News

PREM GROUP ENGAGE AWARDS AT TULFARRIS HOTEL AND GOLF RESORT Irish owned and run hospitality giant, PREM Group which owns and operates over 50 hotels across Ireland, the UK, Belgium and France celebrated excellence in hospitality at an awards ceremony and dinner at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort in Co. Wicklow (3rd October).  The awards, which were attended by 170 people were part of the company’s ‘ENGAGE’ programme which encourages group wide entrepreneurialism at all levels within the company.  The programme is the brain child of the group’s HR Manager (UK & Ireland), Sarah Marr and began in the early part of this year by inviting employees to submit ideas and suggestions on how business, services, products and employee wellbeing can be improved across the group. 35 teams were registered as participating in ENGAGE projects throughout the year with 8 teams making it to the final.  The Aspect Hotel in Kilkenny came out on top […]

Stars from the entertainment world joined Oscar-nominated film maker, Jim Sheridan on the red carpet last night (5th Oct) at the Irish Film Institute for the fifth edition of the Dublin Arabic Film Festival Presented by Dubai Duty Free. The festival, which runs from Friday October 5th to Sunday October 7th, features six of the best new movies from the Arab world.  One of the key themes of this year’s Dublin Arabic Film Festival is the championing of female filmmakers, a theme that carries through many of the films. Among the stars who joined Jim Sheridan and DAFF festival Director, Zahara Moufid on the red carpet were Game of Thrones star, Liam Cunningham, Love/Hate writer Stuart Carolan, actress, Neili Conroy and director, Terry McMahon. Sinead El Sibai, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Dubai Duty Free flew in from Dubai to represent the presenting sponsor of the festival, Dubai Duty Free. The airport retailer has […]

Irish hockey sensation Elena Tice has starred in a global sports show which was recently shown on Sky Sports (Sun, 30th September) and has now been distributed to broadcasters in over 100 countries by the International Cricket Council (ICC).  The feature was part of ICC’s flagship, magazine style programme, ‘ICC Cricket 360°’ and will continue to be aired all around the globe over the next few weeks.   The magazine style show is watched by millions of cricket fans in over a hundred countries, including Ireland, The UK, The USA, Australia, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Oman, Netherlands, China, Nepal, Hong Kong, and even non-traditional cricketing nations such as Papua New Guinea and Rwanda. The show brings fans the latest cricketing news and interesting insights into the players and their lives. Tice was a member of the Irish Women’s Hockey team which created history by making it all the way to the Hockey World Cup final in London […]

Headline statistics 47% of Irish people surveyed said they felt that their bank put pressure on them to take out their mortgage protection policy with them. 74% of Irish mortgage holders have taken out mortgage protection with a bank. 57% of Irish mortgage holders were not told by their bank that they were perfectly entitled to shop around and buy their mortgage protection cover elsewhere e.g. with an independent broker. 69% of Irish people were not aware, when taking out their mortgage protection, that the banks are only connected to one life insurance company i.e. they do not cover the whole market. 55% of mortgage holders had been offered ‘additional benefits’ by their bank even if they had demonstrated no interest in any other bank offering apart from mortgage protection. 89% of Irish people said they would switch their mortgage protection cover to another provider if it were cheaper, gave sizable savings and ensured no […]

Oscar- nominated film maker, Jim Sheridan and Festival Director Zahara Moufid’s fifth annual Dublin Arabic Film Festival (DAFF) will open on Friday, October 5th at the Irish Film Institute (IFI) in Dublin’s Temple Bar.  The festival, which runs from October 5th-7th has been developed in partnership with the IFI and is again presented by Dubai Duty Free. This year’s festival will include six films, five of which will be shown at the IFI and one at the Chester Beatty Library at Dublin Castle.  Films showing over the festival at the IFI include the opening film Looking for Oum Kulthum, Shirin Neshat and Shoja Azari’s drama about Oum Kulthum, the legendary Egyptian singer and diva, Amr Salama’s Sheikh Jackson and Ziad Doueiri’s The Insult will screen on Saturday, October 6th, while Karim Moussaoui’s Until the Birds Return and Tala Hadid’s House in the Fields will screen on Sunday 7th.  The Chester Beatty Library (CBL) will also […]

