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Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Bernard O'Shea: Five things I've learned to whisper around the kids
1. 'Is there chocolate in the house?' There's a moment, usually around 8.45pm, when the children are finally in bed, the dishwasher is bravely clattering away, and I stand at the fridge like a war general surveying a milk stained battlefield. And then, without thinking, I whisper, 'Is there chocolate in the house?' Not shout. Not say. Whisper. It is as if I'm in a spy film, and a Toblerone is a state secret. And still, they appear. Wide-eyed and sticky-fingered. Like sugar-detecting meerkats. Where were these kids when I needed help bringing in the shopping? Or finding their shoes? But whisper 'chocolate' within a 500-metre radius, and they'll appear beside you like Cocoa Voldemort. There's nothing you can do to stop them. Science backs the kids. Young children are uniquely attuned to emotionally charged whispers. It's called 'salient speech detection,' but basically, it means they ignore everything you shout and laser-focus on the one thing you hope they missed — like chocolate. or muttering, 'I think he's full of shite' during the Six One News. What's the solution? Code words. We now refer to it as 'the triangle'. As in: 'Is the triangle in the house?' which sounds like something from The Da Vinci Code but keeps the peace. 2. 'Shite' There's a moment in every Irish parent's life when their child, dressed as a lamb or a shepherd or some other nativity livestock, bellows 'shite!' during a school show. You try to pretend your child said 'shine,' a creeping realisation sets in: That came from me. I try not to curse. I really do. But there are moments — a missed bin day, a rogue Lego piece underfoot, a missed phone call— that demand a specific vocal release. The kind of release that rhymes with 'kite' and slips out like a sneeze. I've even developed a whisper-cough combo: 'Sh— cough —it.' A work of art. But it's not good enough. In the Ireland of my youth, adults swore like fishermen. My dad could insert a curse word mid-word: 'un-ucking-believable.' And yet, you'd never repeat it. Repeating an adult's swear was like licking the toaster. Dangerous and guaranteed to end in pain. But now? Now, kids are fluent in adult stress. Cognitive psychology attributes the issue to the limbic system. It lights up when it hears emotionally loaded language, even if it doesn't understand it. So your kid will forget their Gaeilge homework, but remember 'shite' with perfect diction and timing. 3. 'How much?!' There I was in a shop where a man trying to fill a day with three kids should not have been, lifting a €35 candle. My daughter, watching with all the subtlety of a Revenue officer, bellowed: 'HOW MUCH?!' Shoppers turned. This phrase is the soundtrack to modern parenthood. I've turned into a walking receipt. My inner voice is voiced by a worried accountant. 'How much?!' isn't a question anymore. It's an emotional reflex. A well-worn concept known to most economists is that the more abstract and repeated a charge, the less likely you are to challenge it. We're trained to pay in drips. But your kid doesn't know that. They only know you freaked out over a €4.50 smoothie. 4. 'Let's get a takeaway' I didn't realise how powerful those five words were until I whispered them on a Friday at 5.17pm. My child, allegedly watching TV and eating edible glue, launched into action. 'Milkshake! Milkshake!' he shouted, marching circles around the kitchen island like a lactose-fuelled revolutionary. Takeaways, for an Irish parent, are emotional first-aid. We've spent the week making meals nobody ate. We've pureed, roasted, begged, and hidden vegetables in sauces like CIA operatives. Come Friday, we want someone else to cook it, hand it to us in a warm paper bag, and ask no questions. In the past, the takeaway night was sacred. You rang the chipper. You prayed the line was free. There was a brief moment of adult joy before someone dropped curry sauce into the VCR. But now, whispering 'takeaway' is like lighting the Bat Signal for kids. They sense weakness. They demand sides. A study on reward systems in children (yes, someone funded that) found that kids react faster to food-based incentives than any other stimulus. My children would ignore a fire alarm but sprint for the door at the sound of 'happy meal'. 5. 'I'm popping out for a bit.' Every parent has a secret food shame. Mine involves a solo trip to the drive-thru under the guise of 'running errands'. I sit in the car, balancing a burger on my lap, dipping chips into ketchup with the thrill of a man who's escaped dinner duty. I listen to the radio. I chew in silence. It's glorious. Until I get caught. Last week, I got home, and my son said, 'You smell like chips.' Then he pulled a salt sachet from the pocket of my jacket like a CSI investigator. Nutritionists say secret eating can create shame. I say it produces peace. Just make sure to destroy the evidence. Burn the wrapper. Febreze your coat. Or better still — bring them next time and say, 'This is a one off' Because chips, like childhood, are best when shared — unless they're Yours. Then no. Get your own.
