Bright Young Things

To the future: 1. Virginia Macari, Matthew John & Maria Fusco; 2. Lottie Ryan; 3. Sarah McGovern & Kenny Vaughan. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


To Krystle where 25 of Ireland’s brightest and most successful young women were honoured at a special event hosted by Social & Personal magazine and Olay.

The party was to celebrate the country’s ‘Bright Young Things’ and hopes for the future; women under 35 representing all walks of life, from sport and entertainment to fashion and film. The select group includes a number of well-known faces and names as well as those whose careers are currently on the ascent both at home and on the international stage.

Among them are the likes of actress-turned-author Amy Huberman, footwear designer Nina Divito, boxer Katie Taylor, singers Lisa Hannigan and Laura Izibor, fashion designers Úna Burke and Mia O’Connell and award-winning actresses Saoirse Ronan and Sarah Bolger.

Liz Kennedy of Olay was delighted to be involved with Social & Personal in honouring Ireland’s finest talent, saying: “Olay encourages women to nurture their own beauty by advocating regular skin care so that they love the skin they’re in.”

A special cover story profiling the ladies appears in the August issue of Social & Personal magazine, which hits newsstands this week.

WV is 1!

Birthday bash: 1. Noirin Kelly & Byron Kumbula; 2. Karena Graham; 3. Jack Herbert; Brooke Wright & Dillon O’Connor. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


It’s been a year already since the Wright Venue opened, can you believe it? A full 12 months of top name DJs and live acts, jam packed Friday and Saturday nights and special events from the Apprentice Live Final to Miss Universe Ireland at the 2,700 capacity venue in Airside, Dublin.

The super club hosted its first birthday with a weekend of celebrations and great live performances for groups such as Fierce Angel return with an all star line up of K-Klass & Mark Doyle and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble.

50 Cent, Rihanna and Tinie Tempah have all thrown parties in the club and with a line up of guest DJs including Roger Sanchez, Audrina from The Hills and the Reverend Run from Run DMC, the next 12 months look like being even more spectacular.

Dublin Contemporary

Art Attack: 1. Noel Kelly, Brian Fay & Rachael Thomas; 2. Kate Delaney, John Brereton & Hannah Montague.

Art Warming: 1. Rachael Thomas, Gerard Byrne & Enrique Juncosa; 2. Laura Koonikka, Martin Mackin & Claire Power. (Pix. Dublin Contemporary)


Dublin Contemporary 2011, the largest contemporary art event of its kind ever held in Ireland, was launched recently at what has to have been the largest launch party of its kind! The old warehouse on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay played host to hundreds of guests who turned out to support the new initiative.

Enthusiastically supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Dublin Contemporary will place the best of Irish and international contemporary art centre-stage. In turn it will act as a catalyst that will attract the lucrative cultural tourist market into the country and in doing so bring €13.5 million into the Irish economy.

Dublin Contemporary 2011 will be a city-wide cultural event that will energise and delight our city with some of the best contemporary art in the world. It will be a clear demonstration of our country’s capacity to provide world-class cultural events for both ourselves and the thousands of cultural tourists who make Dublin a priority destination.

Taking place between September 6th and October 31st 2011 the event will be sited in some of the city’s best known landmarks including IMMA, Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, the Royal Hibernian Academy, the Irish Film Institute and the James Joyce Tower. The total exhibition space will be over 100,000 square feet and will also include found spaces, libraries and music venues; spaces not normally associated with the visual arts.

Check out www.dublincontemporary.com

We love you!

At the premiere: 1. Doug Baxter and wife Victoria Smurfit with their children; 2. Jenny Buckley; 3. Diarmiud Gavin and daughter. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


After four magical years at the London Palladium, flights to Broadway and Singapore and three sensational years touring large scale venues all over the UK, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is back and at the Grand Canal Theatre for her Irish Premiere!

This box office smash hit has been re-vamped, updated and technologically advanced since her London days. Directed by Adrian Noble this feel good family favourite will be a sure fire way to beat the blues.

With a cast and crew of over 100 (including 10 dogs), amazing sets, a full orchestra and stunning special effects this action-packed adventure is the story of the magical car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts (Darren Bennett), and his two children Jemima and Jeremy alongside Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts, all try and outwit the dastardly Baron and the evil Child Catcher.

