Cryptic Dining

Wine & Dine: 1. Lucy Byrne & Brian Egan; 2. Clodagh McKenna; 3. Amanda Kavanagh & Alan Maher. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

For four nights only in The Crypt at Christchurch Cathedral, a select group of 30 guests each night were given the opportunity to take part in a masterclass wine tasting and delicious culinary dining experience courtesy of Jacob’s Creek. The lucky attendees were encouraged to ‘See Beyond The Label’ and discover the true character of the wine and food on offer.

Using only their senses as a guide, guests were taken on a gastronomic rollercoaster as wine expert David Whelehan conducted a wine tasting masterclass experience. He revealed classic wine tips like how to understand a wine label and how to identify a Chardonnay from a Sauvignon Blanc. He also conducted a blindfolded wine tasting to help guests develop their sense of smell and recognise the aromas of different wines.

Top celebrity chef Clodagh McKenna delighted guests with a unique menu to match the wine on offer, creating a delicious three course dinner menu, including a starter of fresh crab salad from Ted Browne’s in Dingle, Irish wild Atlantic salmon for main course and a delicious cheese board of Irish artisan cheeses from Sheridan cheesemongers.

Incidentally fans of Clodagh McKenna are in for a treat as she is introducing her ‘Homemade by Clodagh’ brand to all the restaurants at Arnotts department store. The take-over is already complete, with significant investment in refurbishment and staff training to follow for the restaurants over the coming months. Customers are already getting a taste of the ‘Homemade by Clodagh’ offering, with preview dishes for the new menu being introduced as daily specials.

In m.o.d.a

Moda: (above) 1. Jenny Lee Masterson, Sonja Mohlich, Kate Canavan; 2. Jennifer & Jill Collins; (below) 3. John & Lydia Bowe; 3. Anastasija Dovgula, Sonja Mohlich, Olga Orzekauskiene. (Pix. Mick Quinn)




It’s wonderful to see business booming and what a great year it’s been for Westbury Mall boutique Amber m.o.d.a., which celebrated its 1st birthday recently.

To celebrate boutique owners Olga and Anistasia hosted a little soiree with fashion stylist Sonja Mohlich on hand to talk guests through a selection of the latest looks - her pick of amazing pieces from Amber m.o.d.a’s summer collection of exciting new brands.

With the help of two of Ireland’s top models, Jenny Lee Masterson and Kate Canavan, Sonja showed guests how to handle their colour blocking, how to bring the looks from day into evening and how to use simple accessories to change your look in an instant.

Amber m.o.d.a. has stylish staples to see every girl through the summer and with plenty of weddings and parties to attend this season Olga and Anistasia will be busy putting the look together.

Perfect Gift

Garden party: 1. Lee Bradshaw & Sharon Quinn; 2. Triona McCarthy, Catriona Hanly & Ciara O’Callaghan; 3. Dawn Fitzgerald & Daniel Scanlan. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Designer Catriona Hanly is branching out and opening luxury retail units in two of Ireland’s top hotels. Recently she hosted an afternoon tea party at the lavish Lough Rynn Castle in Leitrim and celebrated her new Courtyard Gift Boutique opening.

Guests were treated to an elegant afternoon of champagne, strawberries and canapés with style and chic in abundance at the salubrious surroundings of Lough Rynn Castle, once the home of the infamous Lord Leitrim and now better known as the backdrop to some very famous weddings.

Catriona Hanly’s new boutique has a beautiful selection of jewellery, gifts, interior gifts, cards and lots of treats and treasures as well as a delicious range of teas, coffees and pastries served all day. All of the outdoor furniture, candles, cushions and comforts are for sale so visitors can browse at their leisure with sugar and spice and all things nice!

Beauty guru Triona McCarthy and restaurateur Lee Bradshaw proved to be a unique double act to entertain and titillate as they presided over proceedings! Guests included Fair City’s Ciara O’Callaghan, milliner Jennifer Wrynne, actor Paul Ryan, designer Dawn Fitzgerald, pro golfer Suzanne Coyne and businessman Tadgh Geary.

