From painting to pampering, browsing some artworks and booking new restaurants, here’s some suggestions for the weekend ahead …
Booking: Hyde located on Lemon Street, Dublin 2, has just opened this week and includes a stylish daytime café bar; a sleek bar where guests can enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail or light snack; an Asian-style restaurant led by chef Karl Whelan and an indoor-outdoor terrace with great views of the city. To book visit www.hyde-dublin.com and follow @hyde.ie.
Relaxing at: Eden One’s Day Spa in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, where there are four new spa packages, ideal to banish winter blues and prep skin for the party season. One of these is The Radiance Spa Package which enhances skin radiance with a Citrus Essence Facial and includes a 30-minute massage too. Of course, all visitors have access to the impressive thermal spa facilities and a complimentary lunch in the beautifully designed Member’s Lounge. Prices range from €225-255. To book an appointment or purchase a gift voucher, visit www.edenone.ie.
Wearing: Something from Limerick-based designer Aoife Mc Namara’s gorgeous “Season 8 Rewilding” collection, which is inspired by the Burren and signified by garments made with grey Irish tweed flecked with strands of lime green. The custom tweed is a collaboration with John Hanly Woollen Mills in Tipperary, symbolising the green shoots of life that emerge from the stone pavements. Key pieces include the Burren grey three-piece suit (from €140) and the Irish Burren long coat (€600), available at the Aoife Mc Namara Cottage, Adare, Co Limerick and a special pop-up store opening at Kildare Village from December 5 – February 28; www.aoifemacnamara.com.
Watching: Some comedy at The Laughter Lounge, Eden Quay, Dublin 1, where the play The First Irish Coffee features more than 60 characters, including Winston Churchill and Marilyn Monroe, and spills the beans on whether Dublin or Limerick gave birth to Ireland’s national cocktail. It runs from November 14-26. Tickets are available now on www.FirstIrishCoffee.com, priced at €19.95 each. A complimentary Irish coffee is included in the ticket price.
Checking out: The Fever-Tree Winter Forest at Cafe en Seine, a fabulous city hideaway open for the month of November, perfect for festive cocktails, as well as a perfectly paired food menu. Bookings now open via Café en Seine; www.cafeenseine.ie.
Perusing: Art Source, at the RDS, Dublin 4 from November 11-13. “This event offers visitors the opportunity to purchase a one-off, affordable and original artwork and also the opportunity to meet the artists and hear about their work,” explains show organiser, Patrick O’Sullivan. Highlights include the chance to purchase 100 pieces of original artwork for €100 each on a first-come, first-served basis on November 11. The show will also feature “Source Your Own Art” – a free pop-up art workshop where children are invited to express themselves creatively in response to the art they see at the fair. Admission is €10 adults, with children under 16 free, if accompanied by a parent or guardian; www.artsource.ie.
Visiting: Wonderlights on the grounds of Malahide Castle & Gardens, Co Dublin. This year’s theme is The Night Sky, which is delivered via an immersive light show in the sprawling woodlands of the estate. After taking part in the trail, visitors can visit the Food Village, where food trucks include Sugar Mama BBQ, Creed Coffee & The Rolling Donut and Griolladh – the latter will be serving their legendary grilled cheese sambos. Wonderlights runs until January 3; tickets can be purchased at www.wonderlights.ie.
Reading: For a good cause. This month is the MS Readathon fundraiser – Ireland’s biggest sponsored reading initiative – and there is still time to participate. All funds raised go towards supporting people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and their families. MS is the most common debilitating neurological condition affecting more than 9,000 people in Ireland, and there is no cause or cure. Children, teachers, and adults can get involved in this year’s MS Readathon by registering online, where a host of fundraising ideas, resources and reading suggestions is also available; www.msreadathon.ie.
Getting creative: At one of the fun “Paint & Sip” events taking place around the country, in association with Tanqueray gin. No painting experience is necessary. On arrival, guests will be treated to a Tanqueray gin cocktail, before getting some tips brushstroke techniques and on creating light and depth in your piece. These events are taking place in over 20 venues, from now until the first week of December, including The Jar, Dublin on November 16, 23 and 30; The Bowery, Belfast on November 17; The Imperial Hotel, Cork on November 24; and Arches, Mallow, Cork, on December 8. Each event has limited spaces so tickets should be purchased in advance; www.paintbythepints.com.
Participating in: The Irish Language Literary Festival, (IMRAM), which takes place from November 10-20. Highlights include new spoken word drama Grindr, Cider and Cher on November 17, which features three interwoven monologues, from three LGBTQ+ characters, with three different perspectives on one fateful night at a city queer bar, a Kate Bush retrospective with a difference, as Gaeilge, performed by the ethereal voice of Caitríona O’Leary on Friday, November 18, and multi-media science fiction show, Tinte na Farraige Duibhe, on November 19 directed by Eoin P. Ó Murchú. All events are taking place at Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin. For more information and a full programme visit www.imram.ie.
Planning ahead: And booking “Christmas in the Courtyard”, a fine dining experience taking place in Royal Hospital Kilmainham courtyard, under a huge, heated, glass Orangery. Guests can expect a six course dining experience, designed by Michelin starred chef Danni Barry, an expert wine pairing with each course, iconic live bands and plenty of festive surprises. This event has been co-created by Fergus Farragher of Distinction Events, and events guru Avril Bannerton, who explains: “We have worked so hard to ensure this event will be equal parts remarkably beautiful and sophisticated, as much as it will be super fun and festive. Guests will be greeted with champagne and spiced apple cider upon arrival, as the magical Christmas setting sparkles all around you. We will set the party mood right from the beginning with the lively tempo of bands The Victory Dolls and The Runaways, before a Christmas dinner like you’ve never tasted”. This Christmas party experience runs from November 24 until December 18. Premium dates for corporate, large and small group bookings are available, with prices from €45 per person. For more information visit www.christmasinthecourtyard.ie.
Main featured image: From the new collection by www.irelandseyeknitwear.com.