Newsroom
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsroom
Short story: Choices / He kōwhiringa, by Averil Robertson
She's sold him a book two Saturdays in a row, and on the third Saturday she notices how he waits until she's free. 'Just this, thanks.' It's her staff pick for the week. 'Good choice,' she says. She pops it in a bag as he taps his card to pay. 'Thanks,' they say at the same time. He laughs; she blushes. He keeps coming in each week, waiting until she's free. And each week, he buys her staff pick. She knows it can't be a coincidence, yet the devil in her wants to test him. On week nine, she chooses a book by a right-wing media dickhead. He buys it. 'Good choice,' she says. He's out the front reading the book when she leaves. 'Enjoying that?' she asks. He shakes his head. 'Might have to get a refund.' 'You've cracked the spine.' Hours later, after they've eaten, she walks with him to his flat. His lips are on hers as soon as they're inside, and it's hot as hell, but she stops him. 'I just need to . . . ' She doesn't judge books by their covers, but she has always judged men by their books. Shelves line the hallway, and she can see the collection of her staff picks on the shelf nearest the door, with her name on a tag. But there are other tags naming her colleagues from the shop. And unfamiliar names. Shelf upon shelf. A thud in her chest as dread replaces desire. She sees the truth of what he has collected. So many copies of The Da Vinci Code; he's been slumming it at the chain stores. As he comes for her again, she jerks away and opens the door. She steps over the threshold. 'Bad choice,' she says. * I hokona atu e ia he pukapuka ki a ia i ngā Rāhoroi e rua, ā, i te Rāhoroi tuatoru i kitea tana whanga kia wātea mai ia. 'Ko tēnei anake, tēnā koa.' Ko tōna whiringa ā-kaimahi mō te wiki. 'He kōwhiringa pai,' tāna kī. Ka purua ki tētahi pēke i a ia e pato ana i tana kāri hei utu. 'Kia ora,' ko tā rāua tahi i te wā kotahi. Ka kata ko ia; ka pūwhero ko ia. Rite tonu tōna hoki mai ia wiki, ia wiki, whanga ana kia wātea mai ia. Ā, ia wiki, ia wiki ka hoko ia i tāna whiringa ā-kaimahi. Mōhio pai ia ehara i te oruatanga, me te aha, ko te kātuarehe kei roto he hiahia kia whakamātau i a ia. Wiki tuaiwa ka kōwhirihia he pukapuka nā tētahi kakī whero i tuhi. Ā, ka hokona mai. 'He kōwhiringa pai,' tāna kī. I tōna wehenga i te toa kei mua ia e pānui ana i te pukapuka. 'Rekareka ana tērā?' tāna ui atu. Ka rūrū te māhunga me te kī atu, 'Me whakahoki pea taku moni.' 'Kua pakaru i a koe tōna tuarā.' Taka mai ngā haora, i muri i tā rāua kai, ka hīkoi tahi atu ki tōna whare noho. Kuhu rawa atu, ka tere pā atu ngā ngutu i ōna, auē te wera hoki, engari ka aukati atu. 'Hiahia ana au ki te . . ' Kāore ia mō te whakawā uhi pukapuka, engari mō ngā tāne āe ka whakawākia rātou mā ā rātou pukapuka. He pae pukapuka kei te kauhanganui, ā, ka kitea ōna kōwhiringa ā-kaimahi i te pae pukapuka tata ki te kūaha, me tōna ingoa i tētahi tapanga. Engari he tapanga atu anō me ngā ingoa o ōna hoamahi o te toa. Me ētahi atu ingoa tē mōhiotia. Pae atu anō, pae atu anō. Ka pakō mai te poho i te kōingo ki te wehi. Ka mārama ki a ia ki āna kohinga. He nui ngā kape o The Da Vinci Code; he whairawa ia kei ngā toa iti te utu. I te tangata rā e torotoro atu ana ki a ia, ka tārutu atu, ka huakina te kūaha. Ka puta i te paepae. 'He kōwhiringa kino,' tāna kī. Taken with kind permission from the newly published collection Short | Poto: The big book of small stories | Iti te kupu, nui te kōrero, edited by Michelle Elvy and Kiri Piahana-Wong (Massey University Press, $45), available in selected bookstores.
