Cinema, culture, cuisine and castle visits are on the agenda this weekend
Discover this new outdoor cinema
Cultural events company Happenings has a new venue in Dublin for outdoor cinema. It’s The Law Society, Blackhall Place, where four great films are being screened this month. Catch King Richard on August 12, The Big Lebowski on August 13 and The Princess Bride on August 26. All screenings are powered using battery and solar technology. Doors open at 7pm and movies start at 7.30pm, tickets are €12.15 each. “At Happenings we specialise in sustainable, meaningful cultural events,” says founder Peter O’Brien. “It’s great to be back in a new venue having some fun with outdoor movies and yoga but we are also working on more serious events such as the upcoming COP 27 Festival with Concern in October. Watch this space!” For tickets and info log onto www.happenings.ie.
Book this gorgeous new restaurant
The Killarney Park, Co Kerry has unveiled a lovely transformation of the hotel’s main restaurant, led by interior-design firm Kim Partridge Interiors. The Peregrine, inspired by Killarney National Park, oozes character and charm, and is decorated in organic colours from moss greens to rich mahogany. Bespoke murals and artwork, by Grant Watt and Gemma Billington, complement the interior design, while the restaurant is divided into a private dining room, elegant oval bar area and cosy booths. As for the food, head chef Seán Doyle has refreshed the menus, partnering with nearby farms and dairies where possible to source the finest fresh ingredients. The result is a relaxing atmosphere and authentic dining experience. For more information and bookings visit: www.killarneyparkhotel.ie
Take a guided tour of this castle
Birr Castle, Co Offaly, has been the home of the Parsons family since 1620 and the 7th Earl of Rosse, William Brendan Parsons and Alison Lady Rosse annually open their home to the public in summer. The castle tour includes a 75-minute guided tour starting with welcome videos in the Science Galleries followed by a visit to the castle and its pretty reception rooms. (A guide will discuss the antique furniture, family portraits, chandeliers, and tapestries within the rooms). Following the tour, the admission ticket also allows visitors to explore the 120 acres of parklands, enjoy many of the nature trails, marvel at the Great Telescope, visit the Carroll Oak which is standing tall for over 500 years, enjoy a stroll along the rivers and waterfall and visit the historic Science Centre. Guided tours run Monday to Saturday from now until September, with tours running at 10am, 11.30am and 1pm. Pre-booking is essential and costs €20 per person; www.birrcastle.com
Visit The Big Grill
For barbecue fans and grill masters, this event is on from August 11-14 in Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. At this year’s festival, there will be over 20 restaurants all abiding by the one rule that everything must be cooked over live fire, and no electricity or gas will be used. One of the newest aspects of this event is Rancho Relaxo for anyone looking for a more premium experience. This is an exclusive area within the festival which features a private bar, fire pits, guaranteed seating (unreserved), DJs, garden games, posh loos and two complimentary drinks on arrival. Guests will also get fast track entry to the festival via the dedicated Rancho Relaxo lane www.biggrillfestival.com/rancho-relaxo
Check out this collaboration
Shells Café, Co Sligo, has a growing legion of fans and a burgeoning online lifestyle shop. Just launched is its Shells x Charlotte Love – You, Me & The Sea sweaters (€48). Shells’ owner Jane Lamberth says: “The story behind the collection is it’s all about feminine energy, the sunset, the place and curiosity of life. We debated over the round circle on the front – Charlotte’s logo is the moon and Shells is all about surf and the seaside, so this circle encompasses everything. It’s all about the everyday, when you’re wearing it and you look down it’s right in your heart space and you connect with the circle.” The range is handmade by Charlotte, so the colour tones vary; www.shellscafe.com
Book this event
Killruddery Gardens and Estate in Bray, Co Wicklow has a new Late Summer Event Programme, which includes theatre performances and workshops, concluding with an end of summer show from Killruddery Artist in Residence, Aduantas Aerial. On Saturday, August 18, Off The Ground Theatre will present Shakespeare’s poetic, colourful play Love’s Labour’s Lost in Killruddery’s Sylvan Theatre. Other events include the End of Summer Garden Party, taking place on August 28, where children can bring dolls and teddy bears to the Teddy Bear’s hospital and enjoy games and treats while their bears are brought back to full health. This is a fun day out, in aid of Barretstown. For more information and tickets visit www.kilruddery.com
Experience this premiere
To mark a century of Ulysses, three of Ireland’s leading arts organisations – ANU, Landmark Productions and MoLI – have joined together to present Ulysses 2.2, a nationwide odyssey of creative responses to the 18 episodes that chronicle an ordinary day in the life of Leopold Bloom.
In response to Episode 6 of the book, Irish poet Paula Meehan has produced a new collection of poetry, For the Hungry Ghosts, written through the personal lens of the grief and trauma she has experienced, inherited and lived. As part of Kilkenny Arts Festival 2022, experience this collection in a unique way in a presentation by Paula in collaboration with master musician David Power, on August 13-14 at the Parade Tower Kilkenny. Now booking at kilkennyarts.ie; www.ulysses22.ie
Celebrate National Prosecco Day
Apparently it’s on Saturday, August 13, so there’s still time to buy a bottle and have it chilling in the fridge. As an incentive, M&S is shaving a third off the price of its prosecco and rosé prosecco ahead along with many of its other award-winning bottles! Lidl’s sommeliers recommend mixing up an Orange and Lemon Frosé, as follows:
Ingredients:
1 bottle of Prosecco Spumante Rosé Millesima
2 oranges
2 lemons
4 spoons of granulated sugar
1 shot of Bitterol Spritz per serving
Ice cubes
Method:
Pour the bottle of Prosecco into a baking tray, place in freezer overnight.
Place peeled oranges, lemon and sugar into a blender and blitz (sweeten to taste).
Add the frozen Prosecco into the blender and blitz until it is like a slushie.
Add more ice as required, the mixture should be thick with peeks.
Pour the mixture into a long-stemmed wine glass/ martini glass.
Add a shot glass of Bitterol Spritz per glass.
Garnish with lemon and orange zest and serve.
Main featured image: River Island SS22
