Niall McCrudden

(Pic. Brian McEvoy)

It is with sadness that I pay tribute to the late Niall McCrudden. No stranger to this diary, Niall was a popular and very well liked fixture on the social scene whose death came as a terrible shock to many.

Niall was an intelligent man, an Optometrist by profession, and a successful businessman. Actually he was more of an entrepreneur; after he sold his business, Insight Opticians, he was always looking at new investment opportunities and ideas. Putting his success to good use was another of his trademarks as he was a great supporter of charity, not only financially but (more importantly) with his time too.

Niall was a sharp dresser and took great pride in his appearance, always looking his best. I remember remarking once that he must take as long as a woman to get ready and he replied that he probably did, and that’s why he had all the women after him!

At a party he was such a friendly face in a crowd and always had a good word for everyone. With a cheeky sense of humour he was excellent company - outgoing and gregarious. More so than many he had an insatiable appetite for the good times; a generous host, his home was the scene of many a great evening – the garden alone would put any night club to shame with it’s hot tub, sound system and full bar!

Apart from all that however Niall McCrudden was a good, kind, decent man. For all his bravado and showbiz appearance he was actually one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met and will be sadly missed by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Ondine

At the premiere of Ondine: 1. Alicja Bachleda & Colin Farrell; 2. Jade Yourell; 3. Lee Bradshaw.

(Pix. Brian McEvoy / Patrick O'Leary)

The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival kicked off last night with the European premiere of Neil Jordan’s new film, Ondine.

Irish star Colin Farrell got a hero’s welcome as fans turned up in their droves to catch a glimpse of the A-lister who signed autographs and posed for photos as he strolled the red carpet and happily shared the spotlight with stunning co-star Alicja Bachleda and Alison Barry along with director and friend, Neil Jordan.

Before the screening Colin spoke fondly of his memories of the late Michael Dywer to whom this years film festival is dedicated to and also his recollection of viewing his first ever movie (ET) in the Savoy Cinema.

Colin was joined on the red carpet by his mother Rita, sisters Catherine and Claudine and brother Eamon along with husband, artist Steven Mannion.

Other stars who braved the cold weather at last night’s gala in the Savoy Cinema, was veteran actor Brendan Gleeson, actress Jade Yourell, movie buff and Xpose presenter Lisa Cannon along with Morah Ryan and singer Lee Bradshaw who has reached the final of this year’s Eurosong and hopes to represent Ireland at the Eurovision.

The festival is running until the 28th February. Tickets available from http://www.jdiff.com/.

M&S Spring / Summer

At the M&S SS10 show: 1. Alan Hughes & Anna Daly; 2. Sandra Byrne; 3. Elaine Murray & Dee Breen. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)


The Marks & Spencer Spring/Summer fashion show took place at the Rooftop Restaurant, Grafton Street, Dublin this week. Over 90 guests enjoyed a three course supper including mini fish pies, piri piri chicken and a range of delicious desserts including pink champagne jelly and of course, the infamous M&S cupcakes.

The catwalk show delivered highlights from Limited, Autograph, Indigo, Portfolio and per una collections which saw a return to a softer, romantic look with relaxed silhouettes and chalky pastels mixed with bold, bright highlights. Fashion stories for spring through to summer include Urban Safari, Sports Luxe, Cruise and Black & White Modernist.

Jenny Mulholland and Carmel Breheny from M&S welcomed guests including TV3’s Sean Munsanje, Alan Hughes, Sinead Desmond, Anna Daly and Sybil Mulcahy; and RTE fashionistas Darren Kennedy, Sandra Byrne and Janice Butler. “The Saturday Night Show” presenter Brendan O’Connor also attended with his colleagues Barry Egan and Mary O’Sullivan.

Valentine's Day

At Valentine’s Day premiere: 1. Suzanne Cairns & Aislinn O’Toole; 2. Bryan Healy & Declan Leavy; 3. Niamh Crowley & Thomas Crosse. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


Love was certainly in the air at the Irish premier of the new movie Valentine’s Day last week. Guests arriving on the red carpet were greeted by a sea of beautiful flowers which added to the romantic atmosphere.

The movie stars a huge roll call of A-listers including Jessica Alba, Bradley Cooper, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Jamie Foxx, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah, Shirley MacLaine and Julia Roberts.

The screening was introduced by our own FM104 presenter Niamh Crowley and among the guests were Karen Koster, model Nadia Forde and stylist Cathy O’Connor.

