Summer at Conrad Dublin

At the Conrad were: 1. Tracey Burke + Nicole Langan; 2. Stephen Gibbons + Jennifer Maguire; 3. Dani Conway + Ali Macdonell; 4. Kate Goodison

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Conrad Dublin kicked off the summer in style recently with Summer Lovin..... A Conrad Style Fashion and Music Event. The event attracted aspiring fashionistas and music lovers who attended the summer fashion show styled by top stylist, Jan Brierton, and indulged in the sounds of Bodytonic DJ’s, The Blood Red Mountain Band and cult favorites, Stand. The show marked the first of a series of music events happening at Conrad Dublin this summer.

The chic and contemporary interior of the Conrad Dublin, was transformed into a summer garden paradise for the show. The champagne flowed freely before the fashion show kicked off at 7.30pm, with guests enjoying Gossett’s champagne and delicious Conrad canapes. Those in attendance included “The Apprentice” star Jennifer Maguire, fashion designer Paul Alexander and models Ali McDonald and Dani Conway. Also in attendance was newly appointed General Manager for Conrad Dublin Martin Mangan and Area General Manager Friedrich Schaefer.

Models dressed in the latest cutting edge trends by leading fashion brands Pepe, Tommy Hilfiger, Hackett, Espirit, Furla, and BCBG MAX AZRIA blazed a trail down a fantasy garden runway. Hair and make up was funky and stylish, provided by Kazumi and Lancome respectively.

Bodytonic entertained guests into the night and are set to entertain revellers in Barcelona at the annual Sonar music festival in a few weeks time.

Horse Racing Ireland summer party

At the HRI party to announce the summer season were: 1. Kathryn Thomas, Tamso Doyle and the new Fashion Ambassador Karen Koster; 2. Dalton and Lisa Fitzpatrick; 3. Kathryn Thomas is tickled pink.

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The fashionistas were out in force on the Ice Bar at The Four Seasons Hotel, Ballsbridge to launch the summer racing season with Xpose’s Karen Koster who was crowned Horse Racing Ireland Fashion Ambassador 2008.

Speaking at the event, Karen said she was delighted to be this year’s HRI Fashion Ambassador “As a reporter, I’ve covered the best dressed lady competitions at various race days throughout the country, and I’ve always been impressed by the style. The experience is really inspirational as its gives me ideas on what to wear to the next race meeting, so I am absolutely delighted to be this year’s HRI Fashion Ambassador. Following in the footsteps of Caroline and Kathryn, I’ve some very high heels to fill, but I’m looking forward to a summer of style, socialising and of course plenty of betting!”

The style cognoscenti and racing set were out on the night with ladies wearing the latest summer season’s must haves and the bar was transformed with a beautiful powder pink catwalk, and a burst of floral colour by uber-chic florist Appasionata who added a burst or brilliant colour to the venue.

A fashion show presented by Dundrum Town Centre was a huge hit with the crowd with this seasons hot new looks for the summer race season. A millinery competition by the prestigious Grafton Academy was judged by Dundrum Town Centre’s Jayne O’Keeffe. DJ Poppy Lloyd spun seriously cool tracks to get the crowd going while guests sipped the Pimms and Razmopolitans on the night.

Glam attendees included Brian Kavanagh, top jockey Pat Smullen and his wife Frances Crowley, previous HRI fashion ambassadors Caroline Morahan and Kathryn Thomas, Xposes Glenda Gilson, Lisa Fitzpatrick who came along with her young son, chick lit author Marisa Mackle, Nadine Wai-O’Flynn, Jilly and Amy Hamilton, jockeys Declan McDonagh and top trainers David Wachman, Robbie Osbourne and Fozzie Stack.

Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass

Also at the Bombay Sapphire party were: 1. Avril Collins and Norman Pratt; 2.Sinead Christain of Waterford Crystal, Claire McAlister from Glenavy, Co. Antrim, winner of the Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass Competition, designer and judge Ciaran Sweeney and Karen Halpin of Bombay Sapphire.

Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass

Among those at the Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass party were: 1. Darren Kennedy and Jedda Downey; 2. Derbhla and Declan Leavy; 3. Marisa Mackle and Ben Bringer.

The elite of Ireland’s socialites and celebrities turned out in all their glam to toast to the success of emerging Irish designers at stylish event held in The Morgan Hotel, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 for the final of 2008 Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass Competition, in association with Waterford Crystal. The tasty event saw Bombay Sapphire martini cocktails served to perfection, canapés especially created to compliment the Bombay Sapphire Botanicals and the music came courtesy of master mixer at The Morgan Hotel.

