Books How I Write IMANI THOMPSON London-based Imani Thompson won the Vogue new writers prize in 2019 as an undergraduate at Cambridge University. Her debut novel, the darkly funny and vicious Honey, triggered a ten-way auction and has already sold in ten languages. Honey (The Borough Press) is out now. Im a completely routine-less person. When I started writing full time I had visions of waking up with the birds, doing my morning pages and writing 500 words by lunch. Instead I tend to spend most of my day procrastinating emails, cleaning my flat, another coffee until just enough guilt creeps in for me to sit down at my laptop. Although, the more I write, the more I realise that this procrastination is part of my process. It can take a long time for scenes, characters and storylines to form, and my meandering days give space for this thinking. MY WRITING SPOT I tend to write all over the place libraries, coffee shops, trains. But my favourite place is probably the kitchen table late at night when everything is quiet. I wrote most of Honey between 10pm and 1am when my flatmates had gone to bed. MY WRITING PROCESS When Im stuck, and cant figure out what to write next, the book feels impenetrable. On these days it can feel like Im throwing words at stone. However, Ive learnt that if I just keep writing at it eventually Ill hit water, the story will open up and flow again. Those moments may just be my favourite. This, and the first time I get to print a full draft. THE BOOKS INSPIRING ME NOW Last year I read Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad and Im still thinking about it. Im inspired by how she so deftly weaves the personal into the political. In a similar way I loved The Safe Keep by Yael van der Wouden and The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears by Dinaw Mengestu. These books capture what Im trying to do with my new work they observe the political through the domestic while pushing language forms. IM WORKING ON My second novel. The story is softly dystopian, exploring the climate crisis, migration and the question of having children in uncertain futures. Recently its been many late nights at the kitchen table. MY DAILY WRITING ROUTINE The Memoir HIROSHIMA, 8:15 The most extraordinary thing Ive read this month is Hiroshima, 8:15 (Ebury Press, €19). Its an eyewitness account of August 6, 1945 by Kiyoshi Tanimoto, a Methodist minister who was to become one of the most well-known of the survivors. At the moment of the strange flash, he writes, not one person knew it was an atomic bomb. Tanimotos memoir was only discovered among papers in 2022, and its a painfully honest and factual retelling. The moment when he meets the copilot and captain of the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the bomb, is heart-stopping. There are unforgettable images. It was then that black drops of rain, as big as blackberries began to fall rain caused by the atomic bomb. Tanimoto was heroic yet humble. He spent the rest of his life working for peace and understanding, becoming something of a reluctant celebrity. Hiroshima is the sequel to Oppenheimer in a way, and is set to be made into a film as well. I was fascinated by journalist John Herseys vital role: he interviewed Tanimoto and other survivors for The New Yorker in a piece that was one of the greatest journalistic achievements of the twentieth century. The foreword to Hiroshima by Tanimotos daughter, who was nine months old in August 1945, now a peace activist, provides a wise overview: I worry that the error of August 6, 1945 is about to pass out of living memory. The price of forgetting it is humanity itself. Astonishing. On My BedsideTable JO SPAIN Jo Spain is the author of 13 novels, all of which have been bestsellers. Belfast-based Spain is a full-time screenwriter, co-writing five seasons to date of the Jane Seymour-led Harry Wild as well as writing the award-winning Mix Tape for the BBC. She co-wrote the adaptation of her novel The Last to Disappear, due to air next spring. She is a former parliamentary advisor on the economy. Her latest novel, Never to be Found (Zaffre, 16), is out now. Ive just turned the last page of London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe and Im considering going back to the start and reading it again. The nature of my job, both as an author and screenwriter who adapts a lot of books to screen, means I get sent a lot of crime fiction. And I write crime fiction so sometimes I need a break. I picked this true story up after seeing a lot of positive reviews for the, frankly, unbelievable story it tells. The book centres on 19-year-old Zac Brettler who fell to his death from a London luxury apartment. In the aftermath, his parents learned Zac has been posing as the son of a Russian oligarch and become embroiled in all manner of dodgy underworld