Is cafe culture a real alternative to a night in the pub? Dublin is home to a number
of cafes who offer a great nights out without the pints.
Accents coffee and tea shop: located on stephen street just off Georges street,
Accents is host to Dublin's first non-alcoholic comedy night every Monday evening.
Perfect excuse to catch up with friends for a laugh without the lager.
http://accentslounge.wordpress.com/
Busybee and Coco cafe: A buzzing fairtrade cafe just off grafton street. Late opening
and live music every Saturday makes this a great place to check out if you fancy a change
from the pub scene.
Bewleys cafe theatre: This iconic landmark on the heart of Grafton street is home
to regular theatre nights. Check out their website for upcoming shows http://www.bewleyscafetheatre.com/index.php
Moda: Located in Rathmines, Moda is a funky art cafe with late opening until 10pm.
Knitting enthusiasts should check out their Tuesday night Knitting group.
Promenade Cafe: A charming cafe in Dun laoghaire which has started to hold Monthly
theatre nights. Like them on facebook to keep up to date.
Are cafes finally usurping pubs in the capital? To be honest, probably not,
Pubs and boozing are part of our DNA. However, its great to have options,
Heres to more choice!
Fashion, Art, Music, Theater, Culture,
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Monday, 3 October 2011
Websites I love:
Here is a round up of where to find out wheres happening, whats hot, and whats free around the
capital:
http://www.freefun.ie/
Broke but looking for fun? From festivals to workshops with a bit of everyting in between,
If its fun and its free, its here!
http://www.lecool.com/
A free online events magazine. Sign up for e-mails and every Thursday find out whats hot
in Dublin. From art to fashion, culture to clubbing, whatever your interested in you'll be the first to know
where its on.
http://www.cheapeats.ie/
A brilliant blog all about feasting like a king on the purse of a pauper! Check it out for restaurant deals,
to find out who has the best early bird deal in Dublin or to download supermarket vouchers.
http://www.entertainment.ie/
A one stop shop for whats on where in dublin. Very useful for gigs and cinema listings.
capital:
http://www.freefun.ie/
Broke but looking for fun? From festivals to workshops with a bit of everyting in between,
If its fun and its free, its here!
http://www.lecool.com/
A free online events magazine. Sign up for e-mails and every Thursday find out whats hot
in Dublin. From art to fashion, culture to clubbing, whatever your interested in you'll be the first to know
where its on.
http://www.cheapeats.ie/
A brilliant blog all about feasting like a king on the purse of a pauper! Check it out for restaurant deals,
to find out who has the best early bird deal in Dublin or to download supermarket vouchers.
http://www.entertainment.ie/
A one stop shop for whats on where in dublin. Very useful for gigs and cinema listings.
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Late night Cafe's
Its 8pm, you'd kill for a cup of tea and a slice of cake and good old natter.
Where do you go?
Tea Garden: located on lower Ormond quay Dublin. An amazing selection
of teas, served in a relaxing setting. Open till 11pm 7 days a week.
Check out the website http://www.tea-garden.eu/index.html
for the full menu on offer.
Busyfeet and Coco Cafe: located 41/42 South William street Dublin. This popular
hotspot serves great coffee, tasty treats and beer until 11pm Thursday to Sunday. Live music
every Saturday, this cafe is well worth checking out. Like busyfeet and coco on facebook to
keep up with upcoming events.
Joy of Coffee/Joy of Chai: Two coffee shops in temple bar. really good selection of teas,
coffees and cakes. Open till 10 or 11pm.
Accents: located on Stephen Street lower, near Georges Street. This is a new kid on the cafe
scene. A large selection of teas, coffees and treats are on offer in a cosy, relaxed setting. Downstairs
is particularly inviting with couches and bean bags scattered around the floor. If you come on your own
there is a bookcase to peruse while your sipping on your coffee. Accents is open until 11pm most
nights of the week: http://accentslounge.wordpress.com/
Moda: Art cafe located in the middle of Rathmines. A regular haunt of library diva. This
surprisingly spacious cafe serves tasty and reasonably priced meals and snacks during the
day. At night, Moda serves teas, coffee and cake until 10pm. Like needlework? They have
a knitting club every Tuesday evening at 7pm.
