So Belle

Ciao Belle: 1. Vivienne Connolly and John Compton; 2. Teresa Rocca and Virginia Macari; 3. Rosemary Duffy and Celine Brady. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

So Belle Beauty Rooms in Castleknock celebrated 10 years in business recently.  All their loyal clients were in attendance to toast the salon including Dublin Housewive stars Virginia Macari, Jo Jordan and Roz Flanagan as well as Vivienne Connolly, John Compton and Theresa Rocca.

Also launched on the night was a new eyebrow treatment called "HD brows" and So Belle is the only salon in Dublin 15 to provide these celebrity accessories.  Expert Nicola Talbot was on hand to provide the glam girls with beautiful brows.

Vodafun

LOL: 1. Barry Murphy and David O'Doherty; 2. Louise Hodgson and Shilpa Ganatra; 3. James Walmsley and Jarlath Regan. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Top Irish and international stars will give 20,000 fans "a bellyful of laughs" at Vodafone Comedy Festival at Iveagh Gardens, July 26th to 29th

Vodafone Ireland and Aiken Promotions have today, Wednesday June 13th, announced a stellar line-up of 65 Irish and international stars for the Vodafone Comedy Festival, which will run July 26th to July 29th in the unique surroundings of Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens.

The exciting international line-up for this year features "Man of 10,000 Voices" and Police Academy Star, Michael Winslow; the king of comedy cool Reginald D Hunter; the irrepressible Pub Landlord, Al Murray; and several Irish (and European) debuts including the Buddha of Comedy Eddie Pepitone, and the delightfully crazy Aussie duo Sammy J & Randy. 

Irish comedy is well represented  with Tommy Tiernan, PJ Gallagher, Ardal O'Hanlon, The Nualas, Kevin McAleer, Barry Murphy and Dead Cat Bounce amongst others.

Over 20,000 people will attend the festival where they will witness performances in four separate comedy venues in the stunning surrounds of Iveagh Gardens, enjoy the colourful splash of street performers, live music and also savour the delights of gourmet food and drinks.  

M&S food market

Foodie Heaven: 1. Siobhain Lennon and Charlotte Doyle; 2. Courtney Smith; 3. Shireen McDonagh and Karl Patrick Smith. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

In celebration of all of its Irish suppliers, Marks & Spencer hosted an Irish Food Market attended by over 120 who all enjoyed the gorgeous fresh produce that M&S has to offer this season.

Guests were treated to cocktails, iced tea and Irish stout upon arrival before they had the chance to explore the food market. All produce on the night was provided by Irish producers and expertly prepared by the M&S Grafton St Restaurant team headed by executive chef Steven MaGuire.

Soaking up the atmosphere were TV3's Sybil Mulcahy and Debbie O'Donnell, whilst the freshly prepared cocktails were a big hit with Darren Kennedy and Roisin Tierney - Crowe.  Food writers Aoife Carrigy, Gillian Nelis and Marie-Claire Digby all enjoyed meeting with the various Irish suppliers while sampling the delicious produce.

Dandelion

Clubbing: 1. Bressie with Rozanna Purcell, Rosanna Davison and Pippa O’Connor; 2. Miriam Hunt and Sean McConnon. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Dandelion Bar & Club on St Stephens Green Dublin hosted a fun filled summer party recently to celebrate the stunning new VIP Bar at the club that has just be unveiled by the new owner Pat Curtin.

The fresh new look Dandelion oozes style and opulence but the VIP area designed by Annemarie O’Neill brings a whole new dimension to the club.  The eye is drawn to a striking original artwork which brings drama and theatre to this nocturnal playground with mood lighting, luxurious bespoke seating and draped walls and a viewing area over the whole club to soak up the sounds and electric atmosphere.

Celebrity guest DJ Bressie was on the decks and kept the dance floor filled while guests including Liam Cunningham, models Aisling Quinn who stepped out with boyfriend Jared Cella, Roz Purcell, Rosanna Davison, Pippa O’Connor and Sonja Mohlich.

Dandelion is a 22,000sq foot venue open from midday until close 7 days a week, while the Library restaurant under new Head Chef Robert Sabonji (ex. Town Bar & Grill), it is set to be the cornerstone of Dublin society.

Clodagh's Kitchen

Cooking: 1. Clodagh McKenna & Peter Gaynor; 2. Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney; 3. Mark Schwartz & Tara Fay. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Clodagh’s Kitchen, the top floor restaurant of Arnotts, has just had a complete makeover, following an investment of €300,000 from Capital Foods. The newly refurbished contemporary restaurant/bistro will offer seating for 80 in a warm and inviting atmosphere akin to the kitchen and dining room of Clodagh’s home, which evokes her unique chic style and personality.

Guests at the launch evening included Arnotts CEO Nigel Blow, Arnotts Chairman Mark Schwartz, Adrian Cummins, CEO, Restaurant Association of Ireland, RTE’s Brian Walsh, TV presenters Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney, Peter Gaynor of Capital Foods and Clodagh’s parents Jim and Irene McKenna.

Still true to the ethos of ‘Homemade by Clodagh’ the goodness and warmth of her healthy home cooking is to the fore. Clodagh will offer seasonal and locally sourced menus with a wide variety of choice for every palette. These menus will be complimented with wine suggestions from the restaurant manager, Michael Andrews.

A combination of bespoke materials were used to create the new look and feel of the restaurant including a decorative metal and painted wood panelling throughout. The new cooking area has been redesigned and will open up to address the dining room where diners can enjoy being part of the cooking experience of Clodagh’s working kitchen.

Finnishing

 

Finnished: 1. Simone Byrne and Mark Nixon; 2. Christopher Cullen and Johnny Ball; 3. Jen Walshe and Carole O ' Dwyer. (Pix. Richie Stokes)

Finlandia vodka hosted its Finnishing School in The Sky Suite at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Golden Lane, a masterclass in mixology. The event was presented by one of Ireland’s leading cocktail experts, Alan Kavanagh, and his team of experienced bartenders. They were on hand to take the myth out of cocktail-making and show how easy it is to make delicious drinks at home such as Midnight Breeze, Grapefruit Sour and the classic Finlandia Caipiroska.

RI fashion gong

The winner of the River Island Bursary Award was announced at the Peter Mark N.C.A.D. Graduate Show 2012 with Clarisse Walsh from Letterkenny emerging victorious.  Pictured were 1. Sinead O'Brien and Katie Earley; 2. Siobhan Moran and Roisin Fallon Bailey; 3. Lisa Milmoe and Keith O’Brien.

(Pix. Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland)