Racing’s fickle finger of fate has ultimately proved far from kind to popular Irish-born jockey Noel Fehily who has now been told that the injured wrist he sustained in a fall at Newbury in November will not heal in time for the Cheltenham Festival, and indeed may result in him being out for the rest of the season, writes Elliot Slater.
Fehily, stable jockey to Charlie Mann, was the rider that champion trainer Paul Nicholls turned to when his stable jockey Ruby Walsh took a crushing fall and sustained a broken leg at Down Royal at the start of November. Walsh remains on the sidelines, but is expected to return to race riding in mid-February.
Having been offered such a golden opportunity Fehily soon showed that given the right material he is possibly as good a rider as there is anywhere in the British Isles at present. Showing a fine mixture of judgement and strength, he booted home a string of winners for Nicholls, most memorably partnering the rejuvenated Master Minded to an impressive victory in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase. That win came during a brief spell when Fehily returned to ride having suffered damage to his wrist some weeks earlier when falling from Nicholls’ Rivaliste at Newbury.
Maybe if he had stayed on the sidelines a little longer and given his wrist more chance to recover, the damage sustained in the Newbury fall would not have been so nad, but in truth, it’s impossible to know. What is for sure is that Fehily, (during his all too brief spell as main rider to the Nicholls yard), showed that he has got what it takes to be up there with the cream of the crop. Those who bet on horse
racing (http://betting.ladbrokes.com/en/horse-racing) will be wishing him a speedy recovery.
When he does return to full fitness, it is to be hoped that National Hunt trainers and owners don’t forget that here is a man well capable of getting the best out of a horse whether its over hurdles or fences.
January 18th, 2011
admin
Posted in: Horse Racing
If I have to spot one element that truly characterizes the Irish spirit I would find it in their curiosity. It is not a noisy attitude towards life and people. No. It is a curiosity of a different kind: an open-minded unassuming approach to discover and embrace the beauty of the unknown.
This way I saw Dublin changing and growing so much during the years at so many different level as represented by its lively and intriguing food and wine scene. The Irish have been exposed to so many different influences and they took so much out of them that they managed to develop a great palate for food and wine second to none.
It is thanks to this beautiful intellectual curiosity that a refreshing new attitude towards cooking is spreading around. Cooking is not just a way of providing food but a rewarding social activity that brings family and friends together.
During the years I spent teaching at the Italian School of Cooking I have been always amazed by the social power of cooking. Before the class, all I can see are only basic ingredients on the cooking stations: it is an apparent state of tranquility ready to explode into laughter and flour. I see the students arriving and timidly interacting sipping a glass of wine. Then they go to the classroom and something changes. It is magical: people start to gel in a natural way since the preparation of the food is something deep rooted into human nature. It is a bonding moment, just like kneading, nobody can teach you how to do it, it is a personal experience: you let your hands go and all of a sudden you find yourself chatting to new friends almost looking in awe at your own hands working the dough. Something inside has been awakened and wants to express itself.
Cooking together makes the food taste better with a true sense of achievement transforming flour, oil and eggs into the perfect raviolo that you are biting right now.
All of a sudden I have a familiar memory of my granny teaching me a little trick or two but it is not Italy, it is Ireland with its magical curiosity.
And it feels like home.
Giuseppe Crupi
ITALIAN SCHOOL OF COOKING
Unit C4, City Link Business Park,
Old Naas Road – Dublin 12 – Ireland
December 13th, 2011
admin
Posted in: Food and Drinks
Quality rather than quantity is the order of the day as 10 entries have been received for the Grade 2 William Hill Desert Orchid Chase, one of the feature events on the second day of the Kempton Festival card scheduled for December 27, writes Elliot Slater.
The £55,000 contest was won 12 months ago by the Nicky Henderson-trained Petit Robin, and the seven-year-old looks set to bid for back-to-back victories in the race following his fine reappearance run at Cheltenham earlier in the month when chasing home the back-to-form Master Minded in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase at Cheltenham.
Henderson could also be represented by Mad Max, (sixth to Poquelin in the AP McCoy Gold Cup a fortnight ago having run fourth to Little Josh in the Paddy Power Gold Cup a month earlier), and French Opera. Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has entered the talented Tataniano, third behind Gauvain at Cheltenham (http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/) last month on his seasonal bow, and Tchico Polos, who beat the ill-fated Twist Magic in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter first-time out this term before falling at Cheltenham on his most recent start in the race won by Little Josh.
Ferdy Murphy has declared Kalahari King, whilst Nick Williams’ Cornas, the David Pipe pair of I’msingintheblues and I’m So Lucky, and Alan King’s capable Oh Crick make up the field. An impressive performance from any of the ten at Kempton will impact on their Cheltenham Festival odds with most of the runners being targeted at the festival for races such as the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Grand Annual Handicap Chase.
In the Champion Chase ante-post market, Tataniano is currently the shortest price of the field with cheltenham gold cup betting odds (http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/cheltenham/cheltenham-features/the-7-greatest-cheltenham-gold-cup-horses-ever-211210.html), being offered at just 12/1, French Opera and Petit Robin and quoted at 25/1, Kalahari King can be backed at 40/s, whilst 150/1 is available in places about Oh Crick.
December 22nd, 2010
admin
Posted in: Horse Racing
There’s so much great racing across Britain on Saturday that it would be easy to miss out on one significant race or another. With the Ayr gold cup 2010 and Silver Cup’s on the west coast of Scotland, and the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, you could easily overlook the Investec Cesarewitch Trial Handicap which takes place at Newmarket and should provide valuable clues as to the wellbeing of a number of candidates for the big race coming up next month, writes Elliot Slater.
Run over the Cesarewitch course and distance of two-and-a-quarter miles, Saturday’s event sees Kayf Aramis, Ajaan and Red Cadeaux, taking each other on in what promises to be a fascinating contest.
Those looking at Online horse betting note how Henry Cecil’s Ajaan hasn’t won a race for well over two years, but having run really well to finish fifth of 32 behind Darley Sun in last year’s Cesarewitch the suspicion is that the Warren House trainer has had the big staying handicap in mind for the son of Machiavellian all season. His most recent run when a staying-on eighth in Haydock’s Old Borough Cup, followed a fine effort when fifth in York’s feature Ebor Handicap. A win on Saturday could catapult Ajaan to the very forefront of the ante-post market.