Dublin Library Diva Plea:
Library Diva misses Java's in Galway, she loved the late nite cafe which
opens till 4am in the morning serving teas, coffees and snacks. Quiet and atmospheric
this was the ideal place to set the world to right under the cloak of darkness. Please, please
someone open up a late night/all night coffee shop in Dublin. I would be eternally grateful...
Where do you go?
Tea Garden: located on lower Ormond quay Dublin. An amazing selection
of teas, served in a relaxing setting. Open till 11pm 7 days a week.
Check out the website http://www.tea-garden.eu/index.html
for the full menu on offer.
Busyfeet and Coco Cafe: located 41/42 South William street Dublin. This popular
hotspot serves great coffee, tasty treats and beer until 11pm Thursday to Sunday. Live music
every Saturday, this cafe is well worth checking out. Like busyfeet and coco on facebook to
keep up with upcoming events.
Joy of Coffee/Joy of Chai: Two coffee shops in temple bar. really good selection of teas,
coffees and cakes. Open till 10 or 11pm.
Accents: located on Stephen Street lower, near Georges Street. This is a new kid on the cafe
scene. A large selection of teas, coffees and treats are on offer in a cosy, relaxed setting. Downstairs
is particularly inviting with couches and bean bags scattered around the floor. If you come on your own
there is a bookcase to peruse while your sipping on your coffee. Accents is open until 11pm most
nights of the week: http://accentslounge.wordpress.com/
Moda: Art cafe located in the middle of Rathmines. A regular haunt of library diva. This
surprisingly spacious cafe serves tasty and reasonably priced meals and snacks during the
day. At night, Moda serves teas, coffee and cake until 10pm. Like needlework? They have
a knitting club every Tuesday evening at 7pm.
Dublin Library Diva Plea:
Library Diva misses Java's in Galway, she loved the late nite cafe which
opens till 4am in the morning serving teas, coffees and snacks. Quiet and atmospheric
this was the ideal place to set the world to right under the cloak of darkness. Please, please
someone open up a late night/all night coffee shop in Dublin. I would be eternally grateful...
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Culture night Galway at Bell, Book and Candle
Around Galway For Culture night this Friday?
Pop down to Bell, Book and Candle for a fantastic day of Music....
COMING UP FOR AIR
By Celine Hughes
Bell, Book and Candle Book and Music Store in the West End of Galway will be celebrating Culture Day by saying a big ‘thank you’ to everybody who is, and has been, involved with us over the years by hosting a day long event showcasing some of the best established and up-and-coming artists, independent music labels, and musicians in Galway and beyond.
The day will be run in association with Wingnut Records, an independent music shop that is ran on enthusiasm within the store itself which now hosts approximately 500 releases of new Irish music on tape, CD and vinyl.
We will be releasing a CD with booklet (limited edition and only available on the day in the store). The CD will feature 15 different tracks covering the most diverse and talented artists on this isle and the booklet accompanying it in a very old music/fanzine style gives a chance for everyone involved in the project and those represented by us to get together, tell our story, share ideas and be unified in our vision of expression. The following are the people and bands featuring on the CD:
The Driftwood Manor, Strange Crow, Squarehead, Windings, Landlovers, Lamp, Lafaro, Strider, Brain Kelly, Them Martyrs, Austin D H Ivers, Rites, Jimmy Penguin, Christians Vs Lions and Bitwise Operator.
Some of the labels represented on the CD include Rusted Rail, O.O.A.L, Richter Collective, Popical Island and Randal Records.
Also on the day there will be a showing of paintings by artist Cecilia Danell and ceramic work from Sinead O’Toole of Forge Ceramic Studio, along with some visuals by the super 8 hero Julien Dorgere of Super8 Shots who will also have a stall featuring super 8 cameras and equipment for those who may like to get interested in this medium.
The live performance aspect will be taking place in the early evening and feature live spoken word by emerging poet/writer Elaine Cosgrove and a performance by up-and-coming slam poet Lisa Keegan. There will also in the evening be vibrant live music by The Driftwood Manor, Brain Kelly of so cow, Jimmy Penguin and Them Martyrs.
Being an underground book and music store in the West End of Galway our survival has depended on the diverse community that has come through our door to support us and that we are so grateful to be a part of. The store has become a hub for all that is great about the constantly evolving art and music scene in Galway, a crossover point for all the sub-cultures coexisting in this town. The local musicians, artists and writers are the life-blood of the store, they are what gives Galway colour. On Friday the 23rd of September we will be celebrating this and coming up for air. Come join us.
Pop down to Bell, Book and Candle for a fantastic day of Music....
COMING UP FOR AIR
By Celine Hughes
Bell, Book and Candle Book and Music Store in the West End of Galway will be celebrating Culture Day by saying a big ‘thank you’ to everybody who is, and has been, involved with us over the years by hosting a day long event showcasing some of the best established and up-and-coming artists, independent music labels, and musicians in Galway and beyond.
The day will be run in association with Wingnut Records, an independent music shop that is ran on enthusiasm within the store itself which now hosts approximately 500 releases of new Irish music on tape, CD and vinyl.
We will be releasing a CD with booklet (limited edition and only available on the day in the store). The CD will feature 15 different tracks covering the most diverse and talented artists on this isle and the booklet accompanying it in a very old music/fanzine style gives a chance for everyone involved in the project and those represented by us to get together, tell our story, share ideas and be unified in our vision of expression. The following are the people and bands featuring on the CD:
The Driftwood Manor, Strange Crow, Squarehead, Windings, Landlovers, Lamp, Lafaro, Strider, Brain Kelly, Them Martyrs, Austin D H Ivers, Rites, Jimmy Penguin, Christians Vs Lions and Bitwise Operator.
Some of the labels represented on the CD include Rusted Rail, O.O.A.L, Richter Collective, Popical Island and Randal Records.
Also on the day there will be a showing of paintings by artist Cecilia Danell and ceramic work from Sinead O’Toole of Forge Ceramic Studio, along with some visuals by the super 8 hero Julien Dorgere of Super8 Shots who will also have a stall featuring super 8 cameras and equipment for those who may like to get interested in this medium.
The live performance aspect will be taking place in the early evening and feature live spoken word by emerging poet/writer Elaine Cosgrove and a performance by up-and-coming slam poet Lisa Keegan. There will also in the evening be vibrant live music by The Driftwood Manor, Brain Kelly of so cow, Jimmy Penguin and Them Martyrs.
Being an underground book and music store in the West End of Galway our survival has depended on the diverse community that has come through our door to support us and that we are so grateful to be a part of. The store has become a hub for all that is great about the constantly evolving art and music scene in Galway, a crossover point for all the sub-cultures coexisting in this town. The local musicians, artists and writers are the life-blood of the store, they are what gives Galway colour. On Friday the 23rd of September we will be celebrating this and coming up for air. Come join us.
Monday, 19 September 2011
Rude Health 2011
Every September, well known and respected members of the health industry congregate
in the RDS to dispense information and advice on all aspects of healthy living to the public.
The main hall of the RDS is taken over to exhibitors selling goods and offering advice
on sports and therapies, the environment, food, skincare and complementary remedies.
Four lecture halls are taken over to speakers discussing a range of health related topics.
The main speakers at this years show were Patrick Holdford, Marilyn Glenville,
Jan de Vries, Bernadette Bohan, Karen Ward, and Jane Plant.