Transformers

Transform: 1. Sarah Bolger & Colin O Donoghue; 2. Hayley Rock, Barbara Miller & Claire Malone; 3. Karl Shabaan and Audrey Hamilton. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Fans of robots and explosions were in for a treat on Tuesday evening as the Irish premiere screening of Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon took place at the Savoy. The third film in the franchise, and the first in 3D, was well attended by fans young and old.

The red carpet event was attended by a host of well known Irish personalities such as actors Colin O’Donouhue and Sarah Bolger, Aoibheann McCaul, Bill Hughes, Martin King, models Louise Johnston and Kristi Kuddism, Orla Hannon and newly married couple Phil Assaf and Sandra Byrne. Some guests attended an exclusive after-premiere-party at The Pink on Dawson Street.

The film, the biggest blockbuster of the summer, is released by Paramount Pictures. Starring Shia LaBoeuf, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Frances McDormand, Patrick Dempsey and Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Transformers: Dark of the Moon is a thrill-ride set to enthral all fans of the series.

Derby Days

Winner Alright: 1. Heidi Higgins with Best Dressed winner Niamh Canavan; 2. Georgia McGurk; 3. Eibhilin Mhic Chearaigh & Paula Miller. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

There was plenty of style at the Curragh at the weekend for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby festival which also featured the Good Food Ireland Village. Saturday saw local woman Helen Noud from Athy win the Best Accessorised Outfit The judging panel was made up of Elaine Crowley from TV3, Lisa Fogarty from The Whitewater Shopping Centre and Sive O’Brien, Fashion Editor at IMAGE Magazine who all selected Helen because of her unique style and unusual accessories.

On Sunday Niamh Canavan from Gorey, Co Wexford took the overall prize of the Most Stylish Lady and was presented with a magnificent prize of a 5 star holiday to Dubai, plus a shopping spree at Dubai Duty Free. The judges charged with the difficult decision of selecting the winner were celebrity chef Rachel Allen, broadcaster Mairead Farrell and Melanie Morris, IMAGE Magazine editrix. Niamh wore a stunning pale pink dress and jacket by Irish designer Heidi Higgins, a hat by Philip Treacy and shoes and handbag from LK Bennett.

In addition to the style judges, VIP guests over the weekend’s festival included Alan Hughes, model Roz Purcell, Tom McGurk and his daughter Georgia, Anne Doyle, beauty guru Triona McCarthy and model agent Celia Holman Lee.

The big race attracted a high calibre of entries this year and following an immense battle Treasure Beach ridden by Colm O'Donoghue, trained by Aidan O'Brien and owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Taylor came home first to win the coveted €1.25m prize. It was a 1st, 2nd and 3rd for Aidan O'Brien and the favourite Carlton House had to settle for a disappointing 4th place.

Absolut Pride

Colourful: 1. Fiona Lynch & Sarah O’Hanlon; 2. Richard Brickley & Gilbert Baker; 3. Yan Scheineder & Hugho Welke. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker addressed an audience of over 200 people on his first visit to Ireland for ‘An Evening of ABSOLUT Pride’ hosted by ABSOLUT vodka. The event, in the National Gallery of Ireland, was organised to celebrate the Pride 2011 festival.

On the evening Baker gave an inspiring speech, discussing the importance of the Rainbow flag as an international symbol for the LGBT community, talking about his work as a gay activist with Harvey Milk and his childhood and time in the army during the Vietnam war.

The event was a continuation of ABSOLUT’s collaboration with Gilbert Baker who designed the ABSOLUT Colors bottle in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the rainbow flag in 2008. Mr. Baker’s association with ABSOLUT vodka began in 2003 when the brand sponsored his successful world record attempt of the largest flag on the 25th anniversary of the creation of the iconic Rainbow flag.