Brian cooks up a storm

At the Anglers Rest: 1. Louise Loughman & Stephen Byrne; 2. Brian Ormond & Pippa O’Connor; 3. Larry & Katherine Bass. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


After a hugely successful event with Leigh Arnold cooking in the Angler’s Rest last year ‘Look Who’s in the Kitchen’ returned with RTE presenter and one half of Ireland’s most glamorous couples – Brian Ormond.

Brian proposed to girlfriend of 2 years Pippa O’Connor over New Year and he put their culinary skills to the test with the help of head chef Bob Azhar in Chapelizod’s Angler’s Rest.

Brian and Bob put their chef’s caps on to come up with a selection of dishes to suit everyone’s palette. However Brian kept close to home serving his Grannies colcannon recipe with fillet steak - a favourite with all his golfing buddies.

The evening was a huge success (more celeb events are planned for the future) and all proceeds were in aid of Zamda – Irish Zambian Aid Project.

Hennessy Gold Cup

At the Hennessy Gold Cup: 1. Caroline Sleiman & Aisling Kilduff; 2. Glenda Gilson; 3. Anne Marie McManus & Vivienne Leavy. (Pix. Pat O’Leary)


The 20th running of the Hennessy Gold Cup took place at Leopardstown Racecourse on Sunday and as always welcomed its characteristically eclectic variety of guests, bringing people together from the worlds of music and film, sport, fashion and the arts.

Fashion stakes were high as ladies donned their most glamorous outfits in the hope of winning the Best Dressed Competition in association with The Design Centre.

The event was judged this year by a panel including the aforementioned Philip Treacy, Ashling Kilduff of The Design Centre; Caroline Sleiman of Moet Hennessy and Annmarie O’Connor, fashion blogger and journalist.

The winning lady on the day was none other than the current Rose of Tralee Charmaine Kenny who won a prize worth €4,000.

Those in attendance included International milliner and fashion designer Philip Treacy; acclaimed Irish film director Neil Jordan, Caroline Downey, Amy Huberman and rugby star fiancé Brian O’Driscoll and Kathy Gilfillan.

Some of the other stylish racegoers included Hon. Desmond and Penny Guinness, singer Maria Tecce and Leigh Arnold.

Tribe

At Tribe: 1. Megan Dowling & Louise Smith; 2. Abby Ross & Kate Finnegan; 3. Mikaela Kenny & Maebh McCracken. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


Tribe is a new state of the art venue in Stillorgan which opened recently. It has not one but two nightclubs inside its structure.

The main club has elements from clubs all over the world and has its own integrated smoking terrace, plenty of plush seating booths and two 15 meter glass fronted bars imported from Holland. The second venue is the stand alone second room known as the "Live Lounge".

The opening weekend included performances by tribal drummers, Lazer robots, walking and talking heads, angle grinder shows, sushi girls and body painted divas and loads more.

The style of the club is chic and contemporary with an emphasis on comfort and elegance. Tribe NC promises to be fresh, new, to bring something different, something that’s been missing, back to SoCoDu. A quality venue with quality people all partying together as one big TRIBE.

INVICTUS

At the INVICTUS premiere: 1. Odette & John Rocha; 2. Joyce Matemba & Sean Munsanje; 3. Sarah & Ken Doherty. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


The Irish premiere of INVICTUS was held in the Savoy this week and hosted in Association with Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI). The guests arrived to a traditional African dance performance by the ‘Afro – Irish Kidios Group’.

In attendance were Gerry Ryan and Melanie Verwoerd, John and Odette Rocha, Ken Doherty and wife Sarah, manager of Tyrone team Mickey Harte, Sean Munsanje, models Joyce Matemba and Kerri Ingram. Also present were Tom Kitt TD, Marina Guinness, Senator David Norris and rugby player Paul Wallace who was accompanied by his wife Barbara.

INVICTUS, directed by four time Oscar winner Clint Eastwood, tells the inspiring true story of Nelson Mandela, then South Africa’s newly elected president uniting the post-apartheid nation as they prepare to host the 1995 World Cup.

The Springboks national Rugby team become both champions and a galvanizing force of hope, as Mandela - an extraordinary performance by Morgan Freeman, together with Springboks captain Francois Pienaar- played by Matt Damon, unite South Africans through the universal language of sport.

Jameson Dublin Intl. Film Festival

At the launch of the Jameson DIFF: 1. Louis Copeland; 2. Norman Pratt, Roisin Tierney – Crowe & Darren Kennedy; 3. Leigh Arnold. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


Actors Brendan Gleeson and Nora Jane Noone toasted the launch of the programme for 2010 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival at an exclusive event at the Tripod venue last night. Both actors were on hand to help annouce the eagerly anticipated festival line up.

