TheCity

Author: Laura Somers

  • He Named Me Malala makes for fascinating viewing

    He Named Me Malala makes for fascinating viewing

    “One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution”

    The highly anticipated documentary, ‘He Named Me Malala’ has just opened in cinemas and it is most definitely worth the wait.

    Global children’s charity, Plan International Ireland, hosted a preview screening of the much talked about ‘He Named Me Malala’ in The Light House Cinema on the 28th October.

    The City went along to see if it lived up to all the hype, and we can safely say it did.

    The documentary, directed by the renowned Davis Guggenheim, follows the life of 18-year-old human rights activist, Malala Yousafzai. Malala made headlines back in 2012 after she was shot in the face by the Taliban in response to her acting as an advocate for girls’ rights to education in her home town in Swat Valley, Pakistan. The shooting attracted media attention from around the world, turning Malala into an overnight celebrity.

    Guggenheim tells her remarkable story in an engaging and relatable manner. He focuses a lot on her family life and allows us to get an insight into the world of the Nobel Peace Prize Winner.

    The focus on her family life makes for fascinating viewing. We see her squabbling with her siblings, struggling with her physics homework and worrying about her GCSEs – not something you’d think a girl of such influence and caliber would be doing.

    Although Guggenheim has focused a lot on her family and her life in general, the focal point of Malala’s empowering message remained the focus throughout the documentary.

    It is evident that Malala is wise beyond her years and she won’t let anything phase her, even when speaking to the United Nations after the shooting, she didn’t victimise herself. She showed herself to be dedicated, selfless and determined, stating that, “They thought the bullet would silence us, but they failed.”

    The documentary definitely did justice to Malala’s cause as well as her endearing, quirky personality. There won’t be one person who leaves the movie theatre not feeling a little more empowered to change the world we live in.

    Plan International

    David Dalton CEO of Plan International was delighted they could host the exclusive preview screening of this inspiring documentary, as part of their global Because I am a Girl campaign.

    “Malala’s story is intrinsically linked to Plan International’s Because I am a Girl campaign, and to be able to host this event is great for us. Together, we advocate for a girl’s right to education,” he said.

    Because I am a Girl is the world’s largest gender equality movement, so Plan International thought it would be fitting to host the screening of He Named Me Malala, as they share a common vision with this inspirational activist.

    “Here at Plan International, we share her vision for change. We recognise that a girl in the developing world faces overwhelming odds from the day she’s born – she is denied basic rights, is more likely to suffer from malnutrition than her brother, can be coerced to marry a man she has never met, let alone loves and worse.

    “Yet at Plan International, we know the solution. It’s school. It’s learning. It is not just the right thing to do; it is the smart thing to do. When girls are educated, communities thrive and economies grow. Already, we are seeing success in our programmes and we want to do more,” concluded Dalton.

  • A catch up with the World Young Chef of the Year, Mark Moriarty

    A catch up with the World Young Chef of the Year, Mark Moriarty

    Mark Moriarty is one of the busiest men in Ireland at the moment. After winning the title of World Young Chef of the Year, it has been all systems go for the young over-achiever and last weekend was certainly no exception.

    Moriarty served as one of the main attractions at the brand new four day food festival – Taste City Fusion – and created a four-course Medieval Banquet in Christchurch Cathedral, cleverly coining the phrase ‘peasant chic’ for the event.

    At just 23 years of age Moriarty has a CV that would be envied by some of the most esteemed and experienced chefs in Ireland. From working as a chef-de-partie at the Michelin star Greenhouse restaurant to winning the ‘Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year’ at just 21 and going on to win the ‘San Pellegrino World Young Chef of the Year’, he’s definitely a force to be reckoned with.

    Thankfully, Moriarty was able to take time out of his hectic schedule to talk to The City. During our catch up, he revealed how he came to terms with giving up his dreams of working in a cockpit for working in a kitchen and how he has tried to remain humble and down to earth despite his extraordinary success.

     Where did your love of food stem from?

    “It all started when I was a kid and I used to go fishing with my dad in Co. Kerry. He had a small boat, so we used to fish for lobster and mackerel, that’s when I first realised food was something I was really interested in. I then started watching Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s River Cottage series religiously and after that my interest in food continued to develop and I started reading and watching as much about food as I could.”

    When did you first decide you were going to be a chef?

