Fine art, bespoke jewellery and The Boss

Next weekend in Dublin promises to be a great one for art lovers with Art Source at the RDS and Dublin Gallery Weekend events taking place around the city. 

Over 15,000 people are expected to attend Art Source to see the work of over 200 contemporary artists from Ireland and abroad.

Visitors will also have the chance to bag 100 pieces of original art for €100. 

Elsewhere in the city, a showcase of contemporary art by CAGA, the Contemporary Art Gallery Association, takes place in ten leading commercial art galleries. 

There will be lots of free exhibitions, social events, walking tours and talks taking place at Solomon Fine Art, the Kerlin Gallery, Green on Red Gallery and more.

Great gifts for golfers from Alpha-U Golf

Struggling for gift ideas for the player who has it all?

Then look no further than the brilliant compression golf gear by new Irish brand Alpha-U Golf. 

The perfect gift for golfers as the weather turns colder, the Alpha-U ‘Players Pack’ (€135) includes a compression base layer top to optimise circulation and muscle support, compression base layer leggings to help reduce fatigue and enhance endurance as well as a beanie hat and thermal snood. 

The range of compression wear is designed to enhance the player’s performance and enjoyment of the game and is specially designed with four-way stretch and moisture-wicking material. 

Bought separately, the compression base layer top for men or women costs €65 and the leggings €55.

Bespoke jewellery from Dublin

Award-winning goldsmith Janice Byrne handmakes everything in her studio in Dublin city centre. 

Her jewellery has a lovely handmade feel, indicative of the personal attention she applies to each piece, as well as an organic and slightly edgy vibe. 

Working in recycled metals and precious and semi-precious stones, she creates beautiful pieces using rubies, sapphires, opals and natural diamonds. 

Byrne frequently works on commission to design and create bespoke pieces for clients – including affordable engagement rings made using lab-grown diamonds. 

Byrne’s bespoke order book for Christmas closes this weekend so if you have a piece in mind get in touch with her today or tomorrow. 

Other designs are available while stocks last including her Into the Woods huggie earrings, rings and pendants (from €115), her Eye for an Eye necklace (€231) and her Love & Death design (€135). 

Chic sofas made and designed in Ireland by Oriana B

We love an Irish-made product especially when it’s a chic new sofa design by Oriana B – the cool interiors store run by founder Katharine Deas and Creative Director Alannah Monks. 

The new ‘Kidman’ sofa is named after Nicole Kidman (who else?) and features a classic design with a contemporary twist. 

Designed by the Oriana B team and made here in Ireland with a sturdy beechwood frame, you can customise it to your own taste and decor with a choice of an Ikat-style fabric or a bouclé weave in a number of different colourways. 

The sofa is in a modern top stitch style with a low frame and shadow gap legs. 

The high back and plush medium-density foam makes for a comfy sit. 

Available in three sizes, the ‘Kidman’ starts at €2,325. Normal delivery time is 6 to 8 weeks but limited numbers will be available in time for Christmas if you order before November 10.

The Boss returns with another epic run of shows for 2024

Forget the Sphere in Las Vegas, the hottest ticket in town this weekend is for Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band who have just added a 22-show European stadium run to their 2024 world tour. 

Renowned for his epic concerts, Springsteen’s 2023 European tour featured some of the best concerts of his career selling over 1.6m tickets and gaining the adoration of fans and the
plaudits of pundits alike. 

The Irish leg of the tour kicks off on May 9 at Boucher Road followed by concerts in Nowlan Park, Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Croke Park.

• Get your tickets to see these music legends this Monday, November 6 at 8am from ticketmaster.ie.

Supplements to help kids stay in school

Not only do we not want little ones to suffer from colds and coughs this winter but new research shows that childhood illnesses can have a particularly negative impact on the amount of time women have to take off work when compared to men. 

If you’re attempting to minimise the days off school (and work) this coming term then anything that claims to reduce school absenteeism by 30 percent is tempting, right? 

Studies show that Pro-Ven’s Fit for School probiotic supplement helps significantly bolster immunity and tackle school absenteeism. 

The chewable tablets contain 12.5 billion Lab4-friendly bacteria as well as Vitamin C to help reduce the frequency and duration of cough and cold symptoms.

• Available at pharmacies nationwide.

Digital dance at Limerick’s Light Moves Festival

Liz Roche – one of Ireland’s leading contemporary dance companies – brings a new ensemble from three ground-breaking choreographers and performers to Limerick’s Light Moves festival next Friday. 

‘Alternately Terrific and Gentle’ is a film installation and live performance by Jodi Melnick, Liz Roche and Jenny Roche which started life during lockdown. 

Just one of the incredible events taking place next weekend during the festival, the performance is inspired by texts, music, letters, and visual art with the title taken from a love letter from composer John Cage to choreographer Merce Cunningham. 

A special work that is a celebration of friendship, creativity and collaboration. 

• Tickets: €18 / €15. Venue: Belltable, Limerick. Tickets available from lightmoves.ie.