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50 S&WSIUMNWNEIAESR MINNIE
DRIVER
Sunshine Style ON LIFE, LOVE
AND LOSS
SMUOMMOEDR
SEASIDE
Brunch, Books INTERIORS
& Meadows & FASHION

WIN
€2000+
PRIZES BANGKOK
DREAM
WE TRIED
DESTINATION
COLD SHOWERS
Issue 13
AGE PROOF June 20th 2022

HOLDING BACK ¤3.50
THE YEARS
(NI stg £3)
BE BOLD

COLOUR POP
ACCESSORIES

Lowdown ASCnAgNLeOlNaSUMMER
SOLSTICE LIVING A
JOYFUL LIFE
WORTH IT
SPRITZ COCKTAILS

CONTENTS Angela Scanlon
Page 4

FOOD & DRINK

ON THE COVER Healthy Brunch 34 Snazzy Spritz: 3 simple recipes for
Page 60 summer soirées.
4 Angela Scanlon: How the popular TV 55 Greek Cypriot Cooking: You can have
presenter found herself through a journey HOME & GARDEN a delicious dinner in no time using basic
of self-love and healing. ingredients. Here are the store-cupboard
16 Age Proof: Professor Rose Anne Kenny 30 Beach Retreat: 11 summery ways to essentials for Greek Cypriot cooking.
talks about holding back the years. make your home feel like a beach retreat. 56 Veggie Mexican: e MasterChef
32 Fabulous Florals: Pick some pretty winner and Wahaca restaurant co-
Beach petals and blousy prints for a seasonal founder omasina Miers chats about the
Retreat refresh. biodiversity in Mexico.
Page 30 64 Micro Meadow: How to make a 60 Healthy Brunch: A wellness
micro-meadow in a city garden using combination of yoga and brunch - what's
Age Proof just 5 plants. not to love? Here are three great recipes to
Page 16 66 Flower Power: Expert florists offer their try at home.
top tips and tricks for making the most of 62 Wellness Cooking: Melissa Hemsley
WIN WIN WIN your blooms. shares some of her favourite recipes.

19 Annutri: Win a six-month supply of TRAVEL
Grow It.
54 Limerick Strand Hotel: Win a 'Little 36 48 Hours in Munich: Discover
Explorers' experience. beautiful architecture, river surfers,
70 Polished London: Win the ultimate beer gardens and the elusive state of
dental care hamper. gemuetlichkeit.
80 Bioderma: Win a hamper full of 40 The City of Angels: Find out why
Photoderm goodies. Bangkok is on every traveller’s hit list.
43 Icelandic Lagoons: Forest Lagoon is
setting a new standard for Icelandic hot
springs.

The City of Angels
Page 40

Fabulous
Florals
Page 32

FASHION & BEAUTY

20 Be Bold: It’s time to ditch the
drab and embrace colour.
22 Sunglasses Trends: We pick out
the coolest shades.
24 Molecular Beauty: Is niacinamide
the new holy grail of skincare?
84 Preppy Fashion: Sporty, varsity
styles are taking over the runways
and the streets.
86 Suiting Up: 5 swimwear trends
to get you in a holiday frame of
mind.

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Moodboard
Page 12

REGULARS

FEATURES 9 We Love: Find out what the WW crew
are loving at the moment.
26 Midsummer Night’s Dream: e 10 NoteBook: Upcoming events to book,
plan and visit.
history behind the summer solstice and 12 MoodBoard: We play around with
textures and textiles.
how it can help us tap into our 18 Mum of the Year: Nominate your mum
or yourself for our annual awards.
mythical ancestry. 46 The Hot List: Check out our top Hello,
29 Sunny Side Up: 5 entertainment picks, the digital Van Gogh
exhibition reviewed and, as always, our We all need a little help to nudge us into that
ways to stay optimistic. pick of the very best new books.
44 The Dark Side: 50 You Said It: Reader’s letters plus our blissful summer mood so welcome to our

Fiona Sherlock prize-winning Star Letter. mojo boosting special issue. I am writing this
52 Timeout: Take a break, try
asks why are we our Prize Crossword and lots of on the eve of surgery from some post-covid
puzzles.
so interested in the Driving On 68 Knitting: Try your hand at complications. Today I took my last dawn
unthinkable act of Page 92 this delicate cream jumper.
murder? 71 Horoscopes: What’s in the walk before my own recovery lockdown
45 Rom-Com Reads: 5 stars for you in the coming
weeks? begins. For the next few weeks I am saying
73 Ask Fiona: Our columnist
and trained counsellor answers goodbye to all those great summertime

swoony rom-com reads to reader dilemmas. pleasures I take for granted. No sunrises,

get lost in this summer. Trim Your or beach rambles, no writing (which is
82 Fighting Spirit: e secret to Kerrie Waist
Page 76 my saviour), no outdoor jaunts, driving or

Christie’s success is a mix of hard work HEALTH & WELLBEING flying… in fact all the bright shiny things that

and a sprinkling of fate. 74 Endometriosis Uncovered: Why it’s a have kept me distracted of late. But for me
89 Wedding Etiquette: Just in case you’ve rare relief to see the condition depicted on
screen. especially, some down time might be good.
76 Trim Your Waist: We ask the experts
forgotten, there are no-nos at a wedding. how we can tone your midriff. Like all of us, at times, all the stuff I cram
90 School of Rock: Hear from some of the 77 We Tried: Are cold showers really as
good for mind and body as the experts into busy days are very helpful diversions.
claim?
cast as they prepare to cross the Irish sea. 78 HIRT: High-intensity resistance When times are a little tougher - it’s survival
92 Driving On: Minnie Driver talks training is the latest exercise trend - here’s
how to get started. 101. Distractions aren’t all that bad either.
81 Exercising Outdoors: Because working
about finding resilience through hurt, out in a stuffy gym doesn’t sound much ey help to get us from A to B and offer a
fun when it’s sunny outside.
heartbreak and acting. bit of respite while our brains catch up with
94 Quickfire with Grace Reed: e Kare
a new reality. But there comes a time when

Cosmetics co-founder takes our Quickfire distractions are an avoidance strategy. When

Question challenge. there’s no going round it… you have to go

through it.

THE WW TEAM Summer brings all manner of wonderful

pleasures and when we pay attention,

Editor: Norah Casey they can enhance our wellbeing and mood.
Deputy Editor: Carissa Casey
Staff Writer: Rachel Spillane In a world full of healthy and unhealthy
Copy Editor & Writer: Astrid Madsen
Website Co-ordinator: Niamh O’Reilly distractions staying in the moment, stepping
Art Director: Karl O’Toole
Designers: Áine Duffy and Susan Conley fully into that time and place you find yourself
Subscriptions: [email protected]
Email: [email protected] in – whether it is walking along the shoreline
Woman’s Way, July 4, 2022 Vol.60 Issue 13
or ambling in a sun dappled forest – is the

best boost for your mind. I’ll be expecting

great distracting wonderful letters please so

I can live vicariously through all your summer

activities in coming weeks. Enjoy every

moment! Norah x

To subscribe online log on to womansway.ie or call the Subscription Hotline on 01 465 9872

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Contact us: Subscriptions, email [email protected]; telephone hotline, 01 465 9872. Woman’s Way queries, email [email protected]; website womansway.ie.
Published by Harmonia Limited, printed by Boylan Print Group, distributed by Newspread. Woman’s Way is now a fortnightly magazine. Subscription rates for the Island of Ireland are:
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recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publishers. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors in advertisements, articles, photographs or illustrations. All
information is correct at time of going to press.

Niamh O’Reilly
learns how the
popular TV
presenter and
mum of two found
a way back to
herself through
a journey of self-
love, healing and
learning to ask
for help.

Angela

JoyriderScanlon:

4 WOMANSWAY.IE

INTERVIEW

Angela Scanlon is “Yes, you want to very much of
usually the one the school of
asking others be better at doing thought that if
to open up to certain things, a person thinks
her and drop handling certain therapy and
major revelations, rather
than the other way around. situations, but none self-help is going
Her recent RTÉ One TV of us are broken” to ‘fix’ them
show Ask Me Anything, saw and stop them
the Meath native ask her
celebrity guests a string of ever having
mouth-dropping questions,
with nothing off limits. a ‘negative’

e show which featured thought ever again, then they
guests such as Sharon
Corr, Imelda May, Amy need to think again. “It’s
Huberman and rugby
legend Gareth omas really annoying [that these
ran for eight weeks on
the national broadcaster's things aren’t a magic fix],”
prime-time Saturday
night post 9 o’clock news the 38-year-old quips. “But
slot. Despite some positive
feedback, the show’s run it’s also the reality and quite
failed to bring in the big
viewing numbers of the comforting. And I am certainly
likes of e Tommy Tiernan
Show, suffering somewhat not in a position to fix anybody,
from the covid restrictions
on what guests it could have never mind myself. I think it’s
on.
about understanding that, and
While the reception the
show received may have going, ‘Oh, this is a forever
felt like a slight setback, the
upbeat and sunny Scanlon thing, we’re learning’ – the
has found new depths of
inner strength to cope with focus is growth, rather than
challenging times of stress,
through the writing of the end result.”
her new book Joyrider. Part
memoir, part self-help guide, Joyrider “And none of us are broken,”
sees her chart her own journey into the
world of self-development. It’s filled she adds. “Yes, you want to be
with the learnings she’s made along
her life, as she navigated issues such better at doing certain things,
as anxiety and imposter syndrome,
as well as the bulimia she lived with handling certain situations,
for 15 years. But how did the talented
r broadcaster, who’s become a household but we’re fundamentally not
name in the UK thanks to fronting
shows like the BBC’s flagship e One broken. So being fixed is not
Show, feel about putting her book out
there? the end goal – although that’s

“Quite terrifying, to be honest,” she exactly what I’d hoped for
declares. “Last year there was quite
a lot going on, and I kind of thought, when I started mainlining
‘Yeah, I’ll get to that in May’,” she says,
reflecting on the gap between finishing all these things,” she adds,
writing and the book coming out.
laughing. “I’m looking for a

refund!”

“Now, the reality of people actually BABY BLUES
sitting down and opening it and reading Angela has certainly grown
it is like, ‘Oh, Jesus Christ!’” over the years, battling with her
eating disorder and bouts of anxiety,
But this isn’t your usual self-help but it was the birth of her baby Ruby
book. At its core it's about joy and in 2018, that really precipitated a need
gratitude. Although, if you think it’s for change in her life. Although she
going to be a straight-laced bore-fest says she wasn’t fully aware of the fact
featuring only serious meditation rituals at the time, Scanlon has since come
and requiring readers to be thankful to the realisation that she was dealing
for things as mundane as the broccoli with postpartum depression after
on their plate, then think again. e having Ruby, who is now four. Often
book is delightfully punctuated by terrifying and crippling for those who
Angela’s cracking sense of humour and go through it, postpartum depression
refreshing self-honesty, traits that have officially affects one in six women in
made her such a successful commodity Ireland. However, many of those who
both here and in the UK. have experience of the condition believe
the official number to be much higher
So does the Meath woman truly due to the perceived stigma around
believe that gratitude and self-discovery coming forward or talking about it.
can fix a person utterly and wholly?
Er… that’s a tricky one. In fact, she’s continues overleaf >>

WOMANSWAY.IE 5

Angela’s brave “ at idea of self- presence in her life.
Scanlon recalls a period of
decision to speak love – what
out and normalise does it really peak anxiety after landing
it, can only help mean? at the main presenting gig on
to further break BBC’s e One Show. Appearing
calm outside, she reveals she
the taboos around feels so foreign was frantically flapping in
maternal mental to me” private. Still, it was a dream
health, which is an opportunity, the sort of thing
she had longed for and told
area that is greatly the production team she
was readily experienced and
underfunded in equipped for. Except, she wasn’t
– but admitting that, or asking
Ireland. for help, was not an option. “It
was too late to backtrack, so
Scanlon often talks refreshingly I spent a long and lonely stint
never once expressing fear or
about the realities of being a mum asking for the help or support
I so desperately needed,” she
to two small children on her writes in the book. “I had built
myself a little cage and wouldn’t
Instagram page that has struck a let anyone in. e team were
amazing but I was riddled with
chord with mums everywhere. anxiety.”

In one exchange, for example, “ at reluctance or inability
to ask for help” was a common
when a follower asked her how thread, she agrees. “Actually, I
don’t even know if reluctance
she copes with tiredness, Angela is the right word, I just think
I didn’t really know what I
replied: “Sometimes it breaks needed at all, I don’t know
myself very well, truthfully.
me! I have to remind myself that
at happened on e One Show,
it passes. I try to grab a little nap and it happened again, probably
in a more vulnerable state when I had my
when I can, do meditation when I daughter – feeling like I should have it all
together, I should know what I’m doing,
can which recharges me and also and not really being able to show those
cracks that are very human but felt like
just accept that I'm going to feel failings on my behalf.”
ese days, it seems as though Angela is
a bit f***ed for a while! Also, take a little more forgiving of herself and has
used the experience of writing Joyrider
all the help you can get... when as her bridge back to loving herself a
little more. While laying herself bare
someone offers help, TAKE THE to the world has been a scary prospect,
it also appears to have been ultimately
HELP!” freeing. Writing on Instagram, after the
launch of her book, she said “unleash
While her experience with those gorgeous little gremlins into the
world, share your fears & (sic) flaws with
postnatal depression was clearly someone today. It’s terrifying but it’s also

a tough time, the broadcaster, very healing (at least that’s
what I’m telling myself)!” WW
who is married to Irish eco-
Joyrider: How Gratitude Can Help You
entrepreneur Roy Horgan, Get The Life You Really Want by Angela
Scanlon is published by Vermilion, priced
recently welcomed her second €16.99. Available now.

daughter, Marnie, in February. A proud abandoned because I was so serious, and

and now doting mum of two girls, she it was all about work and doing stuff. I

reveals that it was her toddler Ruby’s suddenly thought, ‘Maybe I should be

unwavering and innate sense of self- dancing naked in the living room’.”

acceptance and joy that unlocked a
desire within her to reconnect with these HARD GRAFT

things herself. “Her un-self-conscious Scanlon’s journey to self-discovery and

love of herself, and of her body, that was self-healing has been one peppered with

a really big one for me,” says Scanlon, ups and downs that may not necessarily

who writes about a penny-drop moment have been visible to the outside world.

one day, while watching Ruby delight at Outwardly, the Meath native comes

her own reflection in a mirror. across as a confident, capable woman

“It was almost jarring to see that, you who has worked hard to get where she

know, but it was one of those things is, but inside it’s sometimes a different

that kicked me into action. Because that story. Starting out as a stylist and

idea of self-love – you see it on posters moving up the ranks of the TV world

and shared all over Instagram – but from appearances on TV3’s Xposé, to

what does it really mean? at feels so slots on RTÉ, to being a roving reporter

foreign to me. Again, it’s something on BBC’s e One Show, to

you have to work on, most of us don’t ultimately taking the helm of that

feel that – there’s a very critical inner show, Scanlon has grafted hard to

voice yapping away that we’re not even get to where she is and generally

conscious of, it’s so close to us. appears unflappable. However, as

“So just to see her, I suppose loving zen as she may appear now, there

life, made me want to get in touch with was a time when that anxiety or

my inner child, who I had slightly imposter syndrome was a very real

6 WOMANSWAY.IE

INTERVIEW

WOMANSWAY.IE 7

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We Love WE LOVE
PASSION · CRAVES · MOOD

Norah Loves So Into...

