High-tech gadgets, top-of-the-range sports cars and the latest in interactive technology was the order of the day at Silks Casino in Dublin on Wednesday as the Toys 4 Big Boys show, Ireland's largest male lifestyle event, returned to showcase this year's most expensive must-have purchases.
Many of the products that will take centre-stage at the RDS from November 26th to 28th were previewed, with an enthusiastic crowd gathering to steal a look at the latest merchandise.
"Truth of the matter is I have the best job in the world because I get to play with everything without having to spend any money," said John McDonald, director of CPG Events, operators of the Toys 4 Big Boys franchise. "In the Formula One pit-stop people get in to take the wheels on and off, there's a massive climbing wall for extreme sports enthusiasts, and the big penalty shootout is another key thing because we're going to find Ireland's fastest dead-ball kicker. There really is everything a big boy could wish for."
Among the machines on offer is the Suzuki Jimny off-road car. Described as a four-wheel drive with straight-cut gears and a powerful Ford Cosworth WRC engine, it is specifically designed to withstand extreme off-road races such as the Dakar Rally. The first of its type in Ireland, it costs in the region of €100,000.
"There's a lot of new features on this animal, but at this point in time during the off-road pre-season they would be trade secrets," said Benny O'Hanlon, of www. toddsleap.com. "It's top-notch and one of the top three cars in Ireland - and that's before it's even raced."
Among the more interactive exhibits was Speed Challenge, priced at €5,000. Using speed guns similar to those the gardaí employ to measure penalties, it can accurately calculate the speed of a football within half a second. The exhibition will attempt to find Ireland's fastest penalty kick at November's show, with the competition open to all-comers.
"It's quite an infectious piece of equipment because people are always thinking they can beat the last score. I have to say, though, that I'm a measly 64 m.p.h., which is way out of the target line," said director Rory Caren. "And that was on a good day."
One of the main changes in this year's event is that there is now a Goodies 4 Girls section, with an emphasis on beauty, spas, fashion and high-quality jewellery. While accepting that it is not what most visitors come for, the event's director, Mary Murphy, said that it is important to give everyone a reason to enjoy the show.
"Forty per cent of our visitors are female, so we felt we should address that this year and give them a section while their boyfriends are busy looking at the gadgets," she added.