    “When I was in fourth year I was really interested in home economics and my teacher at the time told me I should write to some restaurants and ask for work experience. So, with his advice, I took it upon myself to hand write ten letters to the restaurants I deemed to be the best in Ireland at the time. This endeavor resulted in me completing two weeks of work experience in Kevin Thornton and Neven Maguire’s restaurants and after that I was hooked.”

    Could you ever see yourself doing something else?

    “I think if I was to ever do something else it would always have to be food related. I just love the buzz of working in a kitchen too much to ever give it up. However, the first thing I ever wanted to be was a pilot, but that ended when I was about thirteen or fourteen once I realised my real passion lay with food.”

    What made you decide to enter the competitive side of the culinary world?

    “I wasn’t the best at sports in school, so once I discovered I was good at cooking I knew it’d bring out my competitive side and let me excel at something I enjoy. When you enter a competition on your own it’s a totally different ball game to working in a restaurant for a chef, because when you’re working for someone you always know that it’s going to come back to the head chef if there are any major problems, whereas when you enter one of these competitions independently it’s just your neck on the line. Although it’s really scary, it’s also really thrilling.”

    Describe in just three words how it felt being named ‘San Pellegrino World Young Chef of the Year’.

    “Proud, satisfied and fearful.”

    You’re an advocate for Irish food at home and abroad, do you think Irish food has gotten the international recognition it deserves?

    “No, I don’t think it has, but the last two years have suggested that the next five years are going to be very big for Irish food. The past year we have had the World Young Chef award, the Michelin guide handed out four new stars to Irish restaurants and the Food on the Edge symposium that took place in Galway. So, I think now that our culinary talents can be seen on a world stage we will finally start getting the recognition we deserve.”

    Dublin city has an abundance of excellent, high quality restaurants, what would be your three favourite food spots?

    “The Greenhouse, 777 on George’s Street and Forest Avenue.”

    Do you think events like ‘Taste of Dublin’ and ‘Taste City Fusion’ will help showcase the talent and quality that Irish cuisine has to offer?

    “Yes, definitely, these events make food very accessible to the general public as well as the ‘foodie’. The events vary in price so you can still make the most out of the festivals without breaking the bank. I’d love to see these events expand around the country over the next few years.”

    Finally, what advice would you give to any budding young chefs who want to mirror your achievements?

    “Focus, believe and achieve. It’s also really important to have a good balance, especially if working as a chef is going to be sustainable in the future. I made sure not to miss out on all the things I wanted to do while I was working. I went to Thailand and on a J1, so as well as doing crazy hours in work, I always made sure there was a balance and I always had something to look forward to.”

     

    Photo: www.electricpicnic.ie

  • Brand new four day food festival comes to Dublin this week

    Brand new four day food festival comes to Dublin this week

    The creators of Taste of Dublin are bringing us a brand new four day food festival called Taste City Fusion.

    Supported by CityJet, the festival is dedicated to celebrating Dublin’s world-class food scene, with unique dining experiences, masterclasses, workshops, and city centre culinary experiences. Tickle your taste buds and browse through some of Dublin’s top eateries.

    Taking place from October 22nd until the 25th, experience all that the Dublin food scene has to offer with city-wide food experiences both intimate and grand. These four days of gastronomical delights will have something to appeal to everyone’s taste.

    There are special events and masterclasses taking place, so whether you’ve never set foot in a kitchen or you consider yourself the new Marco-Pierre White, there is something for you.

    For example, why not try a whiskey master class with a twist at Christ Church, a gastro bar lunch and a screening of the Rugby World Cup semi final at Fade Street Social, or gentleman’s tea at Morrison Hotel. Also planned are a journey around Ireland with Kevin Thornton and a four course Medieval Inspired menu with World Young Chef of the Year, Mark Moriarty.

    For further details and to buy tickets just click here.

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  • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Gaiety: the perfect tribute to a literary legend

    Dancing at Lughnasa at the Gaiety: the perfect tribute to a literary legend

    ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ made its highly anticipated debut at The Gaiety Theatre on Tuesday, October 6th. The play celebrated its 25th anniversary this year so it was an obvious choice for the Dublin Theatre Festival. The play’s debut coincided however, with the sad passing of its author Brian Friel, so inevitably this run of performances has been especially poignant.

