Belfast

Went to the big Hallowe'en party in Belfast on Saturday. It has been years since I'd visited the city and it's as great as ever. Super shopping and food (check out Altos Restaurant on Fountain St.). We stayed in the fab new Radisson SAS hotel, located in the old Gasworks area. Actually, the hotel had it's official opening on Thursday, which was a resounding success by all accounts.

Mylo played a stormer at Shine, as indeed did all the DJs. Padraig Burke's party, which he hosted in his fab penthouse apartment overlooking the Lagan river, was a fantastic event. Most of the guests were in fancy dress, from a warewolf and builder to fairies and Inspector Clouseau.

Ah Belfast, what about ye?

X is 10


My day has not started well. I have just received a call from a rather irate publicist bitching about the fashion feature I did on TV yesterday morning. Apparently a marketing communications campaign worth hundreds of thousands of euro has just been wiped out by a few minutes of "mis-communication". I disagree and think that it went very well (I was looking particularly spunky!). As a friend said "what a great start to your Hallowe'en weekend - you've already been attacked by a witch."

Last night I wandered over to the beautiful surrounds of Dublin Castle, to the Chester Beatty library to be precise. It was the celebration of the 10th birthday of X Communications. Be-decked in orange, with pumpkins galore, the organisers did a sterling job on the gig. Pioneers in their field, X Communications was set up from a research group in Trinity College, and has been designing, tweeking and implementing ever since. It's thanks to them we have great design and functionality on the net.

Afterwards we headed to Ho Sen for dinner. An authentic Vietnameese restaurant, Ho Sen has not been open long, but has already gained a dedicated fashionable following. Our very own President McAleese is a fan. I highly recommend, as does my friend Ross Golden - Bannon, who is a restaurant critic and awfully hard to please.

So, to Le Weekend! Hurrah, it's Friday. I'm off to Belfast tomorrow to attend a Hallowe'en party hosted my my good buddy Padraig Burke, who is now a high flyer with the BBC. We are also planning on a trip to Shine, the ledgendary club at Queens University, where my current fav DJ, Mylo, is playing live. I shall be staying in the newly opened and uber stylish Radisson SAS hotel.

Witch attacks notwithstanding, much fun will be had. Happy Hallowe'en!

Love All, Serve All

Last night saw the official opening of Dublin's Hard Rock Cafe. Located in bustling Temple Bar, it is the 143rd worldwide branch to open. It was a miserable rainy night, but that didn't put off the party people from coming out in force. Among the bods were Def Leopard's Joe Elliott, Louis Walsh and model Astrid Brennan. As the drink flowed and the delicious burgers kept on coming, we enjoyed a performance from The Piranhas, who beat over 180 other bands to secure the party performance.

Also rockin' away were celebrity magician Keith Barry, TV babe Emma Buckley with her fiance Frazier Browne (who will tie the knot in a couple of weeks), Fair City bad boys Killian O'Sullivan and George McMahon (Lorcan and Mondo respectively) and showbiz agent Naoise Nunn.

Another special guest was Rita Gilligan, who is the Hard Rock Ambassador. She was their first ever employee and is still going strong, travelling the world and living it up. Working the room and telling great stories she sure knows how to party.

As I ran to my car in the rain I knew I was leaving a great party early but I had to be up at 5.30am to be on TV3. So did somebody else, but that didn't stop him from partying on late into the night. Guess which one of us made it in to the studio?

Incidently, I met Rita this morning again on the set of Ireland AM where she was being interviewed. She got to bed at around 3am. As I said, she knows how to party.

Good news and bad

Beautiful model Corina Grant has just gotten engaged to photographer Chris Doyle. Congrats to both.

Ledgendary BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel suffered a fatal heart attack in Peru yesterday.

