Thirst-quenchers: Cool down with the best of the summer's new drinks
The anatomy of a summer drink is fickle. It must be refreshing, yes. Beyond that, there is a wild world of ways to help people cool down as the summer, relentless beast that it is, rages on around them.
While some parts of Europe are married to their summer traditions, we're less resolute in our summer drinking.
Some summers have a uniquely insistent thirst, like the year Britney Spears made us all want Iced Frappuccinos or when we all went collectively mad for Aperol Spritz.
Then there was a revolving door of drinks trying to recapture that spark. The Paloma and the Spicy Margarita. Iced Oat Lattes have been the harbinger of many a glorious summer evening.
There was the summer it felt like Whispering Angel was all anyone could talk about or Instagram. Last year, was peak hard seltzer and the pét-nat craze is not to be forgotten.
But what will capture our taste this year?
Shamim de Brún with her Iced matcha at One Kind Folk, Ranelagh, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney
Yellow is shaping up to be the colour of the summer. Butter yellow has been taking up space on mood boards for weeks now. It has infiltrated clothing, Instagram flat lays, and columns the world over.
Typically, if a colour or aesthetic starts to dominate online it infiltrates food culture. And vice versa. So I think we'll see a lot of lemon cropping up on drinks menus nationally.
During summers, lemons are inexpensive, easy to find, consistent in quality and hard to use incorrectly. Lemon in summer drinks is hardly groundbreaking.
The first records of lemon-sweetened drinks date back to ancient Egypt, over 2,000 years ago. It has long been listed among 'foods to reduce body heat naturally' which may still come in handy.
Here's your guide to some of this summer's freshest quenchers.
Boba
Lady Boba Bubble Tea Drink Original
As temperatures climb and the Irish humidity amps itself up, the chewy delight of boba tea comes into its own.
Sometimes Boba shops can be intimidating for beginners who experience a bit of choice paralysis, but a safe bet is always the classic, or the vanilla.
If you want to have a boba in the comfort of your own garden, Ladyboba has brought canned versions of this Asian export to supermarkets across the country.
As with all Boba this is a playful drink with tapioca pearls suspended in chilled milk tea making it refreshing and texturally captivating.
I'd recommend the Taro version, here the Taro with its vibrant purple hue, embodies summer charm.
Made from earthy-sweet taro root, its creamy sweetness and velvety feel are ideal for long, sunny afternoons.
TRY: LADYBOBA's Taro Bubble Tea Drink
Iced Matcha Latte
Ceremonial Grade Matcha, 100g pouch, €45, from Mafia Matcha
Matcha is the perfect drink to cut through summer's lethargy. It tastes like Zen in liquid form.
Matcha lattes provide an earthy balance of sweetness and that distinctive, satisfyingly dry finish.
Releasing caffeine much slower than coffee the faintly vegetal drink comes in a wealth of options and pairings.
Newly ubiquitous, you can find this green drink all across the country from Circle K to an increasing number of specialist Matcha Bars.
If you've never tried it before tis the season. If you ever see a lavender option, it really is worth a punt.
The flavours face off well and create a sort of floral congruent pairing.
Highly recommended if you have a thirst that needs quenching and to meet a deadline on a sunny day.
While whispers of matcha-tinis hint at a future where matcha sheds its wellness shell.
TRY: Dubliner Lizaveta Takvarava's company Mafia Matcha offers ceremonial-grade Matcha you can make at home.
Kefir
For those nostalgic for Yakult, Actimel, or even the era of the Yop, Kefir is the relatively new to Ireland option that is socially acceptable to consume in the office.
This tangy fermented milk carries notable probiotic benefits. Lightly tart and slightly effervescent, kefir invigorates the palate, making it perfect for health-conscious dairy loving drinkers seeking refreshment with depth.
TRY: Leitrim's Blakes Always Organic.
Nitro Cold Brew
Cold brew is the iced coffee for chemex/v60/moccamaster people. Nitro cold brew has surged into speciality coffee shops over recent years.
Cherished for its creamy, Guinness-like texture thanks to nitrogen infusion, the drink is typically fruity with chocolaty notes that shine brightest after a slow extraction, which is why some coffee drinkers find cold brew sweeter compared to conventionally brewed coffee.
