The Exchequer is 1

Birthday girls: 1. Aoibhin and Ailbhe Garrihy; 2. Hayley Rock and Kathryn Thomas; 3. Emma Ross and Gina Murphy. (Pix. Brian Brophy)


The Exchequer Gastropub celebrated a wildly successful first year with a party for family, friends, fans and regulars. Owners Peter Rock and Ian Tucker welcomed guests including Kathryn Thomas, Gordon D’Arcy, Peter’s father Dickie Rock, Paddy Cullivan, Aoibhin Garrihy and members of the Ireland rugby squad amongst others.

Kathryn welcomed the guests and talked about the reasons that The Exchequer quickly became a favourite haunt for her and many others, before joining Peter and Ian to blow out the candle on the birthday cake.

Thanking her, Ian announced that in recognition of Kathryn's recent climb of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Our Lady's Children’s Hospital Crumlin, The Exchequer had designed a new cocktail for their menu, named 'Kathryn's Peaks' and €2 from every one sold would be donated to her charity.

Real Results

Keep fit: 1. Andrea Roche & Karl Henry; 2. Tamsin Egerton with Jamie Campbell Bowers & Diarmaid Murtagh; 3. Jenny Huston & Lisa Fitzpatrick. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

In fairness, we could all do with a bit of exercise but we’re just too bloody busy to go to the gym, right? Life’s too short for sweating buckets in a bikram yoga class. Thankfully fitness freak Karl Henry (son of fitness guru Pat Henry) has just published his new book, Real Results, which will be a godsend to all us lazy bods out there.

I’m clearly not alone in my appreciation of this new keep fit guide as there was a plethora of familiar faces at the launch at the Bellini Bar in the Burlington, including film director Jim Sheridan, Lorraine Keane, Leigh Arnold and Twilight star Jamie Campbell Bowers, who’s in town to film Camelot at Ardmore studios.

Fireworks!

Fireworks: (clockwise) 1. Ben Bringer & Helen O’Dwyer; 2. Katy Gannon;

3. Catriona Hanly & Tom Lynn. (Pix. Image Plus)

Well this year has surely seen the longest Halloween festivities ever, what with the bank holiday last weekend and then Halloween proper this weekend. To kick it all off DLR hosted the massive Samhain fancy dress event at Marlay Park. Thousands of people turned out to see the wonderful fireworks display and get into the mood for the week ahead.

Socialite Katy Gannon hosted a very special dinner party at her beautiful Rathfarnham home that same evening and guests had a perfect view of the fireworks from her hilltop residence. Talented chef Rowan Lynn served a feast fit for a king with a seven course tasting menu (not including canapés and amuse bouche).

Dishes such as scallop on truffle mouse, wood pigeon with risotto and filet mignon & potato rosette (not to mention plum & lime granita with Champagne and spiced pineapple & toffee brulée with Madeira) were a taste sensation. That young chef certainly is one to watch.

This weekend expect plenty of dressing up as Lady Gaga closes her series of Dublin dates; gorgeous model Haley Rock will host a mega fancy dress party for her birthday on Sunday while the Irish premiere of the movie Jackass 3D takes place at Cineworld that very evening.

Happy Halloween!

Buenos Aries here we come...

Nightlife: 1. Siobhan O'Dowd & Chris Lock; 2. Triona & Laura McCarthy; 3.Suzanne Sheirdan & Conor Lynch. (Pix. Paul Sharp)

Well I’d say the people of Buenos Aries are in for a big surprise when they take delivery of a crate of Irish nightlife next month. As part of the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project they will receive the best of our nightlife culture as part of a one-of-a-kind global experience in which 14 countries pair up to exchange crates containing the best of their local nightlife.

The whole plan came together via the Smirnoff Facebook page and, after over 500 suggestions were submitted, it was up to the Irish curator, Siobhan O’Dowd, to decide what best represented Ireland’s nightlife.

Argentina can look forward to experiencing entertainment by Irish DJ Dave DeValera along with Irish themed food served in the setting of a traditional Irish pub. They’ll also be getting a customised crate courtesy of Irish graphic artist Shane O’Driscoll. And to top it off they’ll be served an Irish take on the Smirnoff Mule, using the special ingredient of red lemonade!

It’s an audacious (and innovative) endeavour to have different cultures experience what each other consider a great night out. On 27th November the Wright Venue in Dublin will play host to Argentina as we experience what they consider to be a top night out.

For more information and to win the chance to Be There, become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/SmirnoffIreland.

Rugby Rocks

Rugby Rockers: 1. Niamh Mulqueen from Bothar & Glenda Gilson; 2. Elaine Sheehan; 3. Rose Fogarty & Aoife Bushell. (Pix. James Horan / Collins Photos)

There was plenty of style at the Rugby Rocks fashion event at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin last week. All proceeds from the event go towards Bóthar's projects in Pakistan. To find out more visit www.bothar.org.

John Gabriel Borkman

First night: 1. Cathy & Pat Kenny; 2. Fiona Shaw, Alan Rickman & Lindsay Duncan; 3. John Kavanagh and his daughter Rachel. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

The opening night of John Gabriel Borkman at the Abbey Theatre took place recently. The title of the play comes from the central character; John Gabriel Borkman was once a great man. Wealthy, powerful, revered. He gave up love for success and was handsomely rewarded.