Rude health 2011 took place Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September.
Library Diva went along with her marginally more health conscious mother
to check out the event.
Who we met
My mother and I had the pleasure to meet Beibhinn Byrne, a Journalist who is often a guest
on TV3's Midday. Beibhinn runs the Natural Food market at St. Andrew's Resource centre
Pearse Street every Saturday from 9.30am to 3pm. For the past year my poor mother had
been wondering what oil Beibhinn had recommended people use as a detoxifying
mouthwash first thing in the morning. Beibhinn was very friendly and approachable, will definitely be checking out her organic and wholefood market. FYI: the oil is sesame oil. I have started to use this oil myself. Time will tell if it does me any good!.
Who we saw
Queues for Patrick Holdford were insane all weekend, i believe people had to
queue for almost an hour just to see him. To be honest, i wasn't sorry sorry to miss
his show. Am slightly cynical about all the hype that surrounds him. Most of his advice
sounds good- eat well, drink water, take supplements, exercise and fresh air, but some
of it seems a little avaricious especially in his promotion of very expensive products.
Marilynne Glenville- a specialist in women's health. Dr. Glenville uses both mainstream
and complementary medicine in her practice. Myself and my mother went to her talk on
'7 supplements important for women's health'. FYI: Vitamin D, Omega 3 fatty acids and
probiotics are the important ones.
Jan de vries: A fountain of wisdom and generosity, i always enjoy seeing Jan de Vries. An expert
in herbal medicine, naturopathy, osteopathy and reflexology, This man has written more books than he can remember and takes a very simplistic view of health and well being- good food, good water, fresh air and maybe some echinacea. My motherand I went to see his talk on 'coping with stress and anxieties'. Inthis talk, he discussed the
importance of sleep and relaxation.
Tip 1:
Place your left hand on your forhead, place your right hand on the opposite side of your head.
Sit up tall, breathe in to your abdomen through your nose, breathe out through your mouth.
This is a tip for centreing the body.
Tip 2:
Place your left hand under your navel, place your right hand over your navel. Sit up tall,
breathe in to your abdomen through your nose, breathe out through your mouth. Repeat.
This is a tip to help you to sleep.
What we liked:
Cathy's Spelt for health http://www.cathysspeltforhealth.ie/
Bread mixes to make your own spelt bread at home. Tried out their multigrain
bread mix, very easy to make and tasty to eat.
Foods of Athenry http://www.foodsofathenry.ie/.
A Galway based family company producing natural breads and treats.
Library Diva wishes their breads were easier to get in dublin!
Natasha's living foods http://www.natashaslivingfood.ie/
Sells cakes and treats made from raw cacao, cacao butter,
agave syrup and other healthy things. Her cakes and treats are raw and
sugar free, yet are strangely rich and tasty. Check out her stall in temple bar market
on Saturday, in the people's park, Dun laoghaire and selected health food stores.
Library diva spotted her cakes for sale in Accents coffee shop a couple of weeks ago.
What we were dubious about:
Cherry active juice http://www.cherryactive.co.uk/
20 - 30 euro for a bottle of juice- who are you trying to kid?
Yorktest http://www.yorktest.ie/
350 euro for a blood test your doctor hasn't ordered? Why?
Rude health 2011 was buzzing with life, and people and interest. Its great that people are getting
more and more interested in their health and well being. Each year, the Rude health showcases and
informs the public on a dizzying array of disciplines, principles and products. Cant wait for next
years show!
in the RDS to dispense information and advice on all aspects of healthy living to the public.
The main hall of the RDS is taken over to exhibitors selling goods and offering advice
on sports and therapies, the environment, food, skincare and complementary remedies.
Four lecture halls are taken over to speakers discussing a range of health related topics.
The main speakers at this years show were Patrick Holdford, Marilyn Glenville,
Jan de Vries, Bernadette Bohan, Karen Ward, and Jane Plant.
