Belfast Tel: (028) 9042 1066 hastingshotels.com/culloden-estateand-spa Perched high on the slopes of the Holywood Hills, Culloden Estate was originally built as an official palace for the Bishops of Down.

This palatial mansion, which overlooks Belfast Lough and the Antrim coastline, stands in 12 acres of beautiful secluded gardens and woodland, making it perfect for a romantic break. It also has an incredible spa, with luxurious treatment suites, relaxation rooms and a swimming pool.

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ENTERPRISE COMPETITION

WIN 2 NIGHTS WITH 1 DINNER IN THE FABULOUS

D I N G L E S K E L L I G H OT E L

Fáilte go dtí Óstán na Sceilge, the Dingle Skellig Hotel, situated on the most westerly peninsula in Europe, and regarded as one of the finest hotels in Kerry. Since the hotel was constructed in 1969, it has earned a reputation for comfort, hospitality and service, guaranteeing the holiday experience of a lifetime.

From the moment you arrive at the Dingle Skellig Hotel in Dingle, our friendly staff will welcome you and make you feel right at home. We pride ourselves in the care and courtesy that we pay to our guests. Throughout your stay, our team will gladly answer any queries you may have, ensuring that your visit and time with us is as relaxing and enjoyable as

possible. We are also delighted to help you in “What to see and do” locally, to help make the most of your time in Dingle.

The Dingle Skellig Hotel celebrates 50 years this year with the completion of a multimillion development, which includes 32 additional guest rooms, including five stunning rooftop guest rooms, all with their own balconies taking in the panoramic views across Dingle Bay. To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize, simply answer the question below and send your answer to enterprise@hotpress.ie.

Please include your contact details and good luck!

Escape the hustle and bustle with a Select Hotels of Ireland break! Whatever your budget, timetable and interests, we aim to accommodate your every need, and at prices that will allow you to take full advantage of everything our 30 locations have to offer.

View all our packages online at selecthotels.ie including our online exclusive offers.

THE QUESTION: WHICH IRISH PLAYER WON WORLD RUGBY PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN 2018?

A. Jonny Evans B. Johnny Sexton C. Jonny Cooper

Terms & conditions: Booking dates subject to restaurant availability and may not be available on certain dates. Entrants must be 18+. Enterprise may contact competition entrants 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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DUBLIN CITY CENTRE

Midweek Breaks

(Sunday to Thursday inclusive) With NIR Travel Staying at the Harcourt Hotel Fashionable City Centre Hotel close to Grafton St and St. Stephen’s Green.

Your break includes:

Return rail from any NIR Station. 2 nights Bed & Breakfast. 3 Course Early Bird Dinner on one evening in the elegant 1900 (Nineteen Hundred) Restaurant.

CERTAIN EXCLUSION DATE BUT YOU WILL BE ADVISED AT THE TIME OF BOOKING.

For reservations contact to Friday &

028 9033 7004

WE GET PEOPLE MOVING, FASTER

MATER PRIVATE

ORTHOPAEDIC & SPINE CENTRE

A pioneering new approach to spinal fusion surgery

Our new ExcelsiusGPS™ robot doesn’t do all the work in surgery. And it’s not really a robot.

But just like the GPS in our cars, this new robotic guidance technology helps our surgical team navigate to the right place more accurately. All of this adds up to safer surgery.

Greater Precision

Fewer Complications

Faster Recovery

We’ll always need our surgeons, but with the help of the new ExcelsiusGPS™ robot, we make sure our patients get the best outcomes and quality of care they deserve.

For more information, please contact the Mater Private Orthopaedic & Spine Centre:

Tel: 1800 38 52 85 Email: orthospine@materprivate.ie www.materprivate.ie