Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Hangover 2

(Pix. Brian McEvoy)


Hang Tough: 1. Andrea Roche & Tiffaney Stanley; 2. Andy Quirke; 3. Ailish O’Connell & Jody Crosby.


The Irish premiere screening of The Hangover 2 too place at the Savoy cinema recently and the popularity of the first Hanover movie ensured it was a full house. I don’t know if there’s truth in the rumour that the first movie holds the distinction of being the biggest selling DVD of all time but I’d well believe it.

As the tag line declares ... Right after the bachelor party in Las Vegas, Phil, Stu, Alan, and Doug jet to Thailand for Stu's wedding. Stu's plan for a subdued pre-wedding brunch, however, goes seriously awry. More of the same shenanigans then.

The event was attended by rugby star Jamie Heaslip, boxer Bernard Dunne, TV Presenter Jenny Buckley, Republic of Telly’s Andy Quirke, Triona McCarthy and Cathy O’Connor, models Andrea Roche and Tiffany Stanley and was followed by an Asian – inspired after party at Cafe en Seine.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Smirnoff N.I.ghtlife



Nighlife: 1. Hayley & Lisa Harrison; 2. David Dornan; (below) 3. Sarah Kirk and Robyn Collnary; 4. Ben & Julie McMichael. (Pix. Kelvin Boyes)




Probably the most well known club in Northern Ireland, Kellys Portrush, played host to the latest Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange event last weekend. More than 2,000 people witnessed the best of Argentinean nightlife come alive at the venue as part of the region’s first Nightlife Exchange experience.


The biggest nightclub in the land was transformed as part of the exchange with more than 200 metres of fabric creating a stunning sea of light blue and white, the colours of Argentina. DJ David De Valera headlined the music bill and performed alongside Kellys resident DJ Col Hamilton and Connor Phillips.

The night also featured delicious drinks including an Argentinean take on the signature Smirnoff Mule, street theatre, including tango dancers, stilt walkers, fire eaters, and Paka the infamous fire breathing horse.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Best of the Rest

(Pix. Harnett / McEvoy)



Best of the Rest ... the guests that brought style to the party this week ... 1. Not only is she a top chef but she’s got an eye for fashion too, Clodagh McKenna is very on trend with her nude tone dress at the Angels Quest charity lunch in the Four Seasons Dublin; 2. Mary and Ruth Kelleher look so effortlessly elegant at the Jacob’s Creek ‘Add a Little Sparkle’ evening in Residence; 3. Fashion designer Grainne Walsh (of the label Ella Boo) makes a statement in this glamorous white fur at the Peter Mark NCAD show.


Disney Store opens




Childsplay: 1. Padraig Harrington with his wife Caroline and children Ciaran & Patrick; 2. Lorraine Keane and her daughters Romy & Emelia; (below) 3. Sharon Corr; 3. Babette & Lottie Ryan. (Pix. Maxwells)




Unlock your imagination…..the magic is finally here! The Walt Disney Company has officially unveiled its first ever Disney Store in Ireland with the opening of 60 Grafton Street, Dublin. As well as featuring exclusive Disney-branded merchandise, the store will bring to life Disney’s most beloved characters and stories, providing children with the best 30 minutes of their day.

A unique Opening Ceremony will take place every single day in the Store. One lucky child will be chosen each morning to take part in the Opening Ceremony and officially ‘Unlock Imagination’. A giant clock on the What’s New Board will count down to the opening moment by revealing 12 Disney characters.

A special appearance by Tinker Bell, spreading her magical pixie dust on the clock, will bring the Store to life as the child turns the key in the Imagination Lock and officially opens the Store. Every child who opens the Store will receive an exclusive gift – a scaled replica of the Imagination Key.

The new Store brings a sprinkling of pixie dust to the city of Dublin and promises to be a ‘must see’ experience for local and tourist shoppers alike.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Afternoon Lee




Tea with a Twist: 1. Grace Fox and Rebecca Lawless; 2. Models in Charloee & Jane, Karen Fitzpatrick, Nicki Bonass & Blaithnaid McKenna; 3. Clementine Mercedes and Kate Lawlor.

(Pix. Brian McEvoy)



To the Merrion Hotel for an afternoon tea party with a twist, hosted by Cork Dry Gin. Any excuse to hang out at President Obama’s Irish hotel of choice but when it involves cakes, cocktails and a fashion showcase by design duo Charlotte & Jane, I’m there.