dealings. The insight into this world is fascinating but its a very human, poignant story, too. The Brettlers fought hard for justice and the truth about what happened to their son. I forgot this wasnt fiction, to be honest. Id highly recommend it for everybodys suitcase this summer. THE GLOSS MAGAZINE July/August 2026 45 PERFECT PICNICS / EARTHY SCENTS / OUTDOOR DRINKS / SUMMER READING / GARDEN TO PLATE / CULTIVATING STYLE / STARGAZING MAGAZINE JULY/AUGUST 2026 with THE IRISH TIMES LET NATURE IN .thegloss.ie ww w Frieda Gormley in Cornwall summer in the garden CATHERINE FITZGERALD IN BALLYFIN Contents IN THIS ISSUE THE GLOSS MONTHLY REMINDER SIGN UP to receive a monthly reminder by email when THE GLOSS is out so that you never miss an issue. Simply register your details on WWW.THEGLOSS.IE. 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At Weir & Sons there are five Rolex-trained watchmakers and a Rolex technician, led by Brian OConnell Glossip TWO UP Heating Up Gloss~ip! @SIMONEROCHA How does your garden grow? FLORAL FINISHES T here is a particular beauty to an Irish garden. Shaped by our rain-softened climate, everything grows with a quiet abundance. No two days are the same as hedges become thick and generous, lawns seem Photo by Flavien Carlod, for advertising purposes only. Cloud 9. Enric Ruiz Geli. 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IM POINTING at the ceiling in Saint La IN THE HEART OF THE STORY Annual Membership to Circle Club allows unparalleled access to centre-stage seats for every performance at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Members enjoy pre- and post-show access to the Circle Club lounge, which provides a welcoming space to dine, connect and share the experience Fashion Fashion Notes Colour Theory A brighter approach to dressing ADD TEXTURE Its not the season to be quiet, says Aislinn Coffey FENDI PASTEL & PRIMARY TEXTURE: Chanels showstopping frothy, textured skirts. COLOUR BLOCKING: IMAXTREE/LAUNCHMETRICS Fendi combined rich, jewel-tone colours. 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Velvaere is peaceful, friendly and packing a punch when it comes FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF OUR CLINICS FILO AESTHETICS CORK 2nd Floor, Exchange House Main Street, Ballincollig, Co Cork, P31 K020. +353 (87) 788 9009 FILO AESTHETICS DUBLIN Unit 501, Charlestown Shopping Centre, St Margarets Street, Charlestown, Dublin 11. +353 (87) Beauty 5 3 1 6 4 7 2 DOWN TO EARTH 8 Get grounded with summers earthy scents, says Sarah Halliwell S ummers scents come straight from the soil. At this time of year most of us reach for sun-warmed floral and fruit bouquets perfumes of pink blossoms, ripe cherries and peaches or else beach ! FINNANDELDER.IE Castlebellingham, Co. Louth sales@oconnorsofdrumleck.ie +353 (0) 42 937 2625 oconnorsofdrumleck.ie Gardens 3 4 1 2 Cultivating Style Gardening is garnering attention from the fashion crowd. Sarah Macken digs deeper G 26 July/August 2026 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE 5 1. Milli Proust and Paris Alma, founders of @alma.proust seed shop. 2. The Instagram account of Dwayne Black @blackinmotion shows Gardens 10 9 8 11 @PAMELAANDERSON 7 14 12 13 allotment essential which has garnered a cult following among Irish creatives and is worn by the team at Mark Grehans flower shops, The Garden (€240; www.abitoilive.com). If all else fails, a blue workwear jacket (€195; www.vetra.fr) and gardeni Advertorial James Kavanagh embraces the good life with heritage blues From Dublin buzz to countryside calm, James Kavanagh is transforming his storybook home with bold Dulux Heritage Boathouse Blue at its heart W hen social media influencer and TV presenter James Kavanagh and his partner William Advertorial womb. Its the womb room! He loves that the colour changes throughout the day. It feels really fresh and bright in the daytime, but then it gets quite moody and dark in the evening, which I love. The shade also marries beautifully with James existing decor. Its a really lovely backdrop t Shopping Willow garden trug, SAILLE BASKETS, 150, at Irish Design Shop, 41 Drury Street, Dublin 2. Blue Kojima denim work jacket, 350; WWW.NIWAKI.COM. Green Fingers Brown reversible sheepskin gilet, CELTIC & CO, 265.50; www.next.ie. Dark green Mesa Planter 01, KELLY WEARSTLER, 355; www.serax.co Advertorial In 2022 he had a vision to set up a specialist nursery to provide Irish garden designers and homeowners with a uniquely curated collection of mature trees and specimen plants that couldnt be found anywhere else. A ll great gardens start with the plants. While many of us throw a plant SUMMER SALE NOW ON EXCLUSIVE RANGE OF VISUAL COMFORT LIGHTING ON DISPLAY IN OUR SHOWROOMS SHOWROOMS OPEN 7 DAYS 17 LOWER BRIDGE STREET, DUBLIN 8 CUSTOMER PARKING AVAILABLE WWW.HICKENLIGHTING.COM Design