TV presenter and former Miss Ireland Pamela Flood models the 2004 Rose of Tralee tiara - a pic I took at the Newbridge Silverware show rooms in Co. Kildare the day we met the Roses. Now that I know how to post pictures expect more. Taken with my Nokia 7250

Home is where the heart is

So I went home on Friday to attend a family function. Not normally my thing but I am happy to report that it was fun. Got to say hello to some relatives that I hadn't seen in a while.

Saturday I met up with my good friends Cathriona and Siobhan. We just missed going to the nightclub, which was probably just as well. Fun was had regardless. As I always say, we could be in a barn in Leitrim with a bottle of vodka as still have fun (i.e. the venue is irrelevant, but booze is essential).

Back to Dublin on Sunday and off to the Front Lounge and Spy later that night. Full of cuties :-), including Aengus MacGrianna, Aoife Donohoe and Ciaran Colemen. Nice to see Jonathan back on the door too.
We hosted an improptu party after the club. One thing I don't like about the wintery months (and there are many things) is the dark mornings. During the summer, the dawn of the day is my cue to go home. These days though it doesn't get bright until after 8 and that just ruins my weekend as I lose precious sleep.
Maybe I'm getting old but my hangovers are certainly getting worse and I need all the sleep I can get. Maybe it's just thant I mix my drink.

On a happier note though, today is Tuesday. Huzzah!

x

Smile :-)

My smile has been voted into the Social & Personal Top 100 Smiles. I am honoured. Least because I don't think my smile is all that, but I guess everyone is their own worst critic. I'm under the catagory of 'Willing Smiles'. Yes, I'm willing.

Publisher PJ Gibbons hosted a party in 4 Dame Lane to celebrate the Top 100, which was sponsored by Reach.. Top smile went to the ledgend that is Ann Doyle, with Miss World Rosanna Davison, footballer Sean Og O'Halpin, model Glenda Gilson and radio and TV presenter Ryan Tubridy making up the rest of the top 5.

Smiling broadly and among those enjoying the Fruice cocktails were Jim Morahan, TV3's Alan Hughes, socialite Richard Kavanagh and Glenda Gilson, who was sporting a head of straight hair!

Home, James.

When I received the invitation to the launch of Liberty Limousines I just knew I had to go along. Not just because it was being held in No. 5 at The Unicorn, where the food is amazing, nor because it promised a champagne reception, but because I love cars.

Two brand new stretch Lincoln Towncars greeted us at the entrance to No. 5, it was like the red carpet at the Oscars. Inside I met fashion designer Robert Jacob, who was accompanied by Virginia Cole McColgan. Robert is very busy with his Autumn / Winter collection and is burning up the jet fuel with frequent trips to Poland, where his beautiful wife Hanna is minding their ranch. Virginia Cole McColgan on the other hand is working with a big name Hollywood star at the moment - sorry, I've been sworn to secrecy.

The food was delicious, as it always is in Unicorn. The cars are pretty cool. My friend Paul Trainer, from The Dubliner magazine, likened them to mobile nightclubs, such is the flash interior. Should you so desire, Tom Colton of Liberty can also provide you with jets, helicopters and "close personal protection"... sounds good to me.

P.S. My fonts have gone crazy in this post - if anyone knows how to fix it I'd be obliged if you would let me know.

Stormy weather ....

I wouldn't have put a milk bottle out in the weather we had last night. Wind and rain galore. Fret not folks, I've seen the future of staying in and it's called ScreenClick.com.

Basically, visit the ScreenClick website, open an account and select what DVD's you want to see. Now, the beauty of this is that ScreenClick post your DVD's out to you; when you've watched them you post them back. No 'overdue' payments to shell out. How many times have you rented out a video or DVD, watched it and then forgotten to drop it back? The original film cost you €4, but by the time you fish it out from behind the sofa and leave it back to the shop it could end up costing you 2 or 3 times that.

Staying in has never been so easy (but normal life resumes tomorrow).

Tuesday 19th - Alright Alfie?

