Director Mike Leigh was in Dublin this week to potter around the National Gallery and chat about his new film,

Director Mike Leigh was in Dublin this week to potter around the National Gallery and chat about his new film, Mr Turner, starring well-regarded actor Timothy Spall.

The film, which is tipped for Oscar success, focuses exclusively on the last quarter of the water-colourist's life.

Asked why he had decided to truncate Turner's life story rather than paint the entire picture, Leigh (below) replied: "Because then we would have had to find a small fat boy who looked like Timothy Spall.

"And a fat, pimply teenager who also looked like Timothy Spall. The whole thing would have become rather tedious." I don't doubt it.

Ever since appearing in the memorable Cadbury's 'Feel the Joy' ad, sports pundit Eamon Dunphy has become something of a dance icon.

But the outspoken broadcaster says we've only seen the tip of the iceberg, as he saves his "killer moves" for the lucky ladies in his life. "I have many dance moves," Dunphy said.

"A certain set I use exclusively for my wife. And a different set I use exclusively for other men's wives."

Paul Muldoon and a handful of other noteworthy writers are in the middle of deciding who should become the first ever 'Laureate for Irish Fiction'.

It's a pretty covetable title; not only does it sound incredibly grand but it comes with an impressive €150,000 grant. Not bad.

The swag is much more impressive than the US laureate's annual stipend of $35,000 a year but not quite as good as the British poet laureate's takings - he/ she receives an impressive 720 bottles of sherry to keep the creative juices flowing.

Lashings of fake tan is considered an essential part of most Irish women's beauty regime.

But broadcaster Angela Scanlon is not a fan.

"I kind of hate fake tan," she said. "I think it smells like sausage rolls and I think it looks kind of s**t".

Tell us what you really think, Angela.

Paris is known for being a city steeped in the finest couture and cuisine but Racing Metro kicking coach Ronan O'Gara reckons French gastronomic delights pale in comparison with an Irish fry - complete with slice pan, beans and plenty of Denny sausages.

"They don't do a good breakfast," he said matter of factly. "An Irish breakfast is far superior." You can take the boy out of Cork etc etc.

Publican Ollie Favier threw open the doors of his Lord of the Rings-themed pub The Shire, in Killarney, last week and I'm happy to report that it's been doing a roaring trade.

"I'm vertically challenged and was dubbed The Hobbit by my mates," he explained.

"I thought why not roll with it and now I'm having the last laugh."

The pub features imaginatively named sections such as The Prancing Pony and Mordor and serves pints of Bilbo's Beer and Gandalf's Ale.

"It's the perfect place to go if you want to get Legolas," Favier said.

mulcahy@ independent.ie