Kayf Aramis is a talented dual purpose performer and has been rested since tackling Grade 1 company over hurdles in the spring. Last seen on the level when fifth in the 2009 Ascot Stakes, a good run this weekend would augur well for the big event in a month’s time.
Red Cadeaux is a progressive staying four-year-old who appears to be improving race by race over the last few months. Recent placed efforts in a listed handicap at Chester and a hot event at Haydock last time out, suggest that Ed Dunlop’s charge could well develop into a leading staying handicapper over the next few seasons and he could well be one to follow.
October 1st, 2010
admin
Posted in: Horse Racing
Littlewoods Ireland, Ireland’s leading online department store, is delighted to announce the sponsorship of the “Most Appropriately Dressed Lady” at the National Ploughing Championships this year in Co. Kildare on 21st – 23rd September, where the lucky winner will win a €5000 shopping spree with www.littlewoodsireland.ie. Judges will be searching for the suitably stylish finalists on Tuesday 21st with the final taking place in the “Fashion Show Marquee” after the 3pm show.
There’s no need to sacrifice style when searching for practicality for the National Ploughing Championships. Littlewoods Ireland offer stylish and comfortable fashion solutions for all tastes and budgets and has suggestions and tips to help ensure you are in the running to win “Most Appropriately Dressed Lady”.
Littlewoods Ireland’s ladieswear covers all the key trends of the season including chunky knits, patterned tweed and shearling all of which are key elements in creating the “Country Heritage” look. Try teaming a tweed fitted blazer with skinny jeans and wellingtons to create a tailored twist on the ‘Country Heritage’ look, we love this Savoir Tweed Jacket €59. Check out this South Quilted Belted Jacket €62, a chic piece to add character to any outfit for the National Ploughing Championships.
Give your outfit a tomboy inspired twist with a checked shirt which are both on-trend and comfortable and have a distinct casual feel. We love this South Checked Shirt with Jersey Hood €37 as the overall look is laidback, and with this shirt, the bold checked pattern and front pockets add style, while the hood adds a further snug layer and the shaped hem gives this shirt a feminine feel.
The National Ploughing Championships and glamour can be a match made in heaven, why not try adding touches of femininity to your practical outfit to create a striking look, such as floral, lace or shimmer detail, think ‘Country Heritage’ with a contemporary and flirty twist. We love this South Printed Floral Tunic €44 – worn with tights, leggings or skinny jeans, a perfect combination for the occasion.
By adding key elements to your outfit you can be sure to make a statement and a simple way to achieve this is with bold accessories. Animal prints are huge this season, so why not add animal print accessories such as this Leopard Umbrella €10 or this Faux Fur Leopard Bag €34. To achieve the chunky knit look that is bang on-trend while also practical for the day out, why not add a hat & scarf – we love this Own Brand Cable Knit Hat and Scarf Set €34.
Not only are wellington boots very practical, they are also key to the “Most Appropriately Dressed” look for a combination of high-street fashion meets rugged outdoor style. Animate your outfit by adding some key colours for the season, check out these Apple Bottoms Monique Rain Boots €54 with their purple-patterned finish. Or these South Bashful Knitted-collar Wellington Boots €32 which will make an arresting addition to any outfit. See the selection of wellies at www.littlewoodsireland.ie.
September 15th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Events
It has been almost 9 months since Claire Finnan and Jennifer Shaw took to the floor on the RTE programme Dragon’s Den. Their pitch was the first in the history of the programme to receive the backing of all five Dragon’s! Since then their brain child, the Pregnancy & Baby Fair,(9th &10th October) has become the event on every parent’s lips. Never in Ireland has there been a show that brings together over 120 leading names in childcare, from small bespoke manufacturers to big name brand experts and leading childcare professionals.
This is the first show for Claire and Jennifer and it has grown beyond their expectations. As Jennifer explains, “Our idea was to offer families the convenience of accessing experts, sample products and enjoy a fun day out on a bigger and better scale than was ever seen in Ireland.”
Claire added, “There were over 75,000 births in Ireland last year so we knew the audience was there and that there is certainly an appetite for information amongst parents, we just didn’t expect to reach this scale of show with our first event!”
With the support of the Dragon’s and the shows sponsors; SMA, Johnson & Johnson, Bank of Ireland, Littlewoods Ireland, Tesco, Sudocrem, Philips Avent and the Irish Daily Mail, the Pregnancy & Baby Fair is on course to be the parent and baby event of the year.
The Pregnancy and Baby Fair is more than a showcase for the big brands; it is a hub for innovative ideas, new products and covetable high quality items from smaller producers around the country. All the sponsors and exhibitors make a fantastic contribution to the show and what they bring is relevant to the parenting market. For every product or service you need as you travel the journey from pre conception to pre –teen, this event is a must. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with experts, ask questions and test out the latest products on the market all under one roof at the RDS, Ballsbridge.
RTE Dragon and entrepreneur, Sean Gallagher explains, “From the outset, the entire Dragon panel were endeared to Claire and Jennifer and it was such a thrill when it turned out that their idea was a real winner. This has been a fantastic new business idea to be involved in – the standard of the show is something we are very proud of.”
Bobby Kerr another member of the RTE Dragon’s Den panel and entrepreneur added, “Claire and Jennifer are great girls and impressive business women. They are not afraid of hard work and it shows with the calibre of event that the Pregnancy and Baby Fair is turning out to be.”
If you are planning a pregnancy or already a parent, the Pregnancy & Baby Fair on the 9th & 10th October is the place to be! It promises entertainment, competitions and all the brands not to mention THE Pregnancy and Baby Fair Goody Bag which is generously stocked with a massive range of products courtesy of our sponsors and exhibitors.
September 15th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Entertainment
Discover four new fragrances from The World of Jo Malone in Brown Thomas. Distinctive and modern, inspired by centuries old Middle Eastern rituals of layering scents.
