Reviews

Darina Allen on the consistency of Parisian cuisine, and those who break the rules

It had been given over a week to die down, the brouhaha. The very idea of over 1,000 people attending an opening, a rather a re-opening, is one to force the postponement of a visit until the excitement, or at least the initial interest, has waned. But a full ten days after the Hugh Lane flung open its sizable doors following the addition of a new extension and a much-needed general revamp, it was still choc-a-bloc. Granted, it was a Sunday afternoon, but it is rare to see a gallery bustling with so many people from mischievous toddlers all the way up to tottering pensioners.

Colin Murphy on two tales of Dublin, both political, but in very different ways

On the 400th anniversary of the birth of Holland's most famous painter, Rembrant van Rijn, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam presents an exhibition of his paintings alongside those of his contemporary, Caravaggio. Kay Sheehy travels to the Dutch capital to meet the museum's curator, and to compare and contrast the work of these two great artists for RTÉ Radio 1's visual arts series, Eye Candy.
Above are two of the great works, Rembrandt's 'The Jewish Bride' and Caravaggio's 'The Coversion of the Magdalen'

The Ferguson family from Schull share their cheesemaking skills. By Darina Allen

In Tom Fitzgerald's works at the RHA, bizarre creatures and fantasyland settings mask a biting commentary on modern society, says Billy Leahy

When the students arrive on the first morning for the beginning of the 12-week course at Ballymaloe, I introduce them to my "food heroes" – the gardeners and my farm manager. We walk through the gardens and farm and down to the greenhouses. I run my hands through the rich, fertile soil and remind them that all good food comes from the earth – if you don't have rich, fertile soil, you won't have good food or clean water.

Magnum photo agency's exhibition at IMMA shows the many faces of Ireland, from rural chaps to city dwellers. No liggers allowed, says Billy Leahy

Edward O'Hare on Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape at the Gate

Nutritious, delicious and free! Darina Allen on stinging nettles