Buzz Feed
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Bryce Dallas Howard Says A Director Threw Water At Her
I'm sure you know Bryce Dallas Howard. You probably know that the Jurassic World star is also the daughter of award-winning director Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, The Da Vinci Code). In an interview with The Sunday Times, Bryce explained an alleged exchange she had with Danish director Lars von Trier where he tried to use her father's job against her. Bryce starred in the 2005 drama Manderlay, a direct sequel to Dogville (2003). Bryce had replaced Nicole Kidman as Grace Margaret Mulligan from the first movie. She said the moment she arrived at the set for Manderlay in Norway, Lars allegedly spoke negatively of her dad in an attempt to upset her. "He started insulting me: 'Your father's a terrible film-maker,'" she remembered. "I went, 'Lars, what are you trying to see?' and he said, 'Your angry face. I don't know what it looks like.'" Bryce claimed that Lars then threw a glass of water in her face. "So I threw a glass of water in his face. He goes, 'Why did you do that?' and got up and left." She said she was actually unfazed and actually entertained by the interaction. "That was my introduction to the Lars von Trier experience, but it wasn't like I went to my room and cried or anything. I was sort of delighted by it." Lars is a director with a reputation for his erratic behavior and even faced several allegations several years back for his behavior on set. In 2017, Icelandic singer-songwriter Björk posted about her treatment by a Danish director. When the media connected the dots that Björk starred as Selma Ježková in Lars von Trier's 2000 musical psychological tragedy Dancer in the Dark, Lars came forward and denied the accusations. Björk posted another statement in the midst of #MeToo social movement, doubling down her claims while still remaining not to directly name the director. Björk wrote, "After each take the director ran up to me and wrapped his arms around me for a long time in front of all crew or alone and stroked me sometimes for minutes against my wishes," Björk wrote. "While filming in Sweden, he threatened to climb from his room's balcony over to mine in the middle of the night with a clear sexual intention, while his wife was in the room next door." In November 2017, the Guardian reported that Zentropa, the film studio co-founded by Lars and former CEO Peter Aalbæk Jensen, faced several allegations of "sexual harassment, degradation and bullying," per several Danish news publications. While Lars wasn't named in these allegations, Peter resigned from his CEO position as the accusations poured in. Read the entire interview with The Times here. We reached out to Lars's people for comment, and we'll let you know if we hear back.
NDTV
03-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- NDTV
Literary Journeys Are Changing The Way We Travel: 10 Bucket-List Destinations Inspired By Famous Novels
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Explore 10 real-life destinations that inspired iconic novels, from Sherlock Holmes' London to Harry Potter's Edinburgh. Experience the charm of Verona, the beauty of Prince Edward Island, and the allure of Paris, each steeped in literary history. Some books don't just tell a story — they make you feel like you've actually been somewhere. You can almost smell the rain-soaked streets of Victorian London, feel the sun on a Tuscan hillside, or hear the buzz of 1920s New York. That's the power of a great setting. And in some cases, those spots exist off the page, too. Literary travel isn't about chasing fictional ghosts — it's about connecting with the unique places that sparked a writer's imagination. From classic novels to pop-culture giants, here are 10 real-life holiday destinations tied to some of the most iconic works of fiction ever written. Here Are 10 Best Holiday Destinations That Inspired The World's Most Famous Novels: 1. London, England — Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle London isn't just a backdrop for Sherlock Holme s — it's practically a supporting character. From the foggy lanes of Baker Street to the gas-lit alleys of Soho, Holmes' world is alive in today's capital. You can visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum at the iconic 221B, browse first editions at Daunt Books, or follow Holmes-themed walking tours that trace his adventures across landmarks like the Royal Opera House and the Embankment. The original stories, first published in The Strand magazine in the late 19th century, changed the detective genre forever — and turned Victorian London into a place of cunning intellect and sinister charm. Even now, it feels oddly fitting to read Holmes on the Tube, glancing up suspiciously at fellow passengers. 2. Paris, France — The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown Say what you will about The Da Vinci Code, but Dan Brown didn't just write a thriller — he redefined Paris tourism for a whole new generation. The novel's dizzying mix of art history and conspiracy theories weaves through some of the city's most iconic locations, from the Louvre Museum to Saint-Sulpice Church and beyond. Sure, it's heavy on the melodrama, but the thrill of standing in front of the Mona Lisa, knowing Robert Langdon sprinted past the same spot, is undeniable. Plus, Paris is never a bad idea — especially when layered with riddles, cryptic symbols, and a side of espresso. 