Desire Lines: Dingle whiskey, musical journalism, contemporary fashion
Some of what we're loving this Weekend
There’s no shortage of glam at Ciara Lynch’s Brass Boutique in Ennis, Co. Clare where she is known for her contemporary fashion collections with brands including Pretty Lavish, NeverFullyDressed and NAKD Fashion.
Lynch stocks an affordable mix of luxe everyday clothing and party wear as well as accessories and good quality basics.
Her latest Aurora Collection is inspired by the Roman goddess of the sun and is a mix of soft finishes, seamless tailoring and a dash of sparkle — a good investment as shimmer and metallic fabrics are a hot trend for Spring Summer 2024.
- Prices from €49, brassboutique.ie
Now in its 13th year, the First Fortnight festival brings together the country’s most creative and enquiring minds to entertain, intrigue, and fascinate as well as to question our attitudes to mental health issues and stigma. That doesn’t mean it’s all serious though — au contraire!
This vital festival hosts a brilliant array of stage performances and photo exhibitions, coffee mornings and open mic sessions, gigs and film screenings. Bursting with over 50 acts and events, the schedule includes discussions on women’s mental health for Nollaig na mBan, the beautiful Silva Lumina light exhibition at the National Botanic Gardens, Xthony’s Big Gay Ball, Selvage — a fast and funny show about modern anxieties by Brú Theatre, We’ll All Still Be Here — a glorious immersive seven-hour performance by cycling musicians and the brilliantly-named Dopa-Mean Girl. January 5 to January 14.
- The festival includes a mix of free and ticketed events. Some of the free events must be pre-booked in advance, firstfortnight.ie.
The perfect New Year’s Eve tipple is Dingle Distillery’s Grianstad an Gheimhridh Single Malt Whiskey.
The fifth release in a series of nine limited-edition whiskeys, Grianstad an Gheimhridh is part of the Wheel of the Year series.
The whiskey honours the Celtic celebration of ‘Grianstad an Gheimhridh’ or the winter solstice — the shortest day of the year, yes, but also a sign that longer and warmer days are ahead. We’ll certainly raise a glass to that on a dark winter’s night.
The whiskey is matured in former Bourbon casks with a Tawny Port cask finish and bottled at 50.5% ABV with just 7,800 bottles released.
- €85 per 70cl bottle, available from dingledistillery.ie and at off-licences nationwide.
Fans of prolific American author Harlan Coben will be waiting with anticipation for the release of Fool Me Once on Netflix on January 1.
The popular author is known for his thriller and mystery stories that feature complex characters and captivating plot twists. Fool Me Once is based on his 2016 book of the same name and follows former special ops pilot Maya Stern (Michelle Keegan) who is trying to come to terms with the brutal murder of her husband Joe (Richard Armitage).
When Maya installs a nanny-cam in her home though, she is shocked to see someone she recognises in the house — her husband who’s supposed to be dead. Juicy New Year’s Day viewing with a cast that includes British icon Joanna Lumley as Joe’s protective mother.
After the hustle and bustle of Christmas, why not start the new year with some intentional self-care and a visit to the Aqua Sana Spa at Center Parcs Longford Forest?
Aqua Sana offers a range of treatments and packages including Spa Day Packages which you can book for today, tomorrow and on into the new year.
Whether you’re an overnight guest or enjoying the spa as a non-resident, it’s a lovely place to unwind with a glass of fizz, access to all spa rooms and various packages that include treatments such as massages and facials.
Aqua Sana’s Restoring New Year Spa Day starts at €89 per person and includes a visit to the nature-inspired spa, a fresh buddha bowl and a smoothie.
A perfect read for music lovers on dark winter nights is the new book by Pulitzer prize-winning author David Remnick. In Holding The Note: Writing on Music, the author, journalist and editor of the New Yorker writes about the lives and work of some of the most iconic musicians of our time.
He portrays a series of musical lives — Leonard Cohen, Mavis Staples, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen (below), Patti Smith and more — through intimate portraits written through the lens of one with a lifelong passion for music.
Written over three decades, these essays have been described as ‘keenly observed’ and akin to literature. Switch off the TV, settle in on the sofa and dive into the lives of our musical greats.
- Dubray. €24.99.
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