Nominated for three Olivier Awards, winning Best Musical at the 2002 Variety Awards, nominated for five Tony Awards on Broadway, winning the coveted 2006 Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for Best Family Show and holding the Guinness World Record for the most expensive stage prop Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang is guaranteed to be a wonderful experience for the whole family to enjoy and is playing until the 14th August.

Live at Leopardstown

Rock on: 1. Heather Irvine; 2. Orla Doherty and Eoin Carroll; 3. Nikki Murphy and Shauna Walsh. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Delorentos rocked last night at Leopardstown and almost 5,000 people showed up to see the young band take to the stage as part of the Bulmers Live summer event.

Orlaith Fortune, Marketing Manager at Bulmers said: “We have been so lucky with the weather throughout the Bulmers Live at Leopardstown series and the racing and music has really been rocking here for the past two months.”

Next up are Alabama 3 on Thursday, August 5th and Sharon Shannon and Shane MacGowan on Thursday, August 12th. Racing kicks off between 5.30pm and 6pm and finishes up in time for the live music to start at 9pm.

Summer Tunes

Al fresco: 1. John & Erika Duggan; 2. Ian Denver & Angela Flynn; 3. Mick & Ciara Glynn. (Pix. Joe Keogh)

As part of the Bray Summerfest an evening with Neil Hannon, creator and frontman of the orchestral pop group The Divine Comedy was hosted at the Killruddery Garden Party. The Divine Comedy has been responsible for some of the lushest, most literate and downright catchy popular music of the past couple of decades.

Hannon’s song writing genius has taken him from writing the theme song of Father Ted to the smash-hit National Express. It was a magical evening of music, thrills and sophistication in Killruddery’s Orangerie

Keeping Cool

Hello: 1. Deirdre Walsh and Jimmy Loughran; 2. Darren Kennedy and Avril Collins.

3. Richard Kavanagh and Roxanne Parker; 4. Averil Blakely, Daniel Holfeld and Courtney Smith. (Pix. 1Image/Bryan Brophy)


West Coast Cooler hosted a ‘Hello Night’ Fashion Quiz in Odessa last night where fashionistas battled it out to prove their style savvy. The stylish crew, made up of fashion writers, stylists and models went head to head for the title, which was eventually won by team “Gin’ll Fix It”.

The crowd, who included models Sarah Morrissey and Yomiko, actor Michael Hayes and stylist Darren Kennedy, also got and exclusive preview of the West Coast Cooler ‘Hello Night’ TV campaign which was shot in South Africa and features great fashion. It can be seen at www.westcoastcooler.ie

Fashion Conscious

Loving fashion: 1.Virginia Macari; 2. Declan Donnelly & Darina Ni Chuinneagain; 3. Lisa Fitzpatrick. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Declan Donnelly and Darina Ní Chuinneagáin of the Baby Max Wings of Love Fund and designer Jennifer Rothwell welcomed over 200 guests at the glamorous Baby Max Love Fashion show on Friday evening. The event, hosted by Lisa Fitzpatrick, was filmed as part of Norway’s Top Model TV show.

Guests enjoyed a wine and canapé reception before settling into a stunning fashion show with designs from Paul Costelloe, Orla Kiely, Jennifer Rothwell, Mary Grant, Rebeka Kahn Artwear, Chesneau Bags and Fitzpatrick Shoes. Top Irish models took to the catwalk alongside the Winner of Norway’s Top Model, with all 10 Norwegian models enjoying the show from the front row.

Tenor Ciaran Nagle & Violinist Tara Novak serenaded the show adding a magical and most unique touch to proceedings while best dressed lady was judged by Maria Fusco and Virginia Macari. The winner, Emma Capello received a €1000 voucher for Bella Makeover courtesy of Jennifer Maguire.

Paddy Casey entertained the guests at the after party and dancing continued till late!

Just the tonic

At the CDG lunch: 1. Judith Power & Stephanie Wynne; 2. Alison McGilligan; 3. Louise McDermott & James Lock. (Pix. Leon Farrell)

The results of the Cork Dry Gin nationwide survey to find out which international celebrity people would most like to share their perfect Summer Moment with were announced at a special luncheon in Dublin last week.

