Haagen Dazs Summer Cocktail Party

TV presenters Kathryn Thomas and Lucy Kennedy enjoy the Haagen Dazs cocktails at the recent summer party.

The party posse are taking full advantage of these long balmy evenings and outdoor drinking is the new black. It’s important to make hay while the sun shines and all that, so the good people at Haagen Dazs ice cream had perfect timing as they hosted their summer cocktail party on the private terrace at George’s of Baggot Street yesterday evening.

With delish, nay decadent, Haagen Dazs cocktails and Kir Royales there was a real social buzz about the place as the crowd discussed plans for summer and upcoming events. A hot topic of conversation was the forthcoming White Tie and Diamond charity gala ball in Marbella next weekend. Organised by Marc and Lynn Quinlan and a host of friends, the event is in aid of the Water Angels charity and takes place on Saturday the 16^th in Finca de la Concepcion. A huge Irish contingent is expected and the MC for the evening is the inimitable Brendan Courtney. Check this out for more details.

Back to last night, and the other matter in hand seemed to be avoiding the TV cameras that were floating around the party. Hosts Joanne Byrne and Sinead Ryan were filming for the final of their new RTE TV show, It’s My Party, and the pair were miked up and working the room effortlessly. Let’s hope that some great gossip passed their lips and will be shared on national TV!

Also there were TV stars Kathryn Thomas and Lucy Kennedy, Norman Pratt and Avril Collins, Gavin Lambe – Murphy and Libby Ryan, Andrew Rudd, Trevor White from The Dubliner and Jedda Downey, sister of Caroline who is no stranger to TV following the hugely successful show Charity Queens, in which she appeared recently alongside my pal Tara O’Connor.

After umpteen Haagen Dazs cocktails (I was physically unable to drink anymore) I popped into the new Portoo House tapas bar on South William Street, which was celebrating it’s opening night. Reminded me of a cute little place you’d see in Barcelona, such was the décor. The food is as good and authentic as you get in Barcelona too. I spotted Lillies Bordello boss Fiona Roche and socialites Jonothan Sultan and John McKibbin there.

It was no coincidence then that I also spotted them in Lillies later on ripping up the dancefloor with the likes of Trevor Musgrave, Lord Henry Mountcharles and his wife Lady Iona Mountcharles.

Jedda Downey and Clare Kavanagh having a ball at the Haagen Dazs summer cocktail party.

Ahoy me fashionistas!

Also enjoying the Nicky Wallace show were Tamara Gervasoni and Frances Winston.

Nicky Wallace pictured (centre) at his "A Man for all Seasons" fashion show with Maria Fusco and Alan Amsby.

Ireland’s top menswear designer Nicky Wallace hosted a fashion extravaganza to showcase his latest range on Monday evening. The location was the beautiful John Field room in the National Concert Hall, a most unusual venue for a fashion show and the first one I’d attended there. Kudos for the location Nicky.

The collection is called “A Man for All Seasons” and it reflects Nicky’s belief that men’s fashion should not be dictated by the traditional Autumn / Winter and Spring / Summer dicta. As we have most unpredictable weather in this country (four seasons in the one day lately) Nicky’s designs reflect just that and his use of different fabrics and styles are practical for the climate we have.

Moet & Chandon were on hand to support the event and among those enjoying the champagne reception (before and after I might add) were TV presenter Alan Hughes, publican John Foley, Sinead Ni Chonaill and Aoife O’Reilly of Slattery Communications, model Alex FitzGerald, interior designer Sarah Peterson with Lowri Bennett and actor Kevin J. Ryan, who is off to L.A. next week to star in his first feature film.

Speaking of movies, after the Nicky Wallace show I dashed down to The Sub Bar (formerly O’Reilly’s of Tara Street which was owned by the aforementioned Mr. Foley) for the after party of the Irish premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean. No big stars in attendance as the UK premiere was taking place in London that evening, but some guests really took to the theme and sported pirate fashion. Designer Virginia Macari and her boyfriend Michael, model Fergus Kealy, Sandra Tully and Emma Jane Power were some of the faces I spotted.

Cork

I didn’t make it to the Curragh at the weekend for the Audi Day or the Budweiser Derby as I flew down to Cork for a few days. I stayed in the sumptuous Hayfield Manor Hotel (Cork’s only 5 star), which rivals the best when it comes to high levels of service and attention to detail. Dinner in Orchids restaurant at Hayfield was a gastro tour-de-force and a snip compared to similar high standard restaurants here in Dublin. I highly recommend it.

On Saturday night I was lucky enough to secure tickets to the sold out last production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest which was procuded by Corcadorca, one of the countries leading theatre groups. Directed by Pat Kiernan, the setting for the play was on the pond in the beautiful surroundings of Cork’s Fitzgerald’s Park. It was a fantastic production – alternative, adventurous and avant-garde. And made all the more special because it was outdoor.

I attended the Marquee on Sunday night for the Kanye West gig. I’d attempted to see him a couple of times in Dublin but his shows always sell out in record time, hence my trip to Cork. The show was amazing and he really got the crowd going. Contrary to reports I didn’t find him to be too arrogant and was impressed at his interaction with the audience. Unfortunately my flight back to Dublin was early on Monday morning so I couldn’t wait for Mr. West to appear at the after show party, which I believe was a late one.

“Cork people are very stylish” commented my brother, when we were having a look around Brown Thomas (which is far less pretentious that it’s capital counterpart). Yes they are stylish, and friendly and polite too. Up Cork, boy.

Nokia Darklight

Melanie Carroll and Michelle Kelly at the Nokia reception in the trendy Budda Bag store.

Film makers Paul Barritt and Julian Andrade were respectively awarded with the top prizes in the professional and newcomer categories of the 2^nd ever Nokia Darklight Pocket Movie Challenge at an award ceremony last week. Over 200 films of varying genres from over 10 countries were entered for the challenge in a one month period.

Shed, by UK based Paul Barritt, was awarded winners in the professional category. Shed is a short film derived from the writings of Paul Barrett. The pictures appear upon the paper as if being gradually seen and understood. The visual references appear in an oblique way to the text. Hote You, by Argentinean Julian Andrade was awarded winner of the newcomer category. Hote You is a story of love and more specifically a couple who argue because of this love.

Nokia hosted a reception in the trendy Budda Bag store in the buzzing Quatiere Bloom, where guests including Ciara Elliott, Richie Stokes, Sian Grey of Nokia Ireland and Roisin Tierney – Crowe watched the short listed movies. The awards were then presented at an outdoor BBQ in the IFI in Temple Bar later in the evening. Among those enjoying Billy Scurry’s culinary delights and Kombacher beer were Georgina Heffernan, Mark McCauley and Gail Ferguson, Daniela Crawley and Sinead Ni Chonaill.

A sunny evening, beer, a BBQ and movies – the perfect combination.

Ciara Elliott and Joby Hickey at the Nokia Darklight reception in the Budda Bag store.