Halloween will be coming around in no time and taking a trip to the stunning Lyrath Estate with all the family for a luxurious two-night break is an ideal way to spend the midterm break. Located just 1.5km from the Medieval city centre of Kilkenny, Lyrath Estate’s 170-acre grounds offer families the perfect destination for a short break away where they will have access to everything they could possibly want on site. Lyrath Estate will run a number of events from October 29th-31st to celebrate one of the most anticipated times of the year. There will be a complimentary bat walk on Tuesday October 30th which will be ran by an expert from Bat Conservations Ireland on site, giving residents the chance to discover how to find bats and what kind of habits they have. The Bat Walk will be both educational and entertaining for adults and children alike with a bat expert explaining what […]

English golfer Mark Young (Longridge Golf Club) won the PREM Group Irish Masters at the stunning Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort in Blessington, Co Wicklow, after a thrilling three-way playoff on Friday.   Finishing on -9 after three rounds, Young found himself alongside Ashley Mansell (Clevedon Golf Club) and Tomasz Anderson (Centurion Golf Club) in a playoff on the par 4 18th. Young held his nerve to par the playoff hole while Anderson and Mansell bogeyed, claiming the first place prize of £10,000.   There was a thrilling finish on the final regulation hole as Anderson, the leader on -11, double-bogeyed to give Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin Golf Club) the opportunity to sneak in and take victory. The Dubliner was on -10 going onto the 18th, but he landed in the bunker to the left of the green and then missed a presentable shot for a bogey to finish the tournament on -8 and miss […]

International hotel management company PREM Group has secured the purchase of the well-known Aspect Hotel in Kilkenny. The Irish owned hotel management and hospitality group has strengthened its growing property portfolio by acquiring the property which it has been leasing and running since it opened in 2006. The 80-bedroom hotel is located just five minutes’ drive from Kilkenny city centre on the N10 Ring Road which surrounds the city, making it a popular location for meetings, corporate stays and leisure breaks.  The hotel currently has four conference and meeting rooms, bar and restaurant along with 80 guest bedrooms.   Following the purchase of the property, PREM Group plan on investing more than €1 million into an extensive refurbishment of the Aspect Hotel. The refurbishments, which will be done under the guidance of celebrity architect Hugh Wallace, will see upgrades made to the lobby, bar, restaurant, meeting rooms and some of the bedrooms.   This is […]

The 11th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby took place at the Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare on Saturday (30th June) amid glorious sunshine. The festival and day, which is sponsored by one of the world’s leading airport retailers, Dubai Duty Free was a great success, filled with fantastic racing, fashion and fun. Brothers Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien combined for an historic Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby success when Latrobe came out on top of a terrific finish.  Joseph O’Brien, who won the race on Australia and Camelot as a jockey, was providing his younger brother with his first win in the race and in turn, they denied their father Aidan a 13th Irish Derby success with his contenders Rostropovich and Saxon Warrior a close up second and third. O’Brien was training the winner for Lloyd Williams, who had also teamed up with the young trainer to win the Melbourne Cup last November. Meanwhile, Colm McLoughlin Executive […]

Dubai Duty Free, the title sponsor of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted a spectacular party in the private gardens of the Ballyliffin Lodge Hotel on the Friday night of the Ireland’s national golfing tournament. Set under magnificent tipis, the stage was set for an incredible night of food, music and entertainment. The magnificent gardens enjoy spectacular views across the Inishowen peninsula, and, thanks to its elevated position far above the sea level, guests were treated to an amazing spectacle where the sea meets the Donegal sky. The party was hosted by Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, Colm McLoughlin, and his wife Breeda McLoughlin together with Senior Vice President of Marketing at Dubai Duty Free, Sinead El Sabai, and her husband Jihad. Guests in attendance included Russell Knox, who two days later was crowned winner of the tournament, along with Paul McGinley, Gavin Moyihan, Dylan Frittelli, Rafa Cabrera Bello and […]