The beauty of time-honoured ingredients are re-interpreted in Amber & Patchouli, Oud & Bergamot, Rose Water & Vanilla, and Iris and White Musk.
These beautiful new fragrances are available in Jo Malone in Brown Thomas Dublin.
August 9th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Shopping
Win a pair of VIP Grandstand tickets to the 2010 Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show on Sunday, 8th of August courtesy of Brown Thomas and Longines, the event’s official Timekeeper.
The prize includes lunch in the Grandstand VIP area overlooking the main arena plus exclusive gifts compliments of Longines.
To enter simply swipe your Loyalty Card at the Longines counter in Brown Thomas to be in with a chance of winning.
August 9th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Horse Racing Shopping
Coffee aficionados enjoy sublime espressos and velvety flat whites for good mornings and impressing friends after dinner thanks to the Lavazza A Modo Mio, now available at Brown Thomas, Dublin.
Finest Lavazza coffee capsules enable you to create professional quality espressos ‘My Way’ at home, all at the touch of a button, whilst the integrated steam arm is ideal for topping up with milk frothed to perfection.
As well as creating fine coffee, the design of the Lavazza A Modo Mio is equally delectable, making it the super stylish choice and a stunning addition to any kitchen scheme.
The Extra model is available in a choice of classic black, red or white or striking lime, turquoise, fuchsia or turquoise, the Premium comes in eye-catching silver.
August 9th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Shopping
Clarins are offering all Brown Thomas customers a fantastic summer gift. When you purchase two or more Clarins products between now and Sunday 8th August you will be able to choose three half size complimentary products.
This Summer Offer from Clarins is only available while stocks last, complimentary product sizes are also subject to availability.
August 9th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Shopping
Isabel Marant, the French label, a favourite with International Fashion editors and A-listers over the past few seasons, is the epitome of sexy French dressing. Layers of clothes and accessories with a thrown on look, are actually the ultimate in effortless cool.
For Isabel Marant’s Autumn Winter collection, she rocks, with chic rocker at its core. The collection includes wrap around mini skirts, fringed or draped, asymmetrical tops, pea jackets and denim. Isabel’s new cropped skinny 50’s look is teamed with iridescent leather blouses and lurex striped knits.
It has been almost 13 years since French designer Isabel Marant began her own label offering a different style: softly offbeat, simply elegant. She apprenticed at Michel Klein, then launched a line of accessories and jewellery in 1987 before her own clothing label ‘Isabel Marant’ in 1994. Her point of difference was her desire to wear the kind of clothes she wanted but that she could not find. Clothes that are comfortable yet fashionable.
August 9th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Shopping
Baroque pearls are now available in Brown Thomas Dublin. They epitomise Annoushka’s love for distinctive jewellery.
Each pearl is a unique, naturally formed, irregular shape and colour, handpicked and strung to create the perfect combination of colour, tone and texture.
Sensuous to touch, pearls exude a feeling of warmth, and an enduring romanticism that allows them to be enjoyed in different ways over time. No longer perceived as old fashioned, pearls are perfect to wear from day to night, with jeans or a black cocktail dress.
Annoushka loves layering her baroque pearl necklace with a yellow gold Infinity chain and amulets from our Mythology collection; a wonderfully eclectic, fresh way of wearing these timeless pieces.
August 9th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Shopping
From Pink Ecstasy to Tokyo Corals, Giorgio Armani’s 2010 Collection is vibrating with colour. Inspired by Tokyo, the city where the fusion of traditions of the past and the audaciousness of the future opens a new creative landscape.
Bold colours, such as orange, hibiscus, coral and cherry blossom bloom effortlessly from a porcelain complexion bringing a traditional Tokyo colour palette into the now.
Tokyo Corals is a collection of 8 signature sheer lipsticks. Star shade cherry blossom pink n°54 and vibrant tangerine n°55, are complemented with two bright lip shimmers to wear alone or layer over lipstick. For the final flourishing touch, two coordinating nail colours in bright coral and pink.
This Collection is only available in Brown Thomas Dublin and Cork.
August 6th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Shopping
Anyone who saw the authoritative display from Ed McMahon’s Temple Meads in winning the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury can hardly have failed to be impressed, and the juvenile colt’s owner John Fretwell has now set his sights on an even bigger prize with the Group 2 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes at York next month as his most likely target, writes Elliot Slater.
Fretwell has owned some decent horses over the years, especially in the two-year-old division, but he is categorical in his assertion that the son of Avonbridge is easily the best horse he has raced in his well known lime green colours. It would be hard to argue with the visual evidence after Temple Mead’s comfortable win the valuable five furlongs sales event at the Berkshire track this weekend, in which he travelled smoothly throughout before picking up well entering the final furlong to peg back pace setting Bold Bidder to score by a length and land the £98,000 first prize.
In view of the fact that this was only his second racecourse appearance following a win on debut in a Newmarket maiden, there is every reason for horse race betting experts to expect even further improvement for Temple Meads, particularly as he appeared to need every yard of the minimum trip at Newbury and could well be better served by the extra furlong at York.
The colt had been due to take his chance at Royal Ascot in the Coventry stakes but was ruled out with a throat infection, a setback that in the long run might prove to have been a blessing in disguise as he was given more time to strengthen up before his second outing.
Should all go to plan with betting online at York, trainer McMahon is eyeing a possible crack at the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes in October, yet another indication of the high regard in which Temple Meads is held
July 21st, 2010
admin
Posted in: Horse Racing Sports and Leisure
On the evening of July 31st 1994, Laura Davies left Dublin and headed home to her cottage in Surrey. She had just claimed the 30th tournament victory of her professional career, which was precisely what everybody had expected her to do. But more importantly, through an eight-stroke victory at St Margaret’s, she had launched, almost single-handedly, a new phase in the development of women’s professional golf on this island.
Though the Irish Ladies Open has been absent from the Ladies European Tour’s schedule since its last staging in 2004, it will be returning next July to Portmarnock Links as a consequence of a five-year deal which also involves the staging of the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle, Co Meath, in 2011. In considering the anticipated impact of these developments more than a decade on from that July evening, the name of Laura Davies jumps to the forefront of our minds, once more.
