Latest news with #GlennKelly
RTÉ News
07-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- RTÉ News
Glenn Kelly reviews the best garden accessories for summer
Journalist Glenn Kelly tried and tested a variety of high-end tech and simple storage solutions to find the best garden bits for summer. After a scintillating May, the Irish weather has returned to its normal changeable best. However, some meteorologists have been looking into their crystal balls and have assured me that summer will return in the next few weeks. So, don't fret, don't throw out your swimwear, and keep that parasol at full mast, because the sunny weather may be just around the corner. To get you in the mood for those sizzling Sundays entertaining your friends, or the terrific Tuesdays making pizzas outdoors with the kids, read on to see just what furniture and tech you need to make your garden the best and most envied in your neighbourhood. Alps compact modular outdoor sofa set €1,660 (All prices from time of writing) With two stores on the island of Ireland, Dobbies is a great option for everything garden-related, including this six-seater Alps corner set. The set comfortably seats six with super comfy cushions and two separate stools. The full-size table has been excellent at providing ample space for our family of four and a begging Labradoodle. With some simple cushions and a throw, this was garnering plenty of compliments from our friends at a recent party. It is weather-resistant and washable too, for good measure, just in case that sun disappears. Keter Store it Out Midi 845L €148 If you are garage-less like us, a small shed soon fills up with useful items and rubbish alike, so Dobbies also do a neat storage container, meaning you can put away all those dining set cushions during the colder months, but making sure they remain dry and protected. Ninja Artisan Electric Outdoor Pizza Oven & Air Fryer (stand optional extra) €299.95 What fantastic pizzas you can make with the new Ninja Artisan oven. Our kids had so much fun making and rolling their own dough, adding toppings and then watching their creations cook in as little as three minutes. The quality of the pizzas was superb, replicating take-away standards. You have a choice of artisan, thin and crispy, or a number of other bases, and a digital timer counts down to eating time. The oven also doubles as an air-fryer, which is so useful for outdoor dining. Our neighbours were also impressed by the ease of use and the taste - the Dads were super jealous. Ninja have not stopped at pizzas this summer, and while the oven gets too hot for kids to play around, the brand has come up with the perfect sideshow to keep kids entertained and hydrated while they wait for a Margherita or Pepperoni. Ninja Slushi frozen drink maker €399 Undoubtedly, the new Slushi machine is the most fun release of the year so far. I've never seen as many eager kids swarm around a piece of tech before, desperate to give it a go. In fact, the parents were also keen to give it a go. The machine is so easy to use. Just add fruit juice, and the machine uses the sugar content in the drink to turn it all icy and yummy - you don't even need to add ice. It only takes eight minutes to slushify, and it also makes alcoholic* slushies, which I didn't get a chance to try but undoubtedly will be over the coming months. DeLonghi Rivelia automatic coffee machine €799.95 Everyone needs a good coffee machine nowadays for when visitors call around, and it is no different in the summer. DeLonghi's newest automatic offering, the Rivelia does everything you could ask for. Making up to an incredible 16 varieties of coffee and milky drinks. The machine is operated via a 3.5" touchscreen, so the best coffees are literally just a tap away. The real party trick of this machine is the fact that you can swap hoppers. This means you can pop between your favourite two blends, or in my case, switch to decaf later in the day (yes, I am getting old). I find DeLonghi machines to be up there with the very best on the market and worth the premium price. Sonos Move 2 portable speaker €369 Now that we have sorted out our food and drink, we need to get the sounds just right, and there is no better place to start than with this Sonos item. The speaker is fully rechargeable and portable, as well as being splashproof, in case anyone gets carried away with the paddling pool. The sound quality here is superb with deep bass and crystal-clear vocals. The app also works really well, and I was able to connect my apps to this in a few seconds. While it is not the lightest speaker, I was really impressed with the five hours I got on this on one charge with some to spare, so you won't be rushing to plug it in every five minutes. I also think the green looks ace. Now for the parts that no one usually enjoys: the preparation to get your house and garden in ship shape. But I can guarantee you that these two items from Karcher will have you singing while you work. Karcher battery rechargeable lawnmower 18-36cm €449.99 Rechargeable lawnmowers are becoming more and more popular as the battery life now allows for larger gardens to be cut on one charge, and Karcher has taken this to the next level with their own version. This mower glides effortlessly over the grass. I have approximately 120m of lawn, and it completes the task with some to spare. Cleaning and emptying the large basket is a breeze, and it folds up to allow easy storage. The charge only takes about 90 minutes as well, just make sure you remember to do it after using, so it is full and ready to go for the next time. Karcher Window Vac 6 Plus N €139.99 Whilst I take care of the grass, my wife is forever talking about cleaning our windows, due to the many mini prints our kids insist on putting on them, and Karcher's new window vac appears to meet her exceptionally high demands. It is a breeze to use and comes with a handy digital readout to let you know how long is left on the charge. The results are sparkling, and even I can carry out the task for some brownie points. DeLonghi Penguino portable air conditioner €696.96 Now, technically, this is not garden equipment, but if, like me, you love the sunshine during the day but dread the hot nights when you or the kids just can't get a good night's sleep, how about a mobile air conditioner? We may not have the climate of Spain, but it is surprising how many nights are hot and sticky where you would love a cold breeze to cool you down, and DeLonghi has just the answer. Capable of cooling a room up to 110m2 and also working remotely, and with the function to de-humidify it really has got all you would ever need to keep you from becoming hot under the collar. The machine also uses the latest technology to be quite energy efficient, too, so you won't spend a fortune with some infrequent use. So, now you are all set with the best ideas for your summer garden, all you need is some glasses, plates, cutlery, sunglasses, the weather…oh…and some friends to share in the fun. Enjoy!
