Hollywood, hhe land where showbiz was born (and rehab, but that’s another story), has come to Co. Kildare! If you fancy seeing a slice of tinseltown history get yourself down to the newly refurbished Newbridge Silverware showrooms in Newbridge, where the Style Icons museum as just opened.
William and Oonagh Doyle hosted a lavish opening party last week to celebrate this latest feather in the Newbridge hat. The museum, located above the showrooms, is a breathtaking space and resembles a trendy Gordon Ramsey restaurant more than anything else, such is the interior design and lighting. With memorabilia from the likes of John Wayne, Marlynn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, the beautiful space dedicated to the stars of the silverscreen is worth visiting.
Invited guests enjoyed a pink champagne reception (and beyond) followed by a gala dinner in the Silver restaurant. Among those in attendance were designer Synan O’Mahony, Brendan O’Connor and his wife Sarah Caden, model du jour Katy French (on again, off again!), Meg O’Keeffe of Image Magazine, Andrea Roche, rugby star Ronan O’Gara, Mary Treacy of Clerys and Jackie Lavin.
Commissioner Charlie McCreevy, who was accompanied by his wife Noleen, officially open the new space and was delighted to be on home turf, such is his hectic Euro schedule in Brussels. The opening was made all the more special with the addition of several unique pieces on loan form world famous memorabilia auction house Juliens, which were on view to the public for a limited period.
An exhibition of the works of Lucien Freud, arguable one of the most influential and important living artists of our time, opened at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) this week to much excitement. Comprising of some 50 paintings and 20 works on paper and etchings from the last six decades, several being completed just months prior to the exhibition, with others never shown before in a public venue.
Best known for his portraits and nudes, Freud’s subjects include his family, friends, lovers and fellow artists. His early paintings and works on paper are often associated with a meticulous control of the brushstrokes and line, depicting people, plants and still-life, including several made while living in Ireland. Grandson of the father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud, Lucien, who is now in his 80s, was unable at attend, but the show was opened by his daughter Rose Boyt.
Maura McKillen and designer Mairead Whisker, poet Anthony Cronin and Anne Haverty, Lord and Lady Burlington, artists Louis Le Brocquy and Anne Madden, The Hon. Desmond and Penelope Guinness, Patsey Murphy of The Irish Times, Christine Ryall of Christies were among those enjoying the evening summer sun as the party spilled outside.
Back to Kildare, and last night one of the most dramatic fireworks displays ever seen in that part of the country lit up the night sky. Celebrating the official opening of Kildare Village, Ireland’s premiere outlet shopping venue, the pyrotechnics were just one part of the entertainment on the evening.
Dancers, performance art, parades and music all added to the spectacular evening with food from Richard Corrigan and Fred Cordonnier of The Village at Lyons and Derry Clark of l’Ecrivain to feed the hundreds of guests, including Ian Galvin, Roxanne Parker, Julian Benson, fashionista Bairbre Power and socialite Cindy Caffola.
With discounted shops like Calvin Klein, Reiss, Karen Millen and Cotton Club offering 30 - 65% discounts (as well as Starbucks and Dunne & Crescenzi) there’s something for everyone. Bargain!
