'Irish Examiner' ieStyle Live event lights up Cork City Hall

Sold-out flagship event welcomed more than 300 people to City Hall

Broadcaster Muireann O’Connell on stage at the Irish Examiner ieStyle event, at Cork City Hall. Picture: Larry Cummins

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026 - 22:30

Denise O’Donoghue

“I never stopped trying, I never gave up. I believe that we're all born desperate to grow towards the light,” was one of the striking statements uttered at a flagship Irish Examiner event on Thursday evening.

Bestselling authors Louise O’Neill and Katriona O’Sullivan spoke at the sold-out ieStyle Live event at Cork City Hall, reflecting on their experiences of poverty, heartbreak, and resilience.

More than 300 people attended ieStyle Live, in association with Energlaze, along with partners Douglas Court, Audi Cork, and CUH Charity, hearing from the organisation's chief executive Jennifer Kearney, who spoke about integrity in leadership.

Dorota and Bartosz Mieszela from Douglas Court Shopping Centre at City Hall, Cork.

“Integrity is not a soft option; it is a leadership struggle. We do not have to choose between success and our principles,” she said.

The evening was hosted by presenter Muireann O’Connell, who delighted the crowd with anecdotes about her Ireland AM cohosts as well as about the event's two Women of Impact speakers.

O’Neill was the first on stage, and spoke about how the end of a long-term relationship triggered a year-long self-discovery and dating journey, which she wrote about in her recent memoir, A Bigger Life.

“I just thought, if I don't take a bit of time, it's not just going to be my heart, it's my brain that’s going to be broken. And so I took the rest of the year off.”

She said a turning point came when she allowed herself to feel anger.

Fashion from Pure at Douglas Court on the catwalk. Picture: Larry Cummins.

“When I gave myself permission to be angry, I realised that I was denying half of my humanity by denying that part of myself,” she said, before detailing a dating experiment she undertook inspired by her father, who urged her to take bigger risks.

“A bigger life, I don't think that that necessarily means being more successful or impressive, but I actually think that it means living a life with more truth, freedom, pleasure, and room for your desires.”

Author of Poor and Hungry, O’Sullivan spoke about the challenges of growing up in poverty, and why she measures personal success in love.

Marks & Spencer fashion on the catwalk at ieStyle Live at City Hall, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

“Poverty robs people of the ability to feel safe enough to love and be loved, and I'm so proud that I've been able to escape that destiny and find someone who loves me,” she said.

“I woke up every day of my childhood hungry, not just for food — I was hungry for someone to give me hope, or someone to tell me that was valuable, or to teach me how to regulate my emotions.”

O’Sullivan, now a university professor with a PhD, spoke about the power of support and belief: “I was believed in, I was told I was great, and there were paths created for me.”

Guests at the event enjoyed a drinks reception followed by a three-course dinner by Gather and Gather, during which a fashion show curated by stylist Corina Gaffey highlighted some of the latest offerings in Irish stores.

Photographer Larry Cummins swaps jobs with DJ Stevie G at the Irish Examiner ieStyle live event at Cork City Hall.

Hair stylist Pam Morrissey from Sobe Brown and makeup artist Sarah Cummins also styled the models, who wore brands including Kildare Village, Meadows & Byrne, Brown Thomas, Opera Lane, and 4th Arq, as well as local Cork boutiques like Pure Boutique, Samui, Love Cherish, Silk Peaches, and Phoenix V.

Guests, who each received a goody bag worth over €100, were also dressed to impress, and fashion editor Annmarie O’Connor chose the Dressed with Personality winner, who received a €1,000 Douglas Court gift card.

Giveaways on the night included an original painting by Doireann Healy of Begley & Bowie in Kenmare worth over €1,000, as well as a range of beauty, lifestyle, and travel prizes.