The newly revamped Savoy on O'Connell Street was the venue for the Irish premiere of Jude Law's new movie Alfie. A re-make of the 1960's Michael Caine classic, the movie is brimming with style in every shot. Susan Sarandon co-stars (and looks wonderful), and editor of Vanity Fair Graydon Carter has a small cameo appearance also.

Renards was also brimming with style later in the evening for the after party. PR Sinead Ryan, models Lee Bradshaw and Barry O'Sullivan, Ray Shah of Big Brother fame and singer George Murphy all loved the Finlandia Vodka cocktails.

Downstairs in the Plu bar, Ireland AM presenter Alan Hughes was celebrating his birthday with champagne. I left the party early, as did Alan and co. - he had to be up at 5am to wake up the country on TV3.


Sunday 17th - Happy Birthday Raybo!

Publisher and Editor of ShowBizIreland.com, Ray Senior, celebrated his 30th birthday with a massive party in Lillies Bordello (which was not sold at auction last week) on Sunday night. Packed full of beautiful people, I am reliable informed that the party continued in his Temple Bar penthouse apartment 'til Monday morning.

Saturday 16th - The Crystal Ball

The inaugral Crystal Ball was held the the unusual sourrounds of the Round Room at the Mansion House on Saturday night. The theme was Winter Wonderland and I must say the venue looked amazing, a credit to the event managers. We were guests of Wall 2 Wall PR, courtesy of M.D. Toni Wall, who looked fab in a gold obi belt ensemble. Her colleagues Elizabeth Fitzpatrick and Joanne Rochford raised the bling bar with impressive jewels.

Our dinner partners for the evening were Carl Broderick and Debbie O'Donnell, and to say fun was had would be an understatement! Jewellery designer Caitriona Hanly, champion snooker player Ken Doherty and RTE's Bryan Dobson were among those enjoying the 'ChamBull' cocktails (M&C Champagne and RedBull...yum!). In aid of the Make A Wish Foundation, the event raised much needed funds, with the auction alone taking in over €44,000!

Wednesday 13th - The best gifts come inside the orange box!

Oh the sheer glam of it all!! It's finally arrived in Dublin ... the unmistakable orange of Hermès.
Yes folks, we are truly a fashionable city now that the French luxury brand had established their store in Brown Thomas. Where else were we supposed to buy handbags for between €4,000 and €6,000 - and go on a waiting list for the privilage? Oh, the fabulous silk ties and scarves, and don't get me started on the watches!

Admiring the new store were Social&Personal publisher and good friend PJ Gibbons with TV3's Debbie O'Donnell; fashionista Celia Holman - Lee and husband Gerry; model Astrid Brennan chatted with Judith Giltinane; Executive Vice President of Hermès Christian Blanckaert with the lovely Caroline Kennedy, who organised the champagne fuelled event. Guests left with a goody bag containing amazing Hermès scents. I think mine is perfume, but I love it so much I don't care and will wear it anyway.
Pamela Flood was there also recording for her Off The Rails show.


Tuesday 12th - More beer please ...hic!

It's that time of year again when the Germans celebrate Oktoberfest - beer at its best. I've never been to Oktoberfest, but I hear it's good - very good! The closest I've come to it is The Porterhouses's party this evening. Dublin's best independent brewer, The Porterhouse, hosted a special party to launch Oktoberfest. Sampling the beers on offer were the stylish Leanne De Cerbo, the dapper bow-tie wearing Kieron Wood and rugby correspondent Derek Foley. No need to go to Germany to taste good beer - hit Temple Bar instead.
Well, after a hiatus of over 2 years and due to popular demand, I have decided to start blogging about the Dublin social scene again. Sit back and (hopefully) enjoy...


Monday 11th - Inside I'm Dancing premiere

The much anticipated premiere of the film Inside I'm Dancing was held in the Four Seasons hotel this evening. My date for the night let me down at the last hour (a movie premiere in the Four Seasons, who wouldn't want to go?), but my gorgeous cousin Kerri Galligan stepped in to save the evening.

