Sinead Madden

Single launch: 1. Sinead Madden & Aine Ford; 2. Katy Gannon & Helen O’Dwyer; 3. Paul Byrom & Dominique Coulter. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


Irish singer songwriter Sinead Madden finally got to take some time from her busy touring schedule to release the official single from her debut album “Impossible Dream”.

Brian Kennedy, Moya Brennan with her husband Tim, Darren Holden, Paul Byrom and his girlfriend Dominique Coulter, Bernie and Lorenzo Cafolla, interior designer Catriona Hanly and Roy Seven's Paul Walsh are just some of those who attended the intimate official launch party at private members club Residence.

“Impossible Dream” is taken from Sinead’s current album “Honey Promises”, which is on general sale and also from iTunes, together with mail order from sineadmadden.com.

Now that a window of opportunity has presented itself in Sinead’s diary, she is not a lady for resting. She’s already working on her second album, which has a release date scheduled for Autumn 2010. The Dublin-based songstress is also currently confirming UK and Irish tours for September and October 2010.

Her vocals hint at the sincerity and warmth of Jewel and the maturity and elegance of Sarah Mclachlan. Her songs exude an air of mystery and intrigue that snares an audience like a sizzling drama and are mesmerizing and exquisite at every turn.

Celebrity Salon

Salon select: 1. Virginia Macari; 2. Pippa O’Connor, Breffny Morgan & Leigh Arnold; 3. Celia Holman-Lee & Elaine Butler-Doolin. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


Celebrity Salon, TV3’s new celeb reality series, was launched with a bang at a party in Cafe en Seine. The stars involved are presenter and actress Virginia Macari, actress Leigh Arnold, ex-Apprentice Breffny Morgan, model Pippa O’Connor, presenter Brian Dowling and model agent Celia Holman-Lee.

Joining the Celebrity Salon crew were John Norton and Izabella Chudzicka, Glenda Gilson, Jayne O’Keeffe, Vanessa Lawrenson and Torquil Fleming-Boyd. The show, which is hosted by beautician Elaine Butler-Doolin, runs until Saturday 19th June.

Expect plenty of high jinx over the next few days!

Rihanna @ Wright Venue

Please Don't Stop the Music: 1. Rihanna; 2. Michael Wright & Pixie Lott; 3. Ruth Melody & Kamal Ibrahim. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Pop princess Rihanna hosted her official after party at the Wright Venue after her three sell-out gigs at the O2. In celebration of the finale of her European Tour she entertained a select group of people at the super venue including rapper Tinie Tempah, Virginia Macari and Pixie Lott while Urban Friday residents Frank Jez and Tandoo sound tracked the night.

Aussie Rules

Aussie fans: 1. Cathy O’Connor & Rebecca Lawless; 2. Sinead Walsh & Ian Davey; 3. Andrea Hayes & Andrew Byrne. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Ireland got a taste of Australia recently as Aussie hair care launched its Colour Mate Limited Edition bottles range at the magnificent house at No. 15 St. Stephen’s Green.

Roxanne Parker looked radiant from a recent shoot in Cyprus and was happily sipping on Bellini cocktails while TV producer Andrew Byrne and TV3 presenter Andrea Hayes chilled out to tunes from DJ Sinead Ni Mhórdha.

Marissa Mackle arrived with long time friend Anne Boylan while guests were wowed at the stunning floral creations by Appassionata. Before the evening ended Julian Benson made a fleeting appearance straight from rehearsals at the Burlington Hotel for his new show, Celtic Rising, which opens there on 12th June.

Guests were treated to mini-makeovers from Max Factor by make-up artist Lyndsey Cavanagh. Hair guru brothers Paul and Ian Davey flew back from Cannes (where they had been tending to Martin Scorsese’s wife Helen) to give Aussie Hair care tips on how to manage their tresses.

SATC 2

Pictured at the SATC 2 premiere at The Savoy: 1. Caroline Morahan; 2. Colette Fitzpatrick & Sean Munsanje; 3. Glenda Gilson.



Pictured at the SATC 2 premiere at The Savoy: 1. Michelle Heaton; 2. Lisa Fitzpatrick; 3. Norman Pratt & Roisin Tierney - Crowe. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


What happens after you say "I do"?

Life is everything the ladies ever wished it to be, but it wouldn't be Sex and the City if life didn't hold a few more surprises … this time in the form of a glamorous, sun-drenched adventure that whisks the women away from New York to one of the most luxurious, exotic and vivid places on earth, where the party never ends and there's something mysterious around every corner.

It's an escape that comes exactly at the right moment for the four friends, who are finding themselves in – and fighting against – the traditional roles of marriage, motherhood and more. After all, sometimes you just have to get away with the girls.