3. Tokyo, Japan — Norwegian Woo d by Haruki Murakami Murakami's melancholic coming-of-age novel is steeped in 1960s Tokyo, even if much of the story unfolds in memory. The city has changed, but places like Yoyogi Park, Waseda University, and Shinjuku still echo the emotional isolation and beauty of Norwegian Wood. Murakami rarely names locations directly, but the atmosphere of Tokyo — its quiet corners, rainy afternoons, and neon-soaked nights — is in every line. It's modern literary travel: Subtle, emotional, and deeply personal. 4. Verona, Italy — Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Shakespeare probably never set foot in Verona, but that hasn't stopped the city from embracing Romeo and Juliet with full romantic fervour. The Casa di Giulietta, with its famous balcony and a bronze statue of Juliet, draws thousands of visitors annually. Letters to Juliet-real ones, asking for love advice-are still delivered here, and a team of volunteers replies to them, just like in the film. The city itself, with its terracotta rooftops, winding lanes and Roman amphitheatre, feels like a sonnet come to life. Sure, it's touristy-but also surprisingly moving. 5. Prince Edward Island, Canada — Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Few books have put a place on the map quite like Anne of Green Gables. The windswept fields, red cliffs, and sleepy villages of Prince Edward Island are more than a setting — they're practically a character. L.M. Montgomery based Avonlea on her own hometown of Cavendish, and fans can now visit Green Gables Heritage Place, the Anne of Green Gables Museum, and even stay at themed B&Bs. Whether you grew up with Anne's stories or discovered them later, visiting PEI is like stepping into a gentler, more poetic version of the world. Bonus: The seafood is outstanding. 6. New York, USA — The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Gatsby's parties might have been fictional, but they had very real inspiration. Fitzgerald based East and West Egg on Long Island's Gold Coast, where mansions still line the water. New York City itself — the backdrop to Gatsby's rise and Daisy's distraction — was the epicentre of Roaring Twenties glamour. Today, you can sip cocktails in Gatsby-style jazz clubs, stroll through Central Park in vintage attire, or visit the Plaza Hotel, where one of the novel's most dramatic scenes unfolds. It's all opulence, ambition, and aching nostalgia — just like the book. 7. Salzburg, Austria — The Sound of Music (based on Maria von Trapp's memoirs) While best known as a musical, The Sound of Music is rooted in real events-and real places. Maria von Trapp's memoir inspired the story, and Salzburg has embraced its role in the world's collective imagination. You can join a Sound of Music tour (yes, they sing on the bus), visit the Mirabell Gardens, or even hike up the hills that were, quite literally, alive with music. It's kitschy. It's touristy. And it's completely wonderful — especially if you grew up watching Julie Andrews twirl in Technicolor. 8. Edinburgh, Scotland — Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling Edinburgh is where J K Rowling wrote much of Harry Potter, scribbling early drafts in cafes like The Elephant House and Spoon. Fans flock to Greyfriars Kirkyard, where gravestones bear names like "McGonagall" and "Riddle". But even beyond Potter, the city has serious literary chops. It's home to the Scottish Storytelling Centre, hosts the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and was the world's first UNESCO City of Literature. Rowling also drew heavily from the grandeur of the Oxford University in England and its centuries-old traditions, and several scenes from the Harry Potter films were shot here. If Hogwarts had a twin, it would be here — hidden behind ancient stone walls and spiral staircases. 9. Bath, England — Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Although most of Pride and Prejudice unfolds in the English countryside, Bath was a pivotal place in Austen's life and several of her novels. She lived there from 1801 to 1806, and the city's elegant Georgian architecture influenced Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. Austenites can visit the Jane Austen Centre, dress in Regency attire for the annual Jane Austen Festival, or stroll along Royal Crescent pretending they've just received a scandalous letter from Mr. Darcy. Bath is charming, walkable, and steeped in literary romance. 10. Barcelona, Spain — The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon If ever a novel made a love letter of its setting, it's this one. The Shadow of the Wind isn't just set in Barcelona — it's obsessed with it. Ruiz Zafon's gothic mystery captures the foggy alleys of the Barri Gotic, the grandeur of Passeig de Gracia, and the melancholy weight of post-war Spain. Many of the book's settings are real, and there's even a literary walking tour that follows the footsteps of protagonist Daniel. For fans, it's like being handed a map to the secret heart of the city.