So, Alison Nicholas will forgive us if her choice as captain of the Solheim Cup team for Chicago in 2009 was welcomed here, not for the obvious reasons. For the hope is that when the biennial event comes to Ireland two years later, Laura must now be a clear frontrunner for the captaincy. Which is what the organisers at Killeen Castle secretly desired when they secured the event towards the end of 2006.
Nicholas, the 1997 US Women’s Open champion, has paid her dues as a distinguished member of victorious Solheim Cup teams and as vice captain in 2003 and 2005. And she also won the Irish Open by a sparkling eight strokes on her debut in the event at City West in 1996. Indeed it proved to be her last European success.
Interestingly, her presence there was greatly influenced by Davies, her Solheim Cup partner, who had been Irish Open champion in the previous two years. And Nicholas proved her worth with an 11-under-par aggregate of 277, which included a course-record 65 on the Saturday. Davies, who conceded second place to Trish Johnson by a double-bogey at the last, said of the newly-crowned champion: “I told her it was a great tournament.”
Another fascinating performance that weekend came from a young Englishwoman named Allison Shapcott, who carded four birdies to match the winner’s final round of 70. Indeed Shapcott claimed £2,838 for a share of seventh place, five months before her marriage to Paul McGinley who, incidentally, earned no prize money that week, having opted out of the Dutch Open.
Meanwhile Davies, who was born on October 5th 1963, seems determined to continue her playing career. And it would be difficult to blame her, given earnings of $684,000 on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour in the US this year and a victory last August in the SAS Masters in Norway – her first anywhere in over two years.
But she will be nudging 46 by the time the next Solheim Cup comes around and obviously, much will depend on her form in the run up to Chicago. Either way, it seems a safe bet at this stage that the player who did more than anybody to revive women’s tournament golf in this country, will be the Solheim Cup captain in Ireland.
All of which brings me back to a weekend at Woodbrook in October 1993. That was when a remarkable attendance of more than 5,000 turned up on a Saturday for the Ford Challenge, which was little more than a modest, 18-hole event. In such circumstances, the public response staggered the sponsors and lent rich emphasis to the tradition of women supporting their own game, given a reasonably attractive product. On that occasion at Woodbrook, they certainly showed themselves to be far more committed than their male counterparts would ever be.
As it happened, things could hardly have gone better for the two-day tournament, with the weather being unusually kind for that time of year. And the quality of play matched the benign conditions with Sweden’s Carin Hjalmarsson, then a relatively raw, 22-year-old, setting the target in the individual event with a seven-under-par 67. Long and strong, she confirmed the promise of the previous year when she joined Davies in the last round of the English Open.
Her Woodbrook effort meant that Davies, everybody’s favourite, needed to cover the last three holes in one under par for victory, one month after retaining her British Open crown. Pars on the long 16th and short 17th meant that everything hinged on her play of the treacherous, 348-yard 18th, with the notorious railway-line beckoning on the right.
In the event, she hit a two iron downwind off the tee, sending the ball 210 yards safely up the middle of the fairway. Then came a 136-yard wedge to set up the winning birdie. With a stunning 66, she had beaten Hjalmarsson by a stroke. And an indication of the overall quality of the field can be gleaned from the fact that Corinne Dibnah was third, followed by a particularly interesting quartet on 69 _ five under par.
They were Dale Reid, Catriona Lambert, the same Allison Shapcott who was to become Mrs Paul McGinley three years later, and a promising young Swede by the name of Annika Sorenstam. There’s one for the quiz table: when did Annika Sorenstam compete in this country? I suspect even the more enlightened followers of the game would be surprised to discover that it happened in modest circumstances at Woodbrook. Meanwhile, an appropriate Irish flavour was added to the leaderboard by the presence on 70 of Maureen Garner, who has since become a highly respected on-course commentator with the BBC television golf team.
In the team section of the tournament, which had been held the previous day, victory went to the then 19-year-old from Bristol, Caroline Hall, who led her amateur partners to a sparkling score of 130 – 18 under par – for a winning margin of two strokes. Victory was sealed by remarkable figures on the 18th when Hall’s team had a combined score of only five, which was the product of a net eagle two by former Munster Interprovincial Mary Dowling and a net birdie by Marion Cleary from Royal Tara.
The success of this pro-am section reflected much credit on the professionals who happily agreed to play without cash reward. Their big event came on Saturday which carried a fund of £25,000. Significantly, Australia’s Karen Lunn remarked: “We are prepared to do this in the hope it will lead to bigger things.”
It certainly did, to the extent that the LET (then the WPG) eventually succeeded in establishing a long-awaited foothold in the Republic. In came the following July in the form of the £70,000 Women’s Irish Holidays Open and was played at the relatively new St Margaret’s stretch, close by Dublin Airport. This was almost 10 years after the previous staging of the event at Clandeboye, where it was held on October 10th to 13th 1984, with a stunning prize fund of £Stg100,000 under the Smirnoff banner.
As it happened, victory went to the American veteran, Kathy Whitworth, who had celebrated her 45th birthday the previous month. It was her 87th and last tournament win and she beat a distinguished field in which Pat Bradley was tied second, Donna Caponi was tied fourth and Jan Stephenson and Betsy King were tied ninth. And an indication of the size of the prize fund was that Whitworth’s winning cheque of £22,500 was considerably greater than the £18,330 which Bernhard Langer collected as Irish (men’s) Open Champion at Royal Dublin in August of that year.
When the tournament was revived at St Margaret’s victory went, as I have indicated, to the irrepressible Davies who crushed the opposition with rounds of 70,72,69 and 71 for a six-under-par aggregate of 282. And there were resonances of Woodbrook the previous October when Hjalmarsson again finished second, this time in a tie with Helen Wadsworth. Hall was tied fourth.
By her own estimation, it was a very important victory for Davies in that it maintained her record of at least one win per season on the European Tour over a period of 10 years. But as we will discover in the revived Irish Open next July, she had flown the women’s golf flag here, to lasting effect.