Renowned actor Brendan Gleeson has starred in many films that have been screened in the festival in recent years, including In Bruges which opened the 2008 JDIFF and The Secret of Kells in 2009. Brendan was also recipient of the festival career achievement award, The Volta, in 2009.

Nora-Jane Noone who will be well known to Irish audiences from her breakout role in The Magdalene Sisters, stars in the new Irish film Savage, for which she has been nominated for an IFTA. Savage will be screened at the festival.

Guests were treated to Jameson cocktails being served up by the Jameson “Mix It Up” crew followed by speeches from those involved including Festival Director Grainne Humphreys, who announced that this year’s festival will be dedicated to the memory of the late Irish Times film correspondent (and festival founder) Michael Dwyer.

Fellow actors Colm Meaney, Risterd Cooper, Liam Cunningham and Leigh Arnold also attended the event to show their support for the 8th festival, as did Izabela Chudzicka, Lisa Cannon, Louise Jordan and Omero Mumba.

The festival takes place from the 18th – 28th February. Tickets available from www.jdiff.com.

Nina Divito

At the showcase were: 1. Nadine Wai-O'Flynn & SJ Wai; 2. Brian O'Malley & Nina Divito; 3. Lynn MacNabola & Amy Huberman. (Pix. Richie Stokes)

At the launch of "The First Collection" by Nina Divito at 15 St Stephens Green, the official launch of Nina's brand new luxury footwear collection, this week. Nina started her career actually painting the pretty creations but such was the demand for them that she decided to bring them to life.

Her designs are now stocked in BT and were recently sported by Saoirse Ronan for the Irish premiere of The Lovely Bones. Also featured on the evening were Nina's one off paintings of the actual shoe designs.

The girls were out to ogle the collection and among them were actress Amy Huberman, Heidi O'Sullivan, interior designer Catriona Hanly and Emily O'Donnell.

The Lovely Bones

At the Lovely Bones premiere: 1. Saoirse Ronan; 2. Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain; 3. Michelle Heaton & Hugh Hanley. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


The Irish premiere of the much anticipated movie The Lovely Bones took place last night at Dublin’s Savoy cinema. The assembled crowd waited in the cold evening to greet the film’s star Saoirse Ronan, who was said to be very excited about being on home turf.

The movie was introduced by Ryan Tubridy who heaped much deserved praise on the young Irish star. However he did admit that he found the book (by Alice Seabold) on which the movie is based to be a little too upsetting to read given the sensitive subject matter. Saoirse Ronan herself then spoke briefly much to the delight of the guests.

The after party was held at private club Residence and guests included Michelle Heaton and Hugh Hanley, Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain, Darren Kennedy, Morah Ryan, Elaine Crowley, Gay Byrne and Kathleen Watkins.

The Holiday Show

At the launch of The Holiday Show: 1. Ciara Whelan & Jon Slattery; 2. Roisin Whelan; 3. Ailbhe Lee & Michael Hayes. (Pix. Marc O’Sullivan)

The Exchequer was the venue for the launch party of the second series of The Holiday Show in association with FBD, which airs on TV3. The show’s presenters Ciara Whelan and Jon Slattery were on hand to greet invited guests, who got a sneak preview of the first show, ‘Sun, Sea and Something Else’, which takes in the European hotspots of Cyprus, Croatia and the Costa De Sol.

Speaking at the event TV3’s Director of Programming, Ben Frow said: “The Holiday Show was such a success for us last year that I'm delighted it’s back for a second, longer run. We could all do with a bit of sunshine during these dark winter days and this is the show to give it.”

‘How Low Can You Go’ presenter Michael Hayes and his girlfriend Ailbhe enjoyed the event, as they chatted to PR gurus Sinead Ryan and Joanne Byrne from Presence Communications. TV3’s Director of Programming Ben Frow was also in attendance, as was Audrey Cunningham the Managing Director of Market Match and Bronagh Twomey of the FBD Group.

Other guests included stylist Sonja Mohlich, producer of The Holiday Show Tom Richardson and assistant editor and Ana Maqueda Lopez.

Joanne Hynes mentor meet

At the Nokia breakfast: 1. Ina Marie Igoe & Catriona McCarthy; 2. Niamh Kettle & Diane Kilbane; 3. Polina Yakoboson & Joanne Hynes. (Pix. Elevate)


Nokia teamed up with leading Irish fashion and jewellery designer, Joanne Hynes, to host a breakfast for the 21 Nokia Young Designer Award 2010 finalists at the fashionable Morrison Hotel on Ormond Quay, Dublin 1 this week.