The International Hotel Management Company PREM Group hosted a charity golf event today (12th June) at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort in aid of the company’s nominated charity, ‘Beyond the Moon.’ Over 40 teams of four people tee’d off at the Wicklow golf resort in a bid to take ‘Tulfarris golfing glory’ whilst also raising much needed funds for Beyond the Moon, a children’s charity which helps raise funds to send children with a life threatening illness and their families on a much-needed holiday. PREM Group has been supporting Beyond the Moon for 13 years and in that time has raised sufficient funds to send 44 families on a holiday of a lifetime. Beyond the Moon offers families with a seriously ill child the opportunity to enjoy a memorable, cost-free holiday in a child-friendly environment and to spend carefree quality time together, far away from hospitals and treatments. This year’s edition of the golf classic also featured […]

Hugh Wallace celebrity architect and star of RTE’s ‘The Great House Revival’ and ‘Home of the Year’ has brought his flair and design intuition to the new Osprey Spa in Naas, Co. Kildare.  Hugh, together with his colleagues Damian Meehan and Katie Jakkulla were tasked with creating a space that would become an urban retreat at the Osprey Hotel. Over €1.2 million has been spent on the spa to create a place that will revive and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul.  The brief was to create an urban sanctuary using natural materials and textures and to bring elements of nature inside so that guests could really leave the stresses of modern life at the door.  “We wanted the spa to feel like a real retreat but didn’t want it to feel forced or contrived so we took our inspiration from the natural Irish landscape and used the colours and textures that are readily seen […]

Newbridge Silverware is set to attract an additional 100,000 tourists to the iconic visitor attraction with the launch of a new factory tour this June. The Kildare based lifestyle company has been making quality sterling and silver plated tableware at its Newbridge factory since it was first established in 1934 as “The Newbridge Cutlery Co”. It is now the only facility of its type in Ireland and the UK and there are few of its kind anywhere in Europe. For the first time in its history, the factory will be open to the public who will be able to see first-hand the intricate craft of creating quality sterling silver and silver plated tableware as well as the many jewellery and gift items which Newbridge Silverware is renowned for worldwide.   The tourism investment will create an estimated 10 new jobs over the coming months and follows an investment of over €300,000 by the company into enhancing its […]

Racing, fashion, Top Hats and Pimms, Royal Ascot vibes were certainly felt at the boutique racetrack on Sunday for Naas Racecourse’s Royal Ascot Trials Day & Ladies Day featuring the Goffs Lacken Stakes. Keeping in mind the fashion theme of the day, ‘A touch of Royal Ascot’, stunning County Down woman Charlene Byers was announced as the Best Dressed Lady. Charlene wowed the judges with a stunning white cape from Lavish Alice and a beautiful hat from milliner Laura Hanlon. It was certainly a prize worth winning and one that was much sought after by the large number of Ladies who entered the Best Dressed Lady competition, as Catriona and 19 of her friends or family will be treated to a lavish night away and dinner in the historic Palmerstown Manor. Catriona will be given the opportunity to add some fabulous outfits to her wardrobe after also winning a €1,000 spend at Kildare Village. The feature race on the […]

The PREM Group owned, Osprey Hotel in Naas is set to unveil its brand new €1.2 million spa in early June.  The spa has been designed by celebrity architect and star of RTE’s Home of the Year, Hugh Wallace of Douglas Wallace Architects.  The brief was to create an urban sanctuary using natural materials and textures in order to bring elements of nature inside and to create a space where guests could really leave the stresses of modern life at the door.  Stretching over 10,000 sq ft the spa is set over three floors with the thermal suite offering a range of heating experiences including a dry floatation bed, double and single seaweed baths, Rasul Chamber, heated, mosaic, free standing stone loungers and a Salt Grotto.  Meanwhile, two distinctly different relaxation rooms will offer guests a wonderful space to relax either pre or post treatment.  The Light Relaxation Room features a complete wall of glazing […]

