At the launch of the Inchydoney Island Polo tournament were: 1. Alan Hughes and Debbie O'Donnell; 2. Nicola Mitchell; 3. Ann Kiloyle and Emily Murray.
Details of one of the final social events of the Summer 2008 calendar were announced last week, in the St. Stephens Green Club, with the launch of the Inchydoney Island Ladies Polo Tournament in aid of the Bubble Gum Club. In its ninth year, the glamorous event attracts the top Irish, UK, American and Argentinean players to challenge for the Inchydoney Island Cup in the picturesque setting of Polo Wicklow at Ballyhenry in Co. Wicklow. After two days of qualifying, the nine teams will battle it out to play on the Ladies Day Final on Sunday August 24th.
Ireland’s Siobhan Herbst, who has just returned from the USA where she was representing Ireland and taking on Yale University and Rhode Island, is one of the Irish polo players who are attending the event. Among those who are lining up to play in August are Nicola Foley, Jasmine Mirahmadi and Denise Power from Ireland, Caroline Arnier from France, Kim Kailing and Oda Diepold from Germany, Amber Clutton Brock, Whitney Vogt, Julia de Angelis, Eileen Flint and Martha Brown from the USA, Amy Grace, Candice Kane Berman and Beth Shaw from South Africa and Heather Day from Northern Ireland.
For the third year, the Ladies Polo Event is delighted to have the support of Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa, West Cork’s first four-star hotel. With a champagne reception and BBQ in the exclusive club, the launch was a truly glamorous event with many of Ireland’s elegant ladies out to celebrate including host Jackie Rafter from the Bubble Gum Club, Ruth McCarthy from Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Mickey and Wendy Herbst and Joe and Marie O’Connell from Polo Wicklow. Emily Murray from Misamu, FM104’s CEO Margaret Nelson, Natasha Rocca Devine, Nadine Wai O’Flynn from Principle Management, Larissa Nolan and Ben Bringer and TV3’s Debbie O’Donnell and Alan Hughes.
Ladies Day and the Final matches commence at 12 noon on Sunday 24th August with a champagne reception. As the polo takes place, the 250 guests will enjoy a sumptuous summer lunch, accompanied by specially selected wines, prepared by Masterchefs Hospitality, after which, popular online fashion boutique, Misamu.com will showcase some of their Autumn 2008 collection, featuring brands such as Rebecca Taylor, By Malene Birger, Antik Batik, K Karl Lagerfeld and many more, with the stunning new collection of jewellery from Boodles on Grafton Street, who have also donated a stunning piece for the auction.
All funds raised from the event will go to the Bubble Gum Club, which was set up in 1994 to look after children with life threatening illnesses and children in crisis. Since its inception 14 years ago, the organisation has looked after over 15,000 children. For more information check out www.bubblegumclub.ie.