AT ONE WITH NATURE House of Hackney founder Frieda Gormley speaks to Ruth OConnor about her new book, shifting Mother Nature from muse to business partner and rewilding the idea of business itself ... PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRISTOPHER HORWOOD N ABOVE: Trematon Castle sits on a nine-acre estate o Design In a new book by Gormley, In The Company of Nature, she describes struggles with investors, chaotic board meetings and times when the couple barely had enough money to eat. She speaks of putting their home up as collateral for their business, of wresting control back from a private equity fir Theatre CENTRE STAGE Lynn Enright meets actors Derbhle Crotty, Judith Roddy, Aisling Kearns and Kate Gilmore to discuss their roles in Conor McPhersons latest masterpiece, The Brightening Air PHOTOGRAPH BY DOREEN KILFEATHER T here were self-actualised women living impressive, independent lives in Theatre for all of these characters they have a sense of humour. When I ask her what drew her to the job in particular, Crotty hoots. Its a no-brainer. I mean, Conor is an extraordinary writer. Its a luxury offer. Its not really about being drawn to it, its more the kind of thing youd crawl over p Travel Travel Notes Ard na Sidhe Country House Hotel. Penny McCormick joins the growing band of star trekkers and astro tourists The gardens. A garden terrace room. CHECKING IN: ARD NA SIDHE COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL, CO KERRY VIBE Elegant, lakeside Edwardian country house in a secluded setting. NE Interview With a Man INPHO We were just two guys with shared goals. We never talked too much about the brotherly thing. Paul ODonovan Rowing for Gold Paul ODonovan is an Olympic champion rower, and a qualified physiotherapist and medical doctor. From Skibbereen in Co Cork, he won silver in the M Advertorial Interview With a Man Interview With a Man Is there a magic to a first gold that cannot be matched by subsequent golds? I think you have to take each of them on their own merits. All wins are good. Theyre all different and theres no point in trying to pick favourites. If you tried to p Restaurants Restaurant Notes Forget food miles at these restaurants, ingredients travel from garden to plate, says Ciara McQuillan THE GREEN BARN THE GREEN BARN AT BURTOWN HOUSE, CO KILDARE: THE GARDEN Burtown Houses kitchen garden is a working ecosystem. A walled garden, a fouracre field plot Wine Brighter & Lighter Julie Dupouy finds affordable pairings for picnics I rish summer always feels slightly borrowed it never seems to last long enough. The moment the sun appears, the entire country slips into a kind of joyful frenzy to catch every possible ray of light. Parks and beaches s Food A Walk In The Park Kitty Coles knows how to pack a perfect picnic E veryones idea of a picnic is different. In Ireland, a picnic tends to mean sandwiches sweating in foil, crisps, supermarket sausage rolls, tubs of coleslaw, perhaps some strawberries, and warm canned drinks. Otherwise known Books Reading Notes Sarah Halliwell on the best books for summer S pend your summer indulging in new arrivals from some of the very best international writers this summer, from Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead (Fleet, €19) to Ben Lerners highly acclaimed Transcription (Grant, €18), another novel Books How I Write IMANI THOMPSON London-based Imani Thompson won the Vogue new writers prize in 2019 as an undergraduate at Cambridge University. Her debut novel, the darkly funny and vicious Honey, triggered a ten-way auction and has already sold in ten languages. Honey (The Borough Press) is out This Glossy Life At Ballyfin, Catherine FitzGerald is quietly rewilding one of Irelands grandest estates, blending romance, restraint and a deep reverence for landscape. Deirdre McQuillan speaks to the designer PHOTOGRAPHS BY VERONIKA FAUSTMANN T SLOW AND SUBTLE he great thing about Ballyfin is This Glossy Life London-based architect Mark Lutyens (great-great-nephew of the famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens) have included Hillsborough and Glenarm Castles in Northern Ireland, a Physic Garden in Edinburgh, as well as small private London gardens. The love of gardening was fostered growing u This Glossy Life Other plans include planting ornamental trees, cherries and crab apples beyond the cascade as our mission is to bring things into focus, to soften, to make it more inviting. Bordering the mown paths with blossoming trees and more bulbs will blend in with the greenery. She also want Wholefoods Supplements Natural Skincare Earth Friendly Products Try this Fibraed r ich Summer Sal up Build your s e p i c Re Wholefood ingredients for feel-good cooking Find us in selected Dunnes Stores across Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Naas and Tralee NOURISH.IE