Belfast
Went to the big Hallowe'en party in Belfast on Saturday. It has been years since I'd visited the city and it's as great as ever. Super shopping and food (check out Altos Restaurant on Fountain St.). We stayed in the fab new Radisson SAS hotel, located in the old Gasworks area. Actually, the hotel had it's official opening on Thursday, which was a resounding success by all accounts.
Mylo played a stormer at Shine, as indeed did all the DJs. Padraig Burke's party, which he hosted in his fab penthouse apartment overlooking the Lagan river, was a fantastic event. Most of the guests were in fancy dress, from a warewolf and builder to fairies and Inspector Clouseau.
Ah Belfast, what about ye?
Friday, October 29, 2004
X is 10
My day has not started well. I have just received a call from a rather irate publicist bitching about the fashion feature I did on TV yesterday morning. Apparently a marketing communications campaign worth hundreds of thousands of euro has just been wiped out by a few minutes of "mis-communication". I disagree and think that it went very well (I was looking particularly spunky!). As a friend said "what a great start to your Hallowe'en weekend - you've already been attacked by a witch."
Last night I wandered over to the beautiful surrounds of Dublin Castle, to the Chester Beatty library to be precise. It was the celebration of the 10th birthday of X Communications. Be-decked in orange, with pumpkins galore, the organisers did a sterling job on the gig. Pioneers in their field, X Communications was set up from a research group in Trinity College, and has been designing, tweeking and implementing ever since. It's thanks to them we have great design and functionality on the net.
Afterwards we headed to Ho Sen for dinner. An authentic Vietnameese restaurant, Ho Sen has not been open long, but has already gained a dedicated fashionable following. Our very own President McAleese is a fan. I highly recommend, as does my friend Ross Golden - Bannon, who is a restaurant critic and awfully hard to please.
So, to Le Weekend! Hurrah, it's Friday. I'm off to Belfast tomorrow to attend a Hallowe'en party hosted my my good buddy Padraig Burke, who is now a high flyer with the BBC. We are also planning on a trip to Shine, the ledgendary club at Queens University, where my current fav DJ, Mylo, is playing live. I shall be staying in the newly opened and uber stylish Radisson SAS hotel.
Witch attacks notwithstanding, much fun will be had. Happy Hallowe'en!
My day has not started well. I have just received a call from a rather irate publicist bitching about the fashion feature I did on TV yesterday morning. Apparently a marketing communications campaign worth hundreds of thousands of euro has just been wiped out by a few minutes of "mis-communication". I disagree and think that it went very well (I was looking particularly spunky!). As a friend said "what a great start to your Hallowe'en weekend - you've already been attacked by a witch."
Last night I wandered over to the beautiful surrounds of Dublin Castle, to the Chester Beatty library to be precise. It was the celebration of the 10th birthday of X Communications. Be-decked in orange, with pumpkins galore, the organisers did a sterling job on the gig. Pioneers in their field, X Communications was set up from a research group in Trinity College, and has been designing, tweeking and implementing ever since. It's thanks to them we have great design and functionality on the net.
Afterwards we headed to Ho Sen for dinner. An authentic Vietnameese restaurant, Ho Sen has not been open long, but has already gained a dedicated fashionable following. Our very own President McAleese is a fan. I highly recommend, as does my friend Ross Golden - Bannon, who is a restaurant critic and awfully hard to please.
So, to Le Weekend! Hurrah, it's Friday. I'm off to Belfast tomorrow to attend a Hallowe'en party hosted my my good buddy Padraig Burke, who is now a high flyer with the BBC. We are also planning on a trip to Shine, the ledgendary club at Queens University, where my current fav DJ, Mylo, is playing live. I shall be staying in the newly opened and uber stylish Radisson SAS hotel.
Witch attacks notwithstanding, much fun will be had. Happy Hallowe'en!
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Love All, Serve All
Last night saw the official opening of Dublin's Hard Rock Cafe. Located in bustling Temple Bar, it is the 143rd worldwide branch to open. It was a miserable rainy night, but that didn't put off the party people from coming out in force. Among the bods were Def Leopard's Joe Elliott, Louis Walsh and model Astrid Brennan. As the drink flowed and the delicious burgers kept on coming, we enjoyed a performance from The Piranhas, who beat over 180 other bands to secure the party performance.