SATC2 & Moet

SATC2: 1. Judith Kelly & Clodagh McKenna; 2. Derrick Carberry, Brendan Courtney & Colm Corrigan; 3. Nikki Harte & Laura Whiston. (Pix. Liam Murphy)

Specially invited guests and readers gathered at Movies @ Dundrum for an exclusive screening of Warner Bros’ much anticipated film, “Sex and the City 2”, hosted by THE GLOSS and Moët & Chandon Cinema Club. The movie is surely one of the most talked about in recent times and the champagne fuelled atmosphere on the evening of the screening was electric.

The assembled guests were treated to snipes of Moët and a feast of canapés from Neil Shirt Catering, followed by delicious Lindor chocolates from Swiss chocolate makers, Lindt. The crowd included TV3 presenter Anna Daly, Brendan Courtney from Off the Rails, models Baiba Gaile and Irma Mali, Ciara Egan of Quintessentially (the concierge Dublin is in love with), Kathryn Thomas and celebrity chef Clodagh McKenna who has just established a new cookery school at the luxurious Village At Lyons in Kildare.

The movie is as over the top as one would expect with a level of high camp and innuendo that’s through the roof – wouldn’t want it any other way! Judging by the gasps, laughs and giggles from the (mostly female) audience SATC2 definitely met their approval.

It was the third such event hosted by The GLOSS and Moët & Chandon Cinema Club, which are taking place throughout the year to mark the glamorous role the champagne brand has played in the history of film, both on and off screen. It’s been the champagne of cinema since the early days of Hollywood, supporting several hundred films since the 1930s including iconic ones such as Love in the Afternoon, Pretty Woman, Titanic, Ocean’s 12 and of course Sex and the City 2.

Good Heart

Happy Hearts: 1. Sinead Kavanagh; 2. Adrian Cummins & Aoife Conners; 3. Eimear Cotter & Caroline Cullen. (Pix. Anthony Woods)

Saba Restaurant on Dublin’s Clarendon street played host to the official launch of ‘Happy Heart Eat Out Month’, a joint initiative with the Irish Heart Foundation, Safefood and the HSE which encourages restaurants to offer “heart healthy” menu options for the month of June (for the rest of the year you’ll just have to suffer in silence!).

Each dish of the delish four course menu was especially created by Saba’s executive chef Taweesak Trakoolwattana with a focus on the fresh, healthy ingredients with the rich authentic flavours that Saba is renowned for.

Incidentally if you are worried about cholesterol then check out Ateronon pills. Dr. Rob Hicks was in Dublin this week to launch the revolutionary new lycopene, tomato based supplement.

Diary Date

This weekend ...

Bloom, Ireland's largest gardening, food and family event, takes place in the Phoenix Park Dublin during the June bank holiday weekend for 5 days (Thursday 2nd - Monday 6th June 2011). There's plenty to see including showgardens, a chef's kitchen and the Arnott's Style Stage.

www.bloominthepark.com

InDublin Awards

At the InDublin Awards: 1. Noelle O’Reilly & Nikki Wan; 2. Sinead Brady & Ray Egan; 3. Lydia Coleman & Maura Prenderghast. (Pix. Brian McEvoy).


To Suite 54 nightclub in Blackrock where InDublin magazine hosted a glitzy party to announce the winners of the 2010 InDublin Best Of Awards. Restaurants, bars and nightclubs all over Dublin competed over 2 months for the much sought after annual title in their category, with Suite 54 picking up Best Cocktail Bar.

Guests on the night included Rangan Aruchelvan, Conor Buckley, Brian O’Malley, Sara Kavanagh, Michelle McGrath, Brian Fallon and many top names from the service industry in Dublin.

“The Awards are an opportunity to give something back to the ‘Best’ of Dublin’s bars, pubs and restaurants,” said Editor Noelle O’Reilly, “it can often be the simplest things that can make or break any night out in Dublin, which is why we recognise not only the overall ‘Best’ in each category as voted by our readers and the public, but to also those extra efforts made by publicans and restaurant owners, like the beer gardens and the dance floors.”

Among the winners were Dandelion for Best Nightclub; The Wright Venue for Best Dancefloor; Krystle for Best Beer Garden and The Bailey for Best People Watching. Best GastroPub went to The Exchequer, Saba picked up Best Asian Restaurant while Pearl Brasserie won the Best Restaurant 2010.

Life in 3D

3DTV is go: 1. Romy Carroll & Etain Boyd; 2. Rosanna Davison & Craig Doyle; 3. Andrew Rudd & Niall O’Farrell. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Samsung Ireland hosted an exclusive reception to celebrate the availability of Ireland’s first 3D TV’s in the stunning surroundings of the Circle Room at the new Grand Canal Theatre. TV presenter Craig Doyle acted as master of ceremonies with well known comedian Oliver Callan (of ‘Nob Nation’ fame) and DJ Mo Kelly entertaining guests in attendance.