Guests were treated to classic G&Ts and a new elderflower cocktail, the Lee Lemonade, specially created for the event by Cork Dry Gin’s mixologist and served up in exquisite, mismatched vintage china which was sourced by event stylists Pearl & Godiva.

Those counting the carbs can skip to the next paragraph … Dainty savouries included roast beef sandwiches, cucumber, chive and cream cheese on tomato bread, bridge rolls with egg mayonnaise and cress and chicken with pesto on sunflower bread. A five tier Victorian Lemon Cake formed a centrepiece in the room, surrounded by vintage china and crystal tiered cake stands piled high with sweet treats including Coconut and Blueberry Macaroons, Rosewater and Orange Mousse White Chocolate Feuilletines and Raspberry and Passionfruit Tartlets. Devine.

The aforementioned Charlotte & Jane were specially commissioned to create a cocktail dress for the event inspired by Cork Dry Gin’s iconic square bottle. This fitted, backless, vibrant red silk creation with crystals and gold studding took the designers 7 hours, working in tandem, to embellish. The fashion showcase featured the labels new silks and hats with vintage sounds in string provided by quartet Stringology.

In attendance were Emma Donnellan and Stephanie Wynne from Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, designers Charlotte Cargin and Jane Skovgaard of Charlotte & Jane, author Marisa Mackle, stylist Maria Fusco, Avila Lipsett and FM104’s Sean Munsanje.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Midnight Shakers Ball

(Pix. Brian McEvoy)



Having a Ball: 1. Faith Barnett & Emma Waldron; 2. Lorna Nolan & Alan Murphy; 3. Sarah Geraghty & Sarah Murphy.




The Midnight Shakers Society hosted a ball in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland at the Burlington Hotel Dublin recently, raising almost €30,000 for the charity.

The Society comprises a comittee of young people from different professional backgrounds aged between 24 and 27 years of age, who come together with the dual aim of organising events for their peers, whilst raising as much money as possible for a nominated charity or cause.

Guests were welcomed with string quartet and drinks reception sponsored by Tia Maria, followed by a three-course meal. Entertainment on the night was provided by 80’s tribute band Spring Break, and Duckworth Lewis Method (with Neil Hannon of Divine Comedy fame), as well as fun and games with Casino tables, giant board games and a huge raffle on the night.

Among those attending were Miss Ireland Emma Waldron, Michelle Massey, Kristi Kuudisim and Jenny Lee Masterson. This is the second charity ball of the society; last year they raised almost €30,000 for the nominated charity with over 700 hundred young professionals in attendance.

For more information on Cystic Fibrosis please go to http://www.cfireland.ie/


Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Peter Mark NCAD show




Future of Fashion: 1. Jenny McDermott & Ciaran Sweeney; 2. Michelle McGrath & Courtney O'Hara; 3. Barry & Aileen Dempsey. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)



The fashion forward were out to support the future of Irish design at the annual Peter Mark NCAD Graduate Fashion Show, which took place in the beautiful surrounds of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on Saturday night.

The sell out show attracted over 800 guests and was attended by some of Ireland’s most influential fashion media. High profile guests included Irish fashion designer Ciaran Sweeney (who produced and styled the show for NCAD), stylist Catherine Condell, IMAGE editrix Melanie Morris and Off The Rails host Sonya Lennon. Irish fashion designers Peter O’Brien, Mairead Whisker and Joanne Hynes also showed their support.

The epic show featured over 200 creations on the catwalk. Fairytales, the circus and even construction were among the many sources of inspirations for the 15 final year students who showcased their graduate collections on the night.

The sleek and simple hair creations were put together by the talented team at Peter Mark with chief stylist Michael Doyle. Peter Mark has supported the show and NCAD’s emerging talent for the past 13 years, and indeed this is a very special year for them as they celebrate their 50th anniversary in business.

Final year graduate student Clarisse Walsh from Letterkenny was delighted to be announced as the winner of the 2011 River Island Bursary. She’s in good company; NCAD has produced some of the world’s finest designers including international milliner Philip Treacy, NY based designer Darrel K and the eponymous Orla Kiely, while other successful former students are now employed with the likes of Armani, Diane Von Furstenburg, Vivienne Westwood, Valentino and Diesel.

Monday, May 23, 2011

CARI lunch




Caring: 1. Cecilia Ahern, Miriam Ahern & Georgina Byrne; 2. Suzanne Craddock & Hazel Kaneswaren; 3. Siobhan Carnegie, Bridgid Cleary & Aisling Kilduff. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)



Ladies (and gents) still love lunching so it was with excitement that the guests attended Miriam Ahern’s annual summer do in aid of CARI in Cruzzos of Malahide recently.