Also rockin' away were celebrity magician Keith Barry, TV babe Emma Buckley with her fiance Frazier Browne (who will tie the knot in a couple of weeks), Fair City bad boys Killian O'Sullivan and George McMahon (Lorcan and Mondo respectively) and showbiz agent Naoise Nunn.
Another special guest was Rita Gilligan, who is the Hard Rock Ambassador. She was their first ever employee and is still going strong, travelling the world and living it up. Working the room and telling great stories she sure knows how to party.
As I ran to my car in the rain I knew I was leaving a great party early but I had to be up at 5.30am to be on TV3. So did somebody else, but that didn't stop him from partying on late into the night. Guess which one of us made it in to the studio?
Incidently, I met Rita this morning again on the set of Ireland AM where she was being interviewed. She got to bed at around 3am. As I said, she knows how to party.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Good news and bad
Beautiful model Corina Grant has just gotten engaged to photographer Chris Doyle. Congrats to both.
Ledgendary BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel suffered a fatal heart attack in Peru yesterday.
Beautiful model Corina Grant has just gotten engaged to photographer Chris Doyle. Congrats to both.
Ledgendary BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel suffered a fatal heart attack in Peru yesterday.
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
TV presenter and former Miss Ireland Pamela Flood models the 2004 Rose of Tralee tiara - a pic I took at the Newbridge Silverware show rooms in Co. Kildare the day we met the Roses. Now that I know how to post pictures expect more. Taken with my Nokia 7250
Home is where the heart is
So I went home on Friday to attend a family function. Not normally my thing but I am happy to report that it was fun. Got to say hello to some relatives that I hadn't seen in a while.
Saturday I met up with my good friends Cathriona and Siobhan. We just missed going to the nightclub, which was probably just as well. Fun was had regardless. As I always say, we could be in a barn in Leitrim with a bottle of vodka as still have fun (i.e. the venue is irrelevant, but booze is essential).
Back to Dublin on Sunday and off to the Front Lounge and Spy later that night. Full of cuties :-), including Aengus MacGrianna, Aoife Donohoe and Ciaran Colemen. Nice to see Jonathan back on the door too.
We hosted an improptu party after the club. One thing I don't like about the wintery months (and there are many things) is the dark mornings. During the summer, the dawn of the day is my cue to go home. These days though it doesn't get bright until after 8 and that just ruins my weekend as I lose precious sleep.
Maybe I'm getting old but my hangovers are certainly getting worse and I need all the sleep I can get. Maybe it's just thant I mix my drink.
On a happier note though, today is Tuesday. Huzzah!
x
So I went home on Friday to attend a family function. Not normally my thing but I am happy to report that it was fun. Got to say hello to some relatives that I hadn't seen in a while.
Saturday I met up with my good friends Cathriona and Siobhan. We just missed going to the nightclub, which was probably just as well. Fun was had regardless. As I always say, we could be in a barn in Leitrim with a bottle of vodka as still have fun (i.e. the venue is irrelevant, but booze is essential).
Back to Dublin on Sunday and off to the Front Lounge and Spy later that night. Full of cuties :-), including Aengus MacGrianna, Aoife Donohoe and Ciaran Colemen. Nice to see Jonathan back on the door too.
We hosted an improptu party after the club. One thing I don't like about the wintery months (and there are many things) is the dark mornings. During the summer, the dawn of the day is my cue to go home. These days though it doesn't get bright until after 8 and that just ruins my weekend as I lose precious sleep.
Maybe I'm getting old but my hangovers are certainly getting worse and I need all the sleep I can get. Maybe it's just thant I mix my drink.
On a happier note though, today is Tuesday. Huzzah!
x
Friday, October 22, 2004
Smile :-)
My smile has been voted into the Social & Personal Top 100 Smiles. I am honoured. Least because I don't think my smile is all that, but I guess everyone is their own worst critic. I'm under the catagory of 'Willing Smiles'. Yes, I'm willing.
Publisher PJ Gibbons hosted a party in 4 Dame Lane to celebrate the Top 100, which was sponsored by Reach.. Top smile went to the ledgend that is Ann Doyle, with Miss World Rosanna Davison, footballer Sean Og O'Halpin, model Glenda Gilson and radio and TV presenter Ryan Tubridy making up the rest of the top 5.
Smiling broadly and among those enjoying the Fruice cocktails were Jim Morahan, TV3's Alan Hughes, socialite Richard Kavanagh and Glenda Gilson, who was sporting a head of straight hair!