Rosanna Davison looked stunning in blue as she officially unveiled Samsung’s latest 3D TV innovation, the C9000. The TV was flown in especially for the event and will be available in Ireland from June.

Spotted enjoying the 3D TV experience hubs were Irish rugby legend Malcolm O’Kelly and Leinster’s Shaun Berne and Nathan Hines. Louise Osbourne and model Laura Toogood looked as glam as always and were clearly bowled over by this season’s hottest accessory a - pair of 3D TV glasses!

Other 3D TV lovers at the event included Niall O’Farrell, Katie Jane Goldin, Italian fashionista Maria Fusco, Nuala Carey, stylist and presenter Darren Kennedy and Xopse’s Sean Munsanje.

The Samsung 3D TV line-up, apparently the greatest innovation in TV history, includes LCD, Plasma and the new LED 7,000, 8,000 and 9,000 models with screens ranging from 40” to 65” all featuring the latest 3D technology.

Mary McCartney for Kildare Village

Fashion followers: 1. Maria McGovern & Mary McCartney; 2. Kamal Jeedt & Joanne Hynes; 3. Avril Brophy, Lorraine Dwyer & Tara Fay. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Kildare Village is delighted to announce that world-renowned photographer Mary McCartney has been confirmed as the celebrity judge for The Kildare Village Most Stylish Lady Competition on Sunday 27 June. Mary has an excellent eye for style (as does her sister Stella) so she’s well placed to judge.

As part of the Kildare Village fashion sponsorship, Ms. McCartney opened an exhibition of her work entitled, ‘Mary McCartney – Collective Works’ at The Gallery Space in Kildare Village this week. The exhibition is an amalgamation of the photographer’s favourite images, shown in Ireland for the first time and exclusively curated for Kildare Village.

Now in its 5th year the Kildare Village Most Stylish Lady Competition has more exciting news for fashion loving race-goers ... for the first time ever members of the public will have their say in who will win the coveted fashion prize.

On Derby Sunday six finalists will be chosen by Mary McCartney and go through to the public vote. Pictures of the finalists will be displayed on large screens at the Curragh so race-goers can vote for their favourite via a free SMS text or on the derby.kildarevillage.com website.

Morgan, de toi

Guests at The Morgan: 1. Paola Floris & Brendan Liddy; 2. Catherine Fegan & Lisa Fitzpatrick; 3. Louise Ryan & Sorcha De-Gras. (Pix. Paul Sherwood)

Sophisticated fun, ultra stylish, modern chic – one of Dublin’s best boutique hotels - The Morgan has just launched The Morgan Suite Resident’s Lounge. The lounge will be a haven for corporate guests where they will be able to relax and unwind in the stylish surroundings of their own exclusive lounge whilst staying in the four star hotel.

Decorated with Philip Starck furniture, plush seating and offering a celebration of contemporary design, clean, simple lines and uncluttered elegance, the room is ideal for guests who need to chill out or work in peace.

To coincide with the launch, The Morgan held a ‘Sex and the City’ themed evening to showcase the new suite. Fashionista and style guru Lisa Fitzpatrick hosted a fashion show in conjunction with Assets Model Agency and a variety of summer lines were showcased including the new Bastyan range from Brown Thomas.

Guests also had the opportunity to enjoy a pampering in the infamous Penthouse suite where beauty therapists were available onsite with a variety of treatments available including manicures and massage. Whilst waiting for treatments guests could check out the rooftop airstream caravan and admire the views over the Dublin city skyline.

Bow & Pearl Girl

It’s all Bow: 1. Amy Huberman and Bronagh O ' Sullivan; 2. Amanda Brunker; 3. Cathy O ' Connor and Triona Mc Carthy. (Pix. Richie Stokes)

Bow & Pearl, Ranelagh village’s loveliest new addition, is a lifestyle and fashion boutique that should be a big hit with the girls in SoCoDu. Inspired by visits to Portobello, Spitalfields and vintage Paris markets, the store’s owner Bronagh O’Sullivan has scoured London and Paris to bring unique and, in most cases, first to market labels to the store, at genuinely affordable prices.

Among those enjoying the opening night party were special guest Amy Huberman, who’s busy getting ready for her wedding to Brian O’Driscoll at Lough Rynn Castle this summer. Another wedding in the offing will be that of beauty guru Triona McCarthy and her man Joe Murray. She was the centre of attention on the evening with her antique engagement ring from John Farrington. Also among the guests were Nadine Wai – O’Flynn, Amanda Brunker, Gillian McMahon and Cathy O’Connor.