Dermot Gilleece
July 19th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Sport Events
Dublin, Tuesday 15 June 2010: The GAA Museum at Croke Park announced a stellar line up for this summer’s Legends Tour Series earlier today, Tuesday 15th June.
Seven GAA heroes, who boast a staggering haul of All-Ireland medals between them, will guide the popular tours series over the summer months. First up is one of Dublin’s greatest GAA stars, Barney Rock. Barney will kick off this year’s inaugural tour on Friday 25th June when he guides lucky GAA fans on a behind-the-scenes tour focusing on his playing career with ‘the Dubs’.
Next to take centre stage in Croke Park is a Meath man who caused Dublin Football fans some heartache throughout his career, Graham Geraghty. His tour will take place on Saturday 10th July.
Saturday 17th July is a bumper day with not one but two legends tours taking place. Former Kerry footballer and holder of a record eight All-Ireland medals, Pat Spillane, will take his stroll down memory lane at 1.30pm and at 2.30pm legendary Wexford hurling manager and motivational speaker, Liam Griffin, will share his GAA memories.
As the championship heats up, Peter Canavan, holder of two All-Ireland medals and one of the most decorated players in Ulster Football, will lead a Legends Tour on Saturday 7th August. Canavan’s tour will be followed on Saturday 14th August by Cork Hurling Legend Dónal O’Grady, who guided the ‘Rebels’ to All-Ireland victory in 2004.
Finally on Saturday 21st August, recently retired Kerry footballer, Darragh O Sé, will feature in the last tour before the All-Ireland finals. Darragh is no stranger to Croke Park featuring in nine All-Ireland finals and winning six.
The Legends Tour Series, which started in 2008, has been a huge success at the GAA Museum, with many fans flocking to the stadium to get a unique ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour from their hurling and gaelic football heroes. These special tours provide GAA fans with an unforgettable opportunity to hear memories and anecdotes from the players and managers and who lit up Croke Park on so many occasions.
All tours include a trip to the newly re-launched GAA Museum. The Museum is home to exclusive exhibits, such as the original Sam Maguire and Liam McCarthy cups.
For more information and the full line up of legends for this summer’s tours visit: www.crokepark.ie/gaa-museum
June 16th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Sports and Leisure
D. Offer writes, Offer is a venture partner in the Facebook IM Chit Chat for Facebook. Chit Chat is a Facebook Chat Client that enables you to send Facebook messages from your desktop.
Dublin is one of the most lively and entertaining cities in Europe, but it also offers a great base from which to explore Ireland as a whole. If you’re interested in discovering the country that exists beyond the capital city, then hiring a car is likely to be central to your plans.
Unlike some other European countries, Ireland doesn’t boast the best public transport network. That’s because large parts of the country still have a rural flavour. As a result, you’ll find that you’ll probably need to drive if you want to get around. Fortunately, this is unlikely to prove a problem.
The great thing about driving is that you can take things at your own pace. You’re not restricted in the way that you might be if you were forced to use a train or a bus. You can stop off at sites that you find particularly interesting. You’ll be able to see far more of Ireland if you travel this way.
There are a number of car hire companies operating throughout the country, but you’ll find that few can compete with Hertz rentals. You may well have already heard of Hertz. They’re a big international company, operating in numerous destinations throughout the world. Despite the size of their business, they are still able to offer a high quality service on a local scale.
You’ll find that you won’t be dealing with a faceless organisation. Instead, you’ll know that you have the reliability of a large business, together with the local knowledge that can be so useful when you’re visiting a new location. They’ll be able to suggest the best routes through the streets of Dublin and beyond!
If you’re interested in making a car hire booking then you can quickly get a quote using the efficient Hertz online booking service. Choose the car that meets your needs, enter the dates that you’ll be visiting and where you’d like to collect the vehicle. You’ll immediately be given a competitive quote and you’ll be able to book online.
They have a number of offices located in Dublin, allowing you to collect your hire car at the airport or in one of their city centre locations. Many people clearly love to have this flexibility. It means that you can have a car for the whole of your trip, or just for a few days.
Hertz vehicles come in all shapes and sizes but one thing that they all share in common is that they offer a comfortable ride. The advantage of booking using such a large car hire company is that help is always at hand. You’ll be given an emergency telephone number, allowing you to quickly contact Hertz from any location in Ireland. This removes many of the worries that are associated with other rentals companies.
The Hertz service is all about providing you with value for money. You’ll be getting a quality car and a range of options. Best of all, you’ll find that you don’t need to pay over the odds. There’s no point paying more money for a level of service that simply can’t compare.
Safe in the knowledge that you’ve secured a fantastic car hire deal, there’s no doubt that you’ll be able to relax and have a more enjoyable holiday. Take a look at what Ireland has to offer. You’ll find that this is a country that has wonderful scenery, friendly people and beautiful contrasts. It would be a shame to miss out!
If you are planning on visiting Dublin at peak times then it makes sense to book ahead. Fortunately, Hertz will do their utmost to ensure that they can help with your car hire requirements. Take advantage of their fantastic online deals to ensure that you have the car hire deal that you deserve. Why settle for anything less than the very best?
June 16th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Transportation Travel & Tourism
Jaye McCaffery ate at Gallagher’s sponsored by the Facebook Chat client Chit Chat. Chit Chat enables it’s users to send Facebook Chat messages from their desktop.
If it’s authentic homemade Irish food you’re looking for, then Gallagher’s Boxty House is the place to visit. This is a restaurant that is as popular with locals as it is with tourists. To sample truly traditional Irish dishes in Dublin, the Boxty House is a must.
Location
20-21 Temple Bar. Gallagher’s Boxty House is right beside the main square making it the perfect spot to start a night out in Temple Bar. Nothing beats an after-dinner wander through the cobblestone streets to absorb the lively atmosphere or perhaps visit some of the surrounding traditional music bars.
Ambience
When you’re welcomed with the phrase ‘Bia, caint, ceol agus craic’ meaning ‘food, talk, music and fun’ you know you’re in for some true Irish hospitality. The Boxty House has the warm feel of a traditional Irish kitchen with its long pine tables, wooden beams and open fire. The staff are friendly and the service is relaxed, yet helpful.
