Virgin Atlantic fashion lunch

Lift Off: 1. Rebecca Maguire, Rosanna Davison and Amanda Brunker; 2. Emma Meir and Sarah Flannery; 3. Eliska Kelly, Terry Smith and Issie Brown. (Pix. BME)

The 18th annual Virgin Atlantic International Fashion Lunch in aid of the Rape Crisis Centre

was hosted at the luxury Westin Hotel, Dublin.  Dawn Fitzgerald showcased a winter preview of designer evening gowns, modelled by Rosanna Davison and Rebecca Maguire and Miss Candy wore a stunning canary yellow creation by same designer.

The First Lady of musical theatre Rebecca Storm performed some of her Broadway musical hits during the lunch, while Eurovision winner Paul Harrington and his group entertained the guests after the meal.

Guests included Ken Doherty, Lady Kathy Botham, Lorraine Keane, Norah Casey, Pamela Flood and Lisa Duffy.  The lunch which aims to raise in excess of €30,000 for the Rape Crisis Centre (and has raised millions over the years) is a favourite charity event and one that’s always much anticipated.

In other news, private car app Uber is launching in Dublin.  Using this Uber promo code you will save €20 off your first ride http://www.uber.com/invite/gamgg

Blue in the Face

Smurfs: 1. Kelly O'Reilly; 2. Alison Canavan and son James; 3. Aisling Hall pictured with Katie Grace. (Pix. BME)

Over 160 worldwide premieres of the new Smurfs 2 movie took place on Super Smurfs Sunday in celebration of the release of the family movie.

In Dublin, ODEON Point Village was awash with blue for the arrival of Papa Smurf and Smurfette, with proceeds of ticket sales going to Variety, the Children’s charity.  ODEON Cinemas has recently partnered with Variety and is now as the movie theatres nominated charity.

Entertainment included everything from face painting and Smurfs music to a meet and great with the Smurfs characters themselves.

Through this series of special screenings, over 11,000 feet of blue carpet was rolled out in American and international markets, a giant inflatable Smurf was on display outside ODEON Cinema for the day along with a Smurfs car that was brought in specially for the occasion.

Cannonball 5

Vroom: 1. Rachel Allen and husband Isaac; 2. Andrea Roche; 3. Liam Cunningham. (Pix. BME)

South Anne Street in Dublin 2 was a sight to behold as high performance cars and high performance party people descended on Indie Dhaba restaurant to officially launch CANNONBALL 5.

CANNONBALL is apparently the largest organised road trip in Europe and the most exciting motoring and social event of the year with most of the world’s top mark cars 160 in total such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, McLaren, Porsche, Masseratti, Rolls Royce and Bentley.  This year the start line for CANNONBALL will be at Mondello race track in Kildare on Friday August 23rd

Fans can experience the thrill of the chase as the finest cars on the planet are put through their paces, there will be a host of celebrities and Ryan Tubridy will broadcast his 2fm morning show live from Mondello at the start line.

Over 100,000 people will line the streets as CANNONBALL roars through towns and counties in spectacular style with festivals and Gatherings all over the country.  CANNONBALL 5 will raise money for Laura Lynn which supports children with life limiting conditions and their families by providing high quality transitional care, home support, respite, crisis and end-of-life care.
 

Dine Out

Wining and Dining: 1. John Cunningham and Margaret Nelson; 2. Orla Stafford and Louise Barr; 2. Norah Casey; 3. Kari Rocca and Barry McCall. (Pix. BME)

A large group of social faces gathered at Town, Kildare Street, for “Dine Out for the Irish Hospice Foundation”, the inaugural event of a new special events group of the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF).  It is hoped that this will be the first in a new “Dine Out for the Irish Hospice Foundation” campaign with restaurants across the country hosting fundraising evenings for the IHF. 

Claire Ronan, chair of the committee of eight commented, “We were absolutely thrilled with the event in Town, Kildare Street.  We really hope this will be the first of many “Dine Out for the Irish Hospice Foundation” events taking place to help raise much needed funds for their vital work.  It was a fantastic night of great food, great chats and all for a great cause!”

The next event being organised by the group will be a rugby themed event taking place in the Autumn.  For more information please contact the IHF fundraising team on 01 6793188 or fundraising@hospicefoundation.ie.

Cari lunch 2013

Caring: 1. Roz Flanagan and Jeanette Sung; 2. Sandra Byrne; 3. Sharon Bannerton and Brian Kennedy. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Miriam Ahern hosted her annual summer fashion show in aid of CARI sponsored by RTÉ Radio 1 and M&S at The Shelbourne Hotel Dublin recently. 

Glamorous and stylish ladies, dressed in chic summer looks, were out to enjoy what is regarded as a highlight of the social calendar.  The afternoon began with a champagne reception after which a chic fashion show by Karen Millen, Marks & Spencer and Cari’s Closet.  Each of the stores showcased their summer collections 2013.

The show was followed by a delicious four-course gourmet lunch with wines sponsored by M&S.   The charismatic Alan Hughes from TV3 was the MC for the afternoon.   After lunch guests were entertained by energetic accordion player Liam O’Connor.  The day came to an end after a fun filled raffle with the help of Brenda Donohue from RTÉ Radio 1.

Guests who are attended on the day included Miriam Ahern and her partner Terry McCoy, her daughters Georgina Byrne and Cecelia Ahern,  charity supporter Roz Flanagan, TV3’s Sinead Desmond, singer Brian Kennedy and Virginia Macari, to name but a few.  Triona McCarthy made her social debut after having baby Maxim recently, she looked radiant and content in the extreme.

CARI provides a professional child therapy and counselling service to children and families who have been affected by child sexual abuse.   There are almost 3,000 allegations of child sexual abuse in Ireland each year and CARI provides services to children who are struggling to deal with what they have been through. 

Due to cutbacks in funding waiting lists in CARI have now extended to a year. There are today fifty children on waiting lists who need therapy now, not in a year’s time. 

www.cari.ie