Shopping with Britney Spears’ wedding -
my mum Mags at every young woman has a
Blanchardstown every right to live the life she wants
Saturday - always a to live.
bit of excitement about
returning the previous
week’s items!

My little courtyard comes into its own
in the summer - for a brief period I
have a little outdoor room.

Rachel loves Cari a loves The world finally realising
older women are hot.
Journalling - every morning I The Paris Apartment by According to a recent study,
write what I feel grateful for. It Louise Foley. A gripping 41 per cent of women in their
could be something small like whodunnit with great 50s felt more confident in
a nice cuppa in the sun but it characters. I’m now rolling their looks and more than half
helps to focus my mind and not through her back catalogue say they now know what they
sweat the small stu . - The Guest List and The want.
Hunting Party. Mineral SPF - sun protection
Trips to the dog park - and a bit of coverage? Winner!
watching my two dogs The robin that sits outside
frolicking with their furry my window while I work away So Over...
friends, tongues lolling, puts on Woman’s Way - makes for
me in a fantastic mood. Just a great o ce colleague. The Irish summer - isn’t it
look at that face… supposed to involve a bit of
sunshine?
Petrol price hikes - seriously?
Cut out dresses. See a nice
gúna but oh, there are holes
exactly where you don’t want
them. Wear a bikini or wear a
dress - stop combining them.
Love Island - let’s keep things
positive, people.

WOMANSWAY.IE 9

Note Book
PLAN · BOOK · VISIT

Robbie’s Back
Robbie Williams is back on the Metropole Orkest. The
tour, playing the 3Arena, album also features several
Dublin, 29 October with brand-new tracks - Lost,
tickets on sale now. His new Disco Symphony, More Than
album XXV will be out on 9 This, and The World And Her
September and is available to Mother. A new version of
pre-order. The record features Angels has just been released.
many of his greatest hits and
fan favourites, all re-recorded Visit robbiewilliams.com
and newly orchestrated with

BBQ SEASON

Aldi has launched a competition to find Ireland’s hottest
Grill Master, in partnership with chef John Relihan, and
there are some amazing prizes up for grabs. Fancy yourself
as something of a BBQ maestro? If so, Aldi wants to hear
from you. One lucky winner will be crowned Ireland’s
Hottest Grill Master and will win a €5,000 Aldi gi card for
first prize, plus an Aldi Egg BBQ. Four lucky runners-up will
get their hands on a €250 Aldi gi card and Aldi summer
hamper. Competition entries close on July 5 so make sure
to fire those entries over.

Visit aldi.ie

CIAN’S KENNELS

Cian’s Kennels is a charity set up by Evelyn and Enda Neary from
Longford, following the loss of their son Cian to cancer. Now open
at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin and in partnership with
nearby DSPCA, sick children and patients can connect with their
beloved pets while undergoing treatment.

The dogs will be kennelled safely on the grounds of the
hospital, allowing easy transport for patients to and from wards
for visits, with a team of volunteer drivers, veterinary surgeons
and coordinators in place to provide the service.

Visit cianskennels.ie

10 WOMANSWAY.IE

NOTE BOOK

OMCAEGAICN FASHION
IS ART
A musical version of Neil Gaiman’s
The Ocean at the End of the Late Pop artist Audrey Hamilton has
is coming to the Bord Gáis Energy opened a pop-up shop in the
Theatre next year (March 28 - April Powerscourt Centre, Dublin,
1 2023), with tickets on sale now. selling her new apparel range
Directed by Katy Rudd (Camp featuring her own art.
Siegfried) and adapted by Joel
Horwood (Skins, I Want My Hat The eye-catching designs
Back), it’s the first major stage include a mix of over-sized
adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s work, t-shirts and sweat-shirts, each
an adventure story mixing fantasy, an art work in itself. Audrey
friendship and the magic of memory. went to Portugal to find the
right manufacturer and printer
The UK National Theatre (whose other clients include
production comes directly from Versace and Burberry to name
London’s West End. but a few). Each 100 per cent
cotton piece is printed three
Visit www.ticketmaster.ie times with her bright colourful
paintings to ensure the images
By Carissa Casey and Rachel Spillane RYDER are crisp and long lasting. Of
on Tour course, Woman’s Way checked
how well they’d wash. Just
Fresh from his second-place finish at follow the care label, Audrey
this year’s Eurovision Song Contest reassured us, and they’ll come
and his performance at the Queen’s out as good as new.
Platinum Jubilee celebrations, British
singer-songwriter Sam Ryder has “I am a perfectionist so
announced new dates for his There’s quality, stitching, design,
Nothing But Space, Man tour. The fabrics, pantones, labelling,
tour arrives at Belfast’s Ulster Hall printing, all of it had to be
on Friday, March 17 before heading to perfected countless times,”
Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre on March she says. The shop is open
18, 2023. Tickets are on sale now. until June 30.

Visit ticketmaster.ie Visit audreyhamilton
apparel.com

WOMANSWAY.IE 11

MOODBOARD

15 9 10CREATE · CURATE · INSPIRE

TEXTURES & TEXTILES 1

Playing with patterns and tactile texture and textiles is a great 2
way to add interest to interior design and fashion. Texture, that
we can touch or perceive, adds personality to a neutral living space 15
creating mood and depth. Sometimes the clever use of design tricks
the eye with an implied visual texture of plushiness, reflection or
translucency. Faux finished illusionary texture almost makes you
want to reach out and touch, to see if the simulated surface feels
like you believe it should be. Clever use of colour and design can
create realistic e ects such as marble, wood, stone or silk. It’s fun to
introduce interesting textures and patterns to the home pallette like
geometric cushions, household objects with undulating surfaces,
walls with reflective, metallic finishes, 3D rugs, filigree candle
holders or natural textured materials like jute, wicker or rush. Light
bounces o uneven surfaces throughout the day making interesting
shadows, radiance and highlights. Use it judiciously in smaller rooms
to create the illusion of space and choose harmonious textures that
co-ordinate with the mood and style of furnishings.

1.NEWTON Bathtub in White and Gold POA, visit maisonvalentina.net

2.ORIGINAL STYLE Glassworks Radiance Silver Mosaic Gloss €354.63 (per

m2), visit originalstyle.com 3.KIRKBY DESIGN X ELEY KISHIMOTO 'Domino

Pyramid' Cushion - Powder €112.32, visit sweetpeaandwillow.com 4.SHIMU

Carved Coconut Bowl, Gold €34.88, visit shimu.co.uk 5.NATALIA WILLMOTT

Porcelain coffee set (coffee pot, milk jug sugar bowl, 8 cups and saucers) €141.88,

visit nataliawillmott.co.uk 6.MAXWELL & WILLIAMS Reef Porcelain Bowl -

Scales & Fish (12.5cm) €4.13; Herringbone (15cm) €5.90, visit kitchencraft.

co.uk 7.ELLA JAMES Filigree Pear Lantern €65.03, visit ellajames.co.uk 8.SAGE

X CLARE SEYMOUR Peach Shag Cushion €128.87, visit antipodream.co.uk

9.WALLSAUCE 'Pink And Gold Swirl' Mural €40 (m2) visit wallsauce.com

10.CHARLES TED Lexi Bobble Vase €53.14, visit charlested.com 11.EICHHOLTZ

Custard Apple Box - Brass €331.04, visit sweetpeaandwillow.com 12.REBECCA

UDALL Scalloped Handwoven Abaca Placemat, Fern €26.0, visit rebeccaudall.

com 13.PLISSÉ Toaster Alessi €85, visit einrichten-design.de 14.TOLLY

MCRAE Cobalt Wool Throw, Gin & Tonic Throw, That Blue Throw €99 12
(each), visit tollymcrae.co.uk 15.GURU-SHOP GMBH Modern Ceiling
Light €42.90, visit guru-shop.de 16.OXENDALES Macrame Storage
Basket €57.50, visit oxendales.ie
Textures & Textiles fashion overleaf

12 WOMANSWAY.IE

4 14 MOODBOARD

7 3 11
5

8 6
13
WOMANSWAY.IE 13
16

215

9 10 12

14 8

1.ZARA Textured Waistcoat Dress €79.95, visit zara.com 2.ALL SAINTS
Cass 2-in-1 Dress €229, visit allsaints.ie 3.PRETTY LITTLE THING Cobalt
Colour Block Crochet Top €22; Cobalt Colour Block Crochet €38, visit
prettylittlething.ie 4.SAVIDA Bobble Dress €40, visit dunnesstores.com
5.ZALANDO Twinset Dress €411, visit zalando.ie 6.LYDIA MILLEN Cutwork
Embroidery Woven Blouse €228, visit karenmillen.com 7.COAST FASHION
Floral Detailed Jacquard Flare Midi €195, visit coastfashion.com 8.H&M Straw
Bag €39.99, visit hm.com 9.MANGO Ruffles Flowy Dress €59.99, visit shop.
mango.com 10.OLIVER BONAS Broderie Green Mini Shirt Dress €84, visit
oliverbonas.com 11.STORIES Dangling Ceramic Pendant Earrings €29, visit
stories.com 12.JW ANDERSON Crochet Tote Bag €315, visit brownthomas.
com 13.TOMS Natural Oxford Leather Monica Sandals €88, visit next.
ie 14.M&S Linen Rich Wide Leg Trousers €32, visit marksandspencer.ie
15.MONSOON Print Patchwork Jersey Jacket €98, visit monsoonlondon.com
16.SELF-PORTRAIT Cream Boucle Tailored Midi Dress €500, visit eu.self-
portrait.com 17.BOTTEGA VENETA Stretch €790, visit bottegaveneta.com

14 WOMANSWAY.IE

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7 1 5

16 6

17 WOMANSWAY.IE 15

4

3

13

Ireland's Professor
Rose Anne Kenny is a
world-renowned expert
on the ageing process. She
talks to Carissa Casey about
holding back the years.

A sk Professor Rose Anne cortisol, decreases heart rate and blood workout for our immune systems and our
Kenny what the most pressure, she explains. hearts. Older adults laugh on average just
important factor in 15 times a day, compared with children
preventing premature This is the type of medical advice most who laugh as many as 400 times a day.
ageing and the answer might of us like to hear and are happy to put So watching lots of comedy shows and
surprise you. The question even stumped into practise. And Professor Rose Anne being around funny light-hearted people
the audience at a recent Google Zeitgeist certainly knows what she’s talking can also be added to the Professor Rose
at which she spoke. Drinking lots of about. She’s head of Medical Gerontology Anne’s prescription list.
water? Having a healthy diet? Exercising at Trinity College Dublin and runs The
regularly? All of these things help but Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing FAT BUSTING
one of the most powerful influencers on (TILDA). Her excellent new book Age As for purpose, some people might
preventing premature ageing is having Proof takes all of the latest research on struggle, particularly if they’ve retired
quality friendships and meeting friends ageing and explains it clearly, in ways or don’t particularly like their jobs.
frequently. we can all understand. It’s a bible for “You have to make a purpose,” she says.
anyone interested in keeping themselves “Volunteering is one thing you could try,
“The effect or influence of having a as fit and healthy as possible, despite the and also educational programs. Or even
good social engagement is as strong as passing of years. making a shopping list every morning
reducing cholesterol or physical activity and going out and doing that. Or make up
or stopping smoking in decreasing death While the rate at which someone ages is your mind every day that ‘my purpose is
rates from heart disease. Being with caused by a number of factors, she says, I'm going to do something different that's
friends is like a drug, it has the same there are a lots of things we can do to slow good for me every single day’. That's a
effect on our dopamine system, which the process and even increase our life purpose.”
is the feel-good system,” she says. The span.
release of endorphins and serotonin when Food and exercise can’t be ignored. For
we hang out with our friends not only Alongside friendship, laughter and many women, the ageing process results
de-stresses our bodies, but it also reduces having a sense of purpose are also hugely in weight gain, particularly during the
important. Laughter releases all those
feel good chemicals as well as providing a

16 WOMANSWAY.IE

IN PERSON

menopausal years. Furthermore blackouts. I was seeing
the additional weight tends to
accumulate around the central older patients and I started
area of the body. “And it's a
white fat as opposed to brown to get interested in them. I
fat, which is good fat. Brown fat
can generate energy, but white realised that there was so
fat cannot. White fat is toxic,
which is why it's important little good research on ageing,
to get rid of it. It can trigger
inflammation in other cells, particularly, from a clinical
apart from the fat cells in our
system. Inflammation is key perspective. There were a lot
to the aging process in cells. It
accelerates and speeds up the of opportunities there to do
aging process,” she explains.
high-quality research on a very
The solution, aside from
following a Mediterranean style enjoyable and interesting topic.
diet (lots of vegetables, salads,
legumes, nuts, seeds and fish), And more and more now, it has
could be intermittent fasting.
As she explains in her book, become a very popular area.”
ketones are chemicals that
break down fat. During periods “The older patients are so
of fasting, the body generates
ketones and uses stored fat to pleasurable and the whole
generate energy. Combined with
a reduction in calories consumed process of researching this area
during the non-fasting periods,
this approach is not just good for is so fascinating.”
weight loss (including belly fat) but has
numerous other anti-aging benefits. Does she follow her own

There are many different approaches to advice? “Sometimes I get
intermittent fasting but the one Professor
Rose Anne follows sees her eat within a depressed because I know too
six-hour window every day. “I personally
skip breakfast. I don't start eating until much and I'm not following
about 1pm and then I make sure that I
fill myself with salads and a bit of fish or it. Whenever I feel something
something that I know is good but will
fill me. I don't try and starve because happening like I'm slowing
that's when you start to have the biscuits
or whatever. And then six hours later or down, you know? I'm not able
less, I will have a main meal, and again,
just stick to what we know is good; a to run as quickly or whatever
Mediterranean-focused diet. That does
shift that central adiposity (belly fat), I need to do. And I can explain
which is very hard to shift once it's
there.” exactly what's going on. I

CELEBRATING SEX don't want that, but I have

Professor Rose Anne also recommends “ e sciences over that.”
cold water immersion – either cold water She does, however,
swimming or cold showers. There’s for planning and memory. the last few decades have a cold shower every
ample evidence of its benefits, including These mental benefits are are robust and morning, swims at
in the area of ageing. She suggests trying our quality of life weekends, meditates and
a cold water shower for a week (see page
77 for how I got on with trying it). thought to derive from is at its best does intermittent fasting.
the release of oxytocin, as we age” She’s married with two
And then there’s sex. There’s dopamine and other boys (ages 25 and 29) both
increasing evidence that sexually active
older people had better mental abilities endorphins during sex. living in London. They

“In our study on ageing edited the book for her.

we found that 80 per cent of people who While she’s never written for the general

are in a couple claim that sex is very public before, she clearly has a flair for

important to them. Furthermore, two- explaining complex subjects in a way that

thirds were sexually active once a week, both engages and educates. She’s already

or once every two weeks. So it busts the started a second book on the autonomic

myth that people don't enjoy sex and have system (which governs our heart, blood

sex as they get older. And even people pressure, brain, eyes, and sexual organs).

who weren't cohabitating or in a couple Her message to mná na hÉireann?