This year’s celebrity judge Ciaran Sweeney jetted into Dublin from the States in time to judge the popular competition and to present the awards. Fellow judge Alexander Fitzgerald had also just returned from Marbella and sporting a fantastic tan. The judging is just a pit-stop for Fitzgerald who is heading to the New York next week for a friend’s wedding. Enjoying the Bombay Sapphire cocktail celebration were Jedda Downey, Darren Kennedy, Irish Chanteuse Camille O’Sullivan, socialites Romy Carroll, Norman Pratt, Ben Bringer and Eoin Kavanagh and chick-lit author Marissa Mackle.

Also spotted were former Miss World Rosanna Davidson and her charming boyfriend Wesley Quirke, stylist Graham Cruz, City Channel's Izabela Chudzicka, Nadine Wai O’Flynn, Neil Doherty, RTE’s Sandra Byrne, jazz artist Maria Tecce and Diane Henderson. TV3’s Colette Fitzpatrick and Audrey McGrath looked stunning as ever while Ozzy Osbourne's Irish based son Louis and his wife Louise Osbourne enjoyed a quick cocktail before having to leave to look after their daughter Mia, who has just celebrated her first birthday.

Commenting on the designer glass competition Ciaran Sweeney said: “I think the competition is an amazing opportunity for emerging Irish designers – to actually see their designs come to life and be produced is fantastic and to have such great opportunities lie ahead of them thanks to this one event. The entries exceeded our expectations, the technical detailing and design concepts are first class – it really was a hard decision and after much deliberation we agreed on the winner”.

After much deliberation by the judging panel Claire McAlister from Glenavy, Co. Antrim and a student at the National College of Art and Design was announced as one the winner. The complex infusion of the ingredients in the Bombay Sapphire blend provided Claire with her initial inspiration, for her winning creation, entitled ‘In Suspense’ imagining the ingredients as tiny particles held in suspension within the walls of the bottle. She thought of a tornado, and how it picks-up anything in its path, hurling them into a state of suspension within its powerful form.

Claire experimented with smashing and shattering a Bombay Sapphire bottle, stripping it of its manufactured structure and separating it into delicate particles. The effect created was inspiring and beautiful, with the complex patterning and sheer glistening of the glass fragments created a stunning visual impact. Claire received a Waterford Crystal trophy and a prize fund of €1,000.

Claire will represent Ireland at the global final being held during April at Milan Design Week, the world’s biggest contemporary design fair. The talented young Irish designer will be competing on the global stage against 26 other countries in front of an audience of some of the international design community’s most influential figures, and will be hoping to win the $15,000 prize.

The Waterfront

At the Waterfront launch party were: 1. Andrew Rudd and Dearbhla Murphy; 2. Chris and Afra Jones; 3. Ziggy Polinski and Audrey Ferris.


Top property company, Ellier Developments, celebrated the launch of its stylish new apartment development, The Waterfront, at hip Hanover Quay, with an uber-cool cocktail party which was attended by over 200 eager investors from the worlds of banking, finance and telecommunications with legal eagles and fashion industry glamour adding to the mix. Glam guests on the evening included top property developers Chris Jones and Frances Rattigan, TV3's Andrew Rudd, VIP magazine's Michael O'Doherty who came along with Sarah Lipsett who was sporting the latest Christian Dior bag.

The Waterfront is at the cutting edge of 21st Century metropolitan living and is an amazing waterside address located just minutes from the city centre and right at the heart of Dublin’s new urban hotspot. The new development comprises 54 apartments with phase one of 25 apartments now on the market.

The Waterfront apartments are premium quality and superbly designed one, two and three bedroom apartments boasting the most spacious balconies in Dublin – many with stunning waterside views. Architects Burke Kennedy Doyle designed the stylish, modern building which is based on the concept of stages - the stage of the theatre itself, the stage of the piazza and the stage of the theatre lobby above the piazza when it is illuminated at night.


Eddie Macken's son Jamie came along with his girlfriend Aoife, the two are planning a long holiday to Africa this summer and but were having second thoughts when they saw the stunning penthouse suite that was on show that evening! Advertising guru Anne Corcoran looked stunning in a Chica coat and was seen chatting to Anne Daly.

Matty Ryan came up from his home in Thurles co. Tipperary to support his good friend Chris Jones on the night and was seen chatting to another good friend, Charlie Murless. Other guests on the night included Audrey Ferris who looked stunning in a brown Gucci top, Ben Bringer, Sarah Owens and Count Ziggy Polinski, all enjoyed the beautiful canapés served by Domini Kemp and sipped on raspberry Bellini’s while enjoying the spectacular views of the Grand Canal basin from the stunning penthouse suite.