Dress to Impress

Race is on: 1. Sinead Desmond and Barbara Power; 2. Amanda Brunker; 3. Geoff Scully and Sybil Mulcahy. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Some of Ireland’s most stylish got together at Leopardstown racecourse recently to launch the Littlewoods Ireland Best Dressed Series at Horse Racing Ireland’s Summer Racing Season.

Surrounded by green grass, winning posts and sunshine guests including Mairead Farrell, Amanda Brunker, Sybil Mulcahy, Sinead Desmond and Maura Derrane compared notes as to what they will be looking for in the quest to find Littlewoods Ireland’s Best Dressed Ladies.

RTE’s Maura Derrane revealed: “When searching for a Best Dressed Lady I always look for individuality, ladies should dress to suit their bodies as oppose to following trend. I love classically cut items but it’s nice to mix it with something dramatic as well.”

Over 20,000 people are expected to visit race meetings this summer where each best dressed lady will receive a €2,000 shopping spree with Littlewoods Ireland while 10 finalists at each meeting will receive a €100 shopping spree each. Worth dressing up for, I think you’ll agree.

Be part of the Littlewoods Ireland Best Dressed competition and meet the celebrity judges at the following race events: Mairead Farrell, Roscommon, Monday 4th July; Amanda Brunker, Wexford, Saturday 23rd July; Sybil Mulcahy, Kilbeggan, Saturday 6th August; Bairbre Power, Tramore, Saturday 13th August; Sinead Desmond, Bellewstown, Thursday 18th August and Maura Derrane, Killarney, Friday 26th August.

The White Door

All White: 1. Daniel Holfeld & Roz Purcell; 2. Mo Kelly; 3. Sinead Desmond & Jacqueline Honer-O’Sullivan. (Pix. Leon Farrell / Photocall)

The White Door, a designer boutique concept store, is the newest addition to Exchequer Street, one of Dublin’s most exciting shopping districts in the heart of Dublin city. The opening party was well attended by a host of well known names such as Sinead Desmond, Maria Fusco, Dawn Fitzgerald and PJ Gibbons.

Spread over two floors, the interior of the store echoes the retro-chic look of New York boutiques with exposed brickwork and a custom-made mirrored mosaic ceiling in the make-up room. The brain child of Jacqueline Honer-Sullivan, the shop takes its inspiration from designer boutique stores but is presented as a whole new concept.

The White Door sells a wide range of clothing, dresses, jeans, bags, jewellery, skincare, homeware, children’s toys and the fabulous ZORINA cosmetics…the makeup for everyone!, and stocks a myriad of premium brands such as Tadashi Shoji, Elisa Cavaletti, Joanne Hynes, Heidi Higgins, Elly Itali, Carol Shaw, Nougat London, Jellycat and many more.

It is also the exclusive stockist of famed American brand Hello! SkinnyJeans – the miracle jeans that will sculpt and enfold, creating a shapely silhouette.

To celebrate the launch of the new flagship store, Jackie has initiated “The White Door Red Umbrella in aid of Childline”, with 100% of the proceeds from sales of the Red Umbrellas going to Childline.

“Just as the Red Umbrella protects us from rain, donations will help protect Children from harm!” says Jacqui. The new store will be instantly recognisable by a bright red umbrella installation that will be seen from either end of Exchequer Street.

Upwardly Mobile

Tech Savvy: 1. Jacques Malone & Nicola Watkins; 2. Gerry Proctor; 3. Gillian Verrecchia.

(Pix. Sony Ericsson Xperia X10)

Whenever Sony Ericsson has an announcement to make the gadget geeks tune in and listen. The tech firms annual summer BBQ is always well attended and the product news eagerly awaited. This year the venue was Ocean bar in the Millennium Tower on Grand Canal Dock. Once a shining light in the Celtic Tiger sky, the place is a bit rough around the edges now but still maintains a place on the social radar, thanks in part to its enviable location.