As we were driven through Ballsbridge en route, a motorcade zoomed passed us, lights a flashing and sirens blaring. Probably Kofi Annan, we thought, as he was in town for a few days. As our car pulled up outside the hotel we saw that it was our very own President Mary McAleese and her husband Dr. Martin McAleese (and their entourage), who were guests of honour for the evening.

Inside I'm Dancing is a touching story about 2 wheelchair bound guys and how they cope with life, love, ups and downs. Its a hilarious tear jerker - now there is an oxymoron if I ever wrote one!

Also in attendance were singer, songwriter (and now novelist) Brian Kennedy. He is delighted at how well his debut nove, The Arrival of Fergus Flynn, is currently doing. Looking ravishing on the night were TV presenter and FMI Pamela Flood, Fair City's Tatianna Ouliankina and author Marisa Mackle, each of them blonde, each of them beautiful.


Well, after a hiatus of over 2 years and due to popular demand, I have decided to start blogging about the Dublin social scene again. Sit back and (hopefully) enjoy...

Well, we are back a while now so we supposed we had better fill you in, so to speak, on recent happenings.

Wednesday 28th August - The seasoned (no, we don’t mean old!) Marbella clique were out in force for the 17th Birthday bash of Pasta Fresca, Dublin’s Chatham Street. Owned and operated by the respected restauranteur Mai Frisby, Pasta Fresca is certainly a popular place judging by the number of guests in attendance.

Despite the rain, the guests included Corrie star and former Boyzoner Keith Duffy, fellow restauranteur Christian ‘Bang’ Stokes, producer Cathy O’Connor, model Julian Pearson and ‘rock chick’ Philomena Lynott, mother of the late Phil (who had the misfortume of having red wine spilt over her lovely linen suit).

The abundance of cocktails on the evening were of the Belini, Cosmopolitan, and Long Island Iced Tea variety with good old Champagne making a welcome appearance also.

Meanwhile over in the Guinness Storehouse, comedian Paddy Kielty was hosting his show, Patrick Kielty Almost Live. His guests included the dishy Rupert Evertt.



Thursday 29th – An early start after a late night….don’t you just hate them! Luckily the Moet was flowing at the unveiling of the Autunm / Winter collection from Magee, the traditional Donegal menswear designers. Although perhaps ‘traditional’ is not a very appropriate word to describe Magee these days. With cord and moleskin suits in a variety of colours from blood red to moss green, they are certainly laying claim to the competitive menswear market.

Among those in attendance were TV’s hottest duo, Caroline Morahan and Pamela Flood, the new faces of fashion programme Off The Rails. Other fashionistas included Fiona Byrne (who is leaving WHO magazine to join the new teen offering, Kiss as Fashion Editor), party girl Etain Boyd, model Andrea Roche and radio journalist Eileen Brophy.

On the boys team (who, we are sure, appreciated the free Magee shirt more than the girls) were TV3’s Alan Hughes, sport commentator Micheal Lister and model Lee Bradshaw.

Leaving together were diarist Jason O’Callaghan and PJ Gibbons of The Examiner. They were later seen having a leisurely coffee outside Bruxelles, Jason, no doubt, discussing plans for his Rat Pack Ball in The Four Seasons on the 21st of September.




Saturday 31st – We dispatched some of our younger team to Punchestown Racecourse for the day. Had it been a corporate day of hospitality we would have attended ourselves, alas it was the massive dance event known as Creamfields. 35,000 people, over 80 acts in 6 areas and the shining sun, ensured a great time was had by all. Among those spotted were international DJ’s Judge Jules, Mario Picotto and Sasha. Irish DJ’s included John Power of 2fm, Ben Carvosso and Johnny Moy. Also among the crowd in the VIP area were ex-MTV babe Emma Ledden and E4 presenter Melanie Hill (ex Big Brother 1 contestant).