- one in 10 who were unmarried or not “Stand up and be proud and be candid.

cohabitating had a romantic partner. And “The sciences over the last few decades

the majority of them over the age of 70 are robust and our quality of life is at its

and were engaging in sexual activity,” she best as we age. We have more wisdom.

says. We're not as bothered, stressed, or

Issues around vaginal lubrication for worried by what we now know to be

women and erectile dysfunction trivial things.

for men can now be treated, she “You bring huge value to the

also points out. table. Embrace it and be proud

Professor Rose Anne’s interest of your age. Be proud of your

in ageing began when she was sexuality.” WW

a young doctor. “I was training

in cardiology. And part of the

research I was doing was on Age Proof by Professor Rose Anne Kenny is
cardiac pacemakers, putting available now.
pacemakers into people with

WOMANSWAY.IE 17

COMPETITION

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18 WOMANSWAY.IE

FEATURE

Women
of Freedom

Women should always
be free and safe in our
cities but as Norah Casey
reports, until recently
we had consistently
given the highest honour
Dublin can bestow to
men over women. And
now three women in one
year were granted the
Freedom of the City of
Dublin.

Three incredible women pioneers social justice work along with her academic Clockwise from above: Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison
joined the Freedom of the City achievements. She lauded the work of Mary Gilliland pictured with (l to r) Professor Mary Aiken;
of Dublin roll of honour this Aiken in cyberpsychology, particularly Kellie Harrington and Ailbhe Smyth; Norah, Professor
month; Olympic gold medallist online safety. Mary Aiken and Kellie Harrington; the Lord Mayor with
Kellie Harrington, activist Ailbhe Ailbhe Smyth; Kellie Harrington.
Smyth and renowned cyberpsychologist In a passionate speech, self-declared
Professor Mary Aiken. All with very ‘radical activist’ Ailbhe Smyth gave thanks harm can take on mental well-being”.
different backgrounds but trailblazers in to the Lord Mayor “for tackling a historical Particularly, she says, for the “most
their own fields. After many years of men injustice in naming not just one but three vulnerable members, the children”.
only honourees this year was symbolic but women to receive the honour”.
also a powerful statement. Kellie Harrington took to the podium with
“I think it’s a stroke of genius because no written speech, just a tissue she used
e Freedom of Dublin comes with no there is no ignoring three women, you have to wipe the tears from her eyes. “I’ve no
money and some strange privileges - made the point decisively that women’s notes,” she says laughing, “just this tissue…
Bono and U2 famously grazed sheep in St contributions are vital, varied, and excellent so I’ll wing it, that's what has gotten me
Stephen’s Green to mark their new powers and it’s time that should be acknowledged this far”. Far from winging it she delivered
when they were awarded the Freedom in and celebrated”, she declared. a powerful and emotional speech, raw and
1999. honest.
Prof Mary Aiken told the audience that on
Alison Gilliland, the current and 353rd average we spend seven hours per day using Kellie paid tribute to her fellow recipients
Lord Mayor of Dublin is one of only 10 the internet, across all devices: “People are as “absolutely marvellous women” and her
women in that role. e award of the spending a third of their lives online”. She family and friends who were in the room.
Freedom of Dublin began in 1876 and was labelled it the “attention economy” and
bestowed on only four women up until a commodity that represents “monetised “I am literally rambling, I’m an emotional
this year. ey now join British suffragist weapons of mass distraction”. Her work wreck…” she said.
Margaret Sandhurst, Maureen Potter, with Interpol and other global agencies
former Crown Princess Michiko of Japan means she sees first hand the “toll online “And on that note I’ll say Goodnight
and Mother Teresa on the roll of honour. Irene.” Amazing song and an amazing
woman.
e Lord Mayor paid tribute to Kellie
Harrington for her sporting achievements e outdated privileges of the Freedom
and “unstinting work in the community, of the City of Dublin may be meaningless,
her caring exemplar and role modelling for but the statement of honouring three
young people”. Ailbhe Smyth received her exceptional women in one year was
Freedom award for her human rights and powerful. WW

WOMANSWAY.IE 19

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row.jimmychoo.com

20 WOMANSWAY.IE

GORGEOUS Betty and Biddy Clover Necklace FASHION
GREEN H&MCu Bangle €18, visit bettyandbiddy.com
Pinko Classic Love Pu
€59.99, visit hm.com Kate Spade Floral Shoulder Bag €280,
Medley Silk Diamond
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Sandals €29.95, Scarf €65, visit
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Loe er Randall Headband Petra Petrova
Green Sequin
B O L D€68,visitzalando.ie Earrings €67, visit
wolfandbadger.com

It’s time to ditch the drab and embrace colour, says Rachel Spillane. Take a look
at these loud accessories that will become summer staples in your wardrobe…

Ra a Fan Statement BeneathMyVeilDesigns Tropical
Earrings €13, visit Chunky Orange Necklace Tangerine
next.ie €34.20, visit etsy.com

Leather-Trimmed Straw Lele Sadoughi
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arket.com
Jewelled
Tommy Hilfiger Iconic Headband €172,
Slingback Espadrille Wedges visit revolve.com
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Circle Buckle Jeans Orange Butterfly
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wolfandbadger.com

WOMANSWAY.IE 21

SUNGLASSES

TRENDS

From chic cat-eye
styles to ace aviators,
we pick out the
coolest shades of the
moment.

W hen it comes to eyeing
up your accessories,
few things are as
important as a good
pair of sunglasses.
From a style statement to an essential
piece of holiday kit, a pair of sunnies can
be a game-changer for any outfit.

It’s a chance to experiment with your
style, and is one of the easiest ways to
express yourself through fashion.

Best of all, they can multitask as both
fashionable and functional. Here’s what’s
trending in the world of sunglasses…

Le Specs Air Heart Sunglasses €80,
visit revolve.com

CAT-EYE FRAMES Kylie Minogue Sunglasses in Black
€129, visit specsavers.ie
“Standout retro sunglasses that will get you noticed are
all-important this year,” says Tim Harrison, director of By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA
WatchPilot.
He suggests “tried and tested frame styles, such as cat-
eye” are particularly popular at the moment, popping up
repeatedly on the runway with modern spins.
Whether it’s a sleek feline silhouette or a
showstopper with a wider frame, retro-inspired cat-
eye sunglasses will see you through the summer
season and beyond.
22 WOMANSWAY.IE

FASHION

Dorothy Perkins Gold Aviator
Sunglasses €17.25, visit
dorothyperkins.com

AVIATORS

Particularly with the release of Top Gun: Maverick – the long-
awaited sequel to the 1986 movie – aviator styles are back with
a vengeance.

It’s impossible not to look cool in a pair of aviators – one of the
most iconic shapes, it’s versatile and suits everyone. If you want to
modernise your look, kick things up a notch with rose-tinted lenses.

Quay High Key Framed in Oliver Bonas Glam Oversized
Black/Green to Pink €67, Pastel Green Acetate
Sunglasses €60, visit
visit zalando.ie oliverbonas.com

Givenchy Unisex Nude Pink Sunglasses COLOURED STYLES Prada Dark Scarl
€145, visit optimaloptic.com Lenses €350,
“Colour has become a welcome addition to our visit prada.com
STATEMENT FRAMES wardrobes,” says Harrison – and the trend has
made its way from the runways into the world of
Whether it’s a luxe designer logo, sunglasses.
chunky chain detailing or an interesting
colour, use wide arms on sunglasses to He suggests using coloured frames with
really make a statement. contrasting lenses for “style perfection”. If you
don’t want to go too bold with your eyewear,
choose so pastel colours instead.

See The Sights Black Chain
Rectangle Sunglasses €14.99,

visit newlook.com

Quay Chain Reaction in SEVENTIES-INSPIRED Accessorize ‘Sophie’ Metal Detail
Pink/Brown €57.50, visit FRAMES Square Sunglasses in Black €17.90,

quayaustrailia.co.uk The Seventies revival has spanned visit accessorize.com
everything from fashion to interiors, and it
M&S Angular Cat-Eye Sunglasses €20, visit shows no sign of waning.
marksandspencer.ie When it comes to sunglasses, choose
retro-inspired oversized shapes with slim
arms – particularly on-theme when placed
on top of a patterned headscarf.

WOMANSWAY.IE 23

BeautyMolecular Niacinamide has been the
‘it word’ on the lips of
Is niacinamide the new holy grail of skincare gurus over the
skincare? Niamh O’Reilly digs deeper and last few months. But why
should we be so excited
finds out if it’s worth the hype. about this so-called powerhouse
skincare ingredient that’s been referred
24 WOMANSWAY.IE to by some in the know, as the crème de
la crème of skincare?

Firstly, it's everywhere. Walk into any
department store beauty section these
days and you’ll find the shelves stacked
with products listing niacinamide as
either the main attraction or a top
line ingredient. e trend towards
the increasing cosmeceuticalisation
of skincare shows no signs of abating
and one look at the skincare shelves
right now and you could be forgiven
for thinking you’ve landed back in
the world of the apothecarist; such
is the propensity for products to be
housed in glass vials, with droppers.

e sheer number of active ingredients
and formulations can make you feel
as though you’re ordering a mythical
potion instead of a skincare product and
while this has given consumers more
choice and autonomy over what they add
into their skincare routine, it has also
lead some to feel a bit dazzled by science.

anfully, while some skincare
ingredients can require a lot of
homework, niacinamide is one we can all
get behind. ink of it like the chocolate
cake of the skincare world; a bit of a
crowd pleaser everyone can enjoy,
without being too complicated.

WHAT IS NIACINAMIDE?

So let’s get down to brass tacks, what
exactly is this wonder ingredient?
Simply put, it’s a form of Vitamin B3,
also known as nicotinamide, which
we can consume through our diet. It
can be found in foods such as kale,
eggs, beans and meat for example. It is
essential for the skin and plays a role in
reducing inflammation and addressing
hyperpigmentation. Being a water-
soluble vitamin, however, it’s something
we do not store in our bodies. Looking to
topical formulations is a no-brainer.

“Not only does niacinamide help with
pigmentation of the skin, but it also
boosts hydration and protects the skin
from environmental damage,” explains
Professor Niki Ralph, La Roche-Posay
consultant dermatologist. “It increases
the skin's ability to maintain hydration
by strengthening the skin's barrier thus
improving the skin's appearance and

BEAUTY

texture and can also help with regulation has an anti-inflammatory effect on the and preventing post-inflammatory
of sebum.” Interestingly, Professor Ralph skin, while restoring the skin barrier pigmentary changes of the skin.”
points out that when niacinamide is taken which can prevent water loss and for
orally, it has been shown to reduce the hyperpigmentation it blocks the transfer of WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO USE IT?
number of skin cancers in those who have melanin to the surface of the skin.
significant UV damage and regularly form Niacinamide plays very well with others.
skin cancers. “It is also great for those with skin “It can be added to any skincare routine
barrier dysfunction such as dermatitis,” and can be used morning and or evening.
WHO IS IT GOOD FOR? says Ralph, “as it works to improve the One cannot overuse niacinamide,”
skin barrier, resulting in more hydrated, explains Professor Ralph, “so it can be
It’s good for almost all skin types and a glowing skin.” at all sounds like a pretty added to a skin care routine which may
variety of concerns, showing very few powerful combination that would be harsh contain other skin actives such Vitamin
incidences of irritation for those who on the skin, however by all accounts, C in the morning and retinoids at night.”
suffer with sensitive skin or even have niacinamide is a very stable ingredient Good news for those of us who are looking
specific skin issues like rosacea, acne meaning, those suffering with concerns to find room on our bathroom cabinet
or hyperpigmentation. ese are three like rosacea and acne, or sensitive skin for a new hero. La Roche-Posay have
very common skin concerns most of us can turn to products with niacinamide for just launched their own new product
can relate to, with one in 10 Irish adults help. containing niacinamide, called Pure
suffering with the former and many of Niacinamide 10, with a potent 10 per
us reporting an increase in breakouts or HELP FOR ROSACEA SUFFERERS cent formulation of the active ingredient,
mascne as a hangover from the pandemic. which aims to tackle hyperpigmentation
Rosacea is a common, chronic skin issue in and dark spots head on.
Hyperpigmentation is essentially Ireland, sometimes known as the “curse
areas of uneven or discoloured skin, of the celts” as it disproportionately affects If skin ageing is a concern, and let’s face
dark spots or age spots many of us see those with fair skin tones. Crucially rosacea it, it is for most of us, then Professor Ralph
developing on our skin after the age of is inflammatory and can be seen often as a suggests you can combine niacinamide
40. “Hyperpigmentation occurs on the redness of the skin across the cheeks, chin with something like the more powerful
skin for a number of reasons,” explains and forehead meaning it can be a sensitive active ingredient retinol and it will not
Professor Ralph. “UV damage, skin issue for sufferers who can find their self- only complement the regime, but it can
ageing, staining post acne breakouts and esteem taking a dent. even help your skin tolerate the harsher
hormonal changes” are just a few of the retinol better. “Niacinamide will boost
common culprits. It’s not just sun damage It most commonly occurs in adults aged the skin barrier function and reduce the
and age however, as pigmentation can 30-40 years and beyond and “the causes dryness that retinoids may cause.”
occur after trauma to the skin such as are multifactorial,” says Professor Ralph,
breakouts, burns, shaving bumps or stings “but there are certain triggers, some of For those with breakouts, she suggests
which is known as post-inflammatory which can be avoided such as UV exposure, using niacinamide alongside other
hyperpigmentation. “Dark spots can also hot beverages, spicy food, alcohol, heat and products to tackle the post-inflammatory
be a particular issue in darker skin types,” exercise. ose who suffer with rosacea staining left from breakouts.
she says “due to the increased melanin also have a barrier dysfunction therefore
production in this skin type.” moisturising with ingredients that soothe “If one is using prescription treatments
the skin are vital.” for acne or rosacea these products
As a treatment for these skin issues, should be applied first (after the skin has
niacinamide appears to be a real “Niacinamide helps those with been cleansed) and then one can apply
catch-all game changer, because it rosacea due to its anti-inflammatory niacinamide after the prescription product
properties reducing micro-inflammation has dried in.” WW

7 to Try
On paper, it
looks as though
niacinamide could
be worth the hype 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

a er all. If you’re
keen to give it a try,
here are 7 that fit
the beauty bill.

1.The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum 30ml €10 ronaghanspharmacy.ie 2.La Roche-Posay Pure Niacinamide 10 €39 ie.feelunique.com 3.The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% €6.80 brownthomas.com 4.Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops 40ml €35 cultbeauty.com 5.Paula's Choice

Clinical 20% Niacinamide Treatment 20ml €54 paulaschoice-eu.com 6.SkinCeuticals Discolouration Defense €95 millies.ie 7.Dr.Jart+ Cicapair™ Tiger
Grass Colour Correcting Treatment 15ml €7 boots.ie

WOMANSWAY.IE 25

Sunset on Tara at
Summer Solstice

MIDSUMMER esummersolsticemarks
the midpoint of our year.

NIGHT’S DREAM NiamhO’Reillylooksatthe
history behind the event
and how it can help us tap
into our mythical ancestry.

Evoking the mythical stories meadows were lush. It While we may not
of ancient folklore and Celtic was an occasion for fully understand the
gods and goddesses, the feasting and celebrating ancient momutents
summer solstice is one of the outdoors and has a long they erected, we know
most resplendent times in the tradition of bonfires. that our ancestors saw
traditional Irish calendar and the northern Many scholars believe this turning point in
hemisphere at large. around this time was the Celtic calendar as
the main season for momentous and it is
This year, June 21 will see the sun rise building monuments, often associated with the
before 5am and not set until after 10pm, when people gathered in Irish sun goddess Áine, who
and even when the sun does fade from large numbers.” was thought to ensure a good
the horizon, the sky won’t get fully pitch harvest.
black, instead favouring an ever so slightly Ireland has several of these ancient We might not all be dancing around
twilight state. Amazingly, the summer monuments, such as standing stones, bonfires and living our lives so strictly by
solstice day is nine hours, 30 minutes passage tombs and cairns, many of which the seasons in the 21st century, but there’s
longer than on the winter solstice in have alignments to the summer solstice, no denying that the longest day is one that
December. For a country that spends much conveying a great sense of importance still stirs up feelings of hope and positivity
of its months under grey skies and long behind this time of year, even if we do not and can give us plenty to celebrate.
winter days, it’s a welcome change of pace. fully understand it thousands of years later.
SOLSTICE SIGHTS
With all that extra daylight, who could Dr Karen Ward, a shamanic therapist and HILL OF TARA
blame our ancestors for celebrating? 5,000 practising psychotherapist, trained in the Probably the best-known solstice spot,
years ago, our forebears would have lived a celtic lineage and druidic traditions, has a the Hill of Tara has been welcoming
life tied to the land, the coming and going unique insight into the more ancient and the celebrations for the longest day for
of the seasons, and most especially the sun. mystical side of the summer solstice. thousands of years. Forever tied to the
High Kings of Ireland and the myths and
Without the distractions of technology or “To our ancestors, this peak time of the legends before them, these days you can
modern life, a day with almost 17 hours of year was a celebration of the light not just find a multitude of different groups of
light, was an auspicious occasion indeed. from the sun but from their understanding people from all walks of life, enjoying the
of the divine. beauty of the landscape and their deep
Clare Tuffy, who works at the historic Brú ancient connections.
na Bóinne Visitor Centre, in Meath knows In Gaelic, summer solstice is Grianstad,
all too well how important this time of year literally meaning ‘sun stop’, and this
was to our ancestors. “The summer solstice communicates the apparent pausing or
was when livestock were flourishing, the stillness in the earth-sun relationship.”

26 WOMANSWAY.IE

FEATURE

“It is a great place to celebrate LOUGH GUR This page clockwise from top le : the hill
summer solstice because the skies of Tara; the Mound of Hostages at the hill of
feel so huge and the views are so With an impressive 113 standing stones, Tara; sun flare over Hill of Tara; the mystic hill
expansive,” remarks Clare Tuffy. 150 metres in diameter, the Grange Stone of Tara; Lough Gur.
“It’s an enjoyable place for families Circle at Lough Gur is the largest standing
to walk, for children to play and for stone circle in Ireland and is aligned to the Today it’s still one of the most
young and old to meet.” summer solstice sunrise. popular places to celebrate
Visit heritageireland.ie the summer solstice and the
“At Grange Stone Circle, there was a great wider site contains many other
EIGHTERCUA fire ceremony and a blessing of the land archaeological gems.
A little more off the beaten track and documented from early Neolithic times to Visit loughgur.com
not quite as accessible as some other sites, 1879,” explains Dr Karen Ward. “At these
the Eightercua Alignment is a four stone Midsummer celebrations, the men lit TONWLEY HALL
megalithic moment that dates back to The torches on the top of Cnoc Áine and herded This lesser-known passage tomb
Bronze Age, around 1700 BC on along the their cattle by invoking her blessings is located around 3km from the great
Ring of Kerry. for an abundant harvest. It was believed mound of Knowth at Brú na Bóinne. “The
that a mirror procession took place in the passage tomb is small in comparison to
The full meaning and importance of the otherworld with Áine and her Faerie folk.” Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth and is
site has been lost over the years, due to only 13.5m in diameter,” explains Clare.
modern development, however the tallest “While it’s a simple chamber with no
of its four stones at 2.7m high, suggests side recesses, it is aligned to the summer
it was a place of deep significance and solstice and is well worth visiting. It is
association to the summer solstice. accessible,” she adds, “but parking is
difficult as it is located in a field beside
According to Irish mythology, the the busy N51 Slane to Drogheda road.
stones also mark the burial spot of Scéine, However, as sunrise is before 5.00am on
the wife of the Milesian druid Amergin June 21, traffic may not be a problem.”
Glúingel.
Continued overleaf >>

WOMANSWAY.IE 27

FEATURE

WAYS TO CELEBRATE known for centuries as an
SEA SWIMMING
unofficial bonfire night in
It may have exploded in popularity during
the pandemic, but sea swimming has been Ireland. While many associate
a way for people to reconnect with nature,
commune with the divine and invigorate these fires with autumn and
themselves for centuries. In recent times,
solstice swims have sprung up all over the festival of Samhain, the
the country with groups of swimmers
and more causal dippers from all walks of lighting of big celebratory
life and abilities taking advantage of the
daylight hours for a late-night swim with a bonfires has close ties with the
difference.
midsummer season
Do remember to always swim with
a buddy and never venture out of your In fact, 23 June, often referred
comfort zone.
to as St. John's Eve for St. John
Some top spots to seek out are, The
Forty Foot in Dublin, which might be the Baptist, was synonymous
traditionally known for its Christmas day
dip, but the contrast of the calm waters with bonfires for many
and beautiful rocky scenery, with the
stunning houses around Sandycove will years in Ireland and in some “Our more ancient This page clockwise from top
make for an unforgettable swim, especially regions of the north and ancestors would le : Forty foot; Blackrock public
if conditions are calm. west, communities still come have lit large fires diving board, Salthill beach;
together to light bonfires up on hilltops and Stairway towards Vico baths,
Salthill in Galway is another very well and celebrate the summer Dalkey; celebrating the summer
known spot for getting your feet wet solstice. danced and revelled, solstice.
and what better view to enjoy than the Our more ancient ancestors
silhouette of the famous Blackrock Diving
Tower as the sun sets on the longest day. would have lit large even jumping over your eyes and state: my
celebratory fires up on the fire” intention is to consciously
For unforgettable views reminiscent of hilltops and danced and
the Sorrento, then head to Vico Baths in
Dalkey, Dublin. The spot is something of a revelled, even jumping receive the light of the
secluded hidden gem that must be accessed
via some steep steps, making it feel even over the fire. The flames sun to enhance my own
more magical. Expect a sunset like no
other looking out over Killiney bay. It can represented both the energy of the sun unique inner light. Position yourself by
be choppy so take note of the conditions.
and the power to banish evil spirits. The standing, sitting or lying in a shaft of
BONFIRES
embers of the fires were also seen as sacred sunlight.
The time around the summer solstice was
and often spread onto the land to bless the Use some simple hand movements

harvest. bringing the rays into your body. Reach out

SELF-CEREMONY with both hands and ‘scoop’ the light into
specific chakras.

If you cannot make it to a historical site, Be open and when you feel a strong sense

or don’t fancy going for a dip or attending of well-being/inner knowing then know

a bonfire, you can still find a connection that your intention has now been answered

with the more spiritual and ancient side and is integrating within your psyche.

of the solstice by yourself. Dr. Karen Ward Stretch and breathe deeply as you ground

outlines how to enjoy a summer solstice yourself. Write all you have experienced

self-ceremony. in a journal. In your own way thank your

“Sit in a safe outdoor space, perhaps sunny spot and especially Áine, the sun

your balcony, garden or a local park. Close goddess for all she has gifted you.” WW

28 WOMANSWAY.IE

FEATURE

Sunny Side Up

Optimism may be just as important as exercise for adding years to your life,
according to a new study. Here are 5 ways to stay optimistic.

Researchers who followed a group The questions relating to optimism in Towns committee; check their Facebook
of 159,255 women found that the study gave a score depending on how page to join them on a litter pick.
optimists could be more likely to people responded to positive and negative
live longer and past the age of descriptions. 4>> Accept your negative thoughts.
90 than those who were more Counter-intuitive it may be, acknowledging
pessimistic. Here are 5 ways to stay optimistic: negative thoughts will allow you to move
The team concluded that optimism is on from them. Your brain will try to protect
associated with a 5.4 per cent increase in 1>> Envision a positive future. you by envisioning worst-case scenarios.
lifespan – or the same as adding an extra 4.4 Imagine you had a magic wand. What would Ignoring the thought could make it
years of life on average. you do? Where would you be? Working stronger – so acknowledging it, and the
This was true even when factors such as towards that goal, and setting a schedule for fact that the probability of something
depression, chronic health conditions and it, will breed positive thoughts. It could be as bad happening is low, should help avoid
social and economic background were taken simple as taking the time to pick up a pencil dwelling on it. Try to focus on the present
into account. and learn how to draw o YouTube. Or save up instead.
The experts added: “Of note, exercise has for your dream holiday.
been widely recognised as an important factor
for health and studies have shown that regular 2>> Take 10 minutes out of your 5>> Try something new.
exercise adds 0.4-4.2 years of life… Thus our day for you. There’s nothing like a challenge to distract
findings suggest the impact of optimism may
be comparable to that of exercise.” It’s amazing how much you can do for yourself yourself from a negative outlook. You may
The study, published in the Journal of the
American Geriatrics Society, also found that in just 10 minutes. Stop and or may not succeed. But
the link between optimism and longevity was
evident across all racial and ethnic groups. breathe, take a short walk, or the point is that you tried,
A breakdown of findings showed that
women in the most optimistic group were 10 do a few stretches. Setting “Women in the most and learned something
per cent more likely to live past the age of 90 aside that time, and focusing optimistic group from the experience. Once
than those who were least optimistic. on one pleasurable task, will you’re done with the
While lifestyle factors, such as women’s
ability to take part in exercise or choose li your spirits. So will the fact were 10 per cent project, let go of it. And
healthy foods, had some impact on the that you’re indulging in a bit of more likely to live find a bigger and better
findings, the researchers suggested other gentle exercise. one to try next. WW
factors were at play. past 90"
These might include the types of support
networks people have when going through 3>> Take time out
rough times, and people’s own abilities to to help others.
problem-solve and minimise risks to their own Do something that you feel has a purpose,
health.
such as volunteering for a charity.

Interacting with people who believe

in the work they do is a natural

mood enhancer. An easy way to

By Jane Kirby, PA Health Editor and Astrid Madsen start is look up your local Tidy

WOMANSWAY.IE 29

Beach
Retreat

Seaside styling provides the perfect
backdrop for summer vibes. Here
are 11 summery ways to make your

home feel like a beach retreat.

3 Sun, sea, sand and a cottage 3>> Ice Lolly Beach Towel €9.34,
by the sea – or idyllic beach visit Homesense
6 hut? A holiday getaway where You can definitely cool off with
the fresh sea air and call of an ice lolly while you dry off with
30 WOMANSWAY.IE the coast inspires us to throw this fun beach towel.
open the doors and mirror the natural
beauty of salvaged wood, sun-bleached 4>> Nautical Outdoor Blue
shells and nautical stripes dotting the Starfish Chip ’n’ Dip Bowl €18.72,
waterfront. visit next.ie
Seafood snacks and Mediterranean
e next best thing? Convert your pad dips will taste that much more
into a stylish staycation space where delicious in this statement starfish
woven baskets and tufty cushions provide bowl.
texture, sky blues lend a Mediterranean
touch, and your inner beachcomber feels 5>> Shell Bowl €58.45, visit TK Maxx
right at home. is beautiful turquoise hued shell shaped

Here’s what we’ve collected along the bowl is perfect for summer salads and seaside
seashore… vibes.

1>> Set of 4 Portmore Tumblers (Ink) 6>> Beach Hut Wall Art €29.25, visit next,ie
€18.50; Portmore Jug €23; Brading Picnic Fun and quirky, this curio cabinet can
Basket €28; Framlingham Picnic Blanket even be propped on a shelf with other
€74, visit gardentrading.co.uk

Glass and rattan are natural bedfellows
with picnic spreads and a touch of sea
spray. ese stackable tumblers are
available in Natural or Ink, and would
look great mixed together.

2>> Eco Linen Bread Bag, Fish Design
€28.06, visit helenround.com

is eco linen bread bag will keep your
freshly baked loaves and San Francisco
sourdough fresh for longer. Plus, we love
the hand printed shoal of fish swimming
into view.

4 INTERIORS

Perfectly suited to a coastal garden or 1
7
sunny window sill, this perfectly-
8 10
proportioned planter loves a
succulent or cacti. 11

10>> Luxe Beach Towel Grand Plage 2
(Olatua) by Creations Jean-Vier
€76.98, visit thedesigngi shop.com WOMANSWAY.IE 31

e beautiful beach towel comes

with an Atlantic coast inspired

beach design in the famous French

bleu/blanc/rouge colours. It's made

from 100% mercerised cotton velour

reverse terry and better still it won't

9 decos to channel holiday shrink or fade, is highly stain resistant and
will stand up to years of use and washing.

vibes. 11>> Overbeck and Friends Laundry Basket

7>> Blue Stripe Cushion (green) €44, visit takatomo.de

€12.50, visit sassandbelle.co.uk is Beautiful patterned laundry basket

A little bit of Scandi meets beachy is smart enough to hold your garden

bijou, you can never have enough cushions as well as beach or bathroom

scatter cushions to place among sun towels. WW

loungers, or an oversized sofa or

daybed.

8>> Brushed Nautical Star Platter 5
€7.01, visit marksandspencer.co.uk

By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA Whether you're in the garden or by
the sea, this charming seahorse-
shaped platter is great for picnics.
It's crafted from lightweight
and durable melamine and is
dishwasher-safe.

9>> Blue Wave Cement Planter
€10.53, visit sassandbelle.co.uk

4

Fabulous

Florals
Pick some pretty petals and
blousy prints for a seasonal
refresh. Here are 12 ways to give
your home a floral fix for summer.
2

10 show-stopping water jug lends a 4>> Kew Gardens Narcissus Lime Candle
glamorous 60s feel to even the smallest €39.79, visit frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk
If you’ve been inspired by Bloom, gathering. e perfect finish to any table. Scent surrounded with the fruity, floral
your local garden centre teeming fragrance of narcissus lime. is graceful
with fresh flowers, or just want to 2>> Fabulous Floral Hand Painted Tumbler candle evokes thoughts of meandering
put your home in full bloom for €23.41, visit joebrowns.com among the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew,
summer, timeless floral patterns are With its cheerful sunflower design, boost and the illustrated packaging features
one of the easiest ways to give interiors a those flavoursome botanicals in this a handsome design from the garden’s
fresh face. pretty gin tumbler. Especially suited to archives.
floral, aromatic gins.
ere’s a mixed bouquet of styles to 5>> Joules Cambridge Cotton Accent Chair in
choose from – and clashing pinks and 3>> Asters Deckchair Vintage Garden Pink Floral All Over €818.04, visit dfs.ie
reds, moody blues and lavish lilac framed €175.55, visit perkinsandmorley.com When you want to tie all those beautiful
by glorious greenery will enhance any A deckchair delight, this vintage inspired bouquets together, nothing beats a
space, and can be layered like a flower print showcases an elegant bouquet of statement accent chair in fabulous
bed or even based on the seasons. charming chrysanthemums in dark pinks fuchsia, with sprays of hot pink and
and beautiful blues. Printed on durable carnation. An investment piece for sure,
Here’s how to bring home some floral canvas with FSC certified beech wood with the option to reverse the seat back
flair right now… frame.
8
1>> Orla Kiely Glass Water Jug €35.24,
visit orlakiely.com

is retro block flower pattern print

32 WOMANSWAY.IE

9 INTERIORS
53

11

12
61

By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA cushion – plain one side, and floral the 7 creative centrepiece
other. Available in 12 colours. to your table.
Life may not always be a bed of roses but
6>> Rose Garden Salad Plate €29.97; Flat these flamboyant florals will give any 10>> Floral Wallpaper
Plate Coupe €30.31 (other items from a bedroom a joyous makeover. Includes Mural by Burcu Korkmazyurek in Pretty
selection), visit villeroy-boch.co.uk duvet cover and two pillowcases. Rose Garden from €40.94 (per square
Special occasion tableware with some metre), visit wallsauce.com
real punch, these showy plates imbibe 9>> Circular Test Tube Vase €105.65, A wonder wall of climbing roses and larger
thoughts of a floral themed dinner party visit annabeljames.co.uk than life bouquets, this floral mural has
topped with your favourite pink bubbles. A contemporary vase formed from a chain ‘best in show’ written all over it.
of interlinking test tubes. Pop a candle in
7>> Pink Floral Bottle Vases €4.97 (small) the middle, fill the tubes with a selection 11>> Floral Truck Cushion €21.05,
and €8.48 (large), visit thewisteriatree.co.uk of seasonal blooms and this scientific visit mandco.com
Whether it’s wild flowers or a sweet posy, inspired centrepiece will provide a We love this cute cushion, with its retro
these pretty pink vases will bump up any style truck and trove of blooms. Ideal if
bouquet. you’re after a boho touch.

8>> Cotton Rich Painted Floral Duvet Set 12>> Floral Outdoor Cushions from
from €29.23 (Single) to €64.31 (Super King), €12.99, visit beanbagbazaar.ie
visit mandco.com
e perfect backdrop for garden parties
or to style up a tired bench, you can
never have too many garden cushions
– especially big blooms in eye-catching
brights like these. WW

WOMANSWAY.IE 33

Snazzy

SPRITZ

Spritz lovers have
a new favourite
cocktail book to stir up
aperitivo hour. Here
are 3 simple recipes
for summer soirées.

34 WOMANSWAY.IE

DRINKS

T he Starburst

T he Hugo BLelmuoenbeadye Spritz

There’s something stylish Gruber in the South Tyrol region of Italy, it the lemon juice, simple syrup, and prosecco over
about a spritz. Even the name took o like wildfire, and with good reason. the ice and top with the elderflower tonic. Gently
sounds a bit glitzy – and stir to combine and garnish with the remaining
fizzing with summer vibes. Ingredients: 60ml St Germain Elderflower thyme sprig and skewer of blueberries.
But what lies at the heart of Liqueur, 7ml fresh lime juice, 90ml prosecco,
this Italian drink? chilled, 30ml elderflower tonic water. 2 mint 3. THE STARBURST
sprigs and 2 lime wheels for garnish.
“ ere are countless ways to make We all know the best Starburst candy is the
a fizzy cocktail, but they can’t all be Method: Muddle the leaves from 1 mint sprig orange one, right? Right?
called a spritz,” Danielle Centoni writes in a sturdy wine glass. Fill the glass three- Well, even if you don’t agree, as long as you like
in her new book, Just a Spritz: 57 Simple quarters full with ice and pour the St Germain, orange flavours, you’ll love this spritz. This is
Sparkling Sips with Low to No Alcohol. lime juice, and prosecco over the ice. Top with the drink to serve to friends who aren’t up for
the elderflower tonic. Gently stir to combine. anything too tannic, and the proportions are
“A spritz can be made with almost any Garnish with the remaining mint sprig and tuck very easy to remember.
bubbly and any spirit, but to keep it true the lime wheels between the ice and the side of
to form a spritz must be: Low in alcohol, the glass. The blood orange soda makes it super juicy
bubbly, refreshing, at least a little bit and downplays the bitterness of the Aperol.
bitter, the opposite of fussy.” 2. BLUEBERRY LEMONADE SPRITZ If you can handle a bit more bite, use Campari
instead of Aperol.
e book promises to help you achieve
By Sam Wylie-Harris “spritz perfection” – from how to build If you can’t resist the yin and yang of tart Ingredients: 60ml Aperol or Campari, 60ml
a spritz, to easy-to-make tart and lemons and sweet blueberries, you’ll love this Sanpellegrino Aranciata or Aranciata Rossa
sweet syrups and juicy shrubs, to the adorably pinky purple spritz. orange soda, 60ml prosecco, chilled. Blood
importance of garnishes and how they orange wheel for garnish.
“add panache”. The muddled thyme adds an herbal dimension
that makes it feel a little more grown-up. Method: Fill a wineglass three-quarters full with
Here are three favourites from the book ice. Pour the Aperol, orange soda, and prosecco
to get the aperitivo party started… Ingredients: 35g fresh blueberries, 2 thyme over the ice. Gently stir to combine. Tuck the
sprigs, 30ml fresh lemon juice, 30ml simple
1. THE HUGO syrup, 90ml prosecco, chilled, 30ml elderflower orange wheel between the ice and the
tonic. Skewered blueberries, for side of the glass. WW
This youngster in the spritz canon is ideal garnish.
for those who crave the flavour of juicy lime,
with mint and elderflower adding sweet and Method: In a sturdy wine glass, Extracted from Just a Spritz: 57 Simple
breezy refreshment. muddle the blueberries and 1 of the Sparkling Sips with Low to No Alcohol, by
thyme sprigs. Fill the glass three- Danielle Centoni, photography by Eric Medsker
A lime-juice-enhanced ri on the original quarters full with ice and stir. Pour (Artisan Books). Available now.
created in 2005 by bartender Roland ‘AK’

WOMANSWAY.IE 35

Panoramic view of Munich city centre showing
the City Hall and the Frauenkirche

★★★★★ MUNICH

IN48 HOURS
ey call it the city of But I’ve left out the best bit, which I will which opens out to the large Karlsplatz
laptops and lederhosen share at the end. square. Myself and a group of lunch-time
but, as Norah Casey workers were sitting on rocks in a circle
discovered, Munich I never expected to like Munich. If a city around the cooling fountain overlooked by
is home to fabulous could be a person then to my mind Munich the imposing baroque façade of the Palace
architecture, river was an oversized beer-swilling, car-loving of Justice. We were all sitting on our own
surfers, beautiful beer man, decked out in lederhosen; strong on little rock but sharing the same beautiful
gardens and the elusive traditional values and a bit lacking in a sunshine while the spray periodically
state of gemuetlichkeit. sense of humour. But I couldn’t have been fanned over our faces. A small group of
more wrong. older street performers were giving it all,
Ilanded in Munich Sunday lunch time an accordion player joined by a beautiful
and by Monday night I had visited The city’s motto is Munchen mag dich, lady captivating us with her dancing.
one of the world’s saddest places, which means Munich loves you. In less Children were dodging in and out of the
honed business pitches with young than two days the feeling was mutual. spurts of water shrieking and laughing and
global entrepreneurs, sampled the I was eating the best buttered pretzel in
best of the city’s breweries, caught the Müncheners use this Bavarian word the world. It was a little moment of magic.
daily Glockenspiel barrel dancers, lost an gemuetlichkeit. It roughly translates into Gemuetlichkeit.
hour mesmerised by river surfers, visited a feeling of cosiness, cheer and good
the world’s biggest pub, stumbled upon humour. It’s the state of bliss you feel on a The home of Mozart, Wagner, Mahler
sunbathing nudists and sipped champagne warm sunny afternoon sipping beer in the and Strauss is a city of contrasts. The
at the city's coolest private members club. beautiful gardens of Munich surrounded scars of history are evident in the new
It’s some city. by happy smiling people sharing the builds nestling close to the grandeur of the
same state of contentment. When it was Baroque, Rococo and gothic facades in the
36 WOMANSWAY.IE explained to me I recognised that feeling. old town. Despite heavy bombardment
All too rare in our lives, but something by Allied Forces during World War II,
special when it happens. I experienced many historic buildings were spared and
gemuetlichkeit on a sunny Monday others rebuilt. So, today’s Munich is much
morning wandering aimlessly through the like it was back in the 1800s including
Altstadt (Old City). I found myself walking the famous Neues Rathaus, the city hall.
through a gothic gate, the remains of
medieval fortifications dating back to 1301

TRAVEL

Unlike other fast-moving
cities, Munich is low rise.
By law no building is
permitted to rise higher
than the 500-year-old
Frauenkirche (Cathedral
Church of Our Lady),
which is the official
landmark of the city.

THE DAILY SHOW This page clockwise from top: Diana temple in
Hofgarten park; Man surfing in the waves of the Eisbach
I just about made it to the River which forms a standing wave right at the entrance
Marienplatz (the town square) of the Englischer Garten and is a popular surfers'
for the 12-midday daily jousting meeting point; Monument of Max-Joseph 1st. in front
and dancing barrel-maker of the Munich National Theater at Max-Joseph-Platz;
performances at the Rathaus- Rathaus Glockenspiel at Marienplatz; Fountain at
Glockenspiel, Munich’s famous Karlsplatz.
mechanical clock. The upper part
of the Glockenspiel re-enacts the 1516 Reinheitsgebot purity laws, Bavarian
city’s most famous and lavish beer must only be made from malted
wedding of Bavarian Duke Wilhelm barley, hops and water (yeast has since
V in 1568 who was responsible for been added) with no added chemicals
building the city’s first brewery. It’s or preservatives. Adhering to nature's
a magical little performance of 32 core ingredients apparently significantly
life-sized figures jousting and bowing high reduces the chance of a hangover. We
up on the 260-foot tower with some 43 clinked glasses and chorused prost on
bells. The lower part features the famous more than a few occasions believing in that
Schäfflerstanz, the barrel-maker’s dance. promise! We dined on traditional Bavarian
A small golden bird chirps from the top of dishes, meatballs, schnitzel pork knuckle,
the Glockenspiel to signal the end of the bratwurst and boiled beef. The food was
15-minute show which starts daily at 11am good. The hangover was epic. Don’t believe
with extra summertime shows at 12md and a word of it about the purity of the beer.
5pm.
Continued overleaf >>
THE ENGLISH GARDEN Bräustuben (braeustuben.de), one of the
Weird and wonderful, the Englischer oldest breweries in Munich, the waiter
Garten is one of the largest city parks in the laughed heartily at my suggestion that I
world, and a must do even if you are only might try a gin and tonic. When he was
in the city for a short visit. Despite being finished wiping his eyes and letting the
miles from the ocean this enormous park is surrounding tables know what I had asked
a surfing destination. At the southern end for (in German!) I pointed at one of the tall
of the park the man-made river Eisbach glasses of frothy golden beers at the next
has developed a surfer’s wave which table. He nodded and said “Augustiner
attracts lots of locals on summer days. Edelstoff? Good choice”. And it was. Over
Not only is it a beautiful sprawling green 670 years ago the monks began brewing
space to relax and chill, it has creeks, lakes, at the Augustinian monastery and it has
several beer gardens, a Japanese teahouse survived many incarnations, and two
and a colony of nudists. world wars. Made strictly according to the

THE NATIONAL PASTIME
You can’t visit Munich and not try the
national drink. There are breweries,
beer gardens and beer halls galore (even
the Airport has its own brewery called
Airbräu). There are the ‘big six’, the oldest
Munich breweries: Augustiner, Hacker-
Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner,
Spaten-Franziskaner. There are, however,
lots of others.

I don’t drink beer but when in Munich
and all that. Apart from anything else,
when we went to dinner at Augustiner

WOMANSWAY.IE 37

TRAVEL

This page: Oktoberfest; Waiter with traditional
costume serving beers; The HEARTHOUSE Club.

event) risks losing that seat so it takes
some stamina and bodily discomfort to get
through the all-day beer drinking.

