Appreciators of art were out en force on Wednesday for the opening of the new Urban Retreat gallery on Hanvoer Quay, in the newest part of the Dublin docklands development. The evening kicked off with the rousing sounds of the bodhran, as Liam O’Maonlai and Ronan O’Snodaigh of Kila sang with the aid of radio mikes while rowing a currach in the waters off Grand Canal Dock. That sound was soon replaced by that of champagne corks popping inside the state-of-the-art gallery, which is run by the Cill Rialaig Project, the artists retreat in Kerry set up by Noelle Campbell – Sharpe.
The new gallery will feature works by Irish and international artists who have been resident at the Kerry retreat, with the inaugural exhibition featuring Cork based artist Martin Finnin with “The World is Blue like an Orange”. Judging by the number of pieces that were sold on the night, it was a massive hit with the assembled guests. In fact, Martin’s last show in Limerick sold out in just thirty minutes with many buyers disappointed at being unable to acquire one of his highly prized, colourful and sensitive pieces.
Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism John O’Donoghue TD, himself a Kerryman, officiated on the evening and delivered a passionate speech full of pride and praise for the Cill Rialaig Project, echoing everyone’s sentiments and delight at the new venture. He even joked that An Taoiseach should hire Noelle as a campaign manager come the next general election!
The 400 guests were treated to an after party in the impressive new Ely restaurant next door, which officially opens to the public in January. The diplomatic corps was well represented with ambassadors from France, Spain, Japan, Slovenia and Brazil all in attendance. Also present were Diarmuid Gavin and his wife Madeline Keane, interior designer Peter Willis, Marie Louise Kenny, architect Hugh Wallace and Jackie Lavin, who has just launched a new perfume with her husband Bill Cullen. The sweet smell of success perhaps?
I’m already a little bored of mince pies and mulled wine so I popped into Jaipur, my favourite Indian restaurant, on Dublin’s Georges Street yesterday for some lunch that didn’t have the ubiquitous Christmas flavour. Well, to say that the place was buzzing with a who’s who of people would be an understatement.
PR guru and co-star of the RTE show It’s My Party Sinead Ryan was there with Andrew Rudd, foodie extraordinaire. He’s just completed a series of cookery demonstrations which took in most of the Munster counties and still has a few Ireland AM appearances penciled in before the holidays.
Naiose Nunn was celebrating the success of his Leviathan political cabaret show which took place the previous night in CrawDaddy. A 3rd Anniversary special, it featured Harry Crosbie and Katie Hannon amongst others and was compared by the inimitable David McWilliams. Naoise was dining with Paddy Cullivan, a.k.a. Clint Velour, who many of you will know heads up the popular Camembert Quartet band, residents on the Tubridy Tonight show. At an adjacent table were Sharyn Mitchell, Mark Wooderson and Jim Sheridan of acclaimed TV production company Another Avenue, no doubt plotting their next small screen hit.
Creative ladies who lunch were well represented by publicist Roisin Ni Mhordha, artist Elaine Byrne and writer Carol Hunt. Elaine tells me that her latest project, The Collectors Club, is going from strength to strength with the aforementioned Harry Crosbie among her many fans. Elsewhere I spotted cartoonist Tom Matthews, Brian Barnes of Spirit nightclub and photographer Malachy Geelan. Despite the welcome non-festive food a very merry time was had by all.
It’s only fashionable to be late when you’re a model. And there were plenty of them at two stylish events this week. Brendan Scully and Sean Montague of the BScene agency hosted a Jameson cocktail party in SPY on Tuesday night for their good looking troupe and they’re admirers, who included stylist Leone Amon, Benoit Bringer and Ireland’s Miss Europe Jill Macken, who looked stunning in a Tyrell & Brennan dress.
The BScene agents have had a hectic few weeks, which culminated with a trip to London last week to see one of their protégés in action. Dean McCarthy, a BScene acting student, has just taken to the stage as Billy in Billy Elliott, the hit West End musical. The 14-year-old scored the top role after a grueling round of auditions earlier this year and last week started his run as the lead, with no less than three standing ovations on the opening night of his debut performance.
Last night, the young and the restless (or should that be “guest list”?) included Glenda Gilson, Andrea Roche and Rosanna Davison, who were all at the Assets Model Agency annual Christmas bash at Parker Browns nightclub in Dundrum Town Centre. The beautiful Lisa Murphy, who I’d spotted earlier in the week at the opening of the new Chinatown Christmas Market in Smithfield, told me of her recent charity trip to Uganda. An international model if ever there was one.
The Loft space at the Powerscourt Centre was packed out on Thursday evening for the one night only exhibition by photographer and photo artist Yvonne Kelly. Having traveled extensively throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe, Yvonne has shown a flair for capturing moments and moods and has that rare and valuable gift - a natural eye for the 'perfect shot'.
Having built up an impressive portfolio of work over a number of years, she decided to hold an exhibition, with the sale proceeds going to the Entally Children's Orphanage in Calcutta, a project she visited while on her travels. Delighted with the turnout on the evening, Yvonne thrilled: “My aim is to raise funds so that these orphaned kids can receive an education, make a contribution to society and be helped achieve their dreams! The amount raised tonight will go a long way to help make that happen”.
Some of the many supporters on the evening included Yvonne’s father, Cavan based solicitor John V. Kelly, Anna Cullivan and her daughter Yvonne, TV and radio presenter Taragh Loughrey – Grant and Daniela Crawley from the St. Patricks Day festival, who told me that they are already very busy with plans for next years celebrations.
Glitz and glam was the name of the game at the Smirnoff Casino Royale Christmas Extravaganza that took place at Wrights Café Bar in Swords on Thursday night.
Roulette, blackjack, entertainers, flame throwers and DJ’s made it a night to remember as the great and the good of Nouth County Dublin, including Killian O’Sullivan, Brian Ormond and Siobhan Mc Clafferty, turned out in their finest.
The Bond themed event attracted some 500 revelers with high rollers such as Keith Duffy, model Jenny Lee Masterson, Niall Mc Crudden and Ray Shah taking to the tables. Everything was all Wright on the night though with no major losses reported.
There were a plethora of Christmas parties on this week, but who better to host a party than another party (political, that is). Fine Gael hosted a drinks reception in the Alexander Hotel this week, which was well attended by the entire parliamentary party, movers, shakers and the media. Indeed, a great number of the Labour party were on the guest list too. Among the party faithful were David Davin – Power, GAA star Graham Geraghty and TV3’s Ursula Halligan.
Fianna Fail hosted their festive soiree at Ron Blacks on the same evening, a low key event but well attended by the party nonetheless. An Taoiseach welcomed RTE’s Joe Duffy and Mary Wilson, Martin Macken and Rodney Rice amongst others.
That same evening I attended an intimate champagne reception hosted by The Gloss Magazine. Dynamic duo Sarah and Jane McDonnell have had a very busy year, producing one of the most exciting and impressive publications this country has ever seen. Many well-wishers turned out to support the sisters, including Norman Pratt, Gillian O’Loughlin and charity PR Sophie Flynn Rogers, who, by the time you read this, will be on her way to Goa where she plans to spend the next month. Now that’s what I call The Gloss.