My smile has been voted into the Social & Personal Top 100 Smiles. I am honoured. Least because I don't think my smile is all that, but I guess everyone is their own worst critic. I'm under the catagory of 'Willing Smiles'. Yes, I'm willing.
Publisher PJ Gibbons hosted a party in 4 Dame Lane to celebrate the Top 100, which was sponsored by Reach.. Top smile went to the ledgend that is Ann Doyle, with Miss World Rosanna Davison, footballer Sean Og O'Halpin, model Glenda Gilson and radio and TV presenter Ryan Tubridy making up the rest of the top 5.
Smiling broadly and among those enjoying the Fruice cocktails were Jim Morahan, TV3's Alan Hughes, socialite Richard Kavanagh and Glenda Gilson, who was sporting a head of straight hair!
Home, James.
When I received the invitation to the launch of Liberty Limousines I just knew I had to go along. Not just because it was being held in No. 5 at The Unicorn, where the food is amazing, nor because it promised a champagne reception, but because I love cars.
Two brand new stretch Lincoln Towncars greeted us at the entrance to No. 5, it was like the red carpet at the Oscars. Inside I met fashion designer Robert Jacob, who was accompanied by Virginia Cole McColgan. Robert is very busy with his Autumn / Winter collection and is burning up the jet fuel with frequent trips to Poland, where his beautiful wife Hanna is minding their ranch. Virginia Cole McColgan on the other hand is working with a big name Hollywood star at the moment - sorry, I've been sworn to secrecy.
P.S. My fonts have gone crazy in this post - if anyone knows how to fix it I'd be obliged if you would let me know.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Stormy weather ....
I wouldn't have put a milk bottle out in the weather we had last night. Wind and rain galore. Fret not folks, I've seen the future of staying in and it's called ScreenClick.com.
Basically, visit the ScreenClick website, open an account and select what DVD's you want to see. Now, the beauty of this is that ScreenClick post your DVD's out to you; when you've watched them you post them back. No 'overdue' payments to shell out. How many times have you rented out a video or DVD, watched it and then forgotten to drop it back? The original film cost you €4, but by the time you fish it out from behind the sofa and leave it back to the shop it could end up costing you 2 or 3 times that.
Staying in has never been so easy (but normal life resumes tomorrow).
I wouldn't have put a milk bottle out in the weather we had last night. Wind and rain galore. Fret not folks, I've seen the future of staying in and it's called ScreenClick.com.
Basically, visit the ScreenClick website, open an account and select what DVD's you want to see. Now, the beauty of this is that ScreenClick post your DVD's out to you; when you've watched them you post them back. No 'overdue' payments to shell out. How many times have you rented out a video or DVD, watched it and then forgotten to drop it back? The original film cost you €4, but by the time you fish it out from behind the sofa and leave it back to the shop it could end up costing you 2 or 3 times that.
Staying in has never been so easy (but normal life resumes tomorrow).
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Tuesday 19th - Alright Alfie?
The newly revamped Savoy on O'Connell Street was the venue for the Irish premiere of Jude Law's new movie Alfie. A re-make of the 1960's Michael Caine classic, the movie is brimming with style in every shot. Susan Sarandon co-stars (and looks wonderful), and editor of Vanity Fair Graydon Carter has a small cameo appearance also.
Renards was also brimming with style later in the evening for the after party. PR Sinead Ryan, models Lee Bradshaw and Barry O'Sullivan, Ray Shah of Big Brother fame and singer George Murphy all loved the Finlandia Vodka cocktails.
Downstairs in the Plu bar, Ireland AM presenter Alan Hughes was celebrating his birthday with champagne. I left the party early, as did Alan and co. - he had to be up at 5am to wake up the country on TV3.
Sunday 17th - Happy Birthday Raybo!
Publisher and Editor of ShowBizIreland.com, Ray Senior, celebrated his 30th birthday with a massive party in Lillies Bordello (which was not sold at auction last week) on Sunday night. Packed full of beautiful people, I am reliable informed that the party continued in his Temple Bar penthouse apartment 'til Monday morning.