It's the ideal summer thirst quencher for your 3pm slump.
TRY: 3fe and many places it supplies locally and nationally serve this smooth, chocolatey beverage that's naturally sweeter than traditional iced coffee.
Live Soda
Living Things Peach and Blood Orange soda
If you are looking for a delicious alternative to fizzy drinks, or as my nanny would say 'minerals,' without all the added sugar or artificial sweeteners, live soda is the summer thirst quencher for you.
This is a new style of low sugar, all natural, belly-loving drinks. They're called 'Live Soda' because they contain live probiotic cultures, and often fibre, to support 'gut health'. (The buzzword du jour in wellness land.)
Unlike Kombucha, the more well known fermented drink of the moment, Live Sodas are typically made with real fruit juice. So they have a more fruit forward flavour profile akin to the 'European fanta' summer fantasy feel.
TRY: Living Things is an Irish company in this space offering a gentle fizzy drink with subtle sweetness. They come in a range of flavours – my favourite is the lemon.
Espresso Tonic
Espresso tonic elegantly bridges the gap between morning caffeine and evening leisure.
Slowly gaining popularity beyond specialty coffee menus. This effervescent drink combines tonic water's sharp bubbly bitterness with the robust intensity of espresso, creating a sparkling cooler drink perfect for sultry afternoons in the sun.
It has been slow to make its way to Ireland creeping onto the menus of serious coffee houses like Smithfield's Proper Order over the years. It has a distinctly moody aura.
It's a drink for people who want coffee's nuance with summer's breezy indifference. It's the negroni to an iced lattes April Spritz.
TRY: Smithfield's Proper Order or other serious coffee spots.
Ginger Beer
Ginger beer is on the up up and away. Whether enjoyed straight or spiked, it embodies vibrant summer afternoons. It came to me personally by way of Hallow and Fentimans circa 2017.
Since then ginger beer has become a fast favourite among Irish people. These days there are multiple Irish made versions of this spicy, cooling, and delightfully effervescent drink.
Ginger beers marry ginger with a kick of a rotating crop of extra bits like chilli, lavender or apple.
TRY: Poachers for a non alcoholic version that isn't too fiery or Kinnegar's Jackrabbit if you want to up the ABV.
Radler/Shandy
If you demand liquid refreshment that sings of sunlight, ease, and icy relief then maybe a Shandy/Radler is more your scene.
Both a shandy and a radler feature a blond lager (usually Pils or Helles) as a base. They have long been summer favourites, blending lemonade's tart sweetness with beer's refreshing depth.
Generally they're ideal for extended summer evenings where you want to be relaxed.
TRY: Whiplash's Body Radler, a sherbet-lemon brew that hits precisely this mark. Made the traditional German way of making lemonade then blending with body riddle to get to a sherbet lemon 2.8% pint. It's crisp, and utterly sessionable.
Limoncello Spritz
Could the limoncello spritz dethrone Aperol's iconic reign?
Quite possibly. Limoncello itself has been enjoying a resurgence of late as Italian culture dominates social media aspirational content.
Many brands and bartenders have returned to it for its versatility twists on the Spritz serve.
As an alternative spritz it's zesty and brightly citric with delicate bubbles, and a lemony sweetness that positions it perfectly as the breakout drink of this summer.
TRY: Funkin have a canned Lemoncello that I have seen in SuperValu and independent specialist shops.
Hard Iced Tea
This is a relatively new category to land on our little island.
Generally hard iced tea is the perfect equilibrium of robust tea flavour, delicate sweetness, and just-right alcohol levels make it an ideal beach or garden companion.
Hard teas fit into many of the same drinking occasions as hard seltzers. Despite their newness there's a comfortable familiarity to them accompanied by a lightly sugary kick.
The category is coming into its own now though it goes back to the turn of the century, when, in 2001, Boston Beer Company introduced Twisted Tea.
Anyone who took American history for their Leaving Cert might argue that tea has been made 'hard' as far back as the 1800s.
TRY: Lay-Low Hard Iced Tea reimagines iced tea through an Irish lens making it a new summer essential, destined for coolers nationwide. Available in peach and lemon flavours.