The tunes you’ll hear on the sound system are a laid-back mix of traditional and modern Irish music. Live traditional music is played most weekdays and at weekends and adds to the convivial atmosphere.
The Menu
A choice of Starters includes Irish favourites such as Potato Cake €4.95, Oak-Smoked Salmon €8.95 or Galway Bay Oysters €10.95.
Boxty
So, what exactly is Boxty? It’s a traditional Irish pancake made with finely grated potatoes and cooked on a griddle. Gallagher’s Boxty have been given a modern twist and are presented with a range of fillings to suit everyone’s taste.
The main Boxty dishes are all priced €12.95 and are served with both traditional and contemporary fillings such as Irish Ham and Cabbage in parsley sauce, free-range Chicken in a creamy smoked bacon sauce or slow-cooked Irish Lamb with a yoghurt and mint dressing.
Other Main Courses on offer include Irish Stew and Dublin Coddle, both €13.95. Dublin Coddle is a traditional supper dish similar to a stew. The Boxty House recipe uses sausage and bacon slowly simmered with potato, and seasoned with parsley. Stews and Coddles are also available as starter portions for a reasonable €6.95.
There are excellent Vegetarian options including a Chilli and Cheese Boxty and a Spiced Roast Vegetable Boxty, both priced E12.95.
Other main courses include Sausage and Mash featuring award-winning pork and herb sausages, Fish and Chips the traditional way, and a selection of Steaks. Also offered is a typical Irish culinary dish, Bacon, Cabbage and Champ. Champ is traditional recipe of mashed potato with scallions.
There are Side Dishes of homemade Dumplings (flour and herbs) and an Irish kitchen staple, homemade Soda Bread. Here you’ll find yet another old Irish favourite, Colcannon, a mash of creamed potatoes, cabbage and scallions.
Desserts.
From Poached Pears in Mulled Wine to Bailey’s Cheesecake, the difficulty here is deciding which to choose. An absolute must is the home-made Bread and Butter pudding. There is excellent ice-cream sourced from a Kilkenny family-run farm, who have created such flavours as Baileys and Brown Bread, or Honeycomb and Chocolate Chip. Not to mention a choice of Irish cheeses served with water biscuits and cranberry marmalade. All desserts are E6.50.
There is a selection of French and Italian Wines and also a fully licensed bar from which to enjoy a pint of Murphy’s or a 10 year old single-malt whiskey.
An Evening Value Menu offers a smaller but no less delicious selection of dishes. Two courses are E16.95 or three courses for E20.95.
Note that a 12.5% service charge is added to all bills.
Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch
Can’t make it to Gallagher’s Boxty House for dinner? Then do breakfast! The traditional morning cure after an evening of merriment is the full Irish breakfast and none come fuller than that of the Boxty House.
The Full Irish Breakfast and the Smoked Salmon and Poached Egg are both E10 and are served with Tea or Filter Coffee. The Boxty House is open for breakfast from 9am on weekdays and from 10am for weekend brunch.
If you’re in the Temple Bar area between 12-4pm on a weekday you can’t beat the fantastic Lunch Menu. Beef & Guinness Sausages, Cottage Pie and a selection of Stews and Salads are served in generously sized portions and priced at E5.
There is also a good selection of children’s dishes served before 6pm.
Reservations are taken but book early if possible. The staff are extremely helpful so even if you show up without a reservation, they will do their best to accommodate you. There is wheelchair accessibility. Most major credit cards are accepted.
Open Mon – Fri 9:00 – 23:30 Sat and Sun 10:00 – 23:30
June 16th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Restaurants
The 150th anniversary of the Emirates Melbourne Cup will recognise it’s significance to Australia and the world, while acknowledging the important role Ireland has played in the Melbourne Cup’s 150-year history which is now intrinsically linked to the social and cultural fabric of not only Melbourne, but throughout Australia. This important role is based around our mutual passion for horseracing.
This deep passion has been further fostered by the ongoing strategic partnership between the Victoria Racing Club(VRC) in Australia and The Curragh.
To ensure the recognition of this milestone event, VRC has partnered with a multitude of stakeholders, from federal, state and local government, tourism and trade agencies both nationally and internationally.
The 150th celebrations will focus on the national heritage of the race and the contribution it has made to Australia.
First staged in 1861, the Emirates Melbourne Cup is traditionally central to the psyche of the Australian people. It is “the race that stops a nation.”
Run every year on the first Tuesday in November, the Emirates Melbourne Cup attracts a massive global television audience of more than 700 million people across 120 countries, with millions more either viewing or listening to the event online.
And in 2010, the Emirates Melbourne Cup will cement its position as the richest handicap race in the world by offering record prize money of more than 4.2 million Euro.
The allure of the Emirates Melbourne Cup is that it not only captures the imagination of racehorse trainers, owners, and jockeys, but the national and international sports and culture-loving public.
The 150th Melbourne Cup will be a celebration of past, present and future, which acknowledges the heroic tales, epic battles and significant interweaving of the sport with the social fabric of communities throughout Australia, across the Tasman and around the globe.
The VRC has developed some exciting projects aimed to honour the 150th anniversary, projects that will remain at Flemington for future generations to enjoy.
The first of which will be the development of The Visitors Centre at Flemington Racecourse where the Centre will be a state of the art facility and will allow visitors to experience the excitement of racing all year round. Through interactive technology visitor will be able to experience the history and heritage of Flemington, the Cup and its heroes.
The centre will be the starting and finishing point for the Guided Walking Tour Program, which takes visitors on a tour of the racecourse attractions, highlighting the historic and significant aspects of Flemington.
As the Hollywood Walk of Fame honours the stars of the screen, The Flemington Walk Of Fame will forever immortalise the Melbourne Cup champions of the turf in recognition of their contribution to the great race – including the legendary Phar Lap.
Phar Lap (1926-1932) was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse whose achievements captured the public’s imagination during the early years of the Great Depression. Foaled in New Zealand, he was trained and raced in Australia. Phar Lap dominated Australian racing during a distinguished career, winning a Melbourne Cup, two Cox Plates and 19 other weight for age races. He then won the Agua Caliente Handicap in Tijuana, Mexico in track-record time in his final race. After a sudden and mysterious illness, Phar Lap died in 1932. At the time, he was the third highest stakes-winner in the world.
