Get in the Game

Game Face: 1. Kathryn Thomas; 2. Shane & Caroline Byrne; 3. Shannon O'Dowd. (Pix. Anthony Woods)

As thousands of rugby fans descended upon Dublin for the Heineken Cup Final at the Aviva, the focal point of the pre-match build up, for ticketed or ticketless fans, centred on ‘Heineken Get in the Game Clubhouse’ a custom built, rugby-festival area on the grounds of The Ballsbridge Hotel. 

Offering pre, during and post match entertainment, the Heineken Get in the Game Clubhouse is a marquee area where tiered seating, virtual kicking games, live music, interactive Twitter projections and delicious food all combine to complement ice-cold Heineken and exhilarating rugby. 

Brent Pope, Shane Byrne, Kathryn Thomas and Pay Kenny were amongst some of Ireland’s most loved personalities who were at ‘Heineken Get in the Game Clubhouse’ for the pre-match build up. 

IRUPA awards

Rubgy Ball: 1. Robbie Henshaw and Sophie Marren; 2. Johnny Sexton and Nick Williams; 3. Louise Jenning and Thomasina Connell. (Pix. LF / Photocall)

The Hibernia College IRUPA Rugby Players’ Awards 2013 took place at the Burlington Hotel. The ultimate accolade of Hibernia College Player’s Player of the year 2013 went to Ulster No. 8 Nick Williams. Guests on the night included rugby stars such as Brian O’Driscoll, Rob Kearney, Leo Cullen, Simon Zebo, Cian Healy, Paul O’Connell and many more.

Newly appointed Irish rugby coach Joe Schmidt was also in attendance as well as former Irish and Leinster rugby star Denis Hickie who was inducted into the IRUPA BNY Mellon IRUPA Hall of Fame 2013.  Chief Executive of IRUPA Omar Hassanein greeted guests along with President and founder of Hibernia College Dr. Sean Rowland, and rugby legend Ben Kay MC'd the night where Irish rugby players from different provinces were celebrated for their outstanding performances throughout the year.

Guests enjoyed a Heineken and Wolf Blass reception before the awards ceremony and all the winners receive an inscribed Citizen Skyhawk watch kindly provided by Fields Jewellers. 

Jammin

Bullish: 1. Josh Purcell and Ailbhe Casey; 2. Nuala Ni Chonchuir; 3. Stephen Byrne and Megan O Riordan. (Pix. BME)

Red Bull's bedroom Jam 2013 Competition was launched at The Workmans Club Dublin when a who's who of the Irish Music business stepped out to check out what's happening in the 2013 Competition, Last year’s winners "Walking on Cars” performed  live on the night as did Hudson Taylor.

Fledgling Irish bands (all members aged 17+, with one member aged under 25), can upload a video and from April 8th, the weekly Bedroom Jam Buzz Chart will reveal which of the country’s acts have been the most popular. By monitoring the amount of video views and activity on social networks they will move up or down the Buzz Chart. This is a battle of the bands that is not just about voting – it’s a complete social media experience

The overall winner will receive some slick new equipment and a private  session at Grouse Lodge studios . Three of the six weekly winners will get to play at some of Ireland’s biggest festivals this summer and all the winners will play in the final showcase show at Whelans, Dublin in late August.

More info at redbullbedroomjam.ie

BHP racing for Chernobyl

Fine Fillies: 1. Gillian Walsh; 2. Lisa-Nicole Dunne; 3. Julie Colgan. (Pix. BMcE)

Over 500 people came out to support the BHP Insurances Champion Hurdle Fundraising Lunch in aid of Chernobyl Children International.

Adi Roche, Founder & CEO of Chernobyl Children International (CCI) joined Mark Phelan, Managing Director, BHP Insurances to greet guests for a day of food, wine racing and fundraising in aid of the charity at the Leopardstown Pavillion which offers unrivalled views of all the exciting racing action.

The BHP Insurances Champion Hurdle is one of the most exciting days on the Irish racing calendar and this year the proceeds will go towards CCI’s Medical Care Programme, including child cardiac surgeries for children on waiting lists for operations in the Chernobyl regions.

 

World Snow Day

Let It Snow: 1. Nicola Hughes and Kerrie Nicole Blanc; 2. Fiona Wall and Michaela Kenny; 3. Kazia  Kryozton and Toni Wall. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

We may have missed the show drifts that Met Eireann promised this week but it certainly looks like a white weekend ahead in Kilternan, Co Dublin.  Irish World Snow Day takes place this Sunday (January 20^th) at Kilternan Ski Club and the whole family can experience the joy of snow with a day of free-style ski jumping, Norwegian Ski Hill tubing and free styling.

Kilternan is one of 72 locations across the world that will celebrate World Snow Day. Here skiers of all abilities are invited to test their nerves on Ireland’s only ski jump followed by some tubing down the new state of the art ski slope.  You can also test your strengths on Ireland’s highest climbing wall while you’re at it.

You don't have to know anything about skiing or snowboarding to participate - just bring an open mind and the willingness to have a great time. There will even be free admission and parking on the day.

Ski Club President Robert Norwood is delighted that Ireland is involved with such an important day: "We want to communicate that winter sports are something for everyone. We wish to encourage young children to take to the snow for the first time and hope to foster a future generation of snow lovers."