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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I went to London's best rooftop bars – and one felt more like Mykonos than being in the city
NOW that summer is in full swing and the heat is truly turning up, there's one spot like nowhere else to make the most of this weather - the rooftop bar. So I visited some of London's most popular rooftop bars to see which ones are really worth it 18 Chilling in the gazebo by the water fountain was a very different vibe to the competitive darts going on inside Credit: Jenna Stevens Here are five of my favourites to visit if you are in the city this weekend. (Some of them feel like being at a beach club abroad, but for half the price). Magic Gardens, Victoria Flight Club Flight Club in London's Victoria is a buzzing spot for after-work drinks and competitive darts with friends. It's popular for its retro fairground decor and stunningly suave bars, serving everything from craft beers to velvety Read more on rooftop bars It might be best known for its indoor high-energy darts, but take a step outside into their Magic Gardens and you're transported into a dreamy As soon as I stepped out onto the terrace, I was hit with a vibrant floral explosion. It was a total contrast to the The Magic Gardens are like a hidden oasis tucked between skyscrapers. The lush greenery and vibrant flowers make for a beautiful escape from the bustle of the surrounding city (and also make for a great backdrop!) Most read in News Travel The drinks menu is full of fresh, summery cocktails. The 'Rose-ito' in particular caught my eye. It's a blend of rose-flavoured vodka with fresh lime and mint - the perfect floral refresher to sip in the summer heat. Trendy English seaside town has rooftop bar that 'feels like the Med' 18 The Magic Gardens make for a perfect selfie backdrop Credit: Jenna Stevens 18 The garden-themed rooftop was truly enchanting Credit: Jenna Stevens London Bridge Rooftop Bar In the centre of London, just minutes from This colourful hangout is built for partying and spectacular skyline views. After making my way up a series of stairs (you forget that to visit a rooftop bar, you have to actually climb to the rooftop) I walked out onto a lawn decorated with picnic benches and bold colours. This spot definitely has a party vibe, with booming beats blasting through the speakers and a It feels like a mix of city bar and Ibiza beach club, but weirdly it works . Business professionals were flocking in straight from the office, snacking on truffle fries in their suits and sunnies. 18 London Bridge Rooftop bar often books up, so it's worth reserving a table Credit: Jenna Stevens 18 There's even a photobooth to remember your night out Credit: Jenna Stevens 18 You can see the Shard from the benches Credit: Jenna Stevens 18 The bright and colourful garden decor was a real change from the streets of central London Credit: Jenna Stevens Think sipping on an Aperol Spritz and biting into a gourmet smash burger, all a stone's throw away from The Shard. The rooftop has DJ performances from 6pm Thursday through Saturday, playing the best in house and They also do a bottomless brunch on Saturdays that tends to sell out. 90 blissful minutes of bottomless Prosecco, Aperol, mimosas and beers with burgers and fries for £40 per person. Given the location, views and vibe, I think it's well worth it. Circe's Rooftop This gorgeous rooftop bar felt less like London and more like After walking up a staircase full of painted clouds and mythical goddess quotes, I stepped out into a world of peachy pink beachfront bliss. With its palm trees, parasols and beach hut bar, why go for a girl's trip to This beach club style rooftop bar is just minutes' walk from a busy station. But once I arrived, I instantly forgot about where I really was. Less Northern line, more Negronis. 18 Cosy coral-coloured sofas lined the outskirts of the bar Credit: Jenna Stevens 18 A beach-hut bar smack bang in the middle of London? Yes please! Credit: Jenna Stevens 18 'Drink up the rays for days and days' on the daybeds Credit: Jenna Stevens The rooftop has a truly Mediterranean vibe, offering The small plates are 3 for 2 if you're there before 5pm, and range from spiced kofta lamb skewers to chilli tiger prawns. I could honestly spend all day snacking, sipping and pretending I'm away on holiday. I also couldn't help but notice the espresso martini chocolate flavoured ice cream on the puddings, served with Hotel Chocolat chocolate sauce. 