A new location at Bray Heritage Centre on Lr Main Street has been secured for Bray farmers' market, and Chris de Burgh and Rosanna Davison will perform the re-opening ceremony today (but don't let that put you off). The market will run on Saturdays, 10am-2pm
BROUGHT TO BOOK
I love the process of meandering around a bookstore, searching for that special book that will become a part of my life in the coming days and weeks. But you can go through the same process in the library, and no money has to change hands. I do sometimes return to books that I particularly enjoyed, so perhaps that is why I like owning a copy - but the vast majority get read once and are then left to gather dust.
I think book collections are a statement and I look to the day when someone will wander around our house looking at my book collection and realise what a fine fellow I am. Which will never happen.
There is research to support the fact that libraries are busier in times of economic hardship, and there is no doubt that they are great value for money. In times of plenty, like those we find ourselves in now, when we are "more eager to amass than to realise", libraries might seem unnecessary, or cute even. Government statistics from 2004 show that only 20 per cent of the population are members of libraries, which is a pity; they are the ultimate community resource.
Joining the library takes about five minutes. You fill out a form, hand over proof of identity and a €12 joining fee and in return get a membership card, and a maybe quick guided tour. My local library is an impressive place. I am a history and biography fan, so I am heartened to see they have large sections dedicated to both. I am particularly intrigued by the extensive multimedia section; audio books, CDs, DVDs; all free to members.
Books can be reserved or renewed online or by phone and there is a regular e-mail newsletter detailing library events. There's a search facility that can tell me whether a particular book is in stock and if so, which of the three libraries in my area it is in.
Library facilities are improving all the time. Local authorities spent over €100 million on the network last year. The library encourages children to join and they can do so for free. For details of your local library, see www.library.ie. Michael Kelly
TREASURE CHEST
Watsham and Bohn is a new interiors shop just opened in Monkstown, Co Dublin, near Goggins pub. The owners, Laragh Bohn and Robert Watsham, have backgrounds in design: he is a graduate of Central Saint Martins in London, and she studied in Florence. There's a simple philosophy behind how they choose stock: "If we see something we like, we buy it," Watsham says. "We like things to be a little mixed up - there won't be just one style here." The look will change as more deliveries arrive over the coming weeks. Prices are not too expensive: "We want to appeal to our own peer group, most of whom are already financially burdened by buying their home." So while there's a very beautiful suede-effect sofa with studded detail costing €4,500 and a round, extendable grey-painted oak dining table for €1,795, there are also plenty of cheaper items such as sunflower gilt mirrors costing €192, and faded, antique-looking side tables for €250. Interesting items such as old bannister posts are thrown into the mix, too. The shop will also act as a showroom for the other side of their business which is a project management and decoration service. Watsham and Bohn, 93B Monkstown Road, 01-2140741. Eoin Lyons
LOCK STOCK AND BARREL
They say faith can move mountains, but artists, it seems, can move bars. A second home to the writers and artists of Derry city, Tinney's Bar has moved - lock, stock, barrel, fixtures, fittings and licence - across the road to the Void Arts Centre, where it will stay (and be open for business as usual) during the redevelopment of its old home.
Describing the move in similar terms to the installation of Francis Bacon's London studio in Dublin City Gallery the Hugh Lane, the Null group of artists (Paola Berardelli, Maoliosa Boyle, Damien Duffy and Kieran Ferris) say it's all about "relational aesthetics". But as regulars of Tinney's know, it's also all about a very good pint. Void Arts Centre is on Patrick Street in Derry (048-71308080). Gemma Tipton
GIVE US YOUR CLOTHES
Revamping your wardrobe for spring? The Designer Dig team is looking for clothing donations to its fashion sale at Barberstown Castle in March. Two years ago this group of friends from Clane raised €20,000 for tsunami relief and local charities. The second Designer Dig is on March 3rd and 4th, featuring major labels at reduced prices, with proceeds going to the Marie Keating Foundation and local primary schools. The team will arrange collection of women's clothes and accessories, but items must be new, or as good as. Call Jillian Neary on 087-6998066 or Eleanor Cunney on 087-2781333. Plus, put the dates in your diary and grab a bargain for yourself at Barberstown, which is in Straffan, Co Kildare. Clare McCarthy
WAIT IN STYLE
Priority Pass is a membership programme that allows access to more than 500 airport lounges worldwide. Standard membership costs €99 a year and €24 per visit; Standard Plus costs €249 a year, and includes 10 free visits a year, with €24 per visit thereafter; and Prestige costs €399 a year and allows unlimited access. The Skytrax Research 2006 Best Airline Lounges survey (www.airlinequality.com) ranks Cathay Pacific's first-class lounge at Hong Kong International Airport and Virgin Atlantic's London Heathrow Upper Class (business class) lounges the best in the world. www.prioritypass.com. Antonia O'Keeffe
KNIVES AT DAWN
The top young chefs in Ireland and Britain will compete for a place in the final of the inaugural Robbie Millar 2007 Young Chef of the Year competition at East Tyrone College in Dungannon on March 27th. A scholarship has been established in the memory of the Michelin-star winning chef, who was killed in a car crash on his way home from his restaurant, Shanks, in Bangor, Co Down in 2005. Pictured (below) at the launch of the scholarship are Millar's widow, Shirley, and chefs Paul Rankin (centre) and Michael Deane.