THE WORLD’S BIGGEST PUB techno wizardry with beautiful light-filled CHRISTMAS MARKETS
There are many reasons to visit rooms, home to two restaurants, two
Hofbroihaus. The buzzy, boisterous 5,000 bars, a night club and a variety of meeting Munich has many Christkindl Märkte and a
capacity beerhaus near Marienplatz was spaces. I did the grand tour on arrival special Christmas tram, Christkindltram,
frequented by Lenin, Mozart and Hitler before the speech and one room outdid that runs through the city centre during
back in the day. Locals keep their personal the other. It’s pretty special. The award- advent. The biggest and best known
beer glasses in special chambers in a safe winning interior features coloured stone is Tollwood, but the whole city has a
here passed down through the generations. bars, mirrored surfaces, screenarounds Christmassy feel with lots of places
It was opened in 1589 by the Duke of (featuring a live feed from Cannes the selling Christmas biscuits (Lebkuchen)
Bavaria, Whilelm the 5th, as the official night I visited). The Japanese-inspired bar and the traditional spicy red Glühwein.
Royal Brewer, although it is hard to get a ‘Circle by Cihan Anadologlu’, listed as one Marienplatz, the main town square,
sense of the historical significance of this of the world’s top 100 cocktail bars, has is the place to go if you want to do
behemoth of a pub. The three-story hall deservedly won many accolades including some Christmas shopping along with a
was packed the Sunday we were there Best European and Most Innovative Bar. Christmas market. Woodcarvers stands are
with a jovial crowd swinging and swilling The heart of HEARTHOUSE is the Kitchen a short walk away at Sendlinger, while the
from steins of frothy beer to the cheery where chef Florian Gürster, of Hakkasan artisan market at Schwabing, Münchner
oompah Bavarian band. There are 24 other and Nobu fame, serves up eastern inspired Freiheit, is worth a detour. There is nothing
Hofbräuhaus franchises in the world, delights. The food is great, the cocktails more magical that Englischer Garten in the
including Bangkok, Dubai, Stockholm and are amazing and the service is impeccable. snow and the pretty Chinesischer Turm
a full-scale replica in Las Vegas. This is an arty, classy place to meet, eat (Chinese Tower) Christmas market.
and do business in Munich and if you visit
COOLEST CLUB IN TOWN the city, do everything you can to visit. It’s AND THE REST
From the old to the new. My final night breathtaking.
in Munich was a speaking engagement My packed two days didn’t allow for all
at the city’s first and coolest private OKTOBERFEST that Munich has to offer so I asked my
members club which opened last year. new found Münchener friends what they
The HEARTHOUSE (thehearthouse.me) Think Munich, Think Oktoberfest, but the would recommend. It holds no attraction
is an extraordinary mix of avant garde, city has so much more to offer. Imagine for me but football fans head to the home
you only visited Dublin on St Patrick’s Day of Germany's most successful and most
and thereafter that was your impression of famous football club FC Bayern München
the city. Visiting Munich during the most at the Allianz Arena. Also on the tourist
overcrowded, overpriced, beer binge fest list is the Olympiapark which was the site
might be fun but it’s not just what Munich of the 1972 Olympic Games and serves
is about. For those of you who are still keen now as a venue for rock concerts, festivals
to go then you can join over seven million and cultural events. It was formerly
tourists who flock to Munich between the home stadium of the FC Bayern
September 16 and October 3 consuming München prior to the Allianz Arena being
their collective body weight in beer. Prices completed in 2005.
skyrocket during Oktoberfest but it doesn’t Munich has over 45 museums but top of
deter the revellers who arrive from early the list is the Deutsche Museum, a great
morning to get a seat in one of the coveted interactive science museum that attracts
34 brewery tents. Even going to the toilet a million visitors annually. Other worthy
(over a thousand extra are erected for the stops include the Nationaltheater, home
to the acclaimed Bavarian State Opera
and where several of Richard Wagner's
operas were premiered; next door to it
the contemporary Munich Residenz,
particularly the Hercules Hall which is
home to the Bavarian Radio Symphony
orchestra. A visit to the Odeonsplatz is also
worthwhile, especially if you can catch
one of the summer open-air orchestral
concerts. If you love cars, then Munich is
the place to be as it is home to one of the
world’s most iconic brands, BMW, which
even has its own dedicated museum (close
to the Olympic Park). WW

38 WOMANSWAY.IE

Dachau
Dachau had a profound effect on me. We
went on our own later in the afternoon This page clockwise from top: View of the historic
when the tours and crowds had abated entracne gate at Dachau Concentration Camp near
and stayed far longer than we expected. Munich; The burrow in the barrack of the Dachau
The rain and wind lashed down on us as Concentration Camp; Dachau Concentration Camp
we walked through the gates emblazoned Memorial Site.
with the words Arbeit Macht Frei which
translates as "work sets you free". The The fake shower spouts
phrase was also posted at the entrance “The gas chamber clearly visible while the
of Auschwitz. Tens of thousands of lethal gas holes are less
people died at Dachau, the first Nazi was home to mass so. I had far too vivid a
concentration camp which opened in 1933 murder where up picture of the terror of
at a former guns and munitions factory.
It’s about 16 kilometres north west of to 150 people at a those people crowded
Munich.
time were duped into together. The realisation
The grey clouds settled low above us as believing they were of their impending death
we walked along the barbed wire fence and as the doors were bolted
crossed the roll call ground where prisoners entering a shower
were forced to stand motionless for an hour walk the now empty rooms, a shut and the gas released.
morning and evening. So many sick and
exhausted prisoners lost their lives on that glance at the pictures on the room” I took photographs,
ground. Their fellow prisoners were not walls transport you back to because that is what
allowed to help them or even acknowledge
their deaths. what these very walls have travel writers do, but

The Bunker Camp Prison was the centre witnessed. The humiliation and abuse suffered almost felt I had sullied the memory of
of terror where prisoners were imprisoned
alone in the dark for weeks only being fed by the inmates. those souls by doing so.
every five days or so. They were tortured
and beaten by the SS guards, subjected to We went to the Crematorium and the Gas In the summer of 1940 the crematorium
‘pole-hanging’ in the courtyard. Unknown
numbers were murdered or took their Chamber last. Nothing beforehand can prepare was built to cater for the influx of new
own lives. The Gestapo isolated political
prisoners for months and even years. you for standing in a room where so many prisoners. Some 11,000 people were

We got lost in the gloomy corridor of people lost their lives. The sign on the wall cremated between then and April 1943.
cells, peering through the peepholes at the
tiny cramped spaces where the ‘special tells me that the four furnaces could cremate We returned to Munich by bus, train
prisoners’ were kept. I could see marks
etched on the walls in the dimly lit spaces two to three corpses at a time. Right in front and tram. Silent and reflective. It was
and imagined the human suffering that
this place has witnessed. I found myself of the burning ovens was the execution site a powerful and emotionally draining
touching the bars on the windows, the
old light switches, the deep doorway of where most hangings were carried out so afternoon. It was one of the most
the interrogation room designed to mute
the sounds of the screams. The ghosts the bodies could be directly transferred to important experiences of my life and we
lingered in that place, pure evil mixed with
unimaginable human suffering. I shed tears the incinerator. The ovens, preserved in the debated on into the night the capacity for
on and off throughout the afternoon but,
by the end, tears seemed such an empty incinerator where the bodies were burned, evil that inflicted such horrors on fellow
response to the scale of depravity and
suffering that took place at Dachau. need no embellishment. They stand stark and humans. I don’t think I need to visit another

We went to the cramped Barrack Room solid in the silence, aged with use. The work concentration camp. Once is enough.
where prisoners slept top to toe. There was
barely room to move in the bunks. As you they have seen doesn’t bear thinking about.

The Gas Chamber was home to mass murder

where up to 150 people at a time were duped NOTE: There are lots of

into believing they were entering a shower organised tours and guides that

room. Less than 20 minutes later they were will take you to Dachau. We chose

suffocated to death through prussic acid to go on our own. It’s free to enter

poison gas (Kyklan B). A photograph shows and the exhibits and signposting are

bodies piled high in the very place I now stood informative and graphic. The trams,

alone with the incessant rain battering the trains and buses are punctual and

roof. I was transfixed at the spot where the gas relatively easy to navigate. WW
was pumped into the spartan concrete room.

WOMANSWAY.IE 39

Chinatown Bangkok Thailand THE CITY

ofA★n★★g★e★ls

Bangkok is one big crazy that symbolise the growing economic long ceremonial name for the city. And it is
city but, as Norah Casey prosperity at the heart of Thailand. angelic. There are many sides to Bangkok,
discovers, beneath the so despite the urgency of the crowds and
chaotic veneer you’ll I first went to Bangkok in my 20s when the cars, the Thai people are more serene
find beautiful people, the city was dealing with an influx of than stressed. Greetings come in the
amazing food and the displaced elephants and mahouts from form of the graceful wai and the words
most stunning of sights. the logging industry in Chiang Mai. It was of welcome sawatdee. The lifestyle is also
surreal to see these large matriarchs so laid back. A watchword for Thai people
Bangkok is moving fast and used to the lush forests holding up multiple is Sabai, being happy or relaxed, but to
everything, bar the traffic, is lanes of traffic on the Sukhumvit, oblivious add emphasis you are more likely to hear
surging outwards and upwards to the cacophony of honking horns. The Sabai Sabai – roughly translated meaning
creating a city sprawl of over 11 colours, the sounds, the smells and the tranquil or chilled. While getting lost in
million people. My sense is that bizarreness of the city was overwhelming. the Soi (streets) of Bangkok is a regular
city planners are few and far between. occurrence, staying chilled is the only
Futuristic skyscrapers erupting from the Tuk-Tuk drivers pushed picture menus response.
sprawling streets seem incongruous in a of unspeakable things, almost all involving
city teeming with the most revered sacred ping pong balls, and every journey was a This time my schedule was as crazy as
spaces of the ancient orient. So it is that you near death experience, ducking and diving Bangkok and thanks to the local Irish I
can wander through the most beautiful around the mad traffic. Bangkok is the did more in a few days than on all of the
of timeless temples while gazing upwards second most dangerous city for driving in other trips combined. So here’s how to do
at the gleaming towering office blocks the world after Libya. Bangkok at speed.

CITY OF ANGELS BEST OF BANGKOK
Thai people tend to shorten words and 1>> The Royal Temples
phrases which is why Bangkok came to be Bangkok has amazing temples (over 400)
called Great City of Angels, the first four and beautiful, historic, monumental
words of the unpronounceable 45 word

40 WOMANSWAY.IE

TRAVEL

“Bangkok has

over 400 amazing

temples and

beautiful, historic,

monumental palaces This page clockwise from top le : Floating
that are a must on Market in Bangkok; Buddha at Temple of
Dawn; Wat Phra Chetuphon Temple; Spinning
any visit” Silk Jim Thompson House Museum.

century Wat Phra

Kaew, the Temple

of the Emerald Buddha. houses on stilts set among tropical foliage

2>> The Reclining Buddha on the Saen Saeb Canal. Thompson’s
passion for Thai art shines through

The 46-meter-long giant reclining gold leaf with Chinese porcelain, ancient scrolls,

Buddha is well worth visiting at Wat Pho, sculptures and many other treasured

one of the largest and oldest temples and artifacts on display.

home to the original Thai massage. Wat 5>> The Red Light District
Pho has the largest collection of Buddha

images in Thailand and houses the national The seedy side of Bangkok is never too

headquarters and centre of education of far from the surface and for a slice of

traditional Thai medicine and massage. Bangkok life take a trip to Patpong where a

palaces that are a must on any visit. I have 3>> Floating Markets night market, predominantly selling fake
done the main ones many times and I still brands, shares space with illicit bars and
find them awe-inspiring. On the itinerary
should definitely be the Grand Palace and The floating markets, made famous by night clubs selling sex shows, including
opposite it on the left bank of Chao Phraya
River, the magnificent sparkling spires Roger Moore’s James Bond in The Man the infamous coke bottle and ping pong
of Wat Arun covered in porcelain and
colourful glass. The distinctive Temple with the Golden Gun, with boats piled high shows. These two parallel roads, next to
of Dawn is magical at nighttime when
the lit spire glows over the river. Google with exotic fruit and overladen with fresh Silom Road, Patpong 1 and 2 are big tourist
Bangkok and your screen will be flooded
with images of the former home of the vegetables are really worth visiting. Top of attractions so beware of rip-offs.
Thai King, The Grand Palace, built back in
1782 and the most renowned and revered the list for visitors is Damnoen Saduak but
landmark in Bangkok. Expect to lose hours you can also catch this magical spectacle at 6>> Khao San Road
in the compound in a maze of Buddhist
sculptures, mosaics and temples dating Amphawa, and Klong Lat Mayom. Backpackers flock to Bangkok or more
back to the foundation of the city. The
highlight and most sacred being the 14th 4>> Jim Thompson’s House specifically Khao San Road, a crazy strip
of bars, market stalls and plentiful cheap

The mysterious disappearance of architect, accommodation. This time I took a hasty

designer and silk magnate Jim Thompson walk through the crowds from one end to

on a hiking trek in 1967 makes a visit to his the other and not much has changed. Khao

house another must-do on the list. Minutes San comes alive at night and everything is

from the madness of central Bangkok, this on sale from platters of crunchy crickets

peaceful place will transport you back to sidewalk tattoos, on-street massage,

in time. Thompson’s home is actually a Continued overleaf >>
collection of six separate teakwood Thai

WOMANSWAY.IE 41

TRAVEL

buckets of Thai whiskey (ridiculously Tuk-Tuk
cheap), knock-off jeans and hordes
of western twenty something year (crocodile like creatures but non meat
olds who mistakenly believe they eaters!) or row a boat on the lake.
are experiencing the real Bangkok.
Worth a visit but not worth lingering 14>> Tuk-Tuks, Trains & Motorbikes
too long. If you want to avoid sitting in the
permanently rush hour traffic, then
7>> Thai Massage 11>> MBK Centre take the Bangkok Mass Transit System
A Thai massage should be a daily treat A trip to the gigantic eight story low price otherwise known as the BTS Skytrain. It's
with perhaps a foot massage in the MBK, also called Mahboonkrong, in the really easy to use, cheap, efficient and air
late afternoon after a day's sight- Siam area next to the National Stadium conditioned. Once you’ve mastered it you
seeing. Steer clear of the Khao San Road BTS will take hours. Most tourists get will never venture forth in a car or at least
mass massage beds and head for a local lost in this shopping mecca for designer limit taxi journeys to and from Skytrain
shop. They’re plentiful, usually on many fakes, cheap souvenirs and all manner stops. There is also an underground MRT
floors with foot massage at street level and of electronic goods, many of uncertain which links from the train station at Hua
pressure point full body Thai massage on origin. Brush up your haggling skills and Lamphong all the way north to Chatachak.
upper floors. be prepared to be subsumed by the lure of Bangkokonians will jump on the back of
shiny tat. It's infectious. a motorbike for cheap and quick traffic
8>> Bird's Eye Views dodging journeys but you’ll be taking your
Sky high dining and drinking is the thing 12>> The Flower Market life in your hands. Tuk-Tuks are fun, worth
to do in Bangkok (I prefer low rise myself). I would move to Bangkok for the flowers doing once, not that convenient for long
After much debating between the locals alone. The local women I was with were journeys, agree to a price beforehand and
who all have their favourite vertiginous stocking up on beautiful roses (50 for a hold on tight. You may have to take a taxi
venues we headed for the tallest building euro) and gorgeous lilies as we wandered on occasion but make sure the driver uses
and the 360 degree rotating viewpoint of through the fragrant frantic home of the meter.
the Sky Bar, the 63-storey high rooftop bar all things botanical. The flower market
made famous by Hangover 2 at Lebua State on Maharat Road also called Pak Klong 15>> Tat Bat (Alms-Giving)
Tower (lebua.com). Talad comes alive in the early hours of I got up very early one morning and
the morning. The distinctive Buddha headed out onto the streets to witness, for
9>> Visit Chinatown offerings of white and orange flower the first time, the Buddhist tradition of
Yaowarat, the pulsing heart of the city’s chains were piled high as all generations Tak Bat: the morning alms-giving to the
Chinatown, is full-on with horns blaring from children to grandparents patiently saffron-robed monks who head out from
amid a cacophony of bang snaps, noisy toys threaded the delicate tiny flowers for the temples usually between 5am and
designed to frighten away the fearsome worshipers. 7am. This is well worth the early morning
New Year dragon, Nian. It’s a feast of the start. The monks walk barefoot in single
senses with competing street food vendors 13>> Lumpini Park file with the most senior monk going first,
steaming, frying and basting all manner of Lumpini Park is Bangkok’s Central Park each carrying a large silver bowl. There
strange meats with every nook and cranny and a great place to leave the city without is a serenity and beauty to the ritual of
filled with rickety tables and folding leaving the city. Catch one of the evening the giving of rice and other food gifts by
chairs for waiting diners. The street food dance workouts or early morning tai chi. lay people, many of whom get up early to
is fantastic here. We ate Pad Thai for a few You can stroll around marvelling at the cook the offering. The procession passes
euros, slurped steamed coconut puddings park’s resident water monitor lizards along rows of people kneeling, head bowed
for dessert and bought pineapple on sticks
to eat on the go. If you don’t fancy going in humility waiting to place the rice
by Tuk-Tuk then the easiest way to get to silently in the monks’ alms bowl. It is a
Chinatown is by the Chao Phraya River deeply meaningful religious interaction
Express and get off Ratchawong Pier and is central to the core Buddhist belief
or use the underground (MRT) to in giving back and gaining merit for the
Hualamphong station. afterlife. Make a plan to get up early, it
really is worth it.
10>> Chatuchak Weekend Market Monks In Wat Suthat You can see the monks almost
Thepwararam Temple everywhere in the early morning
Markets are great in Bangkok and but for guaranteed viewing head to
the massive Chatuchak Weekend the beautiful marble temple of Wat
Market is a magnet for over 100,000 Benchamabophit in the Dusit district
visitors weekly. It’s overwhelming where the monks head out around 6am
but well worth the trip with nearly onto Nakhon Pathom road. WW
10,000 stalls selling everything from
pets to antiques, crafts, furniture,
books and food and much more
besides.

