Windows of Light: Harry Clarke
Bewley’s Oriental Cafe in Dublin and a completely extraordinary stained-glass window scatters light on our coffee cups. I drink while […]
Concerts at Kenwood
Kenwood House, London. An imposing stately home, built in the late 17th century, occupying the north edge of Hampstead Health. […]
The Girl on the Balcony
I was so sad to hear of the death this week of the actress Olivia Hussey. She was 73; although […]
The Swimming Pool Library
The title of Alan Hollinghurst’s brilliant novel ‘The Swimming Pool Library’ encapsulates, in four words, the reason I am a […]
An Alternative Christmas Song
I mentioned the delicate song ‘Snow’ when I featured ‘Undertow’ – another song by Lisa Hannigan. In aesthetic terms the […]
Kennedy plays Klezmer
When I first heard Klezmer music played in Kazimierz (Krakow’s historic Jewish area) it was love at first listen. Klezmer […]
Anna Sewell – Black Beauty
Anna Sewell’s only book, ‘Black Beauty’ was published in 1877, just months before her death. Told through the eyes of […]
Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good)
In 1999, the British rock band Skunk Anansie headlined the last Glastonbury Festival of the 20th century. This now seems […]
The Seascapes of Alfred Wallis
Alfred Wallis was seventy years old when he first picked up a brush and started to paint. Recently widowed, he […]
‘Suddenly rich’ – ‘Snow’ by Louis MacNeice
The Irish born poet and playwright Louis MacNeice was part of the ‘Auden Group’ sometimes referred to simply as the […]