Eight finalists will be invited to the cook-off in Dungannon, at which they will be required to cook a three-course meal using some of the late chef's favourite ingredients, including hand-dived scallops, Kettyle dry-aged Irish beef and Valrhona chocolate.
The winner will embark on a round of work experience placements at restaurants including the River Cafe in London, a Richard Corrigan one-star establishment, and Château Vignelaure in Provence. The competition is open to chefs aged 23 or under on October 24th, 2007, and the closing date is February 23rd. For an entry form send an SAE to Robbie Millar Scholarship, Weber Shandwick, 425 Holywood Road, Belfast BT4 2GU, or see www.jnwine.com and download the entry form on the home page. Marie-Claire Digby
RUNAWAY BRIDE
A bride in full wedding regalia doing up the laces on her Converse sneakers? Is this a new way to tie the knot? It was the imaginative cover shot that heralded the launch of a new Irish bridal magazine called Wedding Belle. The first issue contained an impressive fashion spread shot in Malta by Axel Bernstorff, with styling by Paula Hughes, along with lively features such as "Is His Mother Ruining Your Wedding?".
The magazine is the brainchild of Claire Taaffe and Sarah Ryan, both experienced magazine editors who felt the need for a "high-fashion, international-standard magazine with local content".
The centre spread of the second issue features everything from high-street to couture gowns. There are also real-life wedding-dress stories, an interview with a cake couturier and an article entitled "Bridesmaids Blues". Wedding Belleis published quarterly, €6. Deirdre McQuillan
MOO TO YOU
It seems like every week we hear news of another jewellery launch as the national appetite for decoration continues unabated. Bingo & Moo is a new Irish company set up by friends Emma O'Sullivan and Denise Thomas. Graduates in visual communication from DIT in Mountjoy Square, Dublin, they followed up their studies with a jewellery course and started making items for friends. Now they design and make unusual bracelets and necklaces composed of handblown Venetian glass, Dalmatian jasper and gemstones from Thailand, Mexico and Africa. Prices are from €132 up to €252, and, "people are willing to pay," they say. Bingo & Moo can be found in Cocoon in Cork, Nusa Dua in Malahide, Co Dublin and Designer Knitwear in Dalkey, Co Dublin, or viewed online at www.bingoandmoo.com. Deirdre McQuillan
GET YOURSELF ON STAGE
Would you like to perform in the National Concert Hall as part of a 100-strong choir? 40 Songs Of Greenis a evening of story and song celebrating celebrating the idea of Irishness, produced by Barabbas, St Patrick's Festival and The National Concert Hall, which will be staged on March 15th and 16th.
Auditions will be held in a city centre location next Monday between 7pm and 10pm, and appointments to audition can be booked by telephoning 01-6712013 after 10am on Monday. As well as being able to sing in tune, choir members must be available for rehearsals on Saturdays (11am-2pm) and Tuesdays (7pm-10pm); as well as for dress rehearsals on Wednesday, March 14th (7pm-9pm) and all day Thursday, March 15th. After all that, you'd best make sure you are also available to take your place in the spotlight for the performances in the National Concert Hall on Thursday, March 15th, and Friday, March 16th, at 8pm.