Kildare-based public relations firm O’Brien PR has been nominated for a Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) award for their work on a PR campaign for Newbridge Silverware. The company, founded and managed by Aileen O’Brien, looked after the promotion of the ‘Diana: A Fashion Legacy’ exhibition that opened last July 31st. The work on that campaign has been acknowledged by being shortlisted for the Awards for Excellence, with the winners being revealed at a gala luncheon in the Shelbourne Hotel on Friday June 22nd. This campaign promoted the Princess Diana exhibition at the Museum of Style Icons. The campaign told the story of how Princess Diana left a lasting fashion legacy to the world while promoting the fact that several of her iconic garments and personal effects were on display at the museum at Newbridge Silverware. The success of the campaign meant that more than 20,000 people visited Newbridge Silverware in the first week […]

There are only 24 hours in each day, so why not pack every ounce of luxury and relaxation into every minute by enjoying a 24-hour getaway to Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny. The exquisite hotel, set on 170 acres of lush parkland just five minutes from Kilkenny city centre, provides the ultimate setting for an intimate getaway with a partner or friend. Sometimes you just can’t get away for more than a night, so why not make the very most of a short getaway to one of Ireland’s most exclusive hotels that will help you unwind. Lyrath Estate’s ’24!’ package brings you all the best that the recently renovated destination has to offer. From just €140pps, guests are treated to a 25-minute spa treatment where they can choose from one of six options at the award-winning Oasis Spa, and they will also have access to the stunning Thermal Suite. Once you are relaxed and limber after […]

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Padraig Harrington launches The K Club Irish PGA Pro Am 5th-6th May Irish golfing hero and three-time major winner, Padraig Harrington helped launch The K Club Irish PGA Pro AM competition on the famous Ryder Cup Course at The K Club in Straffan, Co. Kildare today (12th April). The tournament will run over 2 days, the 5-6th of May when teams made up of three amateurs and one Irish PGA Professional will battle it out for golfing glory on both of The K Club’s Championship Courses, The Ryder Cup Course and The Smurfit Course, home to several European Opens.  A prize pot of €20,000 is up for grabs for the leading Irish golf Professionals while the amateurs can win some stunning prizes including canteens of cutlery for the winning team, courtesy of Irish lifestyle company, Newbridge Silverware. Over 120 amateur golfers people will play in the tournament alongside some of […]

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TV Personality, Anna Daly announced as Naas Racecourse’s Ladies Day Ambassador and Celebrity Fashion Judge Glamorous television personality Anna Daly has been unveiled as the official style ambassador for the Naas Racecourse Ladies Day which will be taking place on Royal Ascot Trials Day, Sunday May 20th. The TV3 presenter, known for her work on the Saturday AM and Sunday AM shows, was on hand to officially launch one of the biggest fashion events of the racing calendar, on Wednesday morning May 2nd at a glamourous fashion brunch in Kildare Village. It was also revealed that the theme of the day will be ‘A touch of Royal Ascot’, which is certainly in vogue now due to the upcoming nuptials between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and the recent birth of Prince William’s and Kate Middleton’s Royal Baby, Prince Louis. A prize befitting of royalty will also be on offer for […]