Nevertheless the crowd was not there to take in the view but rather to learn of the latest developments from the Sony Ericsson labs. Over the years the company has brought together the best communication technologies with superior entertainment user experiences to create its Xperia line of the ‘most entertaining smartphones’ in the mobile handset industry.

Marketing boss Russell Keating showed off mobiles such as the Xperia arc; Xperia PLAY and Xperia neo, as well as latest versions of Xperia Mini and Mini-Pro. Other things to look forward to include voice clarification technology, new generation Walkman products and future developments with the Android platform.

Also this year Sony Ericsson will celebrate its 10th year as a joint venture between Sony Corporation and Ericsson. Among the guests were Pat Kenny, Trish Murphy of Hot Press, Sean Munsanje, Jenny Cullen of Marketing Magazine and rugby pundit George Hook.

Race is On

Racing ahead: 1. Emma Sweeney; 2. Stephen Cass; 3. Anne Brennan. (Pix. Leon Farrell / Photocall)

Leopardstown Racecourse and Bulmers have announced the line-up for this year’s series of Bulmers Live at Leopardstown events. For eight Thursday evenings this summer, Dublin’s only racecourse will combine the atmosphere of a boutique music festival with the best in horse racing, all for an unbeatable entry price of just €15.

Sharon Shannon & Damien Dempsey; The Undertones; Cathy Davey; Kila & Paddy Casey; Republic of Loose; The Saw Doctors; Aslan; Horslips and Jamie Lawson will all line-up to soundtrack this years series of summer nights out with a difference.

New to the racecard is the Bulmers Live at Leopardstown ‘Fashion Rocks’ competition. At each event, the Style Bitches, ‘Ireland’s top stylists’ will award a ‘Fashion Rocks’ award and a €1,000 shopping package at House of Fraser to one lucky man or woman, based on their contemporary, cool, after work style.

The overall race-goer to rock fashion champion will then be crowned by TV Presenter, Lottie Ryan, on August 11th, and presented with a trip to the fashion capital of Europe (Paris, of course) and a trip to the famous French racecourse, Longchamps.

All racing kicks off between 5.30pm and 6pm and finishes up in time for the live music to start at 9pm.

www.leopardstown.com

Ard na Sidhe

Kingdom Come: 1. Isolde Liebherr, Jennifer Dowling & Michael Brennan; 2. Kay Bermingham & Brian Hurley; 3. Joanne McGillicuddy, Fallon Clifford & Rachel O’Shea. (Pix. Don MacMonagle)

To the Kingdom (that’s Kerry to you), for the reopening of Ard na Sidhe, the stunning country house hotel near Kilorglin that has undergone an extensive restoration and renovation project. The charming house is situated on the shores of Caragh Lake amidst 32 acres and was built by Lady Gordon in 1913.

Manager Jennifer Dowling welcomed everyone at the door and guests were able to wander around the stunning manor house and take in the newly designed bedrooms as well as wander through the magnificent Edwardian garden.

Mrs Isolde Liebherr was on hand to plant an oak tree in the gardens and guests included the new Kerry Rose of Tralee Sile Ni Dearghain, James Howley who oversaw the project and Gerry Brown and Mary Rose Hickey of Killarney Hotels.

Green Lantern

Green with envy: 1. Norman Pratt & Avril Collins; 2. Jennifer Phillips & Sara Cotterell; 3. Roisin Tierney Crowe & Sinead Doyle. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Super hero fans turned out at the Savoy cinema for the Irish premiere screening of the $100m Green Lantern movie, starring Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively. First nighters included Romy Carroll, Roisin Tierney Crowe, and Fair City actress Aoibheann McCaul.

Green Lantern is in cinemas nationwide now.

Funtasia

Celebrity watchers, movie buffs and those with an interest in popular culture will love the fascinating (and totally free!) exhibition now running at Funtasia Waterpark in Drogheda. Funtasia has sourced an international exhibition showcasing an amazing collection of memorabilia from the worlds of television, music and movies.

