Celeb diary
We’re looking at what our favourite stars are up to and events you can’t miss...
Irish singer Dermot Kennedy has been a hot topic following his secret gig on Dublin’s iconic Grafton Street last month, so much so that bookmaker Ladbrokes has experienced a flurry of support for the popular singer to top the Irish charts this Christmas.
They are currently offering odds of 5/1 that Kennedy will secure a Christmas No.1 in Ireland.
■ Love Island’s hunky Welsh heartthrob Liam Reardon jetted into Dublin recently to officially kick off the festive season and celebrate Online Beauty Destination TRNDBTY’S Christmas
Bash at Dundrum Town Centre.
The sexy singleton grabbed his skates and joined guests at Dundrum On Ice for a glide around the frosty rink followed by the Après Skate Party at The Flying Duck Restaurant in Harvey Nichols — Dundrum’s newest glamorous music, food and theatre venue.
Bord Gáis Energy Theatre is thrilled to announce the cast of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel which will have its Irish premiere next summer.
Tessa Peake-jones (Raquel in Only Fools And Horses), Ruth Madoc (Little Britain; Calendar Girls UK Tour) and Paul Nicholas (Jesus Christ Superstar,
Just Good Friends, Eastenders) are to join the cast for Deborah Moggach’s celebrated show, which will run from May 16 to 20, 2023. Tickets from €21.50 are on sale now through Ticketmaster.
He is the director behind some of the most iconic movies ever made, and with some pretty violent scenes, (Goodfellas Gangs Of New York) but Martin Scorsese has revealed how Derry Girls managed to shock him to the core. In an interview he was asked,“what are you watching now? and he replied,“em, I watched the other night, Derry Girls. Those nuns!” Indeed.
TV star Elaine Crowley was amongst the many stars who showed up in their party season best for the exclusive launch night of Christmas
In The Courtyard at
The Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
The glass orangery alone, which all the festive events are housed in, is like nothing Dublin has ever seen before.
After 18,000 man hours and 500 huge panels of glass secured, the construction of the enormous ‘glass mansion’ finished just in time for the starstudded opening soirée.
There will be a total of 25 fabulous and festive events up until
■ Newyear’s Festival Dublin have announced Gavin James with special guests Lyra and Brad Heidi for an unmissable Midnight Moment Matinee on Newyear’s Eve — a very special earlier event for the little ones.
Families and friends of all ages can count down to the Newyear together with entertainment starting at 4pm leading to the earlier countdown spectacle at 7pm. Expect a carnival atmosphere filled with awe and wonder. Tickets for the Midnight
Moment Matinee (Early bird are priced from €7.90 with a family ticket priced €14.90 — with all prices including booking fee) are on sale now from Ticketmaster. And for more information on all that is taking place, visit www.nyfdublin.com.
December 18. Events will cater to almost all interests and budgets, from a girl’s luncheon with Pippa O’connor, to their pinnacle Art Of Dining experiences every Thursday and Friday night, to Bingo Loco welcoming partygoers every Saturday.
There is even a drag brunch with Ireland’s favourite drag queens, Davina Devine and Victoria Secret, which is set to be hilarious.
The jam-packed itinerary of events offers a festive playground of options for all budgets and interests, so to find out more, visit www.christmasin thecourtyard.ie Tv presenter Suzanne Jackson has helped launch Rory, a very special owl toy developed by Dunnes Stores, which helps children to manage their anxiety by teaching them a unique breathing meditation. 100% of the proceeds of this partnership will go to Cliona’s Foundation as Dunnes Stores have kindly supported the costs of developing the soft toy.
Cliona’s Foundation is a unique national organisation providing financial support for families who are caring for a child with a lifelimiting illness. The foundation was set up by Brendan and Terry Ring following the death of their daughter Cliona from an inoperable brain tumour in 2006, aged 15.
Cliona’s have provided financial support to over 1,100 families in Ireland. The inspiration for the Owl came from Chartered Physiotherapist Maurita Delaney who had first-hand experience of the impact of anxiety on children.
The Owl’s eyes can be used as a tool to teach children to focus on deep belly breathing before sleep. Rory is available in Dunnes Stores and online at dunnesstores.com.