Michael McDermott (Grange Golf Club) captured the The K Club Irish PGA Pro-Am title on Sunday afternoon as he carded successive rounds of 67 to finish two shots clear of his closest challenger.   The Kildare venue was blessed with glorious sunshine throughout the two-day event, as an impressive field including some of Ireland’s best PGA professionals fought it out for the €20,000 first prize.   Eamonn Brady (Clontarf Golf Club) finished two shots back on eight under par for the tournament, but it was the Dubliner who set the early pace when he opened with an impressive round of 66 to share the lead with Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge Golf Club) after the first day. McDermott shot a 67 while playing the Smurfit Course, but he was well placed to make his move come Sunday.   The action played out in thrilling style across the Palmer Ryder Cup Course on day two, with McDermott opening […]

The Osprey Hotel is where it’s at before and after the races once again this year, with the 4-star hotel in Naas lining up another fantastic week of entertainment to coincide with the Punchestown Festival.   There will be expert racing tips each day before the races at a brunch with jockey Robbie Power and Leon Blanche of Boylesports, while punters can chill out after their big day out back at the hotel with some excellent entertainment each night. A complimentary shuttle bus will be running regularly each day from the hotel to the track before and after the races, meaning you won’t miss a trick on the track or a beat on the dancefloor.   Jockey Robbie Power, last year’s winner of the Punchestown Gold Cup on board Sizing John, will be joining Leon Blanche of Boylesports each afternoon at 12.30pm before the races to give the best of his inside knowledge on some […]

Easter is the perfect time to take a breakaway after the long few winter months, and the tempting offer from The Five AA Red Star K Club in Straffan, Co. Kildare, is one not to be passed up.   There are ample places to see within a short drive of The K Club, and as part of their Easter package families will be given passes to either Dublin Zoo, Tayto Park or the Irish National Stud. All three destinations are within a 30-minute drive of The K Club, making it the ideal location to base all your family’s Easter activities from.   A visit to the Irish National Stud in Kildare is highly recommended. Based on the Curragh and close to Kildare Village, kids will get the chance to gaze their eyes on some of the newborn foals along with some of the finest breeding horses in Europe. The Japanese Gardens are also part of […]

  Two of Kildare’s finest rugby exports were on hand to help officially open Educogym in Naas on Friday, January 29th, in what was a day of great entertainment and education for everyone who comes along. Kill duo Adam Byrne and James Tracy, both of whom played for Ireland in the November win over Argentina, took time out of their busy schedules to officially launch the gym. Along with the two Leinster stars, the KFM outside broadcaster was also there on the day to cover all the events and to talk to some of the members of the gym, and, of course, CEO of Educogym, Jamie Myerscough, and gym manager Terence Berry. There was plenty of fun on the street as Superman and Wonder Woman made an appearance, and there was also a strength test game as members of the public tested  their power on the giant ‘Hammer Strike’ game. The theme of the event […]

Lorna Doogue, from Ballyharmon in Co. Carlow was declared the Best Dressed Lady at The Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle at Naas Racecourse on Sunday, January 7th. Lorna owns her own boutique in Kilkenny called Lady Lorna Designer Emporium and was wearing a cape from her mother’s fashion line, Lorna Doone Design.  Her hat was by Kildare milliner, Michelle Fallon Millinery. The prize for the best dressed lady was a €2,250 Raymond Weil watch, courtesy of Hugh Statham Jewellers who sponsored the fashion competition on the day.   The 5,217-strong crowd watched the Willie Mullins-trained Next Destination win the Lawlor’s of Naas Grade 1 Novice Hurdle under jockey Paul Townend. It was the second time that the promising six-year-old has won on this track in the space of two months, having previously won a maiden hurdle at Naas in November. Mullins will now look to aim the impressive winner at the Cheltenham festival in March, […]

International hotel management company, The PREM Group, are preparing to enter the final phase of a major €6.5 million redevelopment of their latest acquisition, Cahernane House Hotel in Killarney. Purchased by the PREM Group in 2016, Cahernane House Hotel has undergone extensive renovations over the past 18 months in a bid to return the luxury mansion house to its former glory, though the work has been carried out with a sympathetic eye on keeping many of the original styles of the house.   The latest part of the project, estimated at a cost of €3 million, will result in a major refurbishment of all 26 rooms in the Garden Wing, while the Cellar Bar and lobby will also receive complete makeovers. The doors of the 4-Star fine manor house hotel will be closed throughout January and March to allow for the renovations.   The initial phases of work carried out by the PREM Group began […]

