S&P festivities

Party: 1. Alexandra McKeever; 2. Karen Burke and Denise Kavanagh; 3. Christina Mahon and Callan Price. (Pix. Richie Stokes)

Social & Personal magazine, Ireland’s society bible, hosted its annual Christmas party at Lost Society this year.  Guests were welcomed by PJ Gibbons and Richard Kavanagh, the Moet & Chandon flowed alongside cool cocktails and the crowd partied all night. 

Hennessy Best Dressed 2013

Models Karen Fitzpatrick and Teodora Sutra, dressed in winter racing outfits from Design Centre, launch the Hennessy Gold Cup Best Dressed Lady, in association with Design Centre.

Ladies with an eye for racing style, can pre-register for the Hennessy Best Dressed Lady on www.facebook.com/HennessyCognacIreland.

The winner will be chosen at the Hennessy Gold Cup (next Feb) by international supermodel, Erin O’Connor and will receive a €7,000 voucher to spend in Design Centre, Ireland’s leading destination store

(Pix: Kieran Harnett)

In Love with Lancome

Festive beauties: 1. Joanne Hynes and Anne Marie O’Connor; 2. Tara Talbot; 3. Blaithnaid Ni Chofaigh and Trevor Keegan. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Ireland’s beauties and beauty experts gathered for an early toast to Christmas and a special preview of Lancôme’s Spring Collection, ‘In Love’ at The Shelbourne Hotel, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.

Pop shades drawn from street-art murals and vibrant tones of nature flirting with an urban spirit are at the forefront of the collection. Vibrant shades inspired by the light of spring (neon pink and coral predominate, complemented by turquoise and violet) contrast with the luminous pastels of urban nature in abundance (rose petal, almond green). 

Guests on the night included Ireland’s top RTE star Kathryn Thomas, who has travelled the length and breadth of Ireland in the past week with Operation Transformation duties, and who’ll be back fronting The Voice in the near future. TV3’s Karen Koster, spoke about being busy planning her June 2013 wedding, whilst RTE’s Today presenter Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh, caught up with her close friend and former co-presenter Trevor Keegan. 

Triona McCarthy was glowing as she displayed her beautiful baby bump and was joined by partner William White. Also there were Irish fashion designer Joanne Hynes, who gave birth only nine weeks ago, Catherine Allason of Quintessentially Lifestyle, Darren Kennedy and Marissa Carter.

The Lancôme Spring ‘In Love’ Collection will be available at select Lancôme department stores, from 3rd January 2013.

XM&S

XM&S: 1. Rachel Kavanagh; 2. Padraig Prendergast and Lorraine Wemyss; 3. Karen Koster. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

In celebration of all of its Irish suppliers, Marks & Spencer hosted an Irish Christmas Food Show in the rooftop restaurant of its Grafton Street store .The event was attended by over 130 foodies who all enjoyed previewing the delectable festive produce that M&S has to offer this season.

Irish produce featured on the evening included free range turkeys from Moy Park, succulent beef and lamb from Linden Foods, smoked Irish salmon from Dunn's and a fantastic selection of cheeses  from Horgan's.  The Genesis mince pies were delicious served with M&S cream, while LIR chocolatiers showcased artisan confectionary at its best.  Over 150 vibrant Wexford grown Keelings poinsettias were also displayed throughout the venue and guests were thrilled to take one home as a gift, compliments of Keelings and M&S.

Enjoying the festive atmosphere were TV3's Karen Koster, Sybil Mulcahy and Sinead Desmond, while foodies Gillian Nelis, Marie-Claire Digby and Ross Golden-Bannon all enjoyed meeting with the various Irish suppliers. Chef Catherine Fulvio got into the festive spirit wearing a beautiful red dress on the evening, while actress Rachel Kavanagh enjoyed catching up with RTE's Claire Byrne.

Liz's Lunch

Lunch with Liz: 1. Yasmin Velloza & Liz O’Donnell; 2. Bridget Cleary & Siobhan Mahon; 3. Siobhan Carnegie & Ailish Smith. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Over 160 supporters of Adi Roche’s Chernobyl Children International (CCI) came out in force to support an annual fundraising event organised by former Minister of State for Overseas Development and Board Director of CCI Liz O’Donnell at The Clarence Hotel, Dublin.

Along with Adi Roche, Liz greeted the many guests who represented the arts and culture, government and commercial sectors. The monies raised from ‘Liz’s Lunch’ will go to support life-saving cardiac surgeries for children on critical waiting lists in the Chernobyl regions.
Over 6,000 children are born every year with heart defects in Ukraine but only half of these children go on to receive surgery and survive beyond their first 2-3 years.

Professor Mark Redmond was one of the distinguished guests at the lunch. He had just returned from a life-saving cardiac mission in October and witnessed at first-hand the tremendous work of the volunteer surgical teams who work around the clock to save as many lives per mission as possible.

A glittering array of auction and raffle items included an exquisite gold and diamond mythology alphabet amulet and gold Saturn chain by Annoushka at Brown Thomas, jewellery by Deborah Veale, a tailored dress and coat by Roisin Leanne at the Design Centre and a wool and leather trim belted coat by Edun donated by Ali Hewson.