Visitors can see modern iconic items including Michael Jackson’s touring jacket, apes from Planet of the Apes movie and a selection of Star Trek’s Aliens. Check out Pippa O'Connor (left) dressed as Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra.

The exhibition is a real treasure trove with other modern and classic celebrity items ranging from the Jonas Brothers’ Camp Rock costumes, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell’s platform boots, as well as the most famous wedding dress of 2010, Becky from Coronation Street’s pink meringue style creation.

The exhibition is Free and those travelling to it by Matthews Coaches get 50% off the cost of Funtasia’s other superb attractions including the WaterPark and adrenaline pumping Sky climb. Don’t delay in visiting as the show and Matthews Coaches special offer only runs until June 30th.

Miss Chic

(Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Chic: 1. Anita Tumbler & Sukhi Saini; 2. Anna Daly; 3. Kenny Vaughan & Sarah McGovern.

Miss Chic’s latest jewellery collection launch at Vanilla at the Hampton Hotel was a glam affair with plenty of fashionistas there to check out the stunning pieces on show. Rosanna Davison, Lorraine Keane, designer Deborah Veale, Fair City's Aobhinn Garrihy, TV3's Anna Daly and Sybil Mulcahy and weather girl Nuala Carey all enjoyed an evening of bling and bubbles.

Best of the Rest

Best of the Rest … those who brought a sense of style to the occasion …

1. Top model Alison Canavan proves that less really is more. Here she is at the Rockstar Tan party in La Stampa looking every inch a supermodel in a simple sweater and jeans combo. Her biggest accessory is her smile (which even the Cartier watch can’t compete with); 2. Where in the World has Theresa Lowe been? Those of you d’un certain age will remember her as one of RTE’s bright stars and, as you can see, she was shining at the opening party for Brasserie Le Pont; 3. Susie Koumarianos, aka pastry chef the Burlesque Baker, certainly has her own inimitable style (look at those shoes!) and always brings a bit of life to every party.

(Pix. McEvoy / Healy / Woods)

Bridesmaids

Here comes the Bride: 1. Karl Broderick & Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace; 2. Chris O’Dowd & Dawn Porter; 3. Marianne McCabe & Laura Lucy Kenny. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Cinema goers braved the rain and hailstones for the Irish Premiere Screening of the film Bridesmaids. It’s being billed at the female version of The Hangover and is just as funny.

It’s all about Annie, her life is a mess but when she finds out her best friend Lillian is engaged, she simply must serve as her maid of honor. Though lovelorn and broke, Annie bluffs her way through the expensive and bizarre rituals. With one chance to get it perfect, she takes Lillian and her bridesmaids (Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper) on a wild ride down the road to matrimony.

Director Paul Veig jetted in for the evening alongside stars Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy while Irish actor Chris O’Dowd attended with his partner Dawn Porter and proud mother Denise. Also spotted on the red carpet were bride-to-be Melanie Morris with her own bridesmaid-to-be Triona McCarthy, Karen Koster, Lorraine Keane and designer Deborah Veale.

Big Style from Littlewoods

Trend setters: 1. Caroline Baxter & Rebecca De Havalland; 2. Lauren McCreery, Geoff Scully & Aislinn Coffey; 3. Courtney Smith & Darren Kennedy. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Littlewoods Ireland recently previewed their Autumn Winter 2011 collection in Studio 54-esque surroundings at an event in Fallon & Byrne. Guests enjoying the canapés and disco ball cupcakes included Sean Munsanje, Corina Gaffey, Natalie Marquez, Courtney Smith and Brendan Marc Scully.

Stylist Cathy O’Connor expertly guided guests through the various looks that showcased next season’s trends from the online retailer, while models on the night included Caolinn Taylor, Tara O’Farrell and Michelle Lima.