Easter is the perfect time to take a breakaway after the long few winter months, and the tempting offer from The Five AA Red Star K Club in Straffan, Co. Kildare, is one not to be passed up.   There are ample places to see within a short drive of The K Club, and as part of their Easter package families will be given passes to either Dublin Zoo, Tayto Park or the Irish National Stud. All three destinations are within a 30-minute drive of The K Club, making it the ideal location to base all your family’s Easter activities from.   A visit to the Irish National Stud in Kildare is highly recommended. Based on the Curragh and close to Kildare Village, kids will get the chance to gaze their eyes on some of the newborn foals along with some of the finest breeding horses in Europe. The Japanese Gardens are also part of […]

The first major fashion day of the Irish racing calendar in 2018 takes place at Naas Racecourse this Sunday when the Winter Ladies Day is hosted at the Kildare track. Along with some top horse racing action, there will be plenty of competition off the track as the Hugh Statham Goldsmith & Jewellers-sponsored Winter Ladies Day will provide some exquisite prizes for those who are selected as the best dressed. The prize for the winning lady will be a stunning Raymond Weil watch worth more than €2,250, while there are also bracelets worth €190 each for the four runners up in the fashion competition, bringing the total value of the prizes to over €3,000. All prizes have been kindly sponsored by Hugh Statham Goldsmith & Jewellers, who is a boutique independent retailer based in Naas. The well known jewellers sells one of a kind jewellery that is impossible to get anywhere else, ensuring originality as […]

The O’Loughlin family run, four-star Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, Co. Kildare has just completed a €3 million renovation programme which has seen some major works taking place both in and outside the well-known Kildare property. The renovation programme started 18 months ago when a new Honeymoon Suite was created and many of the bedrooms were completely refreshed.  The entrance avenue was also redesigned and replanted and a new wedding garden was created in order to add a new dimension to the existing wedding offering at the hotel. The latest addition to the famous Kildare property is ‘The Atrium Lounge & Cocktail Bar’, a contemporary drawing room in the heart of the hotel.  This elegant lounge enjoys light streaming in from both sides of the room through 15ft sliding glass doors and a 16-foot pyramid shaped glass ceiling which facilitates views to rolling clouds and the skies above.  The space itself has been cleverly reimagined and […]

A wedding day should be the most unforgettable day of any couple’s lives, and picking the right venue to celebrate that special occasion is the largest item to check off the ‘to-do list’ during the planning phase. Cahernane House Hotel is the type of venue that will make that decision very easy as your wedding day will be turned into the most luxurious and elegant occasion imaginable. Envisage having a spectacular historic Manor House to celebrate the most special day of all, with your closest friends and family. Located in the heartland of Kerry, Cahernane House Hotel offers everything you could possibly dream of on your big day. Stunning mountain tops and the vast Killarney National Park provide a breath-taking backdrop, while the lush gardens present a perfect place for capturing those wedding photographs that will be cherished forever. Ideally placed between Killarney National Park and the town centre, Cahernane House Hotel is truly a […]

  Naas Racecourse will once again host the first major National Hunt race of the new year in Ireland when the Grade One Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle goes to post at Naas Racecourse on Sunday January 7th.  The launch of the premier race was held last night at Lawlor’s Hotel, Naas and was attended by some of the leading names in Irish horseracing including trainer, Willie Mullins, jockey Jack Kennedy, amateur jockey and assistant trainer Kate Harrington, jockey Katie Walsh, Naas Racecourse Chairman, Dermot Cantillon, Meta Osborne, Senior Steward of the Turf Club and Tom Ryan, Manager of Naas Racecourse. Another strong field of high calibre horses is expected for this prestigious event, with previous winners Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins set to put forward many of their top novice hurdlers. The €90,000 prize fund could have a major impact on the standings in the trainers’ championship at the end of the season. Elliott […]