Tuesday 3rd - The Wella / Design Centre Fashion Show for Autumn / Winter 2002 is always a much anticipated event. Held in the spectacular surrounds of Dublin’s City Hall, this years show kicked off with a Veurve Cliquot Champagne reception. Enjoying the chilled bubbly were designers Louise Kennedy, Jenny Pacham, Mary Grant and Helen Cody.

At the after party in the fashionable SPY in Powerscourt Townhouse were Richard Liu of Bennetton, funky gal Antonia Campbell – Hughes and Frances Winston of U Magazine.

Also at the show and the after party was It-Boy Gavin Lambe – Murphy. Seated in an area reserved for ‘PRESS’, we wondered: does he really warrant membership of the media group anymore? Having left both The Sunday Times and VIP Magazine, surely he should be made scramble for a seat with the regular invited guests. While we’re at it, is he still an It-Boy? Don’t know the official line, but we think, once an It-boy…. Always one!


Wednesday 4th – All the best parties happen on the same night. You’d think the PR’s would learn not to step on each other’s toes.

First off, we were down to the hip and happening Lobo at the Morrison Hotel for the relaunch of WHO Magazine, which is now called WHO Celebrity. Looking every inch the rival to established UK titles heat and NOW, we wish new Editor Aoife Byrne every success.

Quaffing Champagne and luxuriating over Tia Lusso were PR supremo Tara O’Connor, graphic designer Dylan Owens, newly appointed Social Editor Etain Boyd and the ever-glamorous Jane Devitt.


Meanwhile, on the southside, stylish men gathered in Brown Thomas to hear details of the new campaign, Tackle, cancer action for men, which was organised by The Irish Cancer Society, in association with BT’s.

Some of the handsome men rubbing shoulders included former Taioseach Albert Reynolds, hotelier John McGaughran, and models Alex Fitzgerald and Julian Pearson, who is sporting a floppy new hair-do.
Among those endorsing the campaign are journalist David McWilliams, TV presenter Brendan Courtney and comedian Des Bishop, who gave a hilarious, if slightly risque speech about his experience with cancer (We loved it…Not sure if Kathleen Reynolds did though!).
Attending both of the evenings functions were omni-present socialites Jason O’Callaghan and top choreographer Julian Benson.



Thursday 5th – Ah, time for a little culture. Off to the fancy environs of the National Gallery – the old part. The occasion was that of the Ulster Bank’s generosity, whereby it has loaned a portrait of Daniel O’Connell to the gallery.

In attendance was Minister for Arts and the Gaeltacht John O’Donohue who gave a lengthy but interesting speech on all things Kerry and historical.

Sorry we have not updated in weeks but we thought that you wouldn't much care for Marbella gossip, this being a Dublin website! (However, if you do want the low down on Marbella, may we suggest you pick up a copy of Angela Phelans excellent iStyle Marbella magazine).
They weather has been so-so....more so than so. Back soon. In the meantime we'll have a cosmopolitian for you and you have a G&T for us.

x

Now that we are here we may as well fill you in on the happenings of the Horse Show Ball, which was held in the Burlington on the 9th of August. In aid of Brainwave, it was MC'd by the lovely Emma Buckley and ex-Boyzoner, the lovely Mikey Graham (he is looking fine these days!). Among the patrons on the night were model Andrea Roche with her man PJ Mansfield, Lillies boss Valerie Roe, Koo Donnelly and Freddie Browne, the beautiful Etain Boyd of WHO Magazine and Gavin O'Reilly and his fab wife Ivana (not that Gavin sillies!). With all the free booze that was consumed, we were surprised people got home by 4. Another year of powerful fundraising.

Getting lazy again are we?! Getting over last week more like it!

Wednesday night saw the premiere of the much anticipated film Reign of Fire, which was shot on location in Wicklow. After the movie in the Savoy, all gathered in Gravity, Dublin's coolest bar in the Guinness Storehouse. Among those enjoying the festivities were Christian Bale and Izabella Scorupco. Also joining them were Irish actor Colm Meaney.