But now, disgraced and destitute after a financial scandal and jail, the former director of the bank paces out each day, alone in an upstairs room, planning his comeback. Art imitating life, surely.

Downstairs his wife Gunhild lives a parallel life, plotting for their son to restore the family’s reputation. The claustrophobia of their lives is shattered once and for all with the arrival of Gunhild’s twin sister Ella, the woman whose love Borkman gave away…

The play, adapted by Frank McGuinness and starring Alan Rickman, has received rave reviews and runs at the Abbey Theatre until the 20th of November.

Make-A-Wish Crystal Ball

Best wishes: 1. Danielle McGill & Grace Cronin; 2. Imelda May & her husband Darrel Higham; 3. Sarah & Mary Clarke; (below) 4. Dublin Rose Niamh Sherlock; 5. Caroline & Padraig Harrington; 6. Judith Giltinane & Natasha Earley. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

I always thought Imelda May should play the Aviva stadium ... if Michael Bublé can then Imelda may. And she did, last week, at the first charity gala to be held in the new venue. Hosted by the Make-A-Wish foundation, the 2010 Crystal Ball raised much needed funds to grant the wishes of children living with life-threatening medical conditions in Ireland.

Among the glam crowd were Make-A-Wish ambassadors Padraig and Caroline Harrington, Laura Bermingham and the aforementioned rockabilly queen Imelda May who treated everyone to a very special guest performance. Even her father gave a great performance and received a standing ovation for an impromptu serenade to his beautiful wife to whom he is married 60 years.

Guests were treated to a Champagne reception sponsored by Harvey Nichols and one lucky guest won a sparkling diamond ring sponsored by Boodles and the whole evening was kept going by the wonderful Miriam O’Callaghan.

Urband Beauty is 1!

Urban beauities: 1. Romy Carroll & Etain Boyd; 2. Virginia Macari & Maria Fusco; 3. Rebecca de Havilland & Anastasia Campion. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

All roads led to Rathmines recently where Etain Boyd was celebrating the 1st Birthday of her Urban Beauty salon. The place is a hit with society girls and celebs and with treatments like Caviar facials, why wouldn’t it be? Business is booming and it’s great to see the place is now a firm fixture in the lively locale.

Check out http://www.urbanbeauty.ie/ for more details.

Having a Ball

In the Pink: 1. Gillian Quinn & Patricia Roe; 2; Calum Watson & Jayne Redmond; 3. Catriona Hanly and Helen O'Dwyer. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

To Kildare, or K4 as it’s sometimes known, for The Kathleen Flannelly Pink Rose Ball which took place at the Westgrove Hotel in Clane. There was an illustrious guest list including Emmerdale wild child Sophie Powels (Holly Barton) on her first visit to Ireland.

This year marks the 5th Pink Rose Ball which coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the 14th anniversary of Kathleen Flannelly. To date €115,000 has been raised through this event and donated to The Marie Keating Foundation, St. Brigid’s Hospice and Littleway Cancer Support Centre.

Showing their support on the night alongside Sophie were TV3 Ireland AM’s Sinead Desmond, Gillian Quinn, Valerie Roe and her show jumping partner Dennis Flannelly of Kill International Equestrian Centre (and son of the late Kathleen Flannelly), designer Catriona Hanly (who flew in from Paris where she is now based), sultry songstress Patricia Roe, socialites Katy Gannon, Helen O’Dwyer, Caoilte Christie and Darren Mahon. The party kept going until the wee small hours at Kildare’s top hot spot, Mantra in Maynooth.

Get the bus!

The Oasis / Xpose fashion bus toured Ireland recently and lots of lucky women were given style, hair and make-up advice from a team of professionals including Peter Mark and L’Oreal. At the launch were: 1. David Greene & Iseult Timmons; 2. David Green, Lisa Cannon, Ian Galvin & Michael Doyle; 3. Courtney Smith & Maria Fusco. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Divine A/W at Carton House

Divine Inspiration: 1. Lorraine Keane & Rachel Armstrong; 2. Gina Browne, Ciara & Sinead Finn; 3. Mary Greene & Margaret Humphries. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Continuing the A/W presentations that are de rigueur at the moment it was refreshing to venture out of the capital for an evening. Celebrating 5 years since opening the doors of the first Divine store in Maynooth, Mary Greene hosted her Autumn Winter 10 Fashion show last night in the stunning confines of Carton House, Maynooth.

Over 300 guests were treated to a pre-show reception, kindly donated by Avenue, and then a dance performance from Lost Souls Crew choreographed by Aidean Byrne, All Ireland Hip Hop Champion from Raw Edge Crew. Guests then enjoyed the Autumn/Winter fashion catwalk collection presented by Xpose’s Lisa Cannon.

The glamorous guests on the evening included Lorraine Keane (she’ll be popping up on UK morning TV again soon), Deborah Veale, Style Wars winner David Greene, Valerie Roe and her sister Gillian Quinn. The generosity of the guests was phenomenal with the event raising almost €10,000 for resources at Kilcloon National School.