Rude health 2011 took place Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September.
Library Diva went along with her marginally more health conscious mother
to check out the event.
Who we met
My mother and I had the pleasure to meet Beibhinn Byrne, a Journalist who is often a guest
on TV3's Midday. Beibhinn runs the Natural Food market at St. Andrew's Resource centre
Pearse Street every Saturday from 9.30am to 3pm. For the past year my poor mother had
been wondering what oil Beibhinn had recommended people use as a detoxifying
mouthwash first thing in the morning. Beibhinn was very friendly and approachable, will definitely be checking out her organic and wholefood market. FYI: the oil is sesame oil. I have started to use this oil myself. Time will tell if it does me any good!.
Who we saw
Queues for Patrick Holdford were insane all weekend, i believe people had to
queue for almost an hour just to see him. To be honest, i wasn't sorry sorry to miss
his show. Am slightly cynical about all the hype that surrounds him. Most of his advice
sounds good- eat well, drink water, take supplements, exercise and fresh air, but some
of it seems a little avaricious especially in his promotion of very expensive products.
Marilynne Glenville- a specialist in women's health. Dr. Glenville uses both mainstream
and complementary medicine in her practice. Myself and my mother went to her talk on
'7 supplements important for women's health'. FYI: Vitamin D, Omega 3 fatty acids and
probiotics are the important ones.
Jan de vries: A fountain of wisdom and generosity, i always enjoy seeing Jan de Vries. An expert
in herbal medicine, naturopathy, osteopathy and reflexology, This man has written more books than he can remember and takes a very simplistic view of health and well being- good food, good water, fresh air and maybe some echinacea. My motherand I went to see his talk on 'coping with stress and anxieties'. Inthis talk, he discussed the
importance of sleep and relaxation.
Tip 1:
Place your left hand on your forhead, place your right hand on the opposite side of your head.
Sit up tall, breathe in to your abdomen through your nose, breathe out through your mouth.
This is a tip for centreing the body.
Tip 2:
Place your left hand under your navel, place your right hand over your navel. Sit up tall,
breathe in to your abdomen through your nose, breathe out through your mouth. Repeat.
This is a tip to help you to sleep.
What we liked:
Cathy's Spelt for health http://www.cathysspeltforhealth.ie/
Bread mixes to make your own spelt bread at home. Tried out their multigrain
bread mix, very easy to make and tasty to eat.
Foods of Athenry http://www.foodsofathenry.ie/.
A Galway based family company producing natural breads and treats.
Library Diva wishes their breads were easier to get in dublin!
Natasha's living foods http://www.natashaslivingfood.ie/
Sells cakes and treats made from raw cacao, cacao butter,
agave syrup and other healthy things. Her cakes and treats are raw and
sugar free, yet are strangely rich and tasty. Check out her stall in temple bar market
on Saturday, in the people's park, Dun laoghaire and selected health food stores.
Library diva spotted her cakes for sale in Accents coffee shop a couple of weeks ago.
What we were dubious about:
Cherry active juice http://www.cherryactive.co.uk/
20 - 30 euro for a bottle of juice- who are you trying to kid?
Yorktest http://www.yorktest.ie/
350 euro for a blood test your doctor hasn't ordered? Why?
Rude health 2011 was buzzing with life, and people and interest. Its great that people are getting
more and more interested in their health and well being. Each year, the Rude health showcases and
informs the public on a dizzying array of disciplines, principles and products. Cant wait for next
years show!
Friday, 16 September 2011
By Hayley Reynolds
Electric Picnic sadly spells the end of the summer for me. The last big event to look forward to
before Autumn sweeps in and we can no longer deceive ourselves with hope for sunny days. Still, it's hardly a bad way to
hand over the baton to the colder months.
This year I arrived bearing numerous copies of the line-up (gifts from my more organised friends), including one laminated, and proceeded to circle everything I hoped to catch.
