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Irish Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Best Friends by Andrew Meehan: Engaging, witty and charming septuagenarian love story
Best Friends. Author : Andrew Meehan ISBN-13 : 9781068684432 Publisher : Muswell Guideline Price : £12.99 Andrew Meehan is a lecturer in creative writing in the University of Strathclyde, and is working on a project on love in old age, run by his university and Autumn Voices – an organisation promoting creativity in old age (like Bealtaine, in Ireland, maybe). Meehan's research for this new novel inspired the project. The story, set in and around Dún Laoghaire and Glasthule, focuses on the developing relationship of two septuagenarians, June and Ray. June, thrice married but now single, cleans houses and keeps bees, selling the honey. Ray is a janitor at the tennis club. They're still working because they need the money. Both are friends with local restaurateurs, Indian and Italian – the Indian gives June free dinners. They fall into friendship, then love, as they enjoy walks, a picnic at the Forty Foot, and budget-friendly dates. The narrative voice, the characters and the keen observations of neighbourhood, remind me of Elizabeth Strout's writing – and indeed the resemblance is flagged on the back of the book. It's very engaging, witty and charming. Ray is one of those Dún Laoghaire natives who seldom ventures north of Booterstown – although they have a holiday in Venice (for characters in fiction, a risky spot). They make another big trip to Dublin, on the Dart. READ MORE Initially the tone is light and bubbly – prosecco prose. As emotions deepen the sentences lengthen and become more Joycean – a good rich burgundy? Meehan is a consummate stylist. Characters are on the sweet side, though June has a refreshingly cranky edge. Pitfalls occur but nothing awful. The description of the physical side of love, the sex or whatever, is excellent. 'They are people in pieces, and that's all Ray has for her. Bits.' What is lovely about the book is that it is far from ageist. Meehan presents the septuagenarians as proper human beings, not tattered cliches upon sticks. Feel-good but quite convincing, this is a skilfully composed novel, clever in the best way. Perfect summer reading. Éilís Ní Dhuibhne's latest book is Well, You Don't Look It. Essays on ageing by Irish women writers. (Salmon 2023) Edited with Michaela Schage Fruh. Ní Dhuibhne is a member of Aosdána
Irish Times
03-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Poland's best kept secret: great wines worth celebrating
As climate change increases temperatures in Europe, many northern countries find themselves able to ripen grapes and produce wine. The UK, Netherlands and Scandinavian countries all produce wine, as does Ireland. But did you know Poland has a burgeoning wine business? Under communism, no wine was produced in Poland . The very first sales took place in 2009. Since then the wine business has expanded rapidly. There are now more than 700 growers and 500 wineries, mostly very small. Production is mainly white wine, but there are red and dessert wines and a booming market in sparkling wine. Some are made from Vitis Vinifera, the standard wine grape, other from hybrids, grapes designed to thrive in cooler or wetter climates. Wine tourism is flourishing with locals and foreigners alike enjoying tours, tastings, food and accommodation. There is also a vibrant wine fair scene with more than 40 events annually. At a recent tasting in Dublin, I tasted some great wines, worth seeking out. The two people behind the event were the entrepreneurial Maja Ignaczewska and Maggie Domaradzka. The pair now import and distribute a range of Polish wines here; see for details. 'We tried Polish wine and were amazed,' says Domaradzka. 'What started as a small gig grew into a festival, and now Polish Wine Fest is Ireland's sole importer and wholesale distributor of Polish wines, and the organiser of the largest Polish wine festival outside of Poland.' READ MORE They have been pleased with the reaction from both Irish and Polish people. 'Irish people were genuinely curious and open-minded. Once they tasted the wine, they were positively surprised at the quality. As for the Polish community, most had no idea Poland even had a wine industry, let alone one worth celebrating. It flips their expectations completely. Selling them is still a real challenge. It's a process – one that takes time, storytelling, investment of time, energy and money.' Today three Polish wines, along with a less expensive wine from Aldi. Other stockists include Mitchell & Son, Glasthule and Hatch Street; The Corkscrew; Wine Pair. Specially Selected French Rosorange Rosé 2024, France Specially Selected French Rosorange Rosé 2024, France 12.5%, €11.99 A unique and very tasty mix of rosé and orange wine. Fresh orange peel and peaches with a mouth-watering tangy dry finish. From Aldi Kamil Barczentewicz Pinot Blanc Beton 2023, Poland Kamil Barczentewicz Pinot Blanc Beton 2023, Poland 12%, €29 Lightly floral aromas, fresh green apples, pears and lemon zest, finishing dry. A very stylish wine. Enjoy as an aperitif, or with lighter fish dishes. From The Fumbally Café; Searsons, Monkstown Turnau Solaris 2023, Poland Turnau Solaris 2023, Poland 12.5%, €38-€44 Medium-bodied with appetising refreshing textured green and subtle tropical fruits. From Blackrock Cellar; Barossa Wines, Sandymount Kojder Johanniter 2021, Organic, Poland Kojder Johanniter 2021, Organic, Poland 12.5%, €49 Vivid and fresh with racy pear fruits and a crisp dry finish. From Rustic Boowa, Tralee