Bacardi Legacia

At Bacardi's Legacia party were: 1. Nayane Morais and Ingrid McNabb; 2. Susan Brennan, Karen Halpin and Sharon Howard; 3. Tiernan O'Morain and Enrique Comas; 4. Louise Kavanagh and Eimear Burton.

Last week Bacardi staged a very special event for a select number of people in a beautiful Georgian building. The venue, not normally used to house great parties was designed and decorated by Bacardi especially for the Legacia party, which added a legendary dash of vibrant Latin spirit to all who attended and created a mouth-watering cocktail of fluid beats, dancing feet and the best rum in town.

The event was to celebrate Bacardi’s legacy of serving the very best original cocktails over the last 146 years and to share in Bacardi’s passion and dedication and to experience the legacy of Bacardi’s founder, Don Facundo Bacardi Massó

Miss Universe Ireland contestant Louise Kavanagh enjoyed the selection of exclusive cocktails, whilst resident Dubliners Trevor White and Paul Trainer kept their eyes firmly on the mesmerising routine of the Samba Dancers. TV3’s Andrew Rudd arrived with a gang of hisbest Bacardi loving friends to soak up the Vibrant Latin Spirit in full form.

Key people from the Irish Music Scene (Sony BMG, Emi Music, Hot Press, State Magazine and POD concerts) were joined by Enrique Comas from the Bacardi Family who flew over especially for the Legacia celebration. Among the other VIP guests enjoying the party were Indie-electro DJ Arveen, Barry Meegan and Rachel Channing.

Guests were taken on a journey through the origins of cocktails that were then served to them as they were entertained by the legendary DJ’s, Disco Brazil and a pack of drummers and capoeira who danced throughout the building. The event was hosted in order to give all who attended an opportunity to share in Bacardi’s passion and dedication and experience the legacy of Don Facundo Bacardi Massó. Viva Bacardi!

KOH yes...

At the opening of KOH, the super stylish new restaurant on Millenium Way, were: 1. Rachel Montague and Sile Nolan; 2. Alex Farrell and Conor Connellan; 3. Irish ruggers Luke Fitzgerald and Gordon D'Arcy; 4. Diane Henderson and Norman Pratt.

KOH blimey!

At KOH were: 1. Emily O'Donnell and Sandra Byrne; 2. Anais Chandellier and Gaelle Lassabliere; 3. Liv Morgan and Lisa McGahy; 4. Elaine Bresnan and Alison McCarthy.

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Dublin’s newest Thai/Asian restaurant was launched to much anticipation at an exclusive party a few weeks ago. Familiar faces from the modeling and sporting worlds were there to enjoy what was one of the best attended events in the city, not only launching the restaurant but to kick start the summer in style.

Guests were gretted with bongo players, acrobats, with the smoking area transformed into a Buddha haven for one Night only (it was the place to be)! DJ Mo Kelly was on the decks as the lucky guests were treated to KOH Signature Cocktails, champagne, & Beer with tantalizing Thai bites all night…

Koh is truly a one stop destination, offering a stylish lounge area for cocktails & drinks, a chic and contemporary restaurant serving authentic Asian cuisine and for the diner that wants that little extra: a resident DJ and late bar, this together with three private dining rooms, and Wi-Fi throughout, Koh is set to cater for every need of the young professional.

This is the first Dublin restaurant for trio - Conor Sexton, Conor Kilkenny and Eoin Pardy who have pooled their years of experience to develop this very personal concept. With experience with the Diep Le Shaker group, these guys have realised their ambition to offer a friendly local venue which delivers fantastic quality Thai/Asian food at great value in chic surroundings.

Grainne Weber Architects who were responsible for the G Hotel & the re-design of The Morrison have created a truly distinctive venue. The graffiti wall and Mark Whelehan’s ceiling mounted light sculpture are worth the trip alone. Trust me, it's all very Sex and the City.

A host of Irelands sporting stars attended - from RTE’s Des Cahill, GAA commentator Michael Lester, The Irish Rugby team, and on a rare night out the Leinster Rugby boys with their wife’s in tow who will be there to support their team mate Bernard Jackman- who’s wife’s family are behind the venture.

Models Aoife Cogan, Karena Graham, Sara Kavanagh and Sarah McGovern the latter with her husband to be, Kenny. They are due to marry in a lavish soiree in July. Leigh Arnold and Marcus Sweeney, Pamela Flood, Brian Ormond and Pippa O’Connor and the lovely Sile Nolan ,who will shortly be launching Dublin’s newest hotspot - Residence on Stephens Green.

Fellow restaurateurs Derry and Sallyanne Clarke, Matt and Alex Farrell of the Diep Le Shaker Chain, Glenda Gilson and her Xposé Crew, Leanne de Cerbo, Brendan Scully and actor Liam Cunningham were also there.