Saturday, April 28, 2007

Troy story
What will young Troy Maguire do next? 'Bistro cooking is where it's at,' he tells Catherine Cleary , as he moves to the banks of the Grand Canal. p

Grand motherly love
In Zambia the average life expectancy has fallen to 37 as Aids has taken its toll. With their children gone, grandparents have had to become parents again. Words and pictures: Gareth Bentley p

Wire service
Susan Cuffe's sculptures have a life of their own and fairly dance off the walls. Don't miss her solo show, writes Patsey Murphy p
The ideas factory
Monster Truck, a new gallery on Francis Street in Dublin, is run on artists' terms. It's the result of two people taking a chance for the sake of adventure rather than profit, writes Gemma Tipton p

Opening lines
Making Belfast laugh: It's not often you find yourself laughing to the point of tears on the streets of Belfast. But it's a common occurrence during the Festival of Fools, this year running in May from Thursday 3rd to Monday 7th. p
What's going on
April 28-May 4 p
My big week
Sinead O'Connor: preparing to play Dublin Castle. p
I made it myself
Courtney Tyler , Market trader p
Planet Matters
Jane Powers on the ethanol solution. p

Gods of small things
Despite living in his constituency we haven't spotted Bertie yet. Bit annoyed about this, because everyone else I know seems to be able to provide chapter and verse on some recent Bertie experience or other. Bertie in his local pub, Fagan's. Bertie on the hustings. Bertie hanging out near Holles Street, seeming embarrassed to admit his grandchildren are called Rocco and Jay, which in fairness you can understand. p

Into the East
Eating In: Give lamb a kick p
The Shelbourne, D2
Eating out: I love our new multiculturalism and the diversity it brings, but there is one tiny downside to it all. It just doesn't seem right to be served by pleasant, young mainland Europeans in the Horseshoe Bar of the Shelbourne. p
Genie in the bottle
Biodynamic winemakers say their methods make better wine that's kind to nature p
Bottles of the week
Domaine Mittnacht Frères Riesling 2005, Cullen Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon 2005 and Château Maris, Minervois 2004 p
Bundles of fun
You might be forgiven for thinking that asparagus is a native, like Paddington Bear, of Peru. Virtually every stick of the stuff seems to come from there, and it comes year-round. p

ClothesLines
Chic boutique: "I was born to work for myself," says Deirdre Morahan, owner of the chic new boutique Demora in Cross Street, Galway. p
About face
STROKE OF GENIUS: Using brushes to apply make-up gives a better finish and a longer-lasting look, writes Phyl Clarke p