Saturday, May 5, 2007

Wave chasers
Weather charts predicting big waves brought a gang of top surfers and film-makers to the Clare coast last week to chase a swell to a break called Aileens. Who would have thought we'd have waves - and surfer dudes - to rival Hawaii's best? Lauren Davies joins the pursuit. p

New York state of mind
Artist Jeanette Doyle is using her US residency to explore our fascination with celebrities, writes Gemma Tipton p

You are awful, but we like you
Amy Sedaris offers a fresh, comic response to all the Martha Stewart-like books that have turned entertaining into a blood sport. Anna Mundow approves p

Catching the travel bug
Irish students and tourists are travelling to farther-flung parts of the world than ever before, and more and more of them are returning with tropical diseases. Claire O'Connell gets advice from a specialist p
Meet the young social innovators
More than 5,000 students from 187 schools are active in projects designed to make a difference in their communities. Michael Kelly is impressed p

Opening lines
Great line-up for the ball A few things about the Trinity Ball that always arise . . . p
Our big week
Ciaran Scanlon and Niall Kavanagh Riding 1,000km for Down Syndrome Ireland p
What's going on
May 5 - May 11 p
I made it myself
Amy Van Den Broek, dressmaker p
Planet matters
Jane Powers on your local library p

On the loose
For fatter people such as myself there are some extremely fortuitous fashions in the shops at the moment. p

Eating out
Tom Doorley reviews Wine Upstairs, D6 p
Pod casting
Cooking in Whether sauteed or stewed, there are lots of ways to give broad beans a starring role, writes Hugo Arnold p
Recipes
Summer casserole of peas, broad beans and artichokes with fried sage; saute of broad beans and mushrooms with cream. Recipes serve four p
Drive-time dinners
Commuter Cooking More than ever, we rely on convenience foods for midweek meals, but it doesn't have to be that way. Sometimes fresh is fastest, argues Catherine Cleary - convincingly - in the first of a series p
Drive-time recipes
Sweet potato wedges, tomato pasta and chicken and almond strir-fry p
Best buys
Dessert in a jar just about sums up the award-winning East of Boston range of sauces developed by Barbara O'Mahony and produced in west Cork. p
Talking Italian
Wine A seven-course meal gave Bava wines a chance to shine, writes Joe Breen p
Bottles of the week
Bava Bass Tuba Moscato d'Asti 2004, Piedmont; La Croisade 2006, Vin de Pays d'Oc; Rosa Rosae 2006, Guerrieri Rizzardi, Veneto. p

Modern Moment
John Butler thinks the best conversations are the ones overheard p

About Face
Phyl Clarke meets John Frieda, the king of frizz control p
Clothes lines
green glamour The green georgette bow dress from Karen Millen caught our eye in the current season's catalogue. Glamorised with crystal sandals and a crystal ring, it costs €215, while the sandals cost €205 and the ring is €65. The collection also includes a green taffeta trench coat for €370, worn with a floral skirt, €145 and shoes, €180. p