Joanne, who will act as mentor to this year’s finalists taking part in the Nokia Young Fashion Designer Award 2010, spent the morning chatting to the design students about her career and answering questions from the floor covering everything from design elements to business advice.

Over the coming weeks Joanne will act as a dedicated point of contact, to guide the finalists through the design process and address any queries they may have on everything from fabrics to accessories. The finalists will be offered numerous opportunities to talk to Joanne through Ovi.com, Nokia’s online portal, which will allow them to communicate thoughts and inspirations.

DAWN

At the launch of DAWN: 1. Rosanna Davison. 2. Pamela Flood, Rosanna Davison and Holly White; 3. Aidan Power, Pamela Flood, Holly White, Ray D’Arcy, Rosanna Davison and Eddie Hobbs. (Pix. Chris Bellew / Fennell)

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of Aware, the national organisation which provides information and emotional support services to individuals and families affected by depression, and the first event this year is Depression Awareness Week (DAWN), which is this week.

The DAWN campaign aims to reach out to individuals and families in Ireland who are affected by depression and to diminish the stigma associated with this common condition. Aware’s newly redesigned website www.aware.ie was also launched to coincide with DAWN, and will include new online support services.

Celebrity ambassadors Eddie Hobbs, Ray D'Arcy, Pamela Flood and Aidan Power to name but a few, are lending their support to this campaign.

Curvette '09

At the Curves award lunch: 1. Bernie Moloney, Stephanie Lucas and winner Dympna Carthy; 2. Sonya Lennon and Laura Bermingham; 3. Yvonne Rafferty. (Pix. Robbie Reynolds)

The Curvette of the Year was announced at a lunch in the Fitzwilliam Hotel this week and Michael Foley, of Curves, presented the winner, 67 year old Dympna Carthy, from Shannon with a ten years’ free membership to Curves, a fabulous family holiday to Turkey from Sunway Holidays and a stunning outfit from Debenhams to help enhance her new wardrobe. Dympna was one of five worthy finalists selected from across Ireland.

The judging panel charged with the task of selecting the winner and runners-up included Gill Brady from Curves International, Off the Rails presenter Sonya Lennon and beauty journalist for the Irish Daily Mail, TV3 and editor of Glow* magazine Laura Bermingham. The finalists were selected based not only on inches lost but also the overall positive changes in their lives since becoming members of Curves.

Philadelphia, here I come!

At the event: 1. Niamh Sullivan & Rebecca Lawlor; 2. Kevin Dundon & Amanda Brunker; 3. Alex Hatton, Michael Cullen & Sarah Grennan. (Pix Richie Stokes)

A lunch was hosted at the Dylan Hotel this week to announce a partnership with Irish chef Kevin Dundon and Philadelphia (the cream cheese). This is good news for food lovers and cooking enthusiasts throughout Ireland! As part of the association Kevin will appear in a new Philadelphia TV advertising campaign and prepare a range of simple and delicious recipes which will also feature on a new website.

Sherlock Holmes

At the Irish premiere of the new Sherlock Holmes moview (starring Robert Downey Jnr. and Jude Law) were: 1. Jessica Glennan & Ashley Walsh; 2. Ned Dennehy; 3. Stephen Burns & Sandra Garcia. (Pix Brian McEvoy)

Happy New Year!

(Pic by DA Roeireizen)


Well that was fun, wasn’t it? It’s been a rollercoaster year (decade?) with more downs than ups. It was a grand year for social activity with the tally of 162 events reported on (down from 198 the previous year), but tight budgets were evident and some hosts aren’t as flahulach as they used to be. Perhaps this coming year will be worse, who knows?

I attended a function last month where the guest speaker was John Beggs, Chief Economist with AIB. I wish I could remember everything he said but one of the things that I do recall is that, appara, there is something like €12bn more on deposit in Irish banks than there was in 2007 ... €12 BILLION!

And that cash is not corporate loot either, it’s from regular savers. Consumer confidence in spending has all but disappeared and it seems that we are all just saving our money for the (uncertain) future. Now, I know I could be considered a bit of a spendthrift but I would urge you all to get out there and support your local economy. So many great businesses going under and people going bust – it’s become almost de rigueur lately.

So go on, go mad at the sale in Harvey Nichols, have a long lunch in Residence and dinner in Guilbaud’s. Treat yourself to a bottle of Champagne in Krystle or Lillies.

Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow ...