The Usual Suspects

Green Carpet: 1. Kevin Spacey & Emma Donnellan; 2. Jezouniva Pashonina & Yury Firt; 3. Jim & Fran Sheridan. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The Jameson Cult Film Club, a new initiative in film events, made its debut at this year’s Jameson Dublin International Film Festival. For the inaugural Irish event Oscar winner Kevin Spacey attended the screening of The Usual Suspects and entertained the audience with a Q&A session about the film and his recent work.

Hosted in ‘San Pedro’, an abandoned warehouse at the Dublin docklands, the theme for the experiential event centered around the movie which was brought to life through the chosen venue, live theatre and props transporting the audience into the world of Cult Film. Jim Sheridan, Sean Munsanje and Rosanna Davison were among the usual suspects at the screening and after party.

Grainne Humphreys, the festival Director, is a big fan: “Enigmatic, witty and urbane, a consummate actor equally adept on stage or screen, a talented film director who is also one of the best mimics in the business, is there anything Kevin Spacey can't do? To launch the Jameson Cult Event - we celebrate the career of one of the most talented actors of his generation.

“With a career that encompasses Glengarry Glen Ross, The Usual Suspects, Se7en, LA Confidential and American Beauty, like his friend and mentor Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey is an actor’s actor, a chameleon-like artist who has created some ofthe most memorable characters in screen history - we are honoured to welcome him to this year’s festival,” she said.

Mixing in Marbella

Sunny Smiles: 1. Celeste Alonso & Peter Goulding; 2. Georgia Salpa, Vogue Williams, Mark Quinlan and Nadia Forde; 3. Corina & Melissa Black. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

There was no shortage of Irish eyes in Marbella last week as restaurateurs Marc and Lynn Quinlan hosted a party to launch the newest addition to their Spanish hospitality business. The Play Wright, their new enchanting restaurant and tapas bar in the rustic village of Elviria, is set to be the place to be on the Costa del Sol this summer.

Attending the launch were models Georgia Salpa and Nadia Forde, DJ and Fade Street star Vogue Williams, Toni Wall and Mikaela Kenny as well as Virginia Macari, Glenda Gilson and her boyfriend Rob McNaughton.

Having had continuous success with their previous restaurant Beckitts, theQuinlan’s were looking to expand their enterprise. The elegant surroundings of the Play Wright and a deliciously affordable menu will have the Irish Armada buzzing.

Beat the Bookies

Tipping Point: 1. Ailbhe Lee & Michael Hayes; 2. John Duggan & Paddy Power; 3. Roisin Ni Mhordha & Niamh Costello. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Many Irish people love a flutter on a sporting event. They want to win money and they want to be right. And they want to have fun along the way. John Duggan knows that and he knows the do’s and don’ts of sports betting from the pressure of giving a weekly tips in the media. John has given some brilliant winners (and a few hopeless losers!) down through the years. He’s learned a lot and now he wants to share it.

Written in a conversational and entertaining manner Beat the Bookies brings the reader into
Duggan’s world of betting with personal anecdotes, historical statistics and sage advice.
However, this is not one man’s diary. This is a guide that you will pick up again and again.

Among those at the launch of the book at the Radisson Royal were Louis Copeland, TV producer Andrew Byrne, comedian Mario Rosenstock and TV host Andrea Hayes. Hit that lot for tips if you ever see them at the races. Beat the Bookies is published by Poolbeg Press, retailing at €12.99, and is available in bookshops nationwide now.

Upstairs, Downstairs

Wright Folks: 1. Sarah Jane Goff & Aoife O’Higgins; 2. John Walsh, Derry Clarke & Dylan Bradshaw; 3. Michael Wright & Kym Wright. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Things have just gotten a bit more exciting in the sleepy northside suburb of Clontarf. The newest retro chic Gilbert & Wright bar has just opened at Hollybrook (off the Howth Road) and with it comes the aptly named Downstairs Restaurant.

With its funky 70's style decor, great cocktails and iconic music from the 70's & 80's this new bar and restaurant combo will be a hit with those who like to keep it local … if the G&W bars in Dun Laoghaire, Malahide and Swords are anything to go by.

Owner Michael Wright and his wife Kym were on hand to welcome well wishers on launch night and the place was certainly packed with them. Restaurateur Derry Clarke, Jackie Rafter, Dylan Bradshaw and photographer Barry McCall along with rugby pundit Brent Pope all had a gay old time.

Digital Delights

On the Red Carpet: 1. Fiona Gallagher & Emer Lawn; 2. Catherine Fullwood & Martin Murray; 3. Arlene Hanratty & Siobhan Lavery. (Pix. Andreas Poveda)

The 2011 Satellite Broadband Ireland Digital Media Awards took place in the impressive Convention Centre Dublin recently, with over 500 guests attending the gala ceremony. The awards, presented by Mark Little, recognise the best in creative, innovative and pioneering digital talent in Ireland.

Among the guests were former minister Eamon Ryan, top model Alison Canavan, Orna Conway of Audi, publicist Emma Kelly, Kevin Ryan of Satellite Broadband Ireland and Britain’s Got Talent star Tobias Mead who entertained the crowds along with aerial act Jackie Le.

Martello Media scooped the 2011 Grand Prix accolade. The firm, run by Mark Leslie, picked up the award for Best Digital Design for a project with the Glasnevin Museum. Well known design studio CKSK had a very successful evening and picked up 4 awards for projects with Heineken, Vhi and the Oxegen music festival. ICAN, headed up by Siobhan Lavery, won the coveted Best Digital Advertising / Marketing Agency award.

Diary Date

The Re-dress fashion initiative is hosting an industry talk with Irish designer Eilis Boyle. She will speak about her inspirations, tribulations, exultations and other general musings on Thursday 24th February at 7pm in the Re-dress HQ at 4 Hatch Street (off Leeson Street), Dublin 2.

Entry is €3 at the door but places are limited so please confirm your attendance through tickets@re-dress.ie

FUNAMBULISM

FUN: 1. Tiffany Hearsey & Courtney Walker; 2. Ciara Barrett; 3. Chris Visosky & Richard Brickley. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Some of the most influential names in the world of art, fashion and media turned out for the ABSOLUT Vodka reception and exclusive launch of White Wolf Projects latest exhibition ‘FUNAMBULISM’.

The touring exhibition brings together the work of two young international emerging artists – Laura Green and Elisabeth Tubergen. The title of the exhibition, FUNAMBULISM, the art of tight rope walking, represents the balancing act between all participants in the project, the artists, curators and artist-led spaces.

Guests enjoyed ABSOLUT cocktails in the urban surroundings of the Monster Truck Gallery, the Dublin venue for the touring exhibition. Attendees on the evening included Art Historian Jane Humphries, Hugo Jellett of IMMA, stylists Aisling Farinella and Darren Kennedy, fashion blogger Cillian Murphy and interior design writer (and one half of the infamous ‘Style Bitches’) Blanaid Hennessy.

The exhibition ends in Dublin tomorrow (Tuesday 22) and then heads to Cork and Belfast.

Paul's Premiere

Where’s Paul?: 1. Baz Ashmawy; 2. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost; 3. Aoife Nally & Daniel Cody. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Movie stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost flew into Dublin for the Irish premiere screening of their new SciFiCom Paul (voiced by Set Rogen). Cineworld was a hive of activity for the film in which Pegg and Frost both wrote and star in.

The story is based around two comic geeks who go on a road trip across America and meet an alien called Paul. They are chased by federal agents searching for the Paul, as well as the father of a young woman that they have accidentally kidnapped. So slap stick, so fun.

Diary Date

The OBCD are Eoghan O’Neill (Vocals, Guitar), Matt Mooney (Lead Guitar), Jonny Byrne (Drums), and Shay Ferris (Bass). No strangers to the gigging scene, the band has played across Dublin for the last 5 years.

Their fresh and exciting EP ‘Leave Us An End’ fuses the styles of Indie, Ska, Rock and Punk. The Launch of the EP will take place in Crawdaddy on Friday 25 February. www.theobcd.com

Hennessy Gold Cup

Pure Gold: 1. Best Dressed winner Liz Maher & Faith Amond; 2. Janice Chu; 3. Sarah Williams & John Fitzgerald.



Winner Alright: 1. Ashling Kilduff, Des Cahill & Caroline Sleiman; 2. Liz McManus; 3. Oniesa Owens, Edel Ramberg & Louise O'Reilly. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

The Hennessy Gold Cup is certainly one of the most stylish events in the Irish social calendar and always attracts a variety of race goers from the worlds of fashion, sport, music and the arts. Despite being postponed by a week due to inclement weather, the day at Leopardstown was well attended with a high standard of style on show for the Best Dressed accolade.

Fashion judges Philip Treacy and Jasmine Guinness were unable to attend the rescheduled date due to conflicting commitments at London Fashion Week, however Hennessy embraced technology and arranged for them to judge the competition remotely from the UK. Images of the finalists were sent to both judges who communicated their views to third judge, the ever elegant Ashling Kilduff from the Design Centre.

The deserving winner was Liz Maher from Co. Carlow and she received a €4,000 voucher for The Design Centre. She impressed the judges with her John Rocha coat and her eye catching head piece, which she designed herself. The runner-up was Faith Amond (also from Carlow!) who received a magnificent neck piece from renowned jewellery designers Erickson Beamon. Faith wore an outfit by Ella Boo and her head piece was designed by Eve O’Reilly.

This year’s race marked the 21st running of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown and a host of specially invited guests were on hand to enjoy the celebrations including Neil Jordan, restaurateur Asheesh Dewan and Tamso Doyle, who was there with pals Gillian Walsh and Paula Geraghty. Others included Emer O’Reilly Hyland, the Hon. Desmond Guinness, designers Claire O’Connor and Heidi Higgins, Anne Marie McManus, Norah Casey and charity campaigner Adi Roche. All enjoyed the day expertly organised by Elevate PR and hosted by Caroline Sleiman.

Speaking of Public Relations, the industry seems to be bouncing back from the recession with a number of agencies celebrating big wins lately. The likes of Burrell, Presence and the aforementioned Elevate continue to attract top brands and well done to them.

Bag it!

Be my Valentine: 1. Astrid Brennan & Aoife Carty; 2. Debbie O’Donnell; 3. Elaine Stenson & Sandra Byrne. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Cheeverstown, the voluntary organisation providing a wide range of residential, respite and day services to almost 400 children and adults with an intellectual disability, has launched a natty fundraising fashion item.

The Valentine Bag is designed by renowned artist Graham Knuttel and retails at €40 with all proceeds going to Cheeverstown. The Valentine Bag will be sold exclusively in House of Fraser in Dundrum Town Centre and in Victoria Square, Belfast and a limited number will also be available on cheeverstown.ie and on knuttel.com.

Calender Girls

Calendar Girls: 1. Anne & Anna Daly; 2. Diana Bunici; 3. Mary Kennedy & Anita Carroll. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

CALENDAR GIRLS has become the most successful play ever to tour the United Kingdom and has taken more at the box office than the original film with ticket sales in excess of £21 million. As part of the final tour the play is now at Grand Canal Theatre until 19 February.

The story is familiar to those who’ve seen the movie of the same name, a group of ordinary women, members of a very ordinary Yorkshire WI, spark a global phenomenon by persuading one another to pose for a charity calendar with a difference. As interest snowballs, the girls find themselves revealing more than they’d ever planned…

The production stars well known names such as Lynda Bellingham, Jennifer Ellison, Ruth Madoc, Bernie Nolan, Lisa Riley, Joe McGann with Danielle Lineker making her stage debut. In the audience were Linda Martin, Miriam Ahern, Louise Lennox, Marty Whelan and his wife Maria.

Hennessy Prep

Savoir Faire: 1. Maurice Hennessy & Asheesh Dewan; 2. Des Cahill and Avril & Andy O'Hara;

3. Karl Purdy & Caroline Sleiman; 4. Alex Meehan & Gillian Nelis. (Pix. Elevate)

A select group of invited guests gathered to help set the mood in the run up to the 21st Hennessy Gold Cup, which takes place at Leopardstown this weekend. ‘Ambassadeur de la Maison Hennessy’ and representative of the illustrious family's eighth generation, Maurice Hennessy, hosted the evening at Ananda in Dundrum, arguably the best ethnic restaurant in the country.

It was a truly sybaritic affair with Hennessy cocktails followed by a menu prepared by Sunil Ghai, Ananda’s Executive Chef, with each dish complemented by Hennessy and specially selected wines. There were many food and wine experts in attendance including Lucinda O’Sullivan, Ross Golden-Bannon from Food & Wine and Gillian Nelis from the Sunday Business Post. Asheesh Dewan from Ananda, RTE’s Des Cahill and Andy O’Hara from Edward Dillon were also there, no doubt looking forward to the big race tomorrow.

