Compiled by Nicoline Greer
HOT STUFF
The furnace was off and the accomplished smile was on Pádraig Ó Murchú's face when he unveiled his latest collection of contemporary metal sculpture at the Autumn Fair in the RDS a couple of weeks ago. He handcrafts his metal centrepiece bowls in his workshop in Greystones, so each piece is unique, formed from curves and asymmetrical lines. Made using traditional techniques, they also manage to strike that balance between functionality and creativity. €50-€500; pictured: metal sculpture centrepiece, limited edition, €240. Stockists include the Kilkenny Shop and Carraig Donn. Contact 01-2872894 for stockists or commissions.
DOWN THE AGES
Vincent Smith of the Brown Envelope proudly says he "specialises in nothing". In his "eclectic galleria", you will find bits and pieces from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and contemporary pieces. There are 1960s Italian art lamps, 1950s cocktail bars and glassware, a 1960s go-car (the early version of a child's buggy) and "a nice pair of gargoyles". He has also bought - and will display from September 12th - two collections of black and white images of Dublin (see left) by Andy McGlynn and Vincent Dooley. The city looks like another planet: there are biddies and punks; cabbages and coal; carts, barges and prams. The Brown Envelope, Eclectic Galleria, Francis Street, Dublin 8. (01-4020910) Open 10am-6pm
REBEL YELL
Next year Cork can make a legitimate claim to be the capital, as it has been designated European Capital of Culture 2005. To coincide with the occasion, Paul Cussen set himself a challenge - to write a Leeside pocket guide. Ireland's second city reduced to 180 pages? Well, it doesn't aim to cover everything, but this little guide does give a flavour of Cork. Accommodation, restaurants and tourist attractions are all included, interspersed with profiles of some of the county's famous citizens. Don't miss the bells of Shandon, the English Market, the Opera House area (right) and the Gaol. Daytrips recommended include Fota, Kinsale, Blarney and Gougane Barra. There's a short history, a monthly guide to festivals, and an outline of just a handful of the 5,000 exhibitions and events due to take place next year. Here's one that sounds interesting: 50 people are due to work in relay on a balcony, knitting an aerial view of Cork ... a fine sight, we expect. Cork - A Pocket Guide by Paul Cussen is published by Collins Press at €8.99. Clare McCarthy
A HOME IN ROME
Cook your own breakfast a stone's throw from the Trevi fountain, or invite friends back for dinner on your terrazzo overlooking Trastevere. If you're visiting Rome, your vita can be a lot dolcier if you sub-let a local's apartment, rather than stay in an impersonal hotel room. The website www.rome-accom.com contains listings of apartments for short-term lets in central Rome. Search by district, price or size, then e-mail them your choices and dates. They were back to me within 24 hours, with a great apartment off the Piazza Navona. They picked us up from the airport for less than the price of a taxi, threw in a baby's cot for nothing, and even left a few essentials in the fridge. Prices start at €99 per night for a studio apartment. See www.rome-accom. com or call 00-39-333-2283044. Conor Goodman
TANFASTIC
If you are still mourning the demise of girly Tupperware nights but aren't interested in lingerie soirées, then a tanning party might be for you. The people from "Tan and Go" know the prospect of skin cancer has put most of us off a natural tan, so the only option is to fake it. Before a big night out or a holiday, get a few girlfriends around - they don't do men yet - and the tanning crew will come around to your house, spraying you with the product of your choice. Be prepared to splash out around €45 for a full body spray. For more information contact tanandgo.ie Róisín Ingle
A DATE WITH A PLATE
The Rosenthal company has been pushing the boundaries of the porcelain industry for 125 years now. To celebrate the anniversary, this Tuesday, Equinox in Belfast is exhibiting Rosenthal ceramic pieces. Philip Rosenthal founded the German company in 1879 and over the years, artists and designers such as Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and Gianni Versace have contributed to the art object collections. For this exhibition, Czech architect, painter and designer, Borek Sipek has created wonderful vases, bowls and glass art to celebrate Rosenthal's jubilee year. The exhibition also includes trademark pieces from the latter years of Rosenthal's history, along with more recent designs, such as "Free Spirit" (by British designer Robin Platt) and the Andy Warhol range of designs, "Marilyn Monroe" and "New York". Prices start at £15 sterling for the "Marilyn" picture postcard. 125 years of Rosenthal, September 7th-30th. Equinox, 32 Howard Street, Belfast (048-9023-0089) www.e-equinox.co.uk
LOOK, NO HANDS
It can be a battle of inner wills not to answer the mobile when it goes off in the car. If you can't resist but want to avoid penalty points, crashes and road rage from other drivers, you've got to go wireless. Plantronics is launching its new M2500 Bluetooth headset, which means, if you have a Bluetooth mobile phone, you can natter your way through the traffic jams. It has up to five hours of talk time, up to 120 hours of standby time and earpieces that are barely noticeable. It can be used with any Bluetooth device that supports the headset or hands-free profile, including most mobile phones, computers, personal digital assistants and smartphones. Plantronics' best claim to fame, however, is that its products were used in the "one small step for man" transmission from the moon. M2500, approx €80. (1800-551896) www.plantronics.com
WORK IN PROGRESS
While workmanship may often be excellent in Irish furniture, only a handful of designers produce pieces that look truly contemporary. One of these is Tom O'Rahilly, who works under the name Rua from a shop in Dún Laoghaire. Before showing at Designer's Block in London later this month, he is holding his first solo show here in the atrium of the OPW building at 51 St Stephen's Green (9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays). It features old and new pieces, and O'Rahilly takes the visitor through the process from drawing to model to prototype and finished piece. Be quick: it only runs until September 15th. Rua is at 51 Lower George's Street, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. (01-2304209) Eoin Lyons