    However, Friel’s passing has clearly motivated the cast to put on a show-stopping performance and it was undeniably the perfect tribute to one of Ireland’s greatest playwrights.

    The opening monologue was delivered by Michael Evans, played by Charlie Bonner, and with ease he transported the audience back to 1930s Ireland where he was at home with his aunts, the Mundy sisters, in the small town of Ballybeg.

    The Mundy sisters were then left to their own devices on stage, and with the same back drop throughout, they managed to show a repressed, close-minded Ireland within their small house, reflecting Friel’s ability to make the local universal.

    The infamous ‘wireless’ served as a focal point throughout the play, representing the freedom they yearned for. One of the most memorable scenes of the production is when they all lose themselves to the music coming from the wireless and dance around the kitchen.

    To them it is not just any dance, it is a moment in time when they are free from repression, free from the restrictions this life has forced on them. All of the actresses completely lose themselves within this scene and it is obvious they are thoroughly enjoying this form of self-expression on behalf of the Mundy sisters.

    This spontaneous form of expression is swiftly cut short by Kate Mundy, played by Catherine McCormack, who serves as the voice of reason throughout the play, when she reminds the sisters of what society expects of them.

    Catherine delivered an incredibly apt performance of strict national school teacher Kate Mundy, her authoritarian role complimented by Rosie Mundy, played by Mary Murray, who provided much needed comic relief throughout the play.

    However, the show was undoubtedly stolen by Cara Kelly who plays Maggie Mundy. Cara embraced her character to the fullest, showing Maggie to be the reasonable, emotionally intelligent and the humorous woman that Friel intended her to be.

    Religion played a pivotal role throughout the production as it does in most of Friel’s work. Declan Conlon did an outstanding job of portraying the conflict of ideas surrounding religion through his character Father Jack.

    The Gaiety stage served as the perfect backdrop to the play, the set and costumes all helped to give the best Dancing at Lughnasa experience.

    There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when the play ended and director Willie White delivered a moving tribute to Brian Friel. It was clear the playwright meant a lot to the production team, as well as the actors, and this was undoubtedly reflected in their performance.

  • The best of Dublin on a budget

    The best of Dublin on a budget

    We live in a pretty amazing city; from the timeless architecture and abundance of literary giants to our award winning restaurants and legendary night life, you’d be hard strung to find a Dubliner who doesn’t beam with pride for their city.

    Unfortunately though, one of the draw backs to our impressive CV is the price tag that comes along with it. So, if you are having some visitors over who want to experience all Dublin has to offer or you just want to be a tourist yourself for the weekend, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our must-do’s to experience all our culturally rich city has to offer … on a budget.

    Temple Bar food market

    This takes place every Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm at the Meeting House Square in Temple Bar. It has the best selection of Irish cuisine around. Whether you’re in the mood for some fresh fish, traditional Irish cheese or just a cup of coffee this market caters for everyone and best of all you’ll avoid paying restaurant prices.

    Hugh Lane Gallery

    This gallery showcases some of the work of some of our most famous artists such as John Butler Yeats and Nathaniel Hone. It’s located in Parnell Square and is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and best of all it’s completely free!

    Whelan’s

    We’re renowned worldwide for our musical talent so no tour of Dublin would be complete without going to a gig to see some live music. Whelan’s is just the spot to catch some raw Irish talent, it has something on nearly every night of the week and tickets are generally less than €20 and some nights they charge absolutely nothing.

    Dublin Bikes

    The most cost and time effective way to see a city is undoubtedly on a bike, so why not register for the Dublin bike scheme and see your city without the hassle of traffic and costly taxi fares? Go to http://www.dublinbikes.ie/  where you can get a 3 day ticket for just €5.

    The James Joyce Centre

    If there’s one thing people associate with us, it’s definitely our literary legends. But, this also means there is too many to learn about, so we recommend if you’re going to delve into the world of Irish literature start off with the James Joyce Centre. Here, you will learn all things Joycean and will leave feeling proud to be Irish. The centre is located on North Great George’s Street and admission is only €5.

    The Ruby Sessions

    This night has been run in Doyle’s pub for the past 16 years on a Tuesday night and has hosted big names like Ed Sheeran, Mumford and Sons and Damien Rice. The major appeal of this night is the intimate setting. It is a must for anyone visiting Dublin or any Dubliner who is yet to experience it. Admission is usually around €10 and is all in aid of Focus Ireland.