Desire Lines: new Irish design, Munster Rugby kicks and a festival of food
Roisín Linnane's Gardenia Taffeta Dress
With 22 years of experience under her very stylish belt, designer Roisin Linnane knows a thing or two about what women want when it comes to dressing for special occasions.
Her current collection has something for everyone regardless of your preferred colour or fabric.
A key fabric for the designer is taffeta which holds its structure beautifully — think coats, dresses, and trousers in coral, shell pink, silver, black, and ivory tones with details such as cap sleeves or box pleats.
Long known for her versatile woven crepe pieces, we love her wide, high-waisted trousers and jumpsuits.
All the pieces are currently made in Naas, Co Kildare, and available in some of Ireland’s most respected stores including Arnotts, Emporium Kalu, Olori, Muse, Kimono, and MacBees. Prices start at €200.
‘Drop Kicks’ take on a whole new meaning when it comes to the collaboration between Munster Rugby star Simon Zebo and Irish designer Barbara Bennett.
Zebo and Bennett have teamed up to create a limited edition collection of exclusive trainers in celebration of the Champions Cup 2024.
You could be in with a chance to win a pair of these exclusive kicks at key match-watching spots today near the Aviva Stadium.
Participating pubs include Searsons, Slatterys, and The Merry Cobbler. Simply order a pint of Heineken or Heineken 0.0 and try your hand at the score prediction game to be in with a chance of winning.
Zebo himself will be visiting the pubs to soak up the atmosphere with rugby fans.
As part of the 40th anniversary of iconic company Rough Magic, theatregoers will be enthralled by Hilary Fannin’s radical adaptation of Maxim Gorky’s Children of the Sun at the Abbey Theatre which premiers today and runs until May 11.
The 1905 dark comedy has been reworked for a modern audience with Fiona Bell, Stuart Campbell, Brian Doherty, and Aislín McGuckin among a stellar cast with direction by Lynn Parker.
Described as “a mordantly comic exploration of one household’s attempts to shelter from the merciless approach of imminent devastation under a tattered blanket of art, beauty and dog-eared love” it seems particularly prescient for the present age.
If it’s even half as gripping as The Abbey’s recent production of Audrey or Sorrow it’s guaranteed money well spent.
Having loved Nuala O’Connor’s novel Nora which was chosen as a Top 10 2021 historical novel by and as the celebrated One Dublin One Book choice for 2022, we’re looking forward to her latest novel Seaborne out this coming Friday.
This is the best-selling author’s portrayal of 18th century Irishwoman Anne Bonny.
A tale of emigration, devastating loss, plunder and piracy, it is set to be a thrilling and sensuous portrait of a young woman out of step with her time and place but never with her heart.
- New Island Books, €16.95.
- nualaoconnor.com
We met Alexandra Zolich back in January at Showcase where we were blown away by the vibrant colour combinations of her felt accessories.
Originally from Poland, she is an artist, designer, and tutor whose designs elevate the practice of felt making by combining fine silk and merino wool to create tactile shawls in a myriad of colours from vibrant neons to muted pastels.
Her designs are stocked at Marion Cuddy’s boutique in Dublin, Weavers of Ireland in Cork, and Amelia’s in Donegal. Prices start at €350.
Many of us love our gardens, allotments, and window boxes but hate the idea of using toxic pollutants as fertiliser or pest control.
Nature Safe uses cold-pressed, hand-harvested seaweed from the west of Ireland to produce natural and organic plant products without the guilt.
Having used these products last summer, this writer can report lush plant growth and beautiful blooms in both pots and raised beds.
The range includes 20 products with everything from lawn to tomato feed. A personal favourite is the pump action organic Indoor Plant Food which is pet and child-safe — no mixing or mess required. Available at leading garden centres and home stores nationwide. From €6.99.
Centred around Dungarvan, The Waterford Festival of Food features more than 80 food events and activities designed to help people connect through, and with, food over three days from April 19 to 21.
From taste tours to kitchen table talks, guest chef demos to foraging trails, sustainability workshops to foodie bus tours, there’s something to suit all tastes.
Key events to note include the Mountain Splendour Taste Tour in the Comeragh mountains, the Behind the Bite photography exhibition, and a guest appearance by iconic British chef Rowley Leigh at The Tannery.
Jerry Fish and his electric side show will launch the festival in style on opening night.
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