The following night we were shaking our booty down in Lillies for their summer party, where they turned the club in the ledgendary St. Tropez hangout, Le Club 55. Those in their summer chic were Caroline Morahan and Dara Conlon, Tara O'Connor and Koo Donnelly, It-boy Gavin Lambe -Murphy and Fair City's Jade Yourell. A night to remember!

Dublin was celeb packed last night for two classy premiers.

Down at the Point theatre the great and the good assembled for the Irish premiere of the smash hit Miss Saigon. Among those enjoying the pre drinks reception were Pat Kenny and his delishous wife Cathy (who was rather miffed when a photographer didn't know who she was!), pop king Louis Walsh with his clatter of girls from Six and Bellefire, joined by Popstars judges Bill Hughes and the stunning Linda Martin and former Boyzoner Stephen Gately (what is with that boy and hats - is he hiding something?!). Other RTE representatives were Maxi, Larry Gogan and Gerry Byrne of Fair City.

Forget having a stunning model on your arm - the new fab guest to bring is your mother....TV gal Caroline Morahan, singer Liam Brady, radio presenter Bronagh Dorian and yours truly all brought our mammies. At the after party in the swanky new bar The Vaults, the crowd enjoyed a constant flow of champagne and danced till the early hours.

Accross town, the Irish premier of Men in Black 2 was on in the Savoy. Guests included SM:TV hostess Tess Daly, Film buff Jonathan Ross with his wife, the flame haired Jane Goldman and their 3 children. At the post part in Lobo, in the Morisson, Big Brother evictee Adele DJed and Popstars reject Nadine Coyle was overheard saying that she thought that Six had no future. What about your future sweetie?

London, New York, Paris. Stylish men abound. Dublin? Of course! Last Thursday evening saw the awarding of the now annual Louis Latour Man of Style Awards in the luxurious confounds of the plush Merrion Hotel. Among those enjoying the lush Louis Latour wines were Gavin Lambe – Murphy, who was on his first outing after his departure from VIP magazine, buxom Amanda Brunker (boy she gets around!), Julian Benson, who was pretty in pink and PR mum Sonia Reynolds.

Rumours were abounding on the night. The winner was Derek Boyd, who coincidentally is friends with last years man o’ style, gallery owner Jerome O’Driscoll. Coincidentally indeed, as O’Driscoll was on the panel of judges. Also up for this years prize was coffee entrepreneur Brian Kennedy….as he was last year. C’mon guys smarten yourselves, we need new faces.


As the wine disappeared in the Merrion, the young and trendy were heading off to the launch of Dublin’s newest radio station, Spin 1038. Held in the uber-stylish venue, Spirit, the party kicked off early and by the time we arrived it was packed. VIP wristbands in place we were escorted up to the mezzanine area to enjoy the free bar and fab food.

Enjoying music by those funksters Hugh Scully and Shay Hannon, were U Magazine’s Frances Winston, former MTV babe turned Spin presenter Emma Ledden, TV gal Caroline Morahan and multi-millionaire Denis O’Brien. Also movin’ and shakin’ were Shane Byrne from Sony, PR chic Andrea Dillon – Horan and letting his hair down again GL-M with buddie Lee Bradshaw.

The great and the good all enjoyed a fantastic goodie bag on the way out. An event to remember thanks to Prior Communications who organised.


Also over the weekend was the Witnness music festival in Fairyhouse. We did venture down on the Sunday but it was all rather muddy and hot. Even the free Guinness in the VIP tent couldn’t tempt us to stay. Rock festivals are so last season sweetie.

It's been a week since the 4th July party....we thought around 450 guests....it was more like 2,000! Neil Diamond did play. Nothing else of note happened.

