Pop Art

A private viewing of Steve Kaufman art works was hosted in the Shelbourne Hotel last week. A protegé of Andy Warhol, Kaufman's work is highly collectable and a big exhibit and sale is planned for Dublin soon. Pictured at the viewing were: 1. Caitriona O'Connor, Emma Jones and Romy Carroll; 2. Jason O'Callaghan and Etain Boyd; 3. Jonothan Sultan and Sophie Frederix; 4. Sean Montague and Emma Jones; 5. Daphney Antoine and Sarah Clohessy.

Check out www.PopArtIreland.com for more info.

Bubble Gum Club Helecruise

Childrens charity the Bubble Gum Club recently organised a Helecruise for sick children which saw over 50 helicopters mobilised around the country, scenes of which are captured here.

Sweet Smell of Success

The latest instalment of the hugely popular Shrek movie franchise premiered in Dublin last week to much fanfare. Fittingly hosted in the largest movie theatre in the land, Savoy No.1, the place was abuzz with excitement, from adults and kids alike, many of whom arrived early to meet the ogre himself.

Keith and Lisa Duffy, Marty Whelan, Niall McCrudden, Gerry Ryan and Taragh Loughrey – Grant were all in attendance and accompanied by their cute offspring. Also there were Joanne Byrne, stylist Cathy O’Connor and socialite Richard Spence, who has just launched his latest venture, www.myoverseasproperty.ie. I highly recommend it (the website - and having a property overseas).

As you would expect, Shrek the Third is full of witty one-liners aimed to please a broad audience – the aforementioned young and old. It’s funny but I thought not as funny as the first two and it would have been wise for the producers to leave it at that (but I see that Shrek 4 is already in the making). Sure to be a huge hit, it’s quality chewing gum for the brain.


One man who knows when to leave on a high note is writer, producer and actor David Coffey. He’s the brains behind the RTE hit Dan & Becs, which has been commissioned for a second series and will be broadcast in September. However, Dave has decided not to continue the series after that and wants to leave on a high note, alá The Office.

The second series has already been completed and he is now working on his next projects, he told me when I met him at a party hosted by Finlandia Vodka last Thursday. We were in top nightclub Renards to celebrate midsummer night, which apparently is a huge event in Finland and is marked as a joyous occasion. As the club was transformed from blue to green to red (to signify the changing elements of the day) we were treated to a range of different cocktails from the mixologists at Finlandia.

Society fave Avila Lipsett provided the DJ intro (she’s currently the most in demand DJ in town) with Mo Kelly and Arveen playing into the night. Trevor Musgrave (just back from Marrakesh), Rachel Kavanagh, Ivano Cafolla, Nadine Wai – O’Flynn, stylist Graham Cruz, music mogul Simon Rudd and Richard Kavanagh, who is getting ready to host the Social & Personal summer party this week, also enjoyed the evening.


A party with a difference was hosted by Fragrances of Ireland last week, to launch Inis Or, the latest scent in their ever popular perfume collection - fact fans: Inis is the best selling perfume in Ireland. Apart from the new perfume itself, the bash took place on board the Jeanie Johnston, a stunning replica of a 19th century sailing ship. Very Pirates of the Caribbean.

The intimate and trés exclusive event (numbers were restricted due to the location – and girls couldn’t wear heels!) was attended by a host of style setters lead by Sophie Labbé, the French lady who is the 'nose' for Fragrances of Ireland and the person who is responsible for Inis Or.


While I'm on the subject of style setters, I have to tell you how impressed with new gourmet burger joint Jo Burger in Rathmines. These guys know about understated cool. Graffiti art on the walls, vintage comic annuals as menus, live DJ everynight. And the food! The last time I was there I saw a gang from Food & Wine magazine at the next table, and they're not easily pleased.

Jo Burger - the sauce on a bun burger.

Ahoy!

On board the Jeanie Johnston for the launch of Inis Or, the new perfume from Fragarences of Ireland, were: 1. Niamh Hickey, Jane Morgan and Marie McGrath; 2.David Cox, Sophie Labbé and Lilabeth Horn; 3. Carol Hayes, Lisa Brady and Corina Kenna.

Shop 'til you drop...