Sadly as a veteran festival-goer I know that to 'see it all' is simply not possible, especially on the Stradbally Estate. Performance tents spread far apart, many gigs overlapping and the inevitable bar and portaloo queues.However, at Electric Picnic, like any relationship worth its salt, compromise is key. The rules? Everybody has one 'Must-See' band, like their get out of jail free card...
'I know you have a splitting hangover and about as much energy as a tree sloth after Sunday dinner but I really wanna see this band on at lunchtime.... So gerroutta that tent!'.
The good thing is you never know where you will end up or what you may discover.
You see, it's not all about the music. Our merry little group attended a pretend wedding in the inflatable church, got our hair done in the beauty parlour, had a dance-off atThe Minutes's DJ set in the Heineken Electronica bar, hid in the trees at a rainy rave in the early hours and got sidetracked at the nice wine bar in the Mind Field area. Not to mention the numerous pit-stops at the artisan food stalls.
So it's forgivable that my list of what I wanted to see veers slightly from what I actually saw. On that note, here are my picks of the Picnic:
ARCADE FIRE:
People still talk about their amazing gig back in 2005. I just grit my teeth and try not to let my seething jealousy show. Frontman Win said it was a gig that 'changed their lives'. They weren't expecting everyone to know all the words and for the rapturous reception they received. Way to put pressure on the crowd aye? But I did my best maniacal jumping and chanting along as they played a suitably epic set on the main stage on Saturday night. Hopefully they noticed.
BEIRUT
These were my must-see pick and in the freezing cold, but thankfully dry, Sunday evening, Zac Condon and his band did not let me down. They played their Balkan folk sounds from the recently released third album and of course some old favourites. The brass section providing a welcome break from the dance and rock acts.
JAMES BLAKE
Mr Blake provided me with my gig of the year with an intimate set at Whelans a few months back and this outing at the picnic was just perfect The sun beat down strong on Saturday afternoon. Girls selling vodka jelly shots to the crowd, the heavy teeth-chattering bass reverberating through us. Mix all that in with his soulful voice and it's another top class gig.
PJ HARVEY
PJ cut a fine silhouette on her smoky stage, black feather headpiece and clutching her auto harp for a dramatic set. The wind and rain failing to dampen our spirits. Her mercury prize winning album is fast becoming one my my new most played on iTunes.
WHITE LIES
Such a great festival band, the perfect mix of nostalgic lyrics, big sounds and sing-along-ability. The excitement in the crowd was palpable and the band seemed to grin their way through their set with us.
JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW
Heartbreaking melodies and lyrics. James has made one of the loveliest albums since Bon Iver's For Emma Forever Ago. Don't believe me? Then check out If I Had a Boat and Follow You Down to the Red Oak Tree off his album Early in the Morning. His tent was full-to-capacity with people spilling out and sitting on the ground outside. Electric Picnic may need to consider bigger tents next year.
DEATH IN VEGAS
This UK psychedelic rock/electronic band have been around a while and have that perfect blend of happy and sad, fast and slow. They gave me one of the best gigs of the weekend which included much dancing.
LE GALAXIE
Performing at 1pm this Irish Electronica group were on way too early for the amount of energy they can pack in but a great kick start to our day. Whipping out handfuls of 'TUNE' signs to the audience, who didn't need much coaxing, including one massive banner which some lucky punter caught. High energy/tempo and a little bit of scaffolding scaling thrown in.
THE CHARLATANSvicinity. We may have been the happiest little section that evening.
THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY:
The Walkman
Interpol
Moths
The Drums
Public Enemy
Chemical Brothers
The Rapture
The Rubberbandits
My friend Jayne's first picnic and she was ecstatic to see her once favourite band. Not knowing many of their songs it became one of my highlights too as to see her so happy in the (friendly) mosh pit was an infectious energy booster and not just for me but for anyone in her vicinity. We may have been
the happiest little section that evening.
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