Desire lines: The eco-friendly sunglasses for a forward-thinking summer

Plus the 4 week Cork art exhibition in a five-star resort

Sat, 09 May, 2026 - 01:00

The Montenotte, complete with panoramic city views, has launched the Runway Retrospective Afternoon Tea

The afternoon tea

When you’re booking your Devil Wears Prada 2 seat, add another layer to the experience. The Montenotte, complete with panoramic city views, has launched the Runway Retrospective Afternoon Tea. The Sandwich Edit features The “That’s All” Prawn Roll; The Cerulean Cucumber; The Runway Coronation Chicken; and The New York Minute Reuben.

Meanwhile the sweet treats include The First Assistant Macaroon, The Devil’s in the Detail Choux, The Strawberry Socialite Tart, and The Classic Never Fails Battenberg. And the freshly-baked Non-Negotiable Scones are artfully smothered with Glenilen Clotted Cream and Strawberry Jam.

themontenottehotel.com

The sunglasses

Crafted using a mix of recycled and plant-based materials, the new Eco Sunglasses Collection from The Clothing Agency brings trend-led style with forward-thinking environmental credentials to retailers across Ireland this summer.

Available in a palette of versatile neutrals alongside statement hues — from classic black and tortoiseshell to bold seasonal colours — the range spans everything from clean, rectangular frames to softer rounded styles and standout cat-eye silhouettes, offering something for every face shape and style identity. The best part? Each pair comes in at just €29.95.

eco-shades.com

Art + Soul Iat Castlemartyr Resort in Cork.. Picture: Patrick Browne

The art exhibition

Art+ Soul returns to Castlemartyr for four weeks from May 30.

Now in its fourth year, this landmark event sees Castlemartyr Resort transformed into a living gallery, featuring over 350 works from leading Irish and internationally renowned artists, including Dali, pictured, alongside a programme of sculpture, culture, and live performance.

castlemartyrresort.ie

The shop

Normal has opened its doors in Cork city at Queen’s Old Castle. With two stores in Dublin, the Cork launch marks the brand’s third store in Ireland. With more than 100 new products landing weekly, the maze-like store design combines a hybrid of personal care, household essentials, snacks and drinks.

Expect well-known brands like L’Oréal, Maybelline, Nivea, Gillette, Colgate, Garnier, Nescafé, Oreo and Vanish as well as American candy, K-Beauty from South Korea and J-Beauty from Japan, all at fixed low-prices. With more than 100 new products arriving every week, you will find something new at every visit.

normalstores.com

Clontarf Castle is celebrating the history, of George Frideric Handel

The experience

Regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era, did you know George Frideric Handel was a guest of Dublin’s Clontarf Castle during the premiere of his famous work, Messiah, in Ireland? For one night only this May, the castle is celebrating that history, pairing a performance of Messiah with an overnight on its own storied grounds.

Featuring solos from soprano Claudia Boyle, Gemma Ní Bhriain, Rory Lynch and Boyu Liu, and conducted by Elizabeth Hilliard, Handel’s masterpiece will be brought to life in the intimate setting of St. Gabriel’s. The €459 stay includes an overnight for two in a deluxe room, breakfast the next morning, and two tickets to the performance.

clontarfcastle.ie.

Local Street Feasters gather as Street Feast, Ireland’s national weekend of community lunches and gatherings, returns on Saturday and Sunday, May 23rd and 24th 2026.

The festival

Neighbourhoods across the country are being invited to gather together in their streets this May 23 and 24, for Street Feast, Ireland’s national street party weekend. Now in its 16th year, this fun community initiative offers neighbours a chance to come together over food and games; last year 962 neighbourhoods took part, with hopes for 1,200 feasts this year

Register at StreetFeast.ie for your free party pack delivered to their door, stocked with bunting, posters, invitations and a DIY guide. Supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development; the Local Authorities and Tesco Ireland. There’s also the option to collect a pack from one of 20 participating Tesco stores, complete with all the standard goodies, plus sample favourites for the table.

streetfeast.ie

The pop up

The Irish Popup Collective (IPUC) returns to Dún Laoghaire on May 17 with 62 Irish brands and businesses showcasing their summer highlights. The Royal Marine Hotel will host new brands alongside firm favourites bringing brightness for the new season.

IPUC has been running popup events since 2019 with the aim of providing a retail platform for Irish lifestyle brands and businesses that don’t have a dedicated retail space or who trade primarily online. New brands this year include House of Hofu, Stephen Richardson Ceramics and Doctrine Skincare. We love these earrings and cuff from Capulet & Montague.