42 WOMANSWAY.IE

TRAVEL

ICELANDIC> LAGOONS

e newly-opened Forest Lagoon is setting a new standard for Icelandic
hot springs. Here's why everyone’s so excited about the new bathing spot…

>>WHERE IS IT? Harsh Forest Lagoon
winds prevent trees from
growing too tall in Iceland,
making forests a rarity. But
this nature-driven, purpose-
built spa, which opened last
month, makes the most of
what’s available by occupying
one of the few leafy sites in
the north.

Along with the sweet smell
of sap and earthy moss,
the natural attraction of
the location is its sheltered
position – exceptional in a
country where winds can
gust up to 70mph.

>>IS IT EASY TO REACH? >>SO WHAT ELSE Relax in warm water
MAKES IT SO and watch humpbacks
While many of Iceland’s SPECIAL? It might fluke and occasionally
hot springs are hidden breach as kittiwakes
in (almost) inaccessible sound a bit technical, swoop overhead.
places, this one is a doddle Combine with a three-
to find. Overlooking the but having 27 outlets hour silent whale-
60km Eyjafjörður fjord – watching trip from the
where humpbacks regularly pumping water into harbour in Husavik, on
migrate to feed – it’s across one of North Sailing’s
the water from mountain- the lagoon is a game- electric vessels. Visit
backed capital of the north, geosea.is
Akureyri. changer, allowing 3>SkyLagoon, Reykjavik

>>WHAT’S IT LIKE? Cut water to flow evenly, Opened last year, this slick
directly into a mountain, with spa and heated pool is on
exposed basalt rock forming a so there are no Sky Lagoon the outskirts of Reykjavik.
feature wall, the wooden spa Entered directly from the
building is a natural beauty. annoying cold patches dimly-lit changing rooms,
Trees from east Iceland have a waterway winds through
been planted at the entrance to surprise you. lagoon, at one of the longest rocks to reach an infinity
– where a bistro serves meals, pool, with waterfalls and a
coffees and drinks – and stone A choice of two swim-up established hot springs bar tucked into a cave. Pay
sinks are a striking feature in extra for a seven-step ritual,
the changing rooms. bars avoids long queues. Plus in the north. An hour’s which includes a circuit of
sauna, rain room and body
The lagoon is divided it’s open until midnight – drive east from Akureyri, scrub. Stick around for
between two main pools – sourdough sandwiches and
heated to 39C and 41C. Inside, later than any other purpose- overlooking a gaping fresh soups in the café. Visit
a wooden glass-fronted sauna skylagoon.com WW
looks onto the water, framing built lagoon in Iceland caldera, it neighbours
a view of snow-dusted
mountains and deciduous – meaning you can stay out the sulphur-streaked
trees, whose boughs rotate
through a seasonal palette of later to watch the midnight bubbling hot pots and
golds, bronzes, silvers and
greens. sun or catch a glimpse of the steaming fumaroles of

northern lights, depending Hverir. Work is ongoing

on the time of year. to transform the site with

By Sarah Marshall, PA 3 MORE TRENDY new facilities for 2024. Visit
ICELANDIC HOT SPRINGS myvatnnaturebaths.is
TO TRY… 2>GeoSea, Husavik A cliff-
1>Myvatn Nature Baths, top position overlooking the
Myvatn Bathe in water as Skjálfandi Bay and the Article
Circle to the north, is this

blue as Keflavik’s famous smart lagoon’s trump card.

WOMANSWAY.IE 43

THE DARK SIDE
With June hailed as National Crime Reading month by the Crime
Writer’s Association, crime writer Fiona Sherlock asks, why are we so
interested in the unthinkable act of murder?

“Every murderer is probably Murder Club. The hallmark of the genre is popularity of true crime books, podcasts
somebody’s old friend,” the absence of truly gory scenes that depict and documentaries too? There’s that
crime queen Agatha the violent and torrid reality of murder. morbid interest again, the piece of us
Christie wrote in her first Osman’s series is a modern update on the that is curious about the taboo, that
novel e Mysterious Affair golden age of detective fiction encapsulated ultimately seeks to reconcile the meaning
at Styles. Our fascination with crime fiction by Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers and of death with the meaning of life. The
has expanded into true crime podcasts Arthur Conan Doyle. Beautiful houses commodification of murder victims and
and documentaries a century later. From and accomplished characters allow us to their story raises ethical issues but true-
psychological thrillers to police procedurals traverse every day into a world of high crime holds a mirror up to the cracks in
and detective novels, crime fiction is the stakes glamour. society and lets us see what issues may
most popular genre of fiction. cause violent crimes, and how we police
Despite what critics of the genre and punish them. In the case of stories
How is it that perfectly ordinary people might claim, crime fiction engages us about those who may have been wrongly
actually choose to involve themselves in intellectually. We like to imagine ourselves convicted, such as Making A Murderer’s
plots of intrigue, lies, deceit and violence? as a detective. Watching out for clues, Steven Avery, and Serial’s Adnan Syed, this
As a crime writer, this is a topic I’ve often predicting where the plot might go as if exploration of historic crime demonstrates
considered. doing a crossword. But what we really institutional racism, misunderstanding
want is to be surprised, to be astounded of mental illness and how an individual’s
Embarking on a new book, series or with a twist that proves us wrong. privilege dictates their punishment.
podcast is a gift to ourselves, whether We now look over history with a new
it’s packing a thick paperback for the But there are less comfortable reasons awareness of these issues, recalling historic
beaches of the Algarve or downloading for our morbid fascination with thrillers. unsolved murders allows us to review the
a new audiobook to fill our time on the Crime fiction allows us to explore a hidden past, and hopefully ensure history does not
Dart home. The beginning of a new story side of humanity. If every murderer is repeat itself.
is a promise. That we will be captured somebody’s old friend, according to
in this world of characters and diverted Christie, there is a part of us all that in the There are two parts of us reading a
from the humdrum of reality. Perhaps right circumstances, could end the life of murder mystery. The version that liked the
it’s to occupy our mind when our body another. look of the cover, that lies back in the chair
enjoys the warmth and crackle of a fire, with a sip of Barry’s Tea and a KitKat. But
or the cosiness of the duvet Thrillers and Characters in crime novels are compelled then there is the subconscious area of our
murder mysteries hold our attention with to do the ultimate transgression. We may brain, our inner detective, that is silently
their fast-past plots. Sometimes our minds wonder, what has pushed them so far? working to better understand ourselves
become so engaged in unputdownable Could we ever kill? and others. Just like Christie suggesting
page-turners that set the pulse racing, a
plot takes over the body’s need for food and Crime fiction is an outlet for us to better every murderer is someone’s
sleep. know ourselves by imagining ourselves old friend, we may silently be
in the roles of killer, victim and detective. examining ourselves too. WW
Crime, like all fictional novels, adds From an argument over bins, sexual
spice to life, from the exotic locations fantasy taking the darkest turn, Death Visits January by Fiona Sherlock
to the glamorous careers and character murderers commit their crimes is published by Poolbeg is available
idiosyncrasies. It’s this search for escapism for motives as varied as the human now.
that has driven a particular surge of condition. Is there a switch inside us
interest in the cosy murder mystery genre, that if flicked, we would be capable of
led by Richard Osman’s The Thursday such a crime?

But how can we explain the rise in

44 WOMANSWAY.IE

BOOKS

Rom-Com
Reads
Reading a feel-good romance in the sunshine is hard to
beat, says Rachel Spillane. Here are 5 swoony rom-com
reads to get lost in this summer…

Beach Read by Emily Henry Olive’s matchmaking plans and for his own whole thing. And when
reasons, Dr Carlsen agrees. But what starts Naomi discovers Nicholas
€8.99, visit bookstation.ie as a fake relationship with fake feelings and has also been faking
January Andrews writes fake dates soon turns into something more. contentment, all bets are
bestselling romance. o . What ensues is a battle
Augustus Everett is Favourite quote: “Carry yourself with the of sabotage, pranks and
an acclaimed author confidence of a mediocre white man.” emotional warfare. What
of literary fiction. The the pair didn’t expect to
pair are polar opposites Hook, Line and Sinker by Tessa Bailey happen is, now that they
with absolutely nothing have nothing to lose, they’re
in common… except €9.65, visit bookdepository.com finally being themselves - and having fun
they’re both broke, both Crab fisherman Fox Thorton has a reputation with the last person they expect: each other.
battling an immense that would make most women blush.
case of writer's block and Charming, handsome and seemingly carefree, Favourite quote: “Relearning you has been
coincidentally, both living in neighbouring everyone knows Fox Thorton doesn’t do the best thing that's ever happened to me.”
beach houses for the summer. One hazy ‘serious’. So when he
night, the authors strike a deal to help get strikes up a friendship Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
them out of their creative ruts. January will with sweet and gentle
write the next Great American Novel and Hannah Bellinger, it’s €13.20, visit blackwells.co.uk
Augustus, for once, must write something a big shock. But Fox is Flighty Eve Brown is always moving. Even
happy and light. determined not to mess jobs, hobbies and people can’t get her to
What can go wrong? They’ll each have a up their friendship. He stand still. So it’s really no surprise that
book to show their editors by the end of likes, and respects, a er she’s told she needs to grow up, she
the summer and certainly, nobody will do Hannah way too much crashes into a B&B owner and
anything stupid - like fall in love. to have a shallow fling lands herself a job - literally.
with her, and it doesn’t Jacob Wayne is always in
Favourite quote: “I did what any reasonable help his confidence when the whole town control, and naturally, baulks
adult woman would do when confronted with believes that’s all he’s good for. Hannah can at the hot mess that is Eve
her college rival turned next-door neighbour. I see Fox’s self-esteem dwindle with every Brown. But with a broken
dove behind the nearest bookshelf.” derogatory comment made against him and wrist and an important
becomes determined to help Fox recognise food festival that could
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood how wonderful he truly is - rake reputation be put his B&B on the map,
dammed. Jacob needs a chef, and Eve
€8.99, visit easons.com kinda-sorta owes him one.
PhD student, Olive Smith is attempting to Favourite quote: “You make me feel like I’m Considering she broke him. Before long,
play matchmaker for her in the exact right place.” Eve has infiltrated every aspect of his quiet
best friend and a guy Olive life with her purple braids, sunny smile and
previously, and very briefly, You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle constant singing. And with every moment
dated. But for her cupid- they spend together, the hostility between
worthy plan to work, Olive €10.95, visit bookmegastore.com them turns into something neither of them
must prove she has totally Nicholas Rose is perfect for Naomi expected. WW
and completely moved Westfield on paper. He remembers her
on and so naturally, she restaurant orders, they never fight and Favourite quote: “You won’t get your head
kisses the first man she they’re planning their lavish wedding that’s out of your ass? Aren’t you concerned about
sees. three months away. But Naomi has realised potential su ocation?”
Unlucky for Olive, the man turns out something - she is utterly sick of him,
to be Dr Adam Carlsen. A professor in her and his clingy mother, and she wants out.
college, known to be cold, aloof and extremely With the wedding date looming over them
unapproachable. Olive hatches a plan - the both, whoever backs out first has to foot
pair will fake-date each other to spur on the (eye-wateringly expensive) bill for the

WOMANSWAY.IE 45

Check out our top HoetList
entertainment picks, READ · WATCH · LISTEN
the digital Van Gogh
exhibition reviewed and,
as always, our pick of

the very best new
books.