Saturday 16th - The Crystal Ball
The inaugral Crystal Ball was held the the unusual sourrounds of the Round Room at the Mansion House on Saturday night. The theme was Winter Wonderland and I must say the venue looked amazing, a credit to the event managers. We were guests of Wall 2 Wall PR, courtesy of M.D. Toni Wall, who looked fab in a gold obi belt ensemble. Her colleagues Elizabeth Fitzpatrick and Joanne Rochford raised the bling bar with impressive jewels.
Our dinner partners for the evening were Carl Broderick and Debbie O'Donnell, and to say fun was had would be an understatement! Jewellery designer Caitriona Hanly, champion snooker player Ken Doherty and RTE's Bryan Dobson were among those enjoying the 'ChamBull' cocktails (M&C Champagne and RedBull...yum!). In aid of the Make A Wish Foundation, the event raised much needed funds, with the auction alone taking in over €44,000!
The newly revamped Savoy on O'Connell Street was the venue for the Irish premiere of Jude Law's new movie Alfie. A re-make of the 1960's Michael Caine classic, the movie is brimming with style in every shot. Susan Sarandon co-stars (and looks wonderful), and editor of Vanity Fair Graydon Carter has a small cameo appearance also.
Renards was also brimming with style later in the evening for the after party. PR Sinead Ryan, models Lee Bradshaw and Barry O'Sullivan, Ray Shah of Big Brother fame and singer George Murphy all loved the Finlandia Vodka cocktails.
Downstairs in the Plu bar, Ireland AM presenter Alan Hughes was celebrating his birthday with champagne. I left the party early, as did Alan and co. - he had to be up at 5am to wake up the country on TV3.
Sunday 17th - Happy Birthday Raybo!
Publisher and Editor of ShowBizIreland.com, Ray Senior, celebrated his 30th birthday with a massive party in Lillies Bordello (which was not sold at auction last week) on Sunday night. Packed full of beautiful people, I am reliable informed that the party continued in his Temple Bar penthouse apartment 'til Monday morning.
Saturday 16th - The Crystal Ball
The inaugral Crystal Ball was held the the unusual sourrounds of the Round Room at the Mansion House on Saturday night. The theme was Winter Wonderland and I must say the venue looked amazing, a credit to the event managers. We were guests of Wall 2 Wall PR, courtesy of M.D. Toni Wall, who looked fab in a gold obi belt ensemble. Her colleagues Elizabeth Fitzpatrick and Joanne Rochford raised the bling bar with impressive jewels.
Our dinner partners for the evening were Carl Broderick and Debbie O'Donnell, and to say fun was had would be an understatement! Jewellery designer Caitriona Hanly, champion snooker player Ken Doherty and RTE's Bryan Dobson were among those enjoying the 'ChamBull' cocktails (M&C Champagne and RedBull...yum!). In aid of the Make A Wish Foundation, the event raised much needed funds, with the auction alone taking in over €44,000!
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Wednesday 13th - The best gifts come inside the orange box!
Oh the sheer glam of it all!! It's finally arrived in Dublin ... the unmistakable orange of Hermès.
Yes folks, we are truly a fashionable city now that the French luxury brand had established their store in Brown Thomas. Where else were we supposed to buy handbags for between €4,000 and €6,000 - and go on a waiting list for the privilage? Oh, the fabulous silk ties and scarves, and don't get me started on the watches!
Admiring the new store were Social&Personal publisher and good friend PJ Gibbons with TV3's Debbie O'Donnell; fashionista Celia Holman - Lee and husband Gerry; model Astrid Brennan chatted with Judith Giltinane; Executive Vice President of Hermès Christian Blanckaert with the lovely Caroline Kennedy, who organised the champagne fuelled event. Guests left with a goody bag containing amazing Hermès scents. I think mine is perfume, but I love it so much I don't care and will wear it anyway.
Pamela Flood was there also recording for her Off The Rails show.
Tuesday 12th - More beer please ...hic!
It's that time of year again when the Germans celebrate Oktoberfest - beer at its best. I've never been to Oktoberfest, but I hear it's good - very good! The closest I've come to it is The Porterhouses's party this evening. Dublin's best independent brewer, The Porterhouse, hosted a special party to launch Oktoberfest. Sampling the beers on offer were the stylish Leanne De Cerbo, the dapper bow-tie wearing Kieron Wood and rugby correspondent Derek Foley. No need to go to Germany to taste good beer - hit Temple Bar instead.
Well, after a hiatus of over 2 years and due to popular demand, I have decided to start blogging about the Dublin social scene again. Sit back and (hopefully) enjoy...