Last night there was an abundance of parties on....Trevor White launched his book of the top 100 restaurants in Dublin in the Westin Hotel.....Social & Personal threw an awards bash in the Morgan....and Coors Light launched their new draught product in Dakota. Among the coors Light throng were Francis Winston and Derek Foley, Amanda Brunker and her beau Keith Redmond, Jane Devitt, Sinead Ryan and Andrea Roche. Check out the beer guzzling guest at the Summer snaps part of the XSS website.

Spin fm are holding their first party tonight in Spirit and of course the Witnness music festival is on this weekend. We're sure a few music celebs are bound to surface in Lillies at some stage.

The crowd landed on Connolly Train Station en masse, for the recent launch of The Vaults, Dublin's latest addition to the already swelling number of drinking establishments. Among the great and the good were many politicos including newly elected Barry Andrews and his lovely partner Sinead McGrath (their first launch of many we think), and of course Taioseach Bertie Ahern. For international flavour there was the Mexican Ambassador Dr Agustin Basave and the Portuguese Ambassador JP da Silveire Carvalha. Regular socialites included rock chick Karla Elliott, designer Antonia Campbell - Hughes (double barrell names, we love 'em), Francis Winston (who was fresh from a relaxing time at some spa down the country), and a load of other beautiful people. Of course everyone was talking about the shenannigans of Dwight Yorke at the recent Budweiser Derby, where he apparently assaulted Mairead Egan, wife of Lillies owner Dave. Needless to say he is barred - for life.

Today being July 4th, things just wouldn't be right unless there were a multitude of USA themed parties going on. King of the crop surely must be US Ambassador HE Richard Egan's (nothing to do with Lillies) bash at his residence in Pheonix Park. Around 450 VIP guests are expected to be entertained by the likes of Neil Diamond and a firework display. Yee haaa!

Well it was certainly a wet and wind swept day for one of the major social events of the year, the Budweiser Irish Derby, at the Curragh racecourse. As expected, High Chapparral, the aidan O'Brien trained horse, romped home to win the Derby prize of €1,300,000. Also winning the Epsom Derby recently, he becomes the fiftheenth horse to complete the Epsom - Derby double win.

The other major event of the day was of course the prizes for best dressed ladies. Sponsored by Powerscourt Townhouse, the judging was assisted by stylist Sonia Molich. Pocketing vouchers worth €3,000 was Michelle Clifford from Cork, who wore a pink dress from Karen millen, with a feather in her hair. Tara O'Leary, also from Cork, came second place and Howth lady Chanelle McCarthy came third.

Among those drinking the endless supply of free Budweiser, wine and champagne were the BBC's Clare Balding, former Boyzone lads Keith Duffy and Stephen Gately, footballer Dwight Yorke and sundry politicians, models, media moguls and pr babes, a veritable who's who of Irish society. Entertained by David Cassidy it certainly was a day to remember.

In fact, one of the aforementioned was so drunk that he proceeded to man handle a few girls and was taken away by the Gardai after several complaints were made.

Off out to windy Bray, Co. Wicklow we were last Wednesday evening, for the re-launch of Barracuda. Why re-launch we hear you say? Well, everyones fav entertainment bon viveur, Robbie Fox, has taken the place over and put his mark on it. A few cosmetic changes - new curtains, new menu and the like - promises to boost the once flagging seaside eaterie.

Spotted on the night were all and sundry from Robbie's other haunt, Renards. They included Cindy Caffola, Amanda Brunker, that cool-cat Tony Fenton, TV3's Lorraine Keane and model Glenda Gilson, who was with Simon Arnold. No sign of Helen Cody though (Simon's ex).

Also on the same night was the opening of a door....sorry we mean another trendy bar in the capital. This time it's on Harcourt Street and it's imaginatly called d-two. Still waiting for our party people to come back with a report.....more anon.

While we're the social scene, SPY, our fav pitch-black-lodsa-candles den, was host to the Westlife (why does an Irish group have a .co.uk website??) chaps yesterday where they were shooting their latest video. Rather down heel venue for a pop video shoot we thought.