18 I was loving life relaxing on the daybeds Credit: Jenna Stevens 18 I didn't think I'd ever see palm trees next to London skyscrapers, but there's a first time for everything Credit: Jenna Stevens Frank's Cafe If you're looking for something a little more quirky and artsy, Frank's Cafe in Peckham really took me by surprise. It has a much more urban and industrial feel, an effortlessly cool vibe, and is also the cheapest of the lot. After walking up a hot pink staircase, you step out onto a giant The bar is hidden at the back of a giant rooftop, as you walk by unique art installations that make you feel like you're in Berlin. 18 I was shocked to step out onto a giant playground Credit: Jenna Stevens 18 Bright pink stairs lead you to the giant rooftop Credit: Jenna Stevens It's a cheap and trendy spot where people gather for toasties, iced cocktails, and to watch the sunset over the London skyline. By night, the rooftop is buzzing with groups sharing jugs of cheap drinks and enjoying food from the grill. Drinks like alcoholic It all felt a bit too cool and concrete for me, but the £5 drinks stole my heart. This quirky spot is a great place for casual drinks with friends, a cheap bite to eat, and some pretty 18 Casual bench seating and a super simple food and drinks menu make Frank's Cafe a staple choice Credit: Jenna Stevens 18 Five before five is the rooftop bar's popular drinks deal Credit: Jenna Stevens Market Halls Victoria Opposite London Victoria station is a bar where You start by choosing your food in the downstairs market hall, where various venders offer a range of affordable eats. Burgers from Black Bear smelled divine, and the ever-popular was serving their famous breakfast style sandwiches. I grabbed myself a tub of gelato from Badiani, and headed upstairs. 18 Stepping out into this stunning suntrap was a joy Credit: Jenna Stevens 18 The floral decor really made this place feel like an urban escape Credit: Jenna Stevens This rooftop terrace was an absolute The atmosphere is lively and the music is loud, with many gathered to watch the busy world go by with an ice cold pint. The bar also hold live music events and regularly show football matches, making it a solid spot to meet up and soak up the summer vibes. And three other rooftop bars outside of London Goodness Gracious Roof Garden and Bar, Liverpool Located in Liverpool, Goodness Gracious Roof Garden and Bar can be found on the eighth floor of West Africa House. With views of the city's iconic 'Three Graces' - The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building. The bar is open from 12pm till late, Wednesday through to Sunday and has been described by previous visitors as a "real sun trap". 20 Stories, Manchester Over in Manchester, 20 stories is split between a roof terrace, restaurant and cocktail bar. And this summer, the bar has partnered with Aperol for a bespoke Spritz menu. The venue will also host live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Guesthouse No.42, Margate Guesthouse No.42 opened in Margate back in 2023 and in the same year the spot opened their new rooftop terrace bar. The bar features amazing 360 degree views over the beach front and serves a wide range of tipples including local beers and wine. However, it is currently the only rooftop bar in Margate - so could be busy in the summer months.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Thirst-quenchers: Cool down with the best of the summer's new drinks
The anatomy of a summer drink is fickle. It must be refreshing, yes. Beyond that, there is a wild world of ways to help people cool down as the summer, relentless beast that it is, rages on around them. While some parts of Europe are married to their summer traditions, we're less resolute in our summer drinking. Some summers have a uniquely insistent thirst, like the year Britney Spears made us all want Iced Frappuccinos or when we all went collectively mad for Aperol Spritz. Then there was a revolving door of drinks trying to recapture that spark. The Paloma and the Spicy Margarita. Iced Oat Lattes have been the harbinger of many a glorious summer evening. There was the summer it felt like Whispering Angel was all anyone could talk about or Instagram. Last year, was peak hard seltzer and the pét-nat craze is not to be forgotten. But what will capture our taste this year? Shamim de Brún with her Iced matcha at One Kind Folk, Ranelagh, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney Yellow is shaping up to be the colour of the summer. Butter yellow has been taking up space on mood boards for weeks now. It has infiltrated clothing, Instagram flat lays, and columns the world over. Typically, if a colour or aesthetic starts to dominate online it infiltrates food culture. And vice versa. So I think we'll see a lot of lemon cropping up on drinks menus nationally. During summers, lemons are inexpensive, easy to find, consistent in