Monday 11th - Inside I'm Dancing premiere
The much anticipated premiere of the film Inside I'm Dancing was held in the Four Seasons hotel this evening. My date for the night let me down at the last hour (a movie premiere in the Four Seasons, who wouldn't want to go?), but my gorgeous cousin Kerri Galligan stepped in to save the evening.
As we were driven through Ballsbridge en route, a motorcade zoomed passed us, lights a flashing and sirens blaring. Probably Kofi Annan, we thought, as he was in town for a few days. As our car pulled up outside the hotel we saw that it was our very own President Mary McAleese and her husband Dr. Martin McAleese (and their entourage), who were guests of honour for the evening.
Inside I'm Dancing is a touching story about 2 wheelchair bound guys and how they cope with life, love, ups and downs. Its a hilarious tear jerker - now there is an oxymoron if I ever wrote one!
Also in attendance were singer, songwriter (and now novelist) Brian Kennedy. He is delighted at how well his debut nove, The Arrival of Fergus Flynn, is currently doing. Looking ravishing on the night were TV presenter and FMI Pamela Flood, Fair City's Tatianna Ouliankina and author Marisa Mackle, each of them blonde, each of them beautiful.
Well, after a hiatus of over 2 years and due to popular demand, I have decided to start blogging about the Dublin social scene again. Sit back and (hopefully) enjoy...
Oh the sheer glam of it all!! It's finally arrived in Dublin ... the unmistakable orange of Hermès.
Yes folks, we are truly a fashionable city now that the French luxury brand had established their store in Brown Thomas. Where else were we supposed to buy handbags for between €4,000 and €6,000 - and go on a waiting list for the privilage? Oh, the fabulous silk ties and scarves, and don't get me started on the watches!
Admiring the new store were Social&Personal publisher and good friend PJ Gibbons with TV3's Debbie O'Donnell; fashionista Celia Holman - Lee and husband Gerry; model Astrid Brennan chatted with Judith Giltinane; Executive Vice President of Hermès Christian Blanckaert with the lovely Caroline Kennedy, who organised the champagne fuelled event. Guests left with a goody bag containing amazing Hermès scents. I think mine is perfume, but I love it so much I don't care and will wear it anyway.
Pamela Flood was there also recording for her Off The Rails show.
Tuesday 12th - More beer please ...hic!
It's that time of year again when the Germans celebrate Oktoberfest - beer at its best. I've never been to Oktoberfest, but I hear it's good - very good! The closest I've come to it is The Porterhouses's party this evening. Dublin's best independent brewer, The Porterhouse, hosted a special party to launch Oktoberfest. Sampling the beers on offer were the stylish Leanne De Cerbo, the dapper bow-tie wearing Kieron Wood and rugby correspondent Derek Foley. No need to go to Germany to taste good beer - hit Temple Bar instead.
Well, after a hiatus of over 2 years and due to popular demand, I have decided to start blogging about the Dublin social scene again. Sit back and (hopefully) enjoy...
Monday 11th - Inside I'm Dancing premiere
The much anticipated premiere of the film Inside I'm Dancing was held in the Four Seasons hotel this evening. My date for the night let me down at the last hour (a movie premiere in the Four Seasons, who wouldn't want to go?), but my gorgeous cousin Kerri Galligan stepped in to save the evening.
As we were driven through Ballsbridge en route, a motorcade zoomed passed us, lights a flashing and sirens blaring. Probably Kofi Annan, we thought, as he was in town for a few days. As our car pulled up outside the hotel we saw that it was our very own President Mary McAleese and her husband Dr. Martin McAleese (and their entourage), who were guests of honour for the evening.
Inside I'm Dancing is a touching story about 2 wheelchair bound guys and how they cope with life, love, ups and downs. Its a hilarious tear jerker - now there is an oxymoron if I ever wrote one!
Also in attendance were singer, songwriter (and now novelist) Brian Kennedy. He is delighted at how well his debut nove, The Arrival of Fergus Flynn, is currently doing. Looking ravishing on the night were TV presenter and FMI Pamela Flood, Fair City's Tatianna Ouliankina and author Marisa Mackle, each of them blonde, each of them beautiful.
Well, after a hiatus of over 2 years and due to popular demand, I have decided to start blogging about the Dublin social scene again. Sit back and (hopefully) enjoy...