Glamorous and stylish ladies dressed to the nines in Gucci and Dior were out in force to enjoy the wonderful surroundings of the harbour-side restaurant. The afternoon began with a champagne reception sponsored by M&S after which a chic fashion show was hosted by Malahide boutiques Neola, Divine, Yasmin and Camille (sounds like a girl band!), along with McGuirks Golf, doo-lally.com and M&S.

The show was followed by a delicious four-course gourmet lunch with wines sponsored by Gilbert & Wright, Malahide. During lunch there was live entertainment by Dublin’s newest group On the Edge and cabaret singer Rose Lawless. The charismatic Alan Hughes from TV3 was the MC for the afternoon and Georgina and Cecilia Ahern, Linda Keating, Gary Kavanagh, Roz Flanagan, Pippa O’Connor and Karl Broderick were among the guests.

CARI is a voluntary organisation, founded in 1989 to provide therapy and counselling to children and teens that have been affected by Child Sexual Abuse and support for the non-abusing members of their families and this annual lunch raises in excess of €30,000 in much needed funds.



Friday, May 20, 2011

Best of the Rest




This week the Best of the Rest in the style wars …. 1. Laura Whiston and Lorna Weightman brought some bright cheer to West Coast Cooler’s Citra party in Residence; 2. Jane Given, pictured with her Irish footballer husband Shay, looks so glamorous in a metallic dress from Victoria Beckham’s AW11 collection at the Fashion Kicks charity show in Manchester; 3. Isabelle Traber rocks the 70s look at a TK Maxx fashion event with an outfit completely sourced from the designer-brands-for-less store.

(Pix. Harnett / Farrell / Photocall)

Tall Order




Music lovers: 1. Sarah Parker & Bryan O'Hanlon; 2. Niamh Shortt; 3. Janine Donnelly & Lauren Cox. (Pix. Mark Stedman / Photocall)



Bulmers is helping to bring free music to Waterford and has announced its latest foray into the live music arena with the launch of The Bulmers Live Music Trail, which will see bands perform, free of charge on the main Live stages, and also in pubs all over Waterford city, during The Tall Ships Races 2011.

To launch the Live Music Trail 2011 Choice Music Prize nominees and Waterford’s very own O Emperor performed two secret gigs, in two cities, on one day (HotPress described them as “lyrically excellent, sonically daring and in-your-face energetic”). O Emperor joined Bulmers and 150 guests for the first of the two live gigs at The South William pub in Dublin. The Déise lads then jumped ship for Waterford where they played for the home crowd at Geoff’s, which was packed to capacity.

O Emperor will line up alongside Bryan Ferry, The Waterboys and Sharon Shannon with guests Damien Dempsey and Dessie O’Halloran on the main Live stages at The Tall Ships Races Waterford, which will take place from 30th June – 3rd July 2011. There will also be a host of live pub entertainment on offer on the Bulmers Live Music Trail.


Thursday, May 19, 2011

Ragús






Let’s Dance: 1. James Ward & Gillian Fitzpatrick; 2. Lisa Coyle, Sinya O Sullivan & Carrie O’Brien; 3. Rachel O’Brien & Amanda Brunker. (Pix. James Horan / Collins)

The Burlington Hotel hosted the premier of its new summer show Ragús, a live and exhilarating production of an international hit performance tipped to be an unforgettable experience of authentic Irish music, song and dance in one amazing live show.

Having completed over 300 sold out shows outside of Ireland in the past year, the brilliant company of musicians, dancers and singers of Ragús are returning to the Emerald Isle.
Ragús toured three summer runs, one in Dublin's Vicar Street and two consecutive years in the Olympia Theatre.

It has since spent the summer months touring throughout Europe, Asia and the U.S. and now will run throughout the summer until October 3rd, 2011 bringing its culture from the West into the heart of Dublin.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Lir

(Pix. Brian McEvoy)


Children of Lir: 1. Isabela Cardoso & Rob Bourke; 2. Lauren Coe; 3. Siobhan Lyons & Cillian Ryan.



The Lir, Ireland’s new Academy of Dramatic Art, which will open this September, held a very special fundraising evening featuring many of their Ambassadors from the world of film, theatre and television.

This special evening of music, dinner, dancing and performance was a celebration of the Irish acting tradition, with special guests attending the event including Sebastian Barry, Simon Delaney, Michael McElhatton, Lorcan Cranitch, Nick Dunning and Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh amongst others.

The event started with a Jameson drinks reception, supper, aerial dance from Figet Feet and music by the The Controversial Allstars, whose band members played previously with Picturehouse and the Commitments. All proceeds from the event will go to support funding for students of The Lir which was developed by the partnership of Trinity College Dublin and the Cathal Ryan Trust and is formally associated with the world-renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

Representing The Lir were board members Harry Crosbie and Michael Colgan, Chair Dermot McCrumm and Danielle Ryan of the Cathal Ryan Trust. Academic Director Brian Singleton was also in attendance. The Lir’s aim is to train young actors, designers, directors, playwrights, stage managers and theatre technicians to the highest international standards for careers in theatre, film, TV and radio both in Ireland and internationally.


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Sun-sational




Right Said Fred: 1. Kevin Monahan & Lucy McPhail; 2. Tara Tisdall, Oscar Diana & Kairit Neiland; 3. Cairena Foy & Ailish Kelly. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)



The Fred Perry fashion brand hosted a summer party at Arnotts to launch the Sun-sational series of events in the Henry Street department store, running until Sunday 22nd May.

Welcoming in the summer season of chilled-out sunny days, festivals and gigs, Dublin's cool set packed out the store and were treated to a storming set from local heroes The Minutes and DJ Cici Kavanagh. There was also some seriously competitive action on the table tennis tables, a nod to the tennis history of the brand.

The event attracted Dublin's stylish music fans including Chewy, Laura Mahon, Josh Gordon, Billy Scurry, Owen Clarke, Alwyn Bourne, Suzanne O'Dea, Dave De Valera and Rosemary McCabe, all ready to start their summer season in style.

Since the 1990s Fred Perry has maintained close links with a street-savvy music-loving audience by hosting gigs and promoting the best new bands on the indie, edgy side of mainstream from Vancouver to Tokyo via its Subculture events and festival associations.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Citra





Sharp: 1. Etain Boyd & Edward Cox; 2. Anna Daly; 3. Judy Gilroy & Aisling Oslizlok. (Pix. Leon Farrell / Photocall)



With summer just round the corner (fingers crossed) West Coast Cooler has just launched a new addition to its flavoursome collection. Step forward Citra, a lemon and lime infusion that’s sure to be a refreshing hit.

In keeping with the fashionable image the brand has successfully cultivated there was a suitably fashionable crowd at the launch in the Behan Lodge at Residence. Among them TV3's Anna Daly, Fair City actresses Aoibhinn Garrihy and Aoibhean McCaul, presenter and stylist Darren Kennedy and Irish prima ballerina Monica Loughman.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Best of the Rest





Best of the Rest …. this week’s fashion forward party people: 1. Theatre director Annabelle Comyn looks great in this ensemble at the opening party for her latest production, Pygmalion at the Abbey; 2. Cristine Aspen & Laura Scanlon are effortlessly chic in blue jeans at the Tommy Hilfiger do (love Christine’s oversized Stella McCartney bag); 3. Delicate prints are in vogue with Aisling O’Loughlin & Saoirse Ronan at the Cinemagic film festival launch.

(Pix. Harnett / McEvoy / Mark Stedman)



The Hilfiger summer




Preppy People: 1. Grace Fox & Claire Nolan; 2. Sunil Shah & Sonia Lennon; 3. Oonagh Fallon & Roisin Treacey. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)



The stylish rope-and-stanchion entrance caught the attention of Thursday evening shoppers on Grafton Street and the preppy styled girls on the black carpet served as real life mannequins. Inside the Tommy Hilfiger party it was loud, boisterous and busy. Maybe it was the generous discount that had been promised to the invited guests.

The evening featured two fashion shows, hosted by Off the Rails presenter Sonya Lennon, of the summer ranges including the new Prep World capsule collection, the Runway and Tailored collections and featured the limited edition Tommy Hilfiger Breast Health International bag. This collectible has just arrived in store and retails for €299, €100 of which goes to Fund For Living – a campaign initiated by Breast Health International to support those diagnosed with breast cancer.

Guests at the flagship store included soon-to-be-weds Brian Ormond and Pippa O’Connor, Virginia Macari and US actress Sammy Cannon, FM104’s Sean Munsanje, Ciara Egan of Quintessentially and Roisin Ni Mhordha. They all enjoyed tunes from DJ Mo Kelly, Hamptons style canapés, a wine reception by Jacob’s Creek and, as if that wasn’t enough, one lucky person won a weekend away to a European fashion city with a €1000 Tommy Hilfiger spend. Nice.