Inspirational, stylish and refreshingly honest – Michelle Obama has been voted the female celebrity people would most like to share their perfect Cork Dry Gin Summer Moment with. Known for her style and iconic status Michelle reflects the true essence of CDG.

She was a firm female favourite commanding over 50% the votes with actress and fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker not far behind. Michelle won for her approachable manner however, with one respondent commenting “she seems friendly, it would be easy to have a chat with her over the perfect Cork Dry Gin and tonic”.

Celebrity chef Martin Shanahan, owner of award winning Kinsale restaurant ‘Fishy Fishy’ specially created a three course lunch menu with a twist on the classic Surf ‘n’ Turf serving lobster and Asian style pork belly.

Champagne Revolution

Bon 14 Juillet: 1. Andrew Fleming and Darina Sexton; 2. Holly White; 3 Anne Marie Flynn and Naomi Clarke.

Invited guests gathered earlier this week at The Lighthouse Cinema for an exclusive screening of the French film The Concert, which was hosted by THE GLOSS Magazine and Moët & Chandon Cinema Club.

The timing of the screening tied in with Bastille Day, 14th July and the Cinema Club was delighted to welcome special guests including the French Cultural Councillor Mr. Patrick Debut along with several other representatives from the French Embassy.

Caroline Sleiman of Moët Hennessy addressed guests saying: “We are delighted to be able to mark Bastille Day with this special screening of The Concert. The music in this film is incredibly moving and has won two César Awards. We are delighted to be able bring you this movie as part of The Cinema Club.”

Other guests in attendance included actress turned journalist Holly White, Barbara Dawson from the Hugh Lane Gallery and fashionista Laura Whiston.

On the Grapevine

Sparkling: 1. Aisling O’Loughlin & Synan O’Mahony; 2. Ingrid Hoey & Catherine Kelly; 3. Fionnan Nestor & Justine Conroy. (Pix. Leon Farrell / Photocall)

Bag it: 1. Rachel Armstrong & Heather Hastings; 2. Michele Toner & Astrid Brennan; 3. Clodagh Irwin Owens & Emir Irwin O’Shea. (Pix. Leon Farrell / Photocall)


Details of the Blossom Hill Ladies Day were announced at a reception and a fashion show hosted by Aisling O’Loughlin recently. The main Ladies Day takes place at the Dublin Horse Show at the RDS on Thursday 5th August. Judging for the second year running will be top couturier Synan O’Mahony and the ever stylish and newly married Amy Huberman.

This year Arnotts has come on board and the two Highly Commended winners, Best Dressed Man and Most Creative Hat, will each walk away with a €500 Arnotts voucher, while the Most Colourful winner will win a stunning Longines watch.

The Best Dressed Lady on the day will win an amazing trip to California worth €10,000 from Blossom Hill. The trip will include a four-night stay in San Francisco, a visit to two wineries in the Napa Valley, plus a 2-night stay in LA and €2000 in spending money.

On the subject of wine, The Ritz Carlton will be the destination for wine lovers tomorrow evening. Gordon Ramsay at Powerscourt will host a very special wine tasting evening, "Ireland ‘Meats’ Piemonte", on Tuesday 13th July.

The owner of the Bava Winery Piemonte, Mr. Roberto Bava, will showcase his best wines with carefully selected dishes by Executive Chef Jonathan MacIver. Tickets are priced at €85 per person to include 6 courses paired with 6 glasses of wine which Mr Bava will personally describe to guests.

Hot Press Yearbook

Rock On: 1. Gavin Bonnar & Sharon Corr; 2. SJ Wai of Dirty Epics; 3. Emma Brindley and Judy Gilroy. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The Hot Press Yearbook 2010 - 2011 is the definitive guide to the Irish music, media and entertainment industry and the Who’s Who guide is packed with the movers, shakers and power makers of the nation.

Niall Stokes of Hot Press hosted a party this week to celebrate the launch of the annual publication and a host of well known names gathered at The Academy music venue to celebrate.