NYE premiere

Movie fans: 1. Daithi O’Se and Rita Talty; 2. Siobhan O’Connor; 3. Ciara Le Foy and Sean Munsanje.

Christmas time is always a good time for movies with loads of new blockbusters opening at the cinemas across the world, and looking to land a festive No. 1 is “New Years Eve” which premiered at Cineworld.

The film revolves around the events of NewYear Eve and the countdown to it in Time Square. It involces an ensemble cast of characters from Aston Kutcher and Halle Berry to Michelle Pfeeifer, John Bon Jovi and is from the directors of Pretty Woman & Valentines Day.

Skating in a Winter Wonderland

Ice, Ice Baby: 1. Sadhbh Kelly Cahill and Ciaran McKay; 2. Kirsteen O'Sullivan; 3. John Hayes and Katie Kelly. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

A host of Irish celebrities including Lorraine Keane, Bernard Dunne and Lisa Murphy attended the opening night of 7UP Winter Wonderland, Ireland's newest and largest free-to-enter Winter Park, at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin.

7UP Winter Wonderland is the first event of its kind and scale in the country and featuring Ireland's largest covered ice rink with a dedicated children's rink, a Christmas circus, cosy bars & cafes, foods and crafts market stalls, and rides and attractions for all ages. The Winter park is open until the 8th January 2012. A multi-generational Christmas attraction, it is anticipated that the event will boost visitor numbers to Dublin from both home and abroad.

Xmas at Lara

Lara: 1. Andrea hayes and Olivia Leahy; 2. Deric Hartigan and Tiffany Stanley; 3. Joanne Martin and Doireann Gately. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Followers of glitzy fashion turned out for Christmas at Lara recently. Lara’s gowns have graced the red carpets of every celebrity event in Ireland over the last decade and her boutiques have seen more starlets and stylists, screen sirens and catwalk queens than most.

The boutique is a treasure chest of jewel box colours and designer labels such as Forever Unique, La Femme, New Couture, Love, Muddz and many more. But Lara is not just about all that glitters, she also carries an eclectic mix of exciting day wear with Robin Hood and Mett Jeans teamed up with soft and luxurious jackets and sky high boots, blazers and tops adorned with skulls and crystals and unique carefully selected pieces for that perfect capsule wardrobe.

Landing Katie Price’s new label, Day 22 exclusively in Ireland has been yet another coup for Lara. Created by Katie Price, aka Jordan, and Lamis Khamis, Day 22 is a fashionable and stylish collection that is comfortable, edgy and of quality.

Guests enjoyed cocktails made with new Dubliner whiskey liqueur now cruising social circles, bubbles and bites from Pichet and tunes from DJ Owen Clarke. Among the crowd were Miss Ireland Holly Carpenter, models Hazel O’Sullivan and Tiffany Stanley, Alison Canavan, Animal A&E presenter Andrea Hayes and singer Claire Malone.

Tommy Hilfiger Holidays

Holiday mood: 1. Carmen Castro and Paul Hegarty; 2. Roz Purcell and Hanah Devane; 3. Karl Patrick Smith and Rebecca Ryan. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Tommy Hilfiger hosted its annual Fashion Event at the flagship Grafton Street store, giving Tommy fans the opportunity to bag some great pieces for the holidays. The Fashion Event, celebrating the third anniversary of the store, was hosted by Pamela Flood.

Attendees included Leinster rugby player Kevin McLaughlin, stylist Maria Fusco, models Rozanna Purcell, Holly Carpenter and Hannah Devane, Dr. Eva Orsmond, Sarah McGovern with baby Jude and radiant mum to be Virginia Macari.

The evening included two fashion shows, debuting the winter collections for men, women and kids including the festive Preppy Holidays collection. Guests were treated to a wine reception by Jacob’s Creek, American style canapés and prize draws, as well as music by pianist Luke Slott and DJ Will Kinsella.

Event

Christ Church Cathedral is pleased to announce the return of its popular Christmas Market following its phenomenal success last year. The market, now in its second year, benefits from an impressive, unique location in the atmospheric 12th Century crypt of the Cathedral, the oldest structure in Dublin.

There will be a total of 15 stalls creating an intimate festive shopping experience and will feature Arts, Crafts, Jewellery and craft stalls including those by up and coming Irish designers. This year there will also be food stalls outside in the Cathedral grounds and entry to the market will be free and all proceeds of the Christmas market will go towards the Cathedral restoration fund

The final date for the Christmas market is Saturday 17th December, 11am-4pm.

Aladdin at The Helix

Oh no they didn’t: 1. Martha Christie & George McMahon; 2. Michelle Hennessey and Diane Bunici; 3. Diarmuid Gavin with daughter Epi (left) and Aisling Power. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The pantomime season kicked off with the opening performance of Aladdin at The Helix in DCU. This is the fourth year that TheatreworX has brought its traditional family panto to The Helix and taking an action packed adventure through Arabia are George McMahon (best known as the memorable Mondo in Fair City) as hero Aladdin and his forbidden love, the captivating Martha Christie (one of Ireland’s top models and a classically trained singer) as Princess Jasmine.