Fashion labels at B&P include; the 1920's beautiful vintage inspired Darling label, up and coming designer Toki and Nabi, a collection of day dresses by Orion, the cult brand Joe’s Jeans and another cult find in the shape of French basics label American Vintage. Accessories include the on-trend Sido hair accessories and Jeepers Peepers vintage inspired eyewear.

Conscious of locally produced products, the homewares collection includes aromatherapy candles by Wicklow based Amie Organics and hand-painted cards with a personalised option by Irish card designer Cardbird. Next season will see the introduction of vintage label B-Vintage.

D15 Ladies Lunch

D15 Dollies: 1. Orla Rooney & Siobhan Furlong; 2. Teresa Rocca, John Compton & Aileen Gilson; 3. Roisin Hughes, Niamh Harvey & Eilish Hagan. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The fourth annual Dublin 15 ladies luncheon was hosted at the Castleknock Hotel and Country Club on Friday last. The event was very well supported by local businesses; the champagne reception was sponsored by Anglers Rest and the wines were courtesy of Castello Bruno.

Over 180 guests enjoyed a fashion show featuring exclusive designs by Cyril and Marot Cullen, Claire Garvey and Jennifer Rothwell showcased by the models of Compton Model Agency and presented by Una Gibney.

Guest speaker on the day was Kathryn Byrne of Image Matters and Theresa Rocca and Frank McNamara made a formidable duo as they raised lots of money (€15k) with the auction and raffle.
Overall the day raised over €15,000 for local charities and schools within the D15 area, with much fun had by all. It wasn’t over then though as most continue on to the after party at Brassiere 15.

i-tab, do you?

At the launch of the i-tab: 1. Helen O’Dwyer & Jim Corr; 2. Patricia Roe, Toto legend Bobby Kimball and Valerie Roe; 3. Sinead Madden and Paul Harrington. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Legendary musician Bobby Kimball, from the iconic rock band TOTO, jetted into Mantra Garden Bar in Maynooth to launch the new upgraded i-tab, which is now in music stores throughout the world.

i-tab is a revolutionary new pocket sized unit, that sits on the end of a guitar, allowing guitar players of all levels to scroll chords and lyrics in perfect time. Bobby Kimball, who has such mega hits as Hold the Line, Rosanna, Africa and Stranger in Town to his credit, performed on the night with a one-night-only super group of Irish session musicians including Anthony Drennan, Tony Molloy and Conor McGouran.

The 7 times Grammy Award winning TOTO have released 17 albums and sold over 30 million records to date, always known for their technical skill in the studio as well as musical style. It’s this reason that i-tab were proud to have Bobby test run the latest i-tab technology.

The newly shipped I-tab is also proud to announce a new licensing deal has been signed with one of the largest music print publishers in the world, Hal Leonard. The deal means the Tab Store will get just bigger and better bringing in 1000’s more tabs which can be purchased for just 40p each and the backing tracks at 80p each.

i-tab is now available at €149 at all good music stores. See www.i-tab.com.

Party at the Palace

Party at the Palace: 1. Deric Hartigan & Sinead O’Donnell; 2. Brooke Vincent & Sacha Parkinson; 3. Emma Fitzpatrick & Caroline Naughton. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Coronation Street babes Sacha Parkinson (Sian Powers) and Brooke Vincent (Sophie Vincent) were the centre of attention at the Palace Club in Navan at the weekend. As well as clubbing Brooke also tried to DJ, but we’re not sure she should give up acting just yet! The girls, who have recently been seen playing lovers in the soap, are the best of friends off screen.

Viva Aviva!

At the opening of the Aviva Stadium: 1. Emer McDonnell, Susie Flynn and Holly White; 2. Alison O'Riordan; 3. Denis Crehan and Leanne Jones. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

It was a much anticipated event as An Taoiseach Brian Cowen, TD, officially opened the new Aviva Stadium at Lansdowne Road, Dublin recently. The stadium which will be the new home for Ireland’s international rugby and soccer teams is a joint venture by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

Planning permission for the new stadium was received in March 2007 with work on site beginning two months later in May with the demolition of the old Lansdowne Road Stadium. From the start of demolition, through to the handing over of the stadium to the FAI and IRFU, the project took slightly less than three years to complete.

The result is a state-of-the-art 50,000 all seated stadium which while making a bold architectural statement does not impact environmentally on the Dublin skyline. The stadium, which is on four levels on three sides, sweeps down to one level at the northern end in respect to the housing at that end of the ground.

The first fixtures in the new stadium will see a Connacht/Munster rugby selection take on a Leinster/Ulster selection on 31 July, followed by an Airtricity League team playing Manchester United on 4 August. The first international will see Ireland’s soccer team playing former world champions Argentina on August 11. The first rugby international will see Ireland face current world champions South Africa on November 6.