Zaconey

Hoopla: 1. Eoin Murphy and Sinead Gilbert; 2. Clare Wrafter and Hugh Scully; 3. Kate McCarthy and Sean Munsanje. (Pix. SL/Photocall)

Zaconey, a spirit with a bourbon twist and natural flavours, was officially launched in Dublin as a carnival descended on Everleigh Garden, Harcourt St., bringing with it all the twists and turns of the night-time fair.

A real life ‘Barker’ served up the thrills and nostalgic memories of the legendary carnival of 1950’s Coney Island featuring all the anticipation and delight of that bygone era. The brilliantly retro Boudoir Boys replayed the sights and sounds of the 1950’s with their magical production as guests enjoyed Zaconey & Cola over ice.

The Zaconey carnival is now a travelling night time funfair visiting 15 bars across Dublin city over the next eight weeks. Let 1950’s Americana fill the senses as the Barker with his vintage megaphone whips up a show of games, glamour, performance at selected venues  Enjoy ‘All The Fun of The Fair’, play the games, win the prizes and taste the retro spirit.

Over 120,000 barrels make their way from the bourbon distilleries of America to Irish Distillers every year arriving with a pool of golden bourbon resting inside. This is the origin of Zaconey.  Inspired by the optimism and inventiveness of a magical moment in history, it’s an old time spirit of fun with a smooth natural berry flavour and a bourbon twist.

For more details of venues log onto: www.zaconey.com and www.facebook.com/zaconey

LKB

Shoe-in: 1. Alva Maguire; 2. Roz Flanagan; 3. Caroline Issa. (Pix. Leon Farrell / Photocall)

The official launch event for L.K Bennett London by Caroline Issa, with special guest on the evening London style-icon Caroline Issa took place at The Shoe Rooms in Brown Thomas. 

The limited edition L.K. Bennett London by Caroline Issa collection features statement sandals, ankle-strap stilettos, shoe boots, the kitten heel, and a loafer as well as catch-me-if-you can clutches. Hot, neon Thai inspired embroidery puffs out in captivating pinks, oranges, greens, yellows and reds based on a background of natural or black canvas and leather.

Delicate and striking oriental flowers and zig-zags welcome in the Spring season with swing-tag pom-poms showing the way to breezy, easy summer-time glamour. The collection is priced from €295 (shoes) and €335 (bags) and is available exclusively to Brown Thomas Dublin in Ireland.

Newbridge Boys

Alumni: 1. Gillian and Niall Quinn; 2. Geordan Murphy; 3. Grainne Neville and Derek Martin. (pix. BMcE)

The Keadeen Hotel played host to the Dominican College Newbridge gala ball to honour the successes of some of their past pupils.  The evening, hosted by football legend Niall Quinn, honoured the achievements of former students - Irish International rugby player Geordan Murphy, top racehorse trainer Dermot Weld, Eurovision winner Brendan Graham, Newbridge Silverware owner William Doyle and triple equestrian medallist at London Olympics 2012 Helen Kearney. 

UNICEF Mother's Day

Mum’s the Word: 1. Amanda Dolan and Orla Walsh; 2. Sarah McGovern and Danielle Ryan; 3. Pippa O'Connor and her mother Louise Mullen.  (Pix: Mark Stedman/Photocall)

The 16th Annual UNICEF Ireland Mother's Day Lunch, this year in association with Arnotts, took place today at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Over 300 guests were in attendance at the lunch where the key note speaker was Danielle Ryan of the Cathal Ryan Trust. Danielle spoke about how the Trust worked with UNICEF Ireland to heal communities after decades of war in Sri Lanka.

Special guests on the day included singer Imelda May and UNICEF Ireland Ambassadors author Cathy Kelly and GAA stars Joe Canning and Dermot Earley. Also in attendance were Dr. Rhona Mahony, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, as well top TV chef and food author Clodagh McKenna and IMAGE magazine editor Melanie Morris.

MC for the lunch was the incomparable Marty Whelan. An Arnotts' fashion show with statement pieces for this season from designers including Tara Jarmon, Vivienne Westwood, Love Moschino, M Missoni, Marella and Hoss Intropia insured that the lunch ended on a high and very stylish note.

The proceeds from the Lunch go to UNICEF Ireland's Safe Motherhood Programme; helping ensure the gift that every mother wants - the safe delivery of a healthy baby. Since 1997, guests at the lunch have raised nearly 400,000 euro for UNICEF Safe Motherhood programmes across the world.

Lindt Easter

Chocs away: 1. Alison Canavan; 2. Fergal O’Brien and Dyane O’Connor; 3. Aoibhin Garrihy. (Pix. RS)

Halo, in the newly relaunched Morrison Hotel, was the place for connoisseurs of fine chocolate as Lindt welcomed invited guests to the ‘Lindt Launches Easter’ event 2013 - a showcase for the products and activities carried out for the Irish market at Easter.

Guests at the event, including Fair City’s Aoibhin Garrihy, model mum Alison Canavan, RTE presenter Diana Bunici, DJ Cici Kavanagh and former apprentice contestant and Temple Street ambassador Geraldine O'Callaghan.

The Lindt Gold Bunny celebrity auction in aid of Temple Street returns this year - gold plated Lindt bunnies autographed by well-known Irish and International personalities will be auctioned on the Lindt Chocolate Ireland Facebook page / www.lindtgoldbunny.ie in the run up to Easter.

Look out for top names such as Robbie Williams, Daniel Radcliffe and our very own Chris O’Dowd. Every successful bid will not only win the signed bunny but also a Lindt Gold bunny hamper worth over€100. All Proceeds will go to Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

Having already raised €330k for Temple Street children’s Hospital, the 6^th Lindt Make Easter Sweet for Temple Street campaign will once again see the Gold Bunny Roadshows arrive in selected Shopping Centres in Ireland to raise funds.

Blanchardstown Shopping Centre 23^rd & 24^th March, Mahon Point in Cork 28^th March and Pavillions Swords 29^th & 30^th March where Lindt fans can pick up a mini Lindt Gold Bunnyin return for a €1 donation with every cent going to Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

Oz

Land of Oz: 1. Lorraine Keane; 2. FM 104 girls Katie Hanley & Eva McCarthy; 3. Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh. (Pix. Anthony Woods)

The Irish premiere screening of Oz the Great and Powerful took place at the Odeon Point Village recently with a capacity crowd of eager movie lovers.  In the cinema now.

Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz. At first he thinks he's hit the jackpot - fame and fortune are his for the taking.

That all changes, however, when he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late.

Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.