The Irish Sun
31-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
I'm grew up in one of the UK's most ‘boring' towns – it's anything but with Netflix filming and beautiful castles
WHEN I was growing up in Grantham, it wasn't uncommon to hear the word 'boring' thrown around - and not just because I was a sullen teenager, In fact, the south-west Lincolnshire town where I whiled away my childhood had been branded dull on a number of occasions. 8 I grew up in Grantham and it's anything but boring 8 The town is known for being the home of Margaret Thatcher - when it was first named a dull town by Radio 1 Credit: Alamy It was dubbed the 'most boring town in Britain' in a 1980 Radio One survey, when its most famous former resident, Margaret Thatcher, was prime minister. It still makes me chuckle that when That the town is still shorthand for 'monotony' is an unfortunate fact raised again by a new Daily Telegraph round-up that has made headlines in the past few weeks. Grantham sits amongst Read more on UK towns However, now in my 30s, I can't help but disagree that, from things to do to sites to see, my hometown isn't so uninteresting after all. If you're into history , then Grantham has centuries of it - with sites arguably as impressive as nearby Stamford or There's the blue plaque to spy on the side of a shop on the town's North Parade where Thatcher was born in 1925 - which also happens to be a chiropractic clinic and natural therapy centre, called Living Health , if you fancy a massage too. There's likewise the Angel and Royal hotel - aged 821 years - which is believed to be one of the oldest hotels in the world, and has hosted no fewer than seven kings and queens. Most read in News Travel Even if you don't stay in one of its 31 bedrooms, you still pop in to the The Kings Room restaurant, as well as The Angel Bar - which serves cocktails and tapas. Just outside town, in the village of Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, is the National Trust property Woolsthorpe Manor - the former home of Sir Isaac Newton. Grantham - underrated town of the Midlands It was from a tree at the premises that he famously saw the apple drop, leading to the discovery of Grantham has certainly had its brush with celebrity over the years, and usually as a filming location for iconic films and Netflix series. grand National Trust property on the edge of town - and a must-see in its own right - was famously enlisted for the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring More recently, the 17th-century mansion was used for the Bridgerton spin-off Queen Charlotte - in which it doubles up as the interior for Kew Palace and the exterior for Buckingham House. Another fancy residence close by that is well worth a visit, Belvoir Castle was used to film The Da Vinci Code - with Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou and Ian McKellen spotted on set. 8 Belton House is a popular filming location Credit: Alamy 8 Bridgerton spin-off Queen Charlotte was filmed there Credit: LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX 8 The BBC's Pride & Prejudice also used the grounds as filming location As well as A-list royalty, plenty of real royalty have also passed through - including King Charles, who stayed over at Belton House during his training at RAF Cranwell in 1971. Currently, the most famous local residents are arguably Rebekah Vardy and her husband, If you like a good catch-up over a cappuccino, things have come a long way since I was a kid when the best place for a caffeine hit in town was Costa. Westgate Bakery is just off the Market Place, which hosts a market every Saturday selling all manner of lovely local produce, from honey to veg. The 14th-century Grantham House, yet another National Trust property, is currently the talk of the town since opening a new cafe within its five acres of walled gardens in April. Other local favourites for a cuppa include Kitchen and Coffee and the café at Belton Garden Centre. 8 Belvoir Castle was used to film The Da Vinci Code Credit: Alamy 8 The Angel and Royal is one of the UK's oldest hotels Credit: Alamy The aforementioned Belvoir Castle's Retail Village is also great spot to spend an afternoon, and you can also pick up some nice bits from the farm shop too. Fancy something stronger? The Blue Pig, a 16th-century watering hole, is perfect for a pint, while The Tap & Tonic is unrivalled for cocktails. If you're after a way to blow off some steam - and perhaps have little ones in tow - then Grantham actually has plenty of things to do. The Grantham Meres Leisure Centre boasts a semi-Olympic-sized swimming pool, along with three leisure pools and its very own big windy slide. Feeling competitive? Grantham Bowl has 12 lanes and an American-style diner for refreshments, while you can go go-karting at Ancaster Leisure which has one of the biggest tracks in the region. In fact, for kids, you also can't go wrong with a trip to Belton House's adventure playground, which is the National Trust's largest in the country. For adults who fancy a bit of relaxation, then the country hotel Belton Woods is home to a popular spa and golf course. When I was growing up the cinema had just two screens and was a bit tired - however the shiny new five-screen Savoy Cinema multiplex was built on the same site and opened in 2019. One of my favourite free activities? A rural hike up to Belmont Tower - just a ten-minute drive outside town - from which you can see for miles on a clear day. So with the historic hotels, famous castles and new attractions - Grantham is anything but boring. 8 It definitely isn't a boring town - I can vouch for that Credit: Getty