Denim Delight

The Hilfigers: 1. Sarah McGovern & Pippa O Connor; 2. Sean Munsanje & Claire Nolan; 3. Tara Leniston & Angi Roe Destelle. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Hilfiger Denim launched its Autumn Collection at the store on Trinity Street and showcased the exclusive Keith Haring footwear range for this season. The lucky guests also got a sneak preview of the collection for Spring 2011 (which is rather dapper).

The event was well attended with guests including Brian Ormond and Pippa O’Connor (ahead of their trip to New York), model Sarah McGovern, actresses Tara Leniston and Holly White and Sean Munsanje all perusing the new denim library. New Irish band Killer Chloe were there as well as Country Manager for Tommy Hilfiger, Sunil Shah.

The food (from Pichet, yum) was given the Keith Haring touch with fries and chicken strips served in Keith Haring print cones, washed down with chilled bottles of Miller beer (and sparkling water for the abstainers).

Swatch GENT

Swatch it: 1. Sam Stiles & Ty Richardson; 2. Claire Wrafter & Louisa Moran; 3. PJ Gibbons & Richard Kavanagh. (Pix. Richie Stokes)

Swatch launched the new GENT collection this week in its flagship store on Grafton Street, just in time (sorry) for Christmas. Many stylish gents (Derick Carberry, Paul Davey, PJ Gibbons and Richard Kavanagh) and a few elegant ladies (Charlotte Bradshaw, Filippa Thornander) from around town came to check out the 10 watches in the range and were greeted by 10 male models representing each watch.

PHO20GRAPHY

Say Cheese: 1. Victoria Smurfit & Doug Baxter; 2. Claudine Keane; 3. Paul Kelly & Barry McCall. (Pix. Leon Farrell)

Well known snapper Barry McCall has published a stunning coffee table book called PHO20GRAPHY in aid of the ISPCC and the good, the bad and the beautiful came out for the launch at the Luxury Hall of Brown Thomas. Among the guests to toast the book were Amy Huberman, Miriam O’Callaghan, Michael Leong, Lisa Cannon, Victoria Smurfit and her husband Doug Baxter, Maria Fusco and Sonya Lennon.

The stylishly designed book showcases the past twenty years of Barry’s work behind the camera lens and will be sold exclusively in Brown Thomas and BT2 stores. The book retails at €80.00 with every euro from the proceeds being donated to the ISPCC, Ireland’s oldest children’s charity.

“This book is a selection of some of my favourite shots from the past twenty years as a photographer” said Barry “and I am thrilled that the images, which have been such a joy for me to capture, will now also be benefiting such a worthy charity”.

With over 350 pages and 300 images PHO20GRAPHY promises to be a book that people will truly treasure. For the book Barry has shot a large number of celebrity portraits around the world – from Liam Neeson in his family apartment in New York City to Snow Patrol in Red Square, from Colin Farrell on a hotel roof in LA to John Kavanagh on the Abbey theatre stage. In each and every shot he has captured the essence of the subject.

Colin Farrell said “I am honoured that one of my shots has been chosen to be on the cover and as I am an ISPCC ambassador it makes it all the more sweeter!”

Theatre Festival opening night

Patrons of the Arts: 1. Aaron Monaghan & Elliot Harper; 2. Joanne Byrne & Caroline Downey; 3. Kathleen Watkins & Peter Crowley. (Pix. Marc O’Sullivan)

The Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival hosted a benefit night for patrons and festival supporters recently. Guests attended the opening of The Silver Tassie by the Druid Theatre at the Gaiety Theatre followed by dinner in the Westbury Hotel.

Among those present were Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Hanafin T.D., Tony and Aoife Richardson, Gay Byrne and Kathleen Watkins and H.E. Julian King, the British Ambassador.

The famous play follows the lives of two young footballing heroes from the tenements of Dublin through the battlefields of France and their return home. Using all the resources of the theatre including live music and dance, this is an epic staging of one of Seán O’Casey’s great works.

Tony Award-winner Garry Hynes directs a cast of 19 (Druid’s biggest ever company of actors) and welcomes back some Druid favourites including Aaron Monaghan, Eamon Morrissey and Derbhle Crotty. Winner in 2009 of 12 major international theatre awards including Best Production, Outstanding Director and Outstanding Ensemble, Druid is back with a production which may be the star of the entire festival which continues until 17th October.

Brian Bourke celebration

Art lovers: 1. Tiffany Lake & Malachy Bourke; 2. Siofra O'Connor & Mark McDermott; 3. Niamh Clarke & Aideen Bourke. (Pix. Marc O’Sullivan)

Renowned Irish artist Brian Bourke recently celebrated the national launch of a book marking fifty years of his work. ‘brian bourke – five decades 1960s – 2000s’ is a beautifully compiled 320-page large-format book which charts the work of the Connemara-based artist from his early paintings in the 1960s through to the present day.

The launch was celebrated at an event in Dublin’s Taylor Galleries, where new paintings and drawings by Brian Bourke are on view until next Saturday, 16th October as well as a selection of the artist’s work from the five decades.