quality and hard to use incorrectly. Lemon in summer drinks is hardly groundbreaking. The first records of lemon-sweetened drinks date back to ancient Egypt, over 2,000 years ago. It has long been listed among 'foods to reduce body heat naturally' which may still come in handy. Here's your guide to some of this summer's freshest quenchers. Boba Lady Boba Bubble Tea Drink Original As temperatures climb and the Irish humidity amps itself up, the chewy delight of boba tea comes into its own. Sometimes Boba shops can be intimidating for beginners who experience a bit of choice paralysis, but a safe bet is always the classic, or the vanilla. If you want to have a boba in the comfort of your own garden, Ladyboba has brought canned versions of this Asian export to supermarkets across the country. As with all Boba this is a playful drink with tapioca pearls suspended in chilled milk tea making it refreshing and texturally captivating. I'd recommend the Taro version, here the Taro with its vibrant purple hue, embodies summer charm. Made from earthy-sweet taro root, its creamy sweetness and velvety feel are ideal for long, sunny afternoons. TRY: LADYBOBA's Taro Bubble Tea Drink Iced Matcha Latte Ceremonial Grade Matcha, 100g pouch, €45, from Mafia Matcha Matcha is the perfect drink to cut through summer's lethargy. It tastes like Zen in liquid form. Matcha lattes provide an earthy balance of sweetness and that distinctive, satisfyingly dry finish. Releasing caffeine much slower than coffee the faintly vegetal drink comes in a wealth of options and pairings. Newly ubiquitous, you can find this green drink all across the country from Circle K to an increasing number of specialist Matcha Bars. If you've never tried it before tis the season. If you ever see a lavender option, it really is worth a punt. The flavours face off well and create a sort of floral congruent pairing. Highly recommended if you have a thirst that needs quenching and to meet a deadline on a sunny day. While whispers of matcha-tinis hint at a future where matcha sheds its wellness shell. TRY: Dubliner Lizaveta Takvarava's company Mafia Matcha offers ceremonial-grade Matcha you can make at home. Kefir For those nostalgic for Yakult, Actimel, or even the era of the Yop, Kefir is the relatively new to Ireland option that is socially acceptable to consume in the office. This tangy fermented milk carries notable probiotic benefits. Lightly tart and slightly effervescent, kefir invigorates the palate, making it perfect for health-conscious dairy loving drinkers seeking refreshment with depth. TRY: Leitrim's Blakes Always Organic. Nitro Cold Brew Cold brew is the iced coffee for chemex/v60/moccamaster people. Nitro cold brew has surged into speciality coffee shops over recent years. Cherished for its creamy, Guinness-like texture thanks to nitrogen infusion, the drink is typically fruity with chocolaty notes that shine brightest after a slow extraction, which is why some coffee drinkers find cold brew sweeter compared to conventionally brewed coffee. It's the ideal summer thirst quencher for your 3pm slump. TRY: 3fe and many places it supplies locally and nationally serve this smooth, chocolatey beverage that's naturally sweeter than traditional iced coffee. Live Soda Living Things Peach and Blood Orange soda If you are looking for a delicious alternative to fizzy drinks, or as my nanny would say 'minerals,' without all the added sugar or artificial sweeteners, live soda is the summer thirst quencher for you. This is a new style of low sugar, all natural, belly-loving drinks. They're called 'Live Soda' because they contain live probiotic cultures, and often fibre, to support 'gut health'. (The buzzword du jour in wellness land.) Unlike Kombucha, the more well known fermented drink of the moment, Live Sodas are typically made with real fruit juice. So they have a more fruit forward flavour profile akin to the 'European fanta' summer fantasy feel. TRY: Living Things is an Irish company in this space offering a gentle fizzy drink with subtle sweetness. They come in a range of flavours – my favourite is the lemon. Espresso Tonic Espresso tonic elegantly bridges the gap between morning caffeine and evening leisure. Slowly gaining popularity beyond specialty coffee menus. This effervescent drink combines tonic water's sharp bubbly bitterness with the robust intensity of espresso, creating a sparkling cooler drink perfect for sultry afternoons in the sun. It has been slow to make its way to Ireland creeping onto the menus of serious coffee houses like Smithfield's Proper Order over the years. It has a distinctly moody aura. It's a drink for people who want coffee's nuance with summer's breezy indifference. It's the