Cup Cake

Extra Frills: 1. Joeanna Caffrey; 2. Emma Phelan, Katie Jane Goldin & Sandra Byrne; 3. Ciara Donlon – Caubet. (Pix. Richie Stokes)

Cup Cakes Lingerie hosted a girlie evening to officially mark the opening of its new Ranelagh based boutique. The ladies of Ranelagh and South Dublin where out to enjoy the Lambrini drinks reception, with delicious cupcakes on the menu too.

The evening was hosted by owner Ciara Donlon-Caubet, who set up Cup Cakes Lingerie just before Christmas. She was on hand to provide specialist advice to all the ladies in waiting. The boutique offers practical solutions for all lingerie needs, so I’m told, and stocks Cake Lingerie as worn by TV presenter Tess Daly, WAG Coleen Rooney and model Heidi Klum.

Supporting (geddit?) Ciara in her new venture were new neighbour Alex Farrell of the Diep food chain, Bronagh Walsh of Bow and Pearl, Nikki Conboy, Deborah Mallaghan, Rosemary Connor and Kay Lyons of Kelli Boutique, Louise Stafford and Aoife Bushell.

Diary Date

On Sunday 13 February, live at The George, Shirley Temple Bar will host her 700th Bingo Show. Show starts at 9.00pm and entry is free before 11.00pm.

There will be massive prize giveaways, celebrity guests including RTE Off The Rails’ stars Brendan Courtney and Sonya Lennon, and the usual hi-jinx and comedic madness which the show has become famous for.

Suite 14

Village People: 1. Agharad Williams, Jennifer McPadden and Jess Ostrau; 2. Ruth Melody; 3. Liam Jesson and Karen Molloy. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

The Village at Lyons had a great crowd in attendance on Saturday for the launch of its new luxurious accommodation suites, and to show off the newly renovated ‘Mill’ venue. Despite the blustery weather over one hundred people attended the evening supper party.

The new luxurious accommodation suites provide a peaceful haven for guests to enjoy the tranquillity of this exquisite village just twenty minutes from Dublin. There are 14 new Village Suites to choose from and the absence of televisions in them complement the serene atmosphere of the canal-side destination, an ideal spot for a romantic country getaway.

Featuring magnificent dual aspect lake and garden views, elaborate four poster beds and deluxe en suite bathrooms with rain head showers and Hermès trays, the Village Suites are decorated in plush style, from romantically rustic to chic contemporary design with ornate characteristics and elegantdetailing throughout.

Guests on the night included Lorraine Keane and Peter Devlin, fashion designer Deborah Veale, stylist Cathy O’Connor, Holly White and Lisa Brady. The guests enjoyed individual tours of the suites before settling in the Mill to sample food from head chef Paul Quinn and his team, followed with dancing till late with Boogie Nights.

Blue Monday

They’ve got Wings: 1. Sarah Regan & Vogue Williams; 2. Claire Moore & Emily McGeogh; 3. France Usanga & Saline Regazolli. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The Wright Venue Dublin was a hive of activity when Red Bull hosted its annual "Blue Monday" party. Over 1,500 people turned out on the night for the party which has become an institution in the Irish Hospitality industry.

Nightclub, bar and hotel staff from Donegal to Cork turned out on the night, joined by models Emma Quinlan, Hannah Saunders and Claire Moore along with Vogue Williams of Fade Street fame and FM104 presenter Killian O’Sullivan. DJ Mylo rocked the party and ensured the beat went on till the small hours.

Chinese New Year

Happy New Year: 1. Sheena Conway, Kevin Hui & Emma O'Carroll; 2. Paul & Mary Brady; 3. Trevor, Alicia & Peter White. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

This is the year of the Rabbit in the Chinese calendar and to celebrate The China Sichuan in Sandyford held a reception for 250 of its regular customers. The restaurant, owned and managed by Kevin Hui who took over the reins from his father David, was re-launched last year following a brief closure.

The Year of the Rabbit promises a more placid year from ferocity of the 2010 Year of the Tiger. It will be a year for licking our wounds from battles, to act with discretion and make reasonable concessions without becoming too indulgent. Some of the familiar faces in attendance included Paul and Mary Brady, Trevor White and his parents, Deirdre Kelly and foodie Ernie Whalley.