Kildare Village, the newsest designer outlet on the block, hosted their grand opening last week with a magnificent party. Among the guests were: 1. Ian Galvin and Fran Nolan; 2. Tamso doyle; 3. John Minihan and Maureen Bergin ; 4. Davido Crescenzi and Eileen Dunne; 5.Virginia Macari and Tara O'Leary and Tara Leinster. According to CondéNast Traveller, it is one of Europe’s “best sources of chic yet affordable clothing”, with thirty-six international designer labels .

Open!

Newbridge Silverware recently opened their new Style Icons Museum with a gala evening. At it were: 1. Ronan O'Gara and his wife Jessica; 2. Jackie Lavin and Bill Cullen; 3. Commissioner Charlie McCreevy; 4. Katy French and Andrea Roche.

Summer Feeling?

As I write this, the weather outside is more akin to a damp, cold November day – not mid June! Have we had our Summer already? No, of course not, but it’s a saying that pessimists bandy about every year. I always see the bright side and I’m sure there are more tropical climes just over the horizon …

Just like the clear blue sky, hot sunny days that we had last weekend – the perfect weather for Garden Party, the intimate music event that took place at Ballinlough Castle last Saturday. The Pet Shop Boys played a blinder and Hot Chip did not disappoint the capacity crowd they played to. Among those I spotted around the fabulous walled gardens were fashion designer Virginia Macari, Sinead Ni Chonaill (just back from Rome), Andrea Dillon Horan, Eoin Higgins from The Dubliner, Melanie Morris of Image and DJ Hugh Scully, all getting some practice in for Electric Picnic which happens at the end of August.


Tuesday night saw the reopening of the very famous Ierne ballroom as Caffertys @ The Ierne on Parnell Square. The VIP reception saw many of those who had been involved with the Ierne, and bands of the time, attending. Now, if you don’t know what I mean by ‘of the time’ then don’t worry, it probably wasn’t your time but may have been your parents.

Joe Dolan came to see the wonderfully restored and modernised ballroom and former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds was in great form as he officially opened the venue. He owned and operated a group of ballrooms many years ago so was in familiar territory. Also attending was the legendary performer Sean Dunphy who represented Ireland in the Eurovision many years ago (and whose son Brian will be appearing later this month in the venue). Others at the reception included Hugh Hardy who managed Larry Cunningham and The Mighty Avons, Corrina Grant, Miss Ireland Sarah Morrissey and Aoife Cogan. After the party the first performer to take to the stage was Jimmy Buckley who performed to the opening night audience.

The venue plans to have a mixture of top bands, like Jimmy Buckley, Mick Flavin, Indians, Louise Morrissey to middle of the road bands like Dickie Rock, Showband Show, Bjorn Again Dominic Kirwan to late night discos and is aimed at the 25 plus age group with late bars nightly. Rock on!


Sarah Morrissey had a busy week. She was also at the ‘tasty’ Dressing up for Summer party hosted by Helmanns on Wednesday. Her year as reigning Miss Ireland comes to a close at the end of this month as the Miss Ireland finals take place in Cork. She was one of the models at the fashion show and party in Fallon & Byrne, with Samantha Mumba, magic man Keith Barry, actress Amy Huberman, Andrew Rudd, Roisin Ni Mhordha and Katy French also in attendance.

Incidentally, I also had dinner there during the week and spotted Bill Cullen and Jackie Lavin, TV presenter Taragh Loughrey – Grant and writer Lorcan Roche amongst the diners. Lorcan has just released his latest novel The Companion and is in the process of choosing which studio is to get the film rights to the book.

Speaking of tasty food, Taste of Dublin is on this weekend in the Iveagh Gardens, off Harcourt Street. Among the celebrity chefs in attendance are Anthony Worrell Thompson, Angela Hartnet of The Connaught in London, Frederic Condonnier of The Mill at The Village at Lyons and Derry Clarke of l’Ecrivain. Should the miserable weather stay away I recommend you head there for some great grub and vino collapso in what used to be Dublin’s best kept secret.

Caffertys @ The Ierne

At the opening night of Caffertys @ The Ierne were: 1. Ben Dolan, former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and Joe Dolan; 2.Corinna Grant and Aoife Cogan; 3. Corinna Grant and ballroom owner James Cafferty; 4. Sarah Morrisey and Baiba Neilande.

Lucien Freud

Pictured attending the opening of the Lucian Freud Exhibition, which was held in the Irish Museum of Modern Art and runs until September 2nd, were 1. Nicola Gordon-Bow and Janet Mullarney; 2. Betty Ballagh and Mick O’Dea; 3. Professor John S. Ratcliffe and Mark Pearce; 4. Marianne Kelly and Kim Warnock; 5. Anne Mahon and Joe Mulholland.

Freudian slips

Hollywood, hhe land where showbiz was born (and rehab, but that’s another story), has come to Co. Kildare! If you fancy seeing a slice of tinseltown history get yourself down to the newly refurbished Newbridge Silverware showrooms in Newbridge, where the Style Icons museum as just opened.

William and Oonagh Doyle hosted a lavish opening party last week to celebrate this latest feather in the Newbridge hat. The museum, located above the showrooms, is a breathtaking space and resembles a trendy Gordon Ramsey restaurant more than anything else, such is the interior design and lighting. With memorabilia from the likes of John Wayne, Marlynn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, the beautiful space dedicated to the stars of the silverscreen is worth visiting.

Invited guests enjoyed a pink champagne reception (and beyond) followed by a gala dinner in the Silver restaurant. Among those in attendance were designer Synan O’Mahony, Brendan O’Connor and his wife Sarah Caden, model du jour Katy French (on again, off again!), Meg O’Keeffe of Image Magazine, Andrea Roche, rugby star Ronan O’Gara, Mary Treacy of Clerys and Jackie Lavin.

Commissioner Charlie McCreevy, who was accompanied by his wife Noleen, officially open the new space and was delighted to be on home turf, such is his hectic Euro schedule in Brussels. The opening was made all the more special with the addition of several unique pieces on loan form world famous memorabilia auction house Juliens, which were on view to the public for a limited period.



An exhibition of the works of Lucien Freud, arguable one of the most influential and important living artists of our time, opened at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) this week to much excitement. Comprising of some 50 paintings and 20 works on paper and etchings from the last six decades, several being completed just months prior to the exhibition, with others never shown before in a public venue.

Best known for his portraits and nudes, Freud’s subjects include his family, friends, lovers and fellow artists. His early paintings and works on paper are often associated with a meticulous control of the brushstrokes and line, depicting people, plants and still-life, including several made while living in Ireland. Grandson of the father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud, Lucien, who is now in his 80s, was unable at attend, but the show was opened by his daughter Rose Boyt.

Maura McKillen and designer Mairead Whisker, poet Anthony Cronin and Anne Haverty, Lord and Lady Burlington, artists Louis Le Brocquy and Anne Madden, The Hon. Desmond and Penelope Guinness, Patsey Murphy of The Irish Times, Christine Ryall of Christies were among those enjoying the evening summer sun as the party spilled outside.



Back to Kildare, and last night one of the most dramatic fireworks displays ever seen in that part of the country lit up the night sky. Celebrating the official opening of Kildare Village, Ireland’s premiere outlet shopping venue, the pyrotechnics were just one part of the entertainment on the evening.

Dancers, performance art, parades and music all added to the spectacular evening with food from Richard Corrigan and Fred Cordonnier of The Village at Lyons and Derry Clark of l’Ecrivain to feed the hundreds of guests, including Ian Galvin, Roxanne Parker, Julian Benson, fashionista Bairbre Power and socialite Cindy Caffola.

With discounted shops like Calvin Klein, Reiss, Karen Millen and Cotton Club offering 30 - 65% discounts (as well as Starbucks and Dunne & Crescenzi) there’s something for everyone. Bargain!

Giddy Up!

Pictured enjoying the recent Boylesports Guineas Festival at The Curragh were: 1. ‘Fashion on the Turf’ Best Dressed winner Nicola Clancy with finalists Rose Buggy and Eva Hayes; 2. Niall and Gillian Quinn; 3. John Higgins, Liam Boyle and Ken Doherty; 4. HRI Fashion Ambassador Kathryn Thomas.

Barbie

Ireland’s 3rd National BBQ Promotion kick starts this year with National BBQ Week running from Monday June 4 until Sunday June 10. Celebrity chef Kevin Dundon was cooking up a storm at the recent launch in the Trinity Capital Hotel.

Pictured enjoying the launch evening were: 1. Sharon O'Rourke and Nicola O'Reilly; 2. Karen Doyle and Laura Connolly; 3. Shane McGonigle, Keith O'Haire and Ealron Kennedy; 4. Chef Kevin Dundon, Paul Kelly and Joanna Brennan; 5. Wayne Cronin and Triona McCarthy; 6. Neasa Curran and Caroline Byrne.

For more info check out www.nationalbbq.ie

Idolize

Idol Vodka, the new premium French vodka made from Pinot Noir & Chardonnay grapes, was launch recently at an exclusive party in the Trinity Capital Hotel. Pictured were: 1. Gail Ferguson and Abbey Smith; 2. Emily O'Donnell, Sara Jane Wai - O'Flynn and Nadine Wai - O'Flynn; 3. Avila Lipsett; 4. Simon Paul and Laura McCarthy.

Fashion Reigns

With finger permanently on the pulse, fashion giant Topman know what’s hot and what’s not and with the new southside store Dublin guys now have a style mecca to rival the girls. Skinny jeans and distressed t-shirts never looked so good.

To celebrate the opening of No.41 Grafton Street, Topman hosted a music bash at the cavernous CHQ last week which attracted a hip crowd of trendsetters. Looking like they just stepped off the set of the latest Hot Chip video, the guests enjoyed an aural extravaganza from bands such as the 1990s, Good Shoes and The Holloways. Irish band Fight Like Apes won a slot at the gig too.

Among the fashionistas there on the night were Alex Fitzgerald, Niall O’Farrell (jetting off to Monaco for the GP the next day), Bairbre Power (just back from Madrid where she was recording a feature for the Afternoon Show) and Eoin Higgins (who is leaving The Dubliner for pastures new very soon).

Also there were Tania Adams of Topman, Brendan Rodgers, and Siobhan O’Dowd of Pod concerts. She’s busy organising the upcoming Garden Party music festival in Ballinlough Castle, home of the Nugent family. The 1-day, intimate event takes place on Saturday June 9th and with acts like the aforementioned Hot Chip, Pet Shop Boys, Carl Cox and the Bodytonic crew, it’s one gig not to be missed. Think of it as Electric Picnic’s little brother.




The Boylesports Guineas Festival at the Curragh last weekend was a huge success, wind and rain regardless. The ladies stepped up to the plate in the fashion stakes with competition rife for the Best Dressed title. The lucky winner, Nicola Clancy, bagged a cool Mitsubishi car for the year among other prizes, after the judges decided she was the most stylish on the day.

Fashion Ambassador Kathryn Thomas (elegant in a black and white crazy striped dress) and her fellow judges Alan Hughes, Triona McCarthy, Gillian Quinn and Jacinta O’Brien, had a tough deliberation, such was the level of style. Other winners on the day included Finsceal Beo, who won the feature race of the day – the Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas.

Other racegoers on the day included snooker players Ken Doherty and John Higgins, rugby star Ronan O’Gara, Sir Anthony O’Reilly and Lady O’Reilly, Ray O’Brien, songwriter and producer Karl Broderick and business tycoon John Magnier.




Despite the pouring rain of Wednesday evening the style brigade turned out in their droves to attend a chic cocktail party at the Trinity Capital Hotel for the launch of Idôl, the new premium vodka from France. Famed for fine wines, France is now home to the first vodka in the world produced from grapes – the vodka for wine lovers! Despite the inclement weather, or perhaps because of it, talk on the evening was of upcoming holidays and summer plans.

PR guru Sinead Ryan and her beau Malachy Geelan were just back from a long sojourn in Nerja, Norman Pratt was shopping in Milan, while food connoisseur Andrew Rudd had been filming for TV3 in Madrid.

Popular party girl Avila Lipsett proved that she’s more than a pretty face as she entertained the crowd with her DJ skills. An essential element to a good party, she’s being booked for all the big bashes this season and is busy planning her forthcoming trip to Marbella. Astrid Brennan is jetting off to LA and Vegas soon, while Triona McCarthy will be hitting the social scene in Monaco. Gavin Kilduff is also off to Marbella as is popular novelist Marisa Mackle, who will be putting the finishing touches to her next book.

A surprise guest on the evening was Jean-Claude Boisset, president of Boisset France, the makers of Idôl Vodka. He also happens to be the third largest wine producer in France, so he knows his Pinor Noir and Chardonnay grapes. He thought the Dublin launch was one of the best he’s been to of all the Idôl events worldwide.

Among the other guests enjoying the specially commissioned cocktails from Gareth Lambe of Venu Brasserie were Halina Ashdown – Shiels, Dr. Marco Lombardi, deputy head of the Italian Embassy, TV presenter Taragh Loughrey – Grant, Katie Jane Goldin and Sandra Byrne.