As well as the Who’s Who there is an insight into the future of music from some of the biggest names in both the Irish and International music scene, a special report on how Irish music and instrument shops are coping with online competition as well as the comprehensive Industry Directory.

Guests included Sharon Corr and her husband Gavin Bonnar, author Marisa Mackle, Irish singer and actress Tara Blaise, artist Jim Fitzpatrick, Keith Duffy, Gail Kaneswaren and Izabela Chudzicka, all of whom enjoyed the great line-up of new and established Irish talent.

Mundy joined four of the hottest new acts right now including the highly anticipated big buzz band The Cast Of Cheers, the funky soulful sounds of Cork’s Brian Deady and impressive duo We Cut Corners as well as the headliner of the night Fight Like Apes, fronted by MayKay.

Guests enjoyed Asian food from Diep with a Jameson mixed drink reception, whilst MC Joe Rooney kept all entertained. Irish bands The Aftermath, Codes and Dirty Epics joined renowned rocker Brush Shiels, legendary photographer Colm Henry and the ever glamorous Philomena Lynott to support the launch of the biggest Hot Press yearbook to date.

Mantra Mania

All White: 1. Kamal Ibrahim & Noirin Kelly; 2. Aoide O’Neill, Chevaimie Chellar & Anna Dunne; 3. Tiffany Stanley & Sean Montague. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


Mantra Garden Bar and Club in Maynooth was all dressed in white at the weekend to celebrate its 1st birthday and the launch of a new exclusive members bar. Saturday night saw a Riviera White Party inspired by international clubs such as Nikki Beach and Baoli on the French Riviera.

Guests were treated to mind blowing visuals and performances such as Aerial Acrobatics from top UK Fuel Girl Vanessa Wise, while Angle Grinders and fire eaters also turned up the heat to entertain.

Coronation Street star Kate Ford, aka Tracy Barlow, was a special guest and is a much nicer person than her alter ego! Also spotted were Glenda Gilson and Rob McNaughton, Gillian Quinn, Marcus Sweeney, Romy Carroll, Andy Reynolds and Tara O'Connor.

Cannonball Run 2010

Cannonballers: 1. Hayley Rock & Richie Molloy; 2. Hazel O’Sullivan; 3. Helen O’Dwyer & Sinead Desmond. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The Cannonball Run motor event in aid of children’s charity Barretstown is back and ready to roll on September 10th 2010! The official launch, hosted by Ireland AM’s Sinead Desmond, took place this week at Lillies Bordello.

The Cannonball fleet - Bentley Flying Spur, Ferrari 360 Spider, Aston Martin and a Rolls Royce Phantom - gave guests a preview of the line-up for this year.

A host of familiar faces attended including Anna Daly and Conor Clear from TV3, Deric Hartigan of 3e, restaurateur Ronan Ryan, designer Catriona Hanly, hairstylist Michael Doyle and model Louise Kavanagh.

Last year’s inaugural Cannonball run successfully raised over €150,000 for Barretstown to help rebuild the lives of children affected by childhood cancer. The event consists of 3 action packed days taking in some of Ireland’s most scenic routes taking in places such as Westport, Donegal, Clarinbridge, Killarney, Cork city and Cashel.

With participants coming from as far as Dubai, US, Italy, Germany and Monaco, it is set to put Ireland on the international jet set stage. The convoy of exotic and unusual cars is definitely not to be missed.

Check out www.cannonball.ie for more info.

New Captain America's

At Captain Americas: 1. Jessica Barry and Ciara Murphy; 2. Sarah O'Connor, Lucy O'Neill, Fiona Barry, Jackie Smith; 3. Lisa O'Mahony, Ruth Kane, Debbie O'Brien, Claire Sheehan.

Independence Day is THE day to celebrate in the States so Captain America’s made sure we didn’t miss out on any of the fun by hosting a great day at the newest CA’s in Blanchardstown. The family run business is going from strength to strength, and is looking forward to celebrating 40 years serving Irish diners next year.

Located in the heart of Blanchardstown Retail Park the recently opened 200 seater restaurant, spread over 10,000 square feet, is the latest addition to the Captain America’s family and with an impressive collection of rock memorabilia, great food and cocktails it is worth a visit.