This Legendary Thoroughbred’s mounted hide is displayed at the Melbourne Museum, his skeleton at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and his heart at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.
Because of the rise of the Melbourne Cup as a famous race running parallel to the rise of Melbourne as one of the great cities of the world, it is fitting that many of Melbourne’s public institutions will join with the VRC to celebrate this milestone occasion with a series of exhibitions, speaker programs and special performances.
Throughout Australia, this milestone will be recognised with a Postage Stamp series featuring the Cup trophy and hero horses, and a commemorative coin will be produced by the Royal Australian Mint.
The 150th Melbourne Cup will also be celebrated through the Arts, a world-class photographic exhibition known as ‘Photo Finish’ will capture an extraordinary and exclusive selection of portraits of prominent owners, jockeys, breeders, celebrities and VIP’s.
Top international photographers have been engaged to photograph these subjects at locations around the globe. Leading Australian trainer, Gai Waterhouse skiing in Aspen, ‘Cups King’ Bart Cummings at his stables in Sydney, world renowned jockey Frankie Dettori in Dubai, and Australia’s own champion jockeys – Damien Oliver surfing at Victoria’s famous Jan Juc Beach, and Glen Boss landing his helicopter on Flemington racecourse and of course, our Irish heroes Dermot Weld and Mick Kinane.
One of the most significant components of the year’s celebrations centres around the most highly recognised sporting trophy in Australia, the coveted Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy.
In the 1930’s, as a result of the Great Depression, the VRC was forced to reduce both the gold content and the size of the trophy itself and it never returned to that beauty and richness of 1930.
It was therefore appropriate that this magnificent trophy that same year, 1930 – was won by the immortal Phar Lap, the horse that has become a folklore hero in Australia.
However, this year, the VRC determined that the 150th running of the race was an appropriate time to reintroduce the proportions of the 1930 trophy.
To commemorate this significant milestone, the VRC is undertaking an ambitious program that will see the iconic Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy embark on a 220-day global tour, taking in 42 separate destinations over seven months, including a massive week of celebrations in Melbourne.
This is the biggest global undertaking of any Australian sporting organisation.
The Emirates Melbourne Cup will be further promoted through the participation of high profile racing, fashion and cultural ambassadors.
Since its beginnings in 1861, the Melbourne Cup has remained a constant in an ever-changing world. Through tears and triumphs, the Cup has cemented its position as a revered sporting, social and cultural event, that continues to play a significant role in defining Australia’s national identity and as a result of this, the 150th Melbourne Cup has received endorsement from the Australian National Commission for UNESCO, acknowledging it as an event of Cultural Significance to Australians.
In this milestone year, we have the opportunity look to recognise not only the champion horses and inspiring stories that make up the Melbourne Cup’s heritage, but to look forward, in anticipation of those incredible tales yet to be captured.
The VRC is extremely proud to be the guardian of this great race, and would like to extend an invitation to each and every person to visit the great city of Melbourne in this milestone year and share in these wonderful celebrations first-hand, as the City prepares itself for the greatest celebration that it has ever seen.
June 11th, 2010
admin
Posted in: General Horse Racing Sports and Leisure
“…Barcelona & Wine…
I was away last week in Barcelona gorging myself on tasty tapas and lovely local vino,
so I’m on a bit of a Spanish wine kick again.
We have a cracking Spanish red on promotion now called PARRELL 2006
Its from the DO Montsant in the hills not far from Barcelona and the wine is an oaky number made from a blend of Garnacha, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It was matured for 9 months in oak and comes in at a fairly healthy 14% alcohol. It’s a big wine for sure and with all those grapes in the mix with the oaky character I’d suggest giving it a good breather. Great with anything meaty really but I’m going to try it this weekend with some Chorizo and Patatas Bravas!
RRP 15.95 PROMO PRICE 13.95!
…Georgian Wines…
Thanks to all the adventurous souls who tried our new Georgian wines.
I was amazed at the positive reaction overall, we ran out of the wines three times in the last few weeks!
If you haven’t tried them give them a go! Something really quite new and different in our little world of wine.
…Talk to us about…
Golf Day Prizes..with the Golf season back in full swing we’ve recently supplied prizes (hampers / wine gifts etc..) for society and company golf days… Feel free to contact us if you have a Golf Day or event coming up. We’re always glad to advise and do a deal!
Wedding Wines..some of the hotels are now allowing people to bring their own wines for the Big Day (with either free or nominal corkage)..We’re glad to advise and assist..Prosecco receptions are the fashionable option on the “glass of fizz” for weddings and our Teresa Rizzi Prosecco is one of the best quality and value we’ve come across.
RRP 11.95 On Promotion 2 for 20euro!!
Party Wines..If you’re having a Birthday / Anniversary or party event we can help on the wine front. We can offer you a deal on volume, supply wines Sale or Returrn and provide wine glasses on loan…Our house Chilean Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc at 6.99 per bottle is hard to beat for barbies on the “good-value” front..
We have some South African wine offers lined up for you next week with the fun of the World Cup on the way..”
-
John McGrath
Nectar Wines
June 9th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Food and Drinks
Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte have returned to the silver screen this month, celebrating girlie fun, fashion and friendships in the highly anticipated ‘Sex and The City 2’ movie.
With the second installment of the cult movie a 5th star is born – the glittering fashion label Halston Heritage available at Brown Thomas.
Halston Heritage is the sister line of the timeless, glamorous and easy to wear Halston label which was resurrected in 2008 by jet-setting stylist Rachel Zoe and shoe queen Tamara Mellon. Halston Heritage now has style icon Sarah Jessica Parker at the helm as Creative Designer, instantly catapulting it into fashion royalty.
The Halston Heritage collection reinterprets Halston’s archival pieces into wearable and affordable creations. Perfectly capturing the energy of the disco era, the collection features classic jumpsuits, sequined disco dresses and ultra-glam maxi-dresses.