Bringing laughs as George and Martha take their magic carpet ride in Arabia’s Agrabah City are West End musical performer Eoin Cannon who returns to The Helix stage as scheming villain Jafaah, comedian and actor Aidan Mannion as Jafaah’s hapless idiot son Janowah and Colin Hughes as Aladdin’s best mate Wishee Washee. Seasoned pantomime performer Frank Mackey stars as the sharp-tongued and quick-witted Dame Twankey and new starlet Jacqueline Brunton shines as Jewel.

Aladdin will now run until January 15th and with a charming love story, magic, a happily ever after and referencing everything from Justin Bieber for the kids to the evening news for grown-ups, Aladdin is a true family panto.

Dundrum on Ice

On Ice: Mikaela Kenny and Maeve Cronin; 2. Sonia Reynolds; 3. Martin King and his son Matthew. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Dundrum On Ice hosted its launch this week and a host of well known faces got their skates on and took to the rink. Among them were Georgia Salpa, Daniella Moyles, Emily McKeogh, TV3’s Martin King and son Matthew and Sonia Reynolds and her little ones. The 98Fm Thunders were also on hand acting as DJ’s to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.

As a face painter transformed the younger guests into snow fairies and elves the older guests were invited to join the owners of the rink, Jason Williams and Annie Arshak in the Harvey Nichols bar for mulled wine and mini mince pies.

The fun didn’t stop there as everyone who attended also got a fun packed goodie bag and the opportunity to skate with the life size penguins. Dundrum On Ice is open 7 days a week. With recession friendly prices and lower off peak rates as well as being student friendly, it is the ideal way to get into the swing of the festive season.

Fade up

(Pix. Richie Stokes)

Light up: Cici Cavanagh & Louise Johnston; 2. Ciara Murphy, Emma Butler and Mary Fahy.

Fade Street is back by popular demand and two stars of the hit reality show, Louise Johnston and Cici Cavanagh, were on hand to turn on the South William Street Christmas lights with Dublin City Business Improvement District (BID). The two glamorous girlz joined Dublin City BID CEO, Richard Guiney, Eileen Denham of Lost Society and Garrett Pitcher of Indigo and Cloth, to bring a bit of festive sparkle to the city’s trendiest thoroughfare.

Dundrum on Ice

(Pix. Brian McEvoy)

On Ice: Mikaela Kenny and Maeve Cronin; 2. Sonia Reynolds; 3. Martin King and his son Matthew.

Dundrum On Ice hosted its launch this week and a host of well known faces got their skates on and took to the rink. Among them were Georgia Salpa, Daniella Moyles, Emily McKeogh, TV3’s Martin King and son Matthew and Sonia Reynolds and her little ones. The 98Fm Thunders were also on hand acting as DJ’s to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.

As a face painter transformed the younger guests into snow fairies and elves the older guests were invited to join the owners of the rink, Jason Williams and Annie Arshak in the Harvey Nichols bar for mulled wine and mini mince pies.

The fun didn’t stop there as everyone who attended also got a fun packed goodie bag and the opportunity to skate with the life size penguins. Dundrum On Ice is open 7 days a week. With recession friendly prices and lower off peak rates as well as being student friendly, it is the ideal way to get into the swing of the festive season.

Powers Short Stories

Power of Words: 1. Geoff Power & Andrea Carter; 2. Yvonne Hall & Niamh O Carroll; 3. Mairead Roberts & Emmet Kelly. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Short story writers from across Ireland descended on Dalkey for the launch of Celebrating What Truly Matters: Powers Irish Whiskey Short Story Collection in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation. A special compilation of over 40 short stories, the book showcases Ireland’s hidden literary talent with tales that reflect on mellower moments in time and the warmth of relationships, family and friends.

Great character and full bodied, the celebratory event was in keeping with Powers as it was hosted in the beautiful surrounds of Finnegans in Dalkey. Officially launching the anthology was best-selling author Sheila O’Flanagan, who highly praised and encouraged each of the contributors to the book for which she has written a foreword.

Master story teller Maeve Binchy was there to lend her support with husband Gordon Snell and delivered a touching and witty impromptu speech which was very much appreciated by all. She encouraged budding writers and felt they had a lot to contribute towards uplifting the mood of the country during tough times.

Along with short story writers who contributed, among them fashion designer Mairead Whisker and film maker and producer Hilary Fennell, were Pat Magee and Grainne Galvin of Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, Tim O’Dea, Caroline Lynch and Niamh O’Carroll of the Irish Hospice Foundation, along with book editor Patsey Murphy, newly appointed MD of Quintessentially Wayne Cronin, artist Lydia Brow and fashion photographer Sarah Doyle.

Beautifully published and illustrated throughout, Celebrating What Truly Matters Powers Irish Whiskey Short Story Collection will be available to buy from Easons and Supervalu stores nationwide, The Old Jameson Distillery and Midleton Distillery stores, and online from www.hospice-foundation.ie and www.powerswhiskey.com retailing at €9.99.

Powers Whiskey funded all costs relating to the book to ensure all proceeds from every sale go to the Irish Hospice Foundation.