negroni to an iced lattes April Spritz. TRY: Smithfield's Proper Order or other serious coffee spots. Ginger Beer Ginger beer is on the up up and away. Whether enjoyed straight or spiked, it embodies vibrant summer afternoons. It came to me personally by way of Hallow and Fentimans circa 2017. Since then ginger beer has become a fast favourite among Irish people. These days there are multiple Irish made versions of this spicy, cooling, and delightfully effervescent drink. Ginger beers marry ginger with a kick of a rotating crop of extra bits like chilli, lavender or apple. TRY: Poachers for a non alcoholic version that isn't too fiery or Kinnegar's Jackrabbit if you want to up the ABV. Radler/Shandy If you demand liquid refreshment that sings of sunlight, ease, and icy relief then maybe a Shandy/Radler is more your scene. Both a shandy and a radler feature a blond lager (usually Pils or Helles) as a base. They have long been summer favourites, blending lemonade's tart sweetness with beer's refreshing depth. Generally they're ideal for extended summer evenings where you want to be relaxed. TRY: Whiplash's Body Radler, a sherbet-lemon brew that hits precisely this mark. Made the traditional German way of making lemonade then blending with body riddle to get to a sherbet lemon 2.8% pint. It's crisp, and utterly sessionable. Limoncello Spritz Could the limoncello spritz dethrone Aperol's iconic reign? Quite possibly. Limoncello itself has been enjoying a resurgence of late as Italian culture dominates social media aspirational content. Many brands and bartenders have returned to it for its versatility twists on the Spritz serve. As an alternative spritz it's zesty and brightly citric with delicate bubbles, and a lemony sweetness that positions it perfectly as the breakout drink of this summer. TRY: Funkin have a canned Lemoncello that I have seen in SuperValu and independent specialist shops. Hard Iced Tea This is a relatively new category to land on our little island. Generally hard iced tea is the perfect equilibrium of robust tea flavour, delicate sweetness, and just-right alcohol levels make it an ideal beach or garden companion. Hard teas fit into many of the same drinking occasions as hard seltzers. Despite their newness there's a comfortable familiarity to them accompanied by a lightly sugary kick. The category is coming into its own now though it goes back to the turn of the century, when, in 2001, Boston Beer Company introduced Twisted Tea. Anyone who took American history for their Leaving Cert might argue that tea has been made 'hard' as far back as the 1800s. TRY: Lay-Low Hard Iced Tea reimagines iced tea through an Irish lens making it a new summer essential, destined for coolers nationwide. Available in peach and lemon flavours.
Irish Examiner
16-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Culture That Made Me: Paula MacSweeney of Today FM picks her touchstones
Born in 1985, Paula MacSweeney grew up in Piltown, Co Kilkenny. In 2012, she started on air with Today FM, initially doing daily showbiz reports on the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show and later presenting her own programmes, including the early breakfast show. In 2022, she began hosting the radio station's evening show, 7pm-10pm, Monday to Thursday. She also presents a Sunday night rock music show on Today FM. See: A Woman's Heart I remember my mam bought A Woman's Heart. Every household had a copy of it in 1992. As a family, we used to hop in the car – eight of us going on holiday with my granddad, so nine of us in a car; you wouldn't be allowed to do it now – and we used to drive to France, children literally hanging out the windows. We had that album on tape. I remember listening to it constantly. I knew every word from those holidays. Even though it wasn't meant for a six-year-old girl, it had a real impact on me. I loved it. I rediscovered it on Spotify a couple of years ago, and it's just beautiful. Take That I was a huge Take That fan. My first ever album was Take That & Party. Santy brought it for me – that's how young I was. I was about seven. I absolutely loved it, and I loved Take That throughout the Nineties. There was a Take That vs. Boyzone rivalry; I was always Take That. I loved the five-piece. Now that Robbie has left, and I think they're down to about three, I've kinda lost interest a little bit! Ricky Gervais Ricky Gervais. I'm a huge Ricky Gervais fan. I know he's not for everyone. Some people find him too much. People love to give out about him online. With his observations, sometimes I even find myself going, 'He's gone too far, he's gone too far,' but I still love it because dark humour is something I find very funny. Comedy's gone