5 NEW BOOKS TO READ THIS WEEK

Fiction You Made A Fool Of Death Non-fiction
Fight Night With Your Beauty Managing Expectations

by Miriam Toews is by Akwaeke Emezi is by Minnie Driver is published in
published in hardback by published in hardback by hardback by Manilla Press, priced
Faber & Faber, priced €18.75 Faber & Faber, priced €18.75 €15.99
Fight Night is absurd, Anyone who’s read Celebrity autobiographies are
overwhelming, traumatic, Akwaeke Emezi’s previous always a very mixed bag, but this
touching – and totally books – the beautiful and one from the actress who made
delightful. It’s a love letter to the women in heartrending Freshwater and The her name in Circle Of Friends and Good Will
one family, with nine-year-old narrator Swiv Death Of Vivek Oji – will be in for a surprise Hunting is a shining star among them. It’s a
recounting life with her heavily pregnant actor with their latest o ering. While You Made A collection of essays of key moments in Minnie
mother Mooshie and elderly grandmother Fool Of Death… covers some similar themes Driver’s life, written with razor-sharp wit and
Elvira. It moves at a fast pace – which might as the other books – including violent loss and tear-jerking pathos, from her parents’ break-
initially make your head spin, as Swiv jumps love – at its core, it’s much more of a popcorn up to her wayward hair and her experiences in
from topic to topic, going on mini adventures romance novel. Feyi is a young artist with a acting, as she dived from one successful movie,
with her extremely fun grandmother (who sad past, meaning new romance is hard for which she thought would secure her career, to
is a brilliantly written character and a total her – she tries to turn over a new leaf by going faking orgasms for a chocolate ad to keep the
badass). While it doesn’t always have a clear with a potential suitor to his island home, wolf from the door. Her Oscar nomination for
cut plot, it deals with some big issues – such staying in his wealthy father’s house. Things Good Will Hunting was robbed of its joy because
as suicide, alcoholism and depression – with become complicated when she finds herself of her ex Matt Damon, who arrived at the event
realism, dark humour and a lightness of falling for the wrong man – quite a classic with his new girlfriend. But self-pity never
touch. It’s a joy to read, and the colourful and romance trope, meaning the book feels quite washed with her mother, a stoic, funny, positive
beautifully drawn characters will stay with predictable. While Emezi’s signature arresting figure who wouldn’t tolerate complaints about
you long a er you’ve finished. style is there, the content isn’t – they spend a life being unfair, which makes the final chapter
bit too much time discussing how beautiful the so heart-wrenching, as news of her diagnosis
With A Mind To Kill main characters are, which can get a bit dull. of terminal cancer leaves Driver literally on
It’s no doubt readable and you do connect with her knees in front of her shopping trolley in
by Anthony Horowitz is the characters, but Emezi possibly su ers by Waitrose. You’ll want to read this book twice,
published by Jonathan Cape, comparison to their previous books – and You laughing at the acutely sharp observations and
priced €24.99 Made A Fool Of Death… likely won’t stay with holding back tears as the final chapter comes to
With A Mind to Kill is you quite as long. its close. We hope this actress writes more.
Anthony Horowitz’s third
Bond book, and is a fast- CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK
paced thriller centred on a
dangerous mission even Clarice Bean: Scram!
our hero isn’t sure he can complete. It opens
with the funeral of M, head of the intelligence by Lauren Child is published in hardback by HarperCollins Children’s Books,
service, with Bond in custody accused of his priced €15.26
boss’s murder. The plot thickens when Bond Lauren Child knows what goes through a child’s mind, and how to transfer
goes behind the Iron Curtain to join a group those thoughts to the page. In her latest instalment of the Clarice Bean
of former Soviet intelligence agents, who series, she delivers another snapshot of the topsy-turvy world of the title
want to enrol the British spy into a daring character. Clarice and her extended family adopt a stray dog, with the young
plan that will change the balance of world girl forming alliances with siblings and somehow manipulating situations to her advantage
power. Bond fans are in for a treat as he so everything turns out just fine in the end. Child made her name with the Charlie And Lola
enters the lion’s den, having to draw on all picture books, and Clarice has firmly become a new favourite. You’ll be le trying to work
his powers to overcome the enemy. Readers out if Clarice and family ate horrid spaghetti or something else entirely – see for yourself
will love the way Horowitz stays loyal to the by reading this entertaining tale.
winning formula of Bond creator Ian Fleming,
confronting an old enemy with new energy.

46 WOMANSWAY.IE

HOT LIST

Broad Glimpses of Van Gogh -
An Immerisve Journey
Strokes

Niamh O’Reilly steps inside the distinctive brushstrokes
of Vincent Van Gogh at the immersive exhibition running
at Dublin’s RDS.

Can the work of a classic artist really 360-degree multi-sensory audio-visual mental health, and one can’t help but feel
be improved upon with the addition of experience. It even goes so far as to use the range of emotions as the paintings are
technology? Classic art is such for a reason artificial intelligence and advanced digital brought to life. Painting no doubt had a
and it’s why thousands of people queue technologies to predict how the works of healing effect for him, but it also allowed
up to see the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel art would have evolved and transformed him to express himself fully. Darkness,
or the Mona Lisa every year. Would the over time. light, calm and disorder. All of it plays out
addition of even the most sophisticated to a sumptuous score of music perfectly
technology be nothing more than a And by immersive, they mean it. The chosen to accompany the unfolding
gimmick? show is projected on floor-to-ceiling images.
screens and is loud. As we snuck in five
I had my suspicions, but decided to go minutes late (little legs take their time The second and third presentations,
along to Van Gogh Dublin - An Immersive after all) myself and my son found a space called ‘Everything’ and ‘A Photon’s
Journey with my five-year-old son to find in the centre of the room and he sat down Journey in the Eye’ were less about Van
out. in my lap, eyes agog. The room went dark Gogh and more about musings on science
and for a moment he froze. Then, the and inspiration. These were less appealing
There can be no doubt that there are few screens suddenly lit up with what looked to be honest and the first was without a
artists more suited to such an interactive like a train, rushing along at high speed doubt the standout of the entire experience.
re-interpretation than Vincent Van Gogh. all around us in the brushstrokes of Van
The Dutch born post-impressionist painter, Gogh, the sounds reverberating through The final part, the infinity room is
whose most famous works include, his little chest. “Wow” he said, eyes wide, relatively short, only lasting around 45
Starry Night and Sunflowers display those completely transfixed by what he was seconds, and is simply a room cleverly
incredibly bold strokes of colour and his seeing. decked out with lights and mirrors, but the
unmistakable trademark style, that is effect is entertaining.
reminiscent of a dream. This immersive The experience is presented in four
exhibition projects his paintings onto a parts. The first three take place inside the Overall, it’s an art experience like no
360-degree screens of the main hall, as other, and for me it’s something that
audio-visual stories. Visitors literally dive compliments the classic work rather than
into his subconsciousness and witness the takes from it or even replaces it. I’d highly
early years of his career. We chase the sun recommend it for all ages, young and
with him to the South of France, where he old. It is definitely one to bring children
paints many of his signature works. Petals and grandchildren to over the summer.
swim by on the floor around you and the Although, I fear my five-year-old might
paintings merge from one to another in a think all art exhibitions will be as exciting
seamless series of beautiful transitions that as this one. WW
look like you’re sitting inside a dream.
Van Gogh Dublin – An Immersive Journey runs
Van Gogh had lifelong struggles with his at the RDS, until August 4.

WOMANSWAY.IE 47

Hot Right Now…
From must-see movies, to binge worthy streamers and velvet voiced
podcasts, Niamh O’Reilly’s got something to suit all tastes.

Cruise is back and still plagued by guilt, Maverick needs to Colin Firth and Toni
weigh up whether he sends Rooster o on a Collette in The Staircase
CINEMA TRIP dangerous mission, while at the same time
TOP GUN: MAVERICK (2022) navigating his feelings for old flame Penny infamous Michael Peterson and Toni Collette
36 years a er Tom Cruise took the ‘highway Benjamin (Jennifer Connelly). There’s a super as his wife Kathleen, who dies at the bottom
to the danger zone’ and soared through cameo by Val Kilmer in there too. of a staircase in their home in 2001.
the sky, he’s back on the big screen as Pete
‘Maverick’ Mitchell in this high-octane The very definition of a blockbuster, this Michael claimed to be outside at the
sequel. is a fun slice of action that really deserves to swimming pool at the time of Kathleen’s
be seen on the big screen with a bucket of bloody death, however, the police believed
The film sees Maverick recalled to the popcorn. she did not die from an accident, but rather at
fighter pilot training school of the original in the hands of her husband. He was convicted
San Diego to guide a new gang of adrenaline STREAMING PICKS in 2003 and sentenced to life in prison.
junkies, including Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw THE STAIRCASE
(Miles Teller). Extra points for guessing who In the history of jaw-dropping true crime There are a myriad of twists and turns in
this moustached character is related to. Yes, stories, The Staircase has got to be up there this story and as a viewer I changed my mind
you guessed it and this is not a spoiler alert, with the best of them. This dramatisation at least a dozen times on Michael’s guilt along
he is in fact the son of Maverick’s deceased of the original documentary series (of which the way.
best friend and co-pilot Goose from the there were two) stars Colin Firth as the
original. Whether or not you saw the documentary,
this is well worth watching for the
With flashbacks to his best friend’s tragedy performances from both Collette and Firth,

48 WOMANSWAY.IE

Lily Tomlin and HOT LIST
Jane Fonda

as well as Juliette Binoche. The complicated
family dynamics of the children are brought to
life with solid support by Sophie Turner and
Patrick Schwarzenegger.
Streaming on Sky Atlantic and Now TV

Elizabeth Moss in
Shining Girls

SHINING GIRLS evening of laughter on the sofa, then this Told in a nonlinear structure, the story
If you’re looking for a meaty thriller to sink comedy special from Netflix sounds like it follows Tom played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt,
your teeth into then pull up a chair for this could be just the thing. a failed architectural student, who takes a
mind bending, time- travelling eight part job composing cringe-worthy messages for
series, that’s based on the 2013 novel by Filmed at the streamers recent Netflix greeting cards. The job is not where he wants
Lauren Beukes. Is A Joke: The Festival, which was shot to be, but it does lead him to meet Summer
over 11 days in LA with a host of stand up Finn (Zooey Deschanel) , the boss’s new
Elisabeth Moss plays newspaper archivist performances, the special sees Lily Tomlin assistant. For Tom it’s love at first sight, but
Kirby Mazrachi who survived a horrific assault and Jane Fonda introduce an all-female line- it’s not quite the same story for Summer,
six years ago that nearly killed her and has up of comedians. who’s a constant closed book to love struck
since le her experiencing shi ing realities. Tom.
One day her dog might have changed into Featuring the likes of Michelle Buteau,
a cat, the next she finds herself living in a Cristela Alonzo, Margaret Cho, Heather What sounds like your average meet-cute,
di erent apartment or her rocker mother McMahan, Tracey Ashley, Anjelah Johnson- run-of-the-mill rom-com is elevated by the
turned into a born again Christian. Reyes and Iliza Shlesinger, it sounds like clever use of out of sequence storytelling,
perfect light entertainment. the o beat dialogue and by the chemistry
Dark and brooding, it delves into themes Streaming on Netflix that bursts o screen from both the spacey
many victims of violence, especially women, Deschanel and hopelessly romantic Gordon-
can relate to. Moss is in superb form dealing PODCAST Levitt.
with the trauma of her attack, while trying CATCH UP WITH LOUISE MCSHARRY
to keep her grip on reality as the ground If you’ve missed Louise McSharry’s bright Beautifully shot with some dreamy Los
keeps shi ing beneath her. Finding an ally in and sunny voice on the national airwaves a er Angeles locations and architecture to enjoy
Chicago Sun Times journalist Dan (Wagner her departure from 2FM a few months ago, and with a delightful soundtrack, it’s equal
Moura) the pair try to put together the pieces then this slice of podcast life could be right up parts melancholy and hopefulness. WW
and find the person behind the string of your street.
grizzly murders that puzzlingly span decades. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Aptly called Catch Up, it’s a magazine style and Zooey Deschanel
Jamie Bell is terrific as the mysterious and podcast that evokes that weekly catch up you
creepy Harper, exuding an air of menace we’re might have with a friend over co ee. Bringing
not used to seeing from this former Billy that same level of intelligence, nuance, and
Elliot star. charm to the table which she did on her radio
show, McSharry is clearly having fun being in
Shining Girls is set in the 90s, so expect a the creative driving seat of her own podcast,
delightful lack of smartphones, some superb this time on her own terms.
soundtrack choices and some questionable
hair. Topics range from the week's headlines to
Streaming on AppleTV+ the big news, and a dash of culture, from the
lowest of brows to the relatively high. She’s
JANE FONDA & LILY TOMLIN: also got lots of recommendations for new
LADIES NIGHT LIVE music, books, telly and whatever takes her
Could there be a more pleasing and multi- fancy. Guests pop in for a natter too.
talented female duo than Jane Fonda and Available wherever you get your Podcasts
Lily Tomlin? We think not. The Hollywood from, such as Spotify or Apple.
legends have enjoyed a four-decade long
friendship that reportedly began on set of the CLASSIC FILM
1980 film 9 to 5. 500 DAYS OF SUMMER (2009)
A quirk and inventive spin on the rom-com
With a chemistry you just can’t fake, they formula, this is one film you might have
light up the screen whenever they appear missed on its initial release in 2009.
together and if you’re in the mood for an

WOMANSWAY.IE 49

LETTERS in time. Sometimes the older way is the
best. When we had ambulances just
Antigua serving a small number of counties the
waiting time was very short. We owe a
Antigua looks absolutely incredible. great deal of gratitude to the medical staff
I don’t know many people who have who when they do arrive do a wonderful
been to the Caribbean but I’ve always job of saving lives.
wanted to visit. ere’s just something MARIAN DALTON, CO CARLOW
about white sand, blue skies and a
warm ocean that’s hard to resist. To Garden Trends My two girls have been using Moxi
celebrate my husband’s retirement, Loves products for years, they love
we’re setting off to Jamaica next I loved checking out the gardening the eye makeup remover, but I hadn’t
August so I’ll see if himself will add on trends from the Chelsea Flower Show. realised the story behind Pamela’s
a few days in Carlisle Bay while we’re Hawthorn and hornbeam really brand. She has accomplished so much,
around there. Cocktails on the beach, caught my eye, being native and with no formal degree, and loads of
here I come! hardy. Hopefully, that means I won’t hard work and dedication. Her mum
BARBARA GRENNAN, CO CLARE be responsible for their premature must be so proud of her. I understand
death due to lack of care. Although the what Pamela means when she spoke
buttercups did come as a surprise – of imposter syndrome. I think we
they’re as big a nuisance as daffodils in all feel like that sometimes, but my
my garden. It’ll be hard to stop thinking advice to her would be to reflect on
of them as weeds and embrace their all she has done, and how far she has
brazen beauty. But going wild with come since leaving school. It really
plants is tapping into my need for a is incredible. I hope Pamela would
garden that will embrace fun and add think about giving talks to young girls
a bit of comfort to the parties I have because she is a brilliant role model.
planned for this summer. I have a few Deirdre O’Neill, Co Meath
get-togethers organised with just family
and close friends – a few familiar plants
in the garden will be just the ticket.
SARAH LYNAM, CO WATERFORD

Ambulance Response All Fired Up We even had the pineapple
with it and it was actually
We in rural Ireland are very concerned Big thanks for sharing those amazing, even himself
and fearful of the length of time it is Nico Reynolds recipes. liked it - who was
taking an ambulance to respond to an We’re a bit stuck in making faces at the
emergency call. People have waited a rut here when it thoughts of pineapple
two to four hours while doing their best comes to BBQ food on a burger. But the
to keep a loved one as comfortable as and I’ve been real star lads, was
they can. We have come a long way as dying to try a few the grilled peaches.
regards facilities in our hospitals and the new things on I mean I could
paramedics who man the ambulances are the grill but had a bathe in a vat of that
very professional and helpful. few disasters like mascarpone cream.
when the halloumi So, so good. Would
But because of having to travel long fell through the love to see more unusual
journeys from the ambulance centres, cracks, which was a recipes like this again.
there is a great fear they will not arrive nightmare to clean.
EMMA RYAN, CO MAYO
Never considered pork
burgers before, but wow
they were gorgeous!

STAR LETTER PRIZE Jog On

Our Star Letter writer will receive a three month supply of I’ve been debating whether or not to
Pharmaton, worth over €50. Pharmaton is a trusted multivitamin give running a try. I find it hard to stick
and mineral complex, scientifically formulated to help support to a gym plan in the summer - it feels
daily energy levels, mental performance and the immune system. absolutely criminal to spend an hour
Visit clonmelhealthcare.ie. inside a dark room on rare sunshine-
filled days. Getting out and breathing
in some fresh air after work is much
more my speed. I thought Catherina

50 WOMANSWAY.IE