Halston Heritage’s iconic styles, which have recently been worn by everyone from Bianca Jagger to Liz Taylor, and off course are featured throughout the new SATC 2 movie, are currently available at Brown Thomas Dublin and Cork.
June 9th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Shopping
Supermodel Jade Parfitt and TV presenter Nicky Hambleton Jones attended the national final of the triumph inspiration awards 2010 in Brown Thomas Limerick.
Sixteen fashion students from the award-winning Limerick School of Art & Design took part in this prestigious design competition which was judged by Supermodel and Vogue.com Presenter Jade Parfitt, Brown Thomas Lingerie Buyer Mary Mullin, Triumph Product Manager Jane Fenlon-Smith and Sunday Independent Fashion Editor, Constance Harris. Acclaimed TV Personality Nicky Hambleton Jones acted as MC on the evening.
Winner on the night was Suzanne Ferncombe from Dungarvan with her incredible “If I were a Boy” creation. In second place was Fiona Nugent from Roscommon with her piece entitled “Contours” and Clare Silke from Galway won the third prize with her design “Elizabethan Elegance”.
Suzanne will go on to represent Ireland at the Triumph Inspiration Awards Global Final in London on September 16th ahead of London Fashion Week.
In London, 27 winning International designs will take centre stage with their multinational view of shapes and silhouettes presenting to the jury of internationally renowned experts from the fields of fashion, design and media.
June 9th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Shopping
We are giving hope to millions of children who are missing good health, food and education, who needs your help to survive. We believe that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress.
UNICEF depends entirely on voluntary contributions for all our works. You can make a difference for children by donation or purchasing UNICEF cards and gifts or voluntary service.
BY DONATION;
You can make financial or material donation to help children who need it most, no amount is too small.
BY PURCHASING UNICEF CARDS AND GIFTS;
Your purchase of our cards and gifts can help improve the lives of children.
BY VOLUNTARY SERVICE;
You can serve as one of our agent in your state to receive material or financial donations made to UNICEF by people within your region.
If you are willing to partner with us in this humanitarian program, we will send you form which you will fill and return to us to enable us accredit you as our agent.
It might interest you to know that you will be paid for your humble service even though your service will not affect your present job in any way.
We will always send a notification email to you whenever there is a donation within your region. All you have to do is to check your email at the end of every day to know if there is any material or financial donation notification within your region.
And when there is donation, We will always furnish you with the information of our office or charity organization where you will send the donation and how you will send it. You stand to benefit 10% of any financial donation you received on our behalf, and in case of a material donation, we will access the value of the material and also pay you 10% equivalent.
Due to our current program running in support of Refugees, Motherless babies and HIV/AIDS children in Africa, we have so many outstanding donors but few agents.
For this application to be processed we’ll need a scan copy of your ID and your Rйsumй, this process takes at least 2 weeks and as soon as you are qualified we will give you a call. And your jobs start immediately. If your applying for this job. We need to know you. Hope to hear from you soonest. So if you are willing to contribute to the work of humanity through this medium, Can we see your Resume first.
June 9th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Uncategorized
Lady Sara Apsley, WFU London Spokeswoman has just published her “Ban the Supermarket Challenge” in an edition of Farmer’s Weeky:
“I have a simple philosophy: we choose how we want to shape our lives, our destinies and the world around us. Our duty is to embrace the challenges in life that move us outside our comfort zone and help us to grow. The challenges we accept and the choices we make are our responsibility. When we make the effort, face the challenges and choose wisely and responsibly, we can bring about big change.
Here’s my challenge … for one month this summer I want everyone of us in this nation to ban ourselves from buying our produce from the big-name, commercialised supermarkets. I challenge you not to buy any of your fruit and veg, meat, poultry, dairy, grains or juices at these massive supermarkets. Instead, look to your local producers. Think ahead with your shopping and go to your local Farmer’s Market, find a Co-op, seek out local producers and use only fresh, in season items in your meal-planning for 1-month.
This a reconceptualisation challenge that moves you outside your normal routine and makes you think about the link between what you consume and how it’s produced. In essence, my “Ban the Supermarket Challenge” is about stripping away the ease and convenience of food-shopping, forcing us to really consider the broader farming issues behind our, heretofore, easily purchased produce.”
June 9th, 2010
admin
Posted in: General
This weekend, Poet and Editor of Southword, James Harpur will host a two-day Poetry Course in the Irish Writers’ Centre. The course will run on the 5th and 6th of June and costs €140. To ensure your place early booking is adviced.
The weekend will be an exploration of what shapes us as poets, what moves us deeply, what we actually write about and how we do it. We will look at the idea that poets fall into different ‘types’.
Using a psychological model based on the theories of Jung and examples of classic poems, different types of poets will be looked at to see where the participants writing fits in. Do you like sensual, visionary, descriptive or philosophical verse, or language that is richly textured and suggestive, like Seamus Heaney’s, or more spare and explicit, like T.S. Eliot’s?
This workshop is suitable for people who have already begun writing poetry and are interested in developing their work further. There will be the chance to write in the class but the main focus will be on critique and discussion. Bring two or three poems that you think are representative of your style. The session will be friendly and fun, yet serious and focused.
For more details and to book click here>>>
Bookings can also be made by calling the Centre at 01-8721302
James Harpur is a poet with four collections of poetry published by Anvil Press: A Vision of Comets (1993); The Monk’s Dream (1996); Oracle Bones (2001); and The Dark Age (2007). He has also published a book of mixed prose and poems called The Gospel of Joseph of Arimathea (Wild Goose, 2007) and a non-fiction introduction to the Christian mystics, Love Burning in the Soul (Shambhala, 2005).
He is the poetry editor of Southword, one of Ireland’s leading literary periodicals, and the Temenos Academy Review, founded by Kathleen Raine. He has won a number of awards, including the 2009 Michael Hartnett Award and the 2008 Arts Council of Ireland Literary Bursary.
Other Courses in the Centre this weekend:
Creative Writing for Beginners with Alan Jude Moore
Travel Writing with Charlie Connelly
June 9th, 2010
admin
Posted in: Special Events
Previous Posts
