Seapoint

Enjoying the party were: 1. Johnny and Debbie Cooke; 2. Catriona Hanly and Triona McCarthy; 3. Justine Luyks and Dave O’Driscoll.

Seapoint is surely one of the finest restaurants to open in Monkstown in many a year. Those in the know are aware that the area is about to rediscover the reputation for fine dining it enjoyed in past times and Seapoint café, bar and restaurant is setting the trend. The new bistro located in the heart of Monkstown offers some amazing variety for local foodies.

Last week Shane Kenny and chef du jour Nick Clapham launched the new venture with an evening of cocktails, crisp wines and equally tantalizing canapés. The place was heaving with a mix of local foodies, politicians, business people and socialites enjoying what this little gem has to offer…

Among the crowd hosted by Shane Kenny and his wife Audrey and Nick and Margaret Clapham were David and Siobhan Harvey, Michael and Maureen Heffernan, Ryan Tubridy, Michelin starred chef Derry Clarke and his charming wife Sallyanne, Barrister Barney Quirke, rugby player Paul Wallace and Triona McCarthy, Norma Smurfit, Peter Devlin and Lorraine Keane.

Seapoint is the ideal spot for an early evening dinner after a relaxing walk on the pier, great for a girls night out or a romantic meal for two. The perfect location, great menu and ambience are certain to make Seapoint the new talking point in (Monks)town.

Bellini Black

Also at the Bellini Bar party were: 1. Michelle Heaton; 2. Tara Synnott and Nadine Wai - O'Flynn; 3. Rosanna Davison.

Bellini Bar

At the opening party for bellini Bar were: 1. Susan Pratt, Norman Pratt and Roisin Tierney - Crowe; 2. Susan Gray and Katie Jane Goldin; 3. Caitriona O'Connor and Ann Marie O'Neill.

The Burlington was booming as the new Bellini’s Bar was officially launched recently (after much anticipation) to the D4 set. A host of VIP guests were treated to an extravagant end of summer party in the stylish, contemporary bar and it was agreed that after the long, wet season it was exactly what was needed.

The bar and lobby area have been completely modernised and refurbished to a very high standard, with the bar designed to an ‘Asia de Cuba’ theme (so it was very apt that the Cuban All Stars entertained on the evening). Bongo players and fire eaters greeted guests on arrival. DJ Mo Kelly got the party started and with the expert European cocktail flairers flown in especially for the night it was clear from that get go that no expense was spared on this lavish soiree.

The atmosphere was electric and as the champagne and Cuban cocktails flowed it was clear that the Burlington is enjoying a new era. The place was packed to the rafters with a few English soaps stars holding court! Also in attendance were Rosanna Davidson and Wes Quirke, Conor Buckley and Brian O’Malley of Krystle, Brian Ormond and Pippa O’Connor, Rachel Kavanagh, Lisa Murphy and Gerald Kean, Glenda Gilson and her Xpose crew…. and for the lucky ladies that were there - the dashingly handsome Queensland Super 14’s Rugby team - who are staying in the hotel while they are playing the Irish rugby provinces.

Inchydoney Ladies Polo

Also at the final of the Inchydoney Island & Spa Ladies Polo were: 1. Abby Comyn and Melissa Jones; 2. Suzanne Deegan and Darina Larkin; 3. Nicole Mitchell.

Inchydoney Ladies Polo

Pictured were: 1. Fiona Egan and Pauline Cullen; 2. Glenda Gilson; 3. Mehran Miramahdi and Wendy Herbs.

On a day filled with unexpected sunshine, over 200 people attended one of the final social events of the Summer 2008 calendar last weekend at the final of the Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa Ladies International Polo Tournament at Polo Wicklow with funds going towards the Bubble Gum Club.

Organised by Polo Wicklow and in its ninth year, the glamorous event attracts the top Irish, UK, French, South African, American and Argentinean players to challenge for the Inchydoney Island Cup in the picturesque setting of Co. Wicklow. Due to recent weather conditions, the event was re-located from Ballyhenry in Ashford to the all weather arena at Polo Wicklow to ensure that this much anticipated event went ahead. After two days of qualifying, two Irish teams, Lamorlaye and Deloitte, met in a thrilling final that ended in a 16-12 victory to Lamorlaye captained by Siobhan Herbst.

Among the players taking part in the event were Nicola Foley, Jasmine Mirahmadi and Denise Power from Ireland, Caroline Arnier from France, Kim Kailing and Oda Diepold from Germany, Amber Clutton Brock, Whitney Vogt, Julia de Angelis, Eileen Flint and Martha Brown from the USA and Amy Gace, Candice Kane Berman and Beth Shaw from South Africa.

For the third year, the Ladies International Polo Tournament was sponsored by Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa, West Cork’s award winning hotel and spa. Guests were welcomed by TV3’s Sinead Desmond before enjoying a champagne reception, lunch and glamorous fashion show from Misamu before the final took place. After all the excitement of the polo, Pat O’Neill oversaw the auction, which included a divine diamond encrusted ring donated by the exclusive jewellery specialists, Boodles. Beautifully titled “Tropical Castaway”, the 18 carat white gold ring was set in diamonds and complimented by three exotic stones: aquamarine, peridot and hot pink tourmaline.

Des O’Dowd, proprietor of Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, together with his wife Ann, congratulated all of the teams and presented the Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa Cup to Siobhan Herbst and the Lamorlaye Team. Celebrations continued through the evening as guests enjoyed a traditional Argentine Asado BBQ followed by dancing through the night with hot new band, Keywest.

Hosted by Jackie Rafter from the Bubble Gum Club, the event was a huge success and raised in excess of €20,000 for the charity that will go towards bringing 65 sick children and their medics from around the country on a once in a lifetime trip.

Evian Ladies Day

Pictured in the Evian suite were: 1. Alan Hughes and Lisa Fitzpatrick; 2. Best dress Winner Alison Garvey; 3. Laura Woods.

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Champagne and sparkling rosé flowed while pink Evian iced buns were nibbled as Evian Ladies Day 2008 took place at The Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show in the RDS last week.

Guests in the Evian VIP room included RTE’s Laura Woods and Pamela Flood, TV3’s Alan Hughes and TV Chef Andrew Rudd, TV3’s Colette Fitzpatrick and Glenda Gilson as well as well-known fashionista Lisa Fitzpatrick and top tailor Louis Copeland.

This was the third Evian Ladies Day, an event synonymous with style, glamour, outrageous hats and a great day out for everyone who enters. Evian Ladies Day was judged by fashion follower Caroline Morahan and couturier Synan O’Mahony and MC for the day was Xposés Aisling O’Loughlin.

Six prizes were handed out at Evian Ladies Day. The Best dressed lady title was won by Dublin born Alison Garvey. Her amazing sense of style and unusual head-wear saw her walk away with the top prize worth over €10,000 which includes a shopping trip to the style capital of the world – Paris and a relaxing weekend at the Evian Royal resort.

The two highly commended winners, Evelyn Sheedy, Kildare and Veronica Walsh, Navan, each l received a €500 voucher from House of Fraser. The best dressed man title went to Lorcan Hanlon who won a stylish Louis Copeland suit and the most creative hat winner, Alyse Gaynor, took home a €250 voucher from House of Fraser. Unique to Evian Ladies Day is the Pretty in Pink category and the lucky winner, 76-year-old Mary Tiernan from Navan, received a stunning diamond encrusted Longines watch.