a bit dull, so I love when Ricky Gervais goes for it. I love the way he uses satire to critique societal norms, politics, celebrity culture. Nobody is safe. He's witty. He's clever. I love him. Britney Spears As I grew a bit older, into my teenage years, I loved Britney Spears. She came out when I was about 13 so throughout my whole teenage years – like a lot of girls who were into pop at that age – I was obsessed with Britney. Because we didn't have social media at the time – and she was being absolutely harassed by paparazzi – I was one of those buying the magazines to see what she was up to. I owned every album. I knew every word. I love her. Lily Allen I'm an enormous Lily Allen fan. I've loved her since 2004-2005 – when she was young and very new. She hasn't released music since 2018. It's been quite a while, and she only has four albums. I went to see her when she was on at Electric Picnic in 2014. I'll never forget it. She was on early in the day. It was Sunday, maybe about 6pm, so it was bright. I was waiting for her set all year. I was so excited to go and see her. She was promoting her album, Sheezus, which probably is her worst album. I'll never forget standing there with a cup of warm beer, in a field, it had been raining, and I felt the happiest I'd ever been. I'd finally got to see her live on stage, and it was magnificent. Gavin & Stacey Gavin & Stacey. I'm very passionate about Gavin & Stacey. The word play in it is clever. James Corden and Ruth Jones are phenomenal writers. The characters are so clever, so well-developed. I love the character arc as well from when they started 20 years ago to that amazing Christmas special finish. Their finale made my Christmas. Every line was perfect. It's like a warm hug on the TV. It's my go-to whenever I need a little pick-me-up. It's gorgeous TV. The Sopranos My favourite TV box set of all time is The Sopranos. It's perfect – the characters, the storylines are amazing. There are unexpected twists. Nobody was safe in that show. It explores the American dream, and what it takes to obtain that. There's nuanced exploration of stuff like identity, loyalty, the human condition. Tony Soprano is so multidimensional. He's flawed. He's brilliant. He's funny. I've probably watched it from start to finish at least 10 times in my life. Every time I watch it, I find something new that I hadn't seen or heard before. It's so entertaining. The Pillars of the Earth The best book I've read is Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth. He's an extraordinary writer. It's set in the twelfth century, in England during a time of political turmoil, religious strife, and the construction of a magnificent cathedral. He travelled around Europe years before writing his book to understand architecture and how these cathedrals were built. That side of the book is very detailed. Even though I didn't find that bit particularly interesting, it's so powerful. The drama is gripping. It has complex characters. It's a rich tapestry of human experience, with insight into human ambition, and the power of the church. It's brilliant historical fiction. The book had a profound effect on me. I remember finishing it thinking I want to restart it. Ian Dempsey Ian Dempsey. I loved Ian Dempsey on RTÉ 2fm. I remember, in my teens, the moment when Today FM announced, 'Look who we've poached for breakfast' and he moved to Today FM. It was such a big deal. It was huge news. Everybody was talking about it. I was a huge fan. All I ever wanted to do was work with Ian Dempsey. It was a life goal. It's funny because we've worked together now for, like, 13-14 years. He's the greatest of the greatest, and he's only getting better. There's no slowing down. Then She Was Gone I read seven Lisa Jewell books in a month about six months ago because of this book of hers, Then She Was Gone. Some of her books are better than others. Then She Was Gone is full of suspense and mystery. I couldn't put it down. It is sad, I have to say. It's a hard read at some points – because some of the best things are – but it's brilliant. The book has it all. It has amazing twists, a real page turner. The Baby Tribe I have three children aged six, four, and two. I've come out of my era of listening constantly to parenting podcasts, but The Baby Tribe is a podcast I listened to religiously for about two years. It's hosted by Professor Afif El-Khuffash, a neonatologist in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, and his wife, Dr Anne Doherty, who is an anaesthesiologist. It's evidence-based fun, and ways to learn about stuff. There's no opinion. It's all 'according to research', which is so reassuring. They have some good guests on it as well. It's very good.