RTÉ News
31-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Is home gym equipment worth the price tag? I put two to the test
Journalist Glenn Kelly puts two pieces of home workout equipment to the test to see if they are worth the hefty price tags. The gym - it's a funny old place, and while it offers a "catch-all" of everything from running machines to weights, it is not for everybody. I used to be a regular gym user myself, but with the arrival of kids and an intensification of work commitments, I found it was getting less and less the place for me. In the age of working from home, and people's demands for specific training (and work) schedules, investing in some state-of-the-art equipment is proving to be a godsend for current generations of would-be gym rats. This gear doesn't come cheap, but rather than a one-off payment, many are viewing it as something akin to a gym membership. I was, of course, intrigued about what I could get out of today's premium offerings, and if they were really worth their executive price tags. Step forward, market leaders Wattbike and Echelon, who offered their respective bikes and rowing machines for testing. Needless to say, I was only too happy to give my independent verdict. Time to read on to see if these machines are really good enough to replace that gym membership... Wattbike Proton €1,899 (includes free delivery offer) Score: 8.5 out of 10 Pros Easy to assemble Huge sizing adjustability Can be used by a range of age groups Smooth operation Relatively compact Great challenges on app and compatible with some of the largest cycling apps Cons Quite noisy if used at night App controls take a bit of getting used to The saddle could be more comfortable Artificial feel to gear changes I would be the first to admit that I am not the king of DIY, so when Wattbike explained that the bike would come unassembled, I was struggling to clear half a day in my diary. However, I should not have worried. Upon delivery, the box simply gets pulled up and cleared to unveil the bike, almost fully assembled. Some simple attachment of the wheels and legs was all that was required, and within half an hour, I was ready to go. The Proton is aimed at cyclists of all abilities and sizes. The bike has height and reach adjustments coming out of its ears, which means it is suitable for users from 137-198cm. This means almost all the family can take part in activities on the bike, something that my young family found particularly fun. The adjustability is child's play and offers something very niche in this market. The bike itself is on the heavy side at almost 50kg, but it has a relatively small footprint, so it doesn't look too out of place within the house. When I was eventually ready to go, it did take me a little while to get the hang of the app. Some simple instructions, such as to end the workout, require an extra click on the screen that isn't very obvious when it really should just be a big red button. However, apart from this, the app was relatively straightforward and showed me the basics I needed. If you need more, it is compatible with, amongst others, the Zwift app, which will help you push yourself to your limits and race in real-time with fellow cyclists around the world. The actual mechanics of the bike were solid. The bike is well put together, and the operation is smooth, although there is a fair degree of whooshing during use. The noise travels through the house, which may be an issue when you want to keep the kids asleep, but this is not unexpected. During my cycling, it was possible to exert a high degree of force through the bike, and I don't think I was in any danger of overloading it! The gear changes are operated by buttons on the handles, and they seem a little artificial to use, but they do the trick. Overall, I found it very easy to jump on and off the bike during my lunch break and blast out 45 minutes to an hour while enjoying listening to my favourite podcast or watching a show on TV. Although my kids are just off the size chart for the bike, they couldn't wait until they could ride it for real, and I think that is the point of the Proton. It is not aimed only at the cycling supremo, but at the individual or family who are breaking into the cycling habit, and this can only be a good thing as we head towards a more sustainable future, where hopefully, kids will have better road infrastructure outside to test their cycling skills on. Fair play, Wattbike. Echelon Row-7s Smart Rowing Machine €2,380 Score: 9 out of 10 Pros Smooth and quiet operation Superb interface with endless interactive and live workouts 22-inch screen included Foldable Comfortable seat Instant resistance changes at the touch of a fingertip Full-length bench allows full rowing movement Cons Expensive Setting up the on-screen app was plagued by connectivity issues until updated Takes up quite a bit of room Having suffered from some Achilles issues over the past year, I was particularly intrigued about trying out the Row-7s due to rowing's low-impact nature as I seek ways to fill the intense cardio void of football, and I was not disappointed by the machine. Let's get the negatives out of the way first. Out of the box, it wasn't quite as easy as the Proton to put together, taking most of an afternoon, but there are more parts involved. Then, it was onto the setup. Despite trying for over an hour, the machine just would not connect to the internet. This was extremely frustrating until I eventually read that due to software issues, I had to connect to my phone's hotspot connection, which allowed it to update, which then cured the connection issues. Thankfully, this worked and, to be honest, was the last negative I had of my time with the machine. The equipment is not cheap, coming in at over €2,000, but it feels every bit the premium piece of gym equipment, with an option to pay about €75 a month. Operation of the pulley is smooth and eerily quiet. Unlike the bike, I could use the machine next door to where my kids sleep and knew I wouldn't wake them. The fittings are superbly tight, and there have been no corners cut in the design or construction phase. The seat is superbly comfortable and padded, and you could spend over an hour on the machine with no ailments whatsoever. Getting a 22-inch touchscreen with the machine is a huge bonus, and being able to connect to this to follow live workouts is a godsend - much better than using your phone. I also found that having the resistance buttons on the handle worked really well, rather than reaching beyond to the front of the machine, so I could flick through the levels instantaneously as the workout progressed. The Row-7s does take up quite a bit of room in our spare bedroom, but it is foldable, which is superb, allowing it to slide alongside the bed and out of the way. Echelon has hit the jackpot on this machine, with only a point taken off for the connectivity issues. If they can sort this in the long term, this could be a perfect 10.