A wedding day should be the most unforgettable day of any couple’s lives, and picking the right venue to celebrate that special occasion is the largest item to check off the ‘to-do list’ during the planning phase. Cahernane House Hotel is the type of venue that will make that decision very easy as your wedding day will be turned into the most luxurious and elegant occasion imaginable. Envisage having a spectacular historic Manor House to celebrate the most special day of all, with your closest friends and family. Located in the heartland of Kerry, Cahernane House Hotel offers everything you could possibly dream of on your big day. Stunning mountain tops and the vast Killarney National Park provide a breath-taking backdrop, while the lush gardens present a perfect place for capturing those wedding photographs that will be cherished forever. Ideally placed between Killarney National Park and the town centre, Cahernane House Hotel is truly a […]

The O’Loughlin family run, four-star Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, Co. Kildare has just completed a €3 million renovation programme which has seen some major works taking place both in and outside the well-known Kildare property. The renovation programme started 18 months ago when a new Honeymoon Suite was created and many of the bedrooms were completely refreshed.  The entrance avenue was also redesigned and replanted and a new wedding garden was created in order to add a new dimension to the existing wedding offering at the hotel. The latest addition to the famous Kildare property is ‘The Atrium Lounge & Cocktail Bar’, a contemporary drawing room in the heart of the hotel.  This elegant lounge enjoys light streaming in from both sides of the room through 15ft sliding glass doors and a 16-foot pyramid shaped glass ceiling which facilitates views to rolling clouds and the skies above.  The space itself has been cleverly reimagined and […]

Irish ICT company, Nostra has landed a €500,000 contract with Oasis Document Storage as they continue to grow their business amid a large acquisition drive for the Lucan-based company.  This is the latest contract win for the progressive ICT company which is currently working on raising €3 million in funding as part of an acquisition drive this year to further expand their services throughout Ireland. Nostra was founded by Kevin O’Loughlin, Gary Byrne, Senan Finucane and Barry O’Loughlin in 2006 and has grown rapidly in the last number of years from just four staff in 2006 to 75 people in 2017.  50 new positions will be filled over the next three years. Nostra currently look after the IT requirements of Dawn Farm Foods, Boylesports and aviation giant, Avolon.  Oasis Document Storage currently has offices in 30 locations across six countries and manage information for over 5,000 clients. The company holds over 15 million barcoded files […]

Naas’s landmark Osprey Hotel recently revealed their new restaurant Herald & Devoy, and celebrated Irish architect Hugh Wallace of acclaimed architecture firm Douglas Wallace, was behind the astounding revamp. The 130-seater restaurant space was the vision of Hugh, who is best known for his work on RTE’s Home of the Year show. Offscreen Hugh, who has over 30 years’ experience in the interior design and architectural industry, is lauded for his sense of style and taste as well as the standout projects he is behind. Hugh’s outstanding talent is reflected in the way he has transformed the Osprey’s former brasserie and lobby into the light-drenched and comfortably modern space that is Herald & Devoy. The outcome is a relaxed, airy eatery, flooded with natural light and anchored with luxurious leather booths and a stunning mosaic cocktail bar. The new look restaurant and lobby area is completely open plan and contains a bar at its heart […]

Hairdresser to the stars of the theatre and small screen, Matthew Keating has joined the team at Neeba Hair & Beauty in Newbridge, where he is now a Senior Stylist, specialising in cutting, colour and gents styling.   Matthew brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the salon as he has worked in the industry for more than 25 years. Having learned his trade at Valentino in Dublin, his career has taken him all over Ireland where he successfully ran salons throughout the country for a major hair dressing chain before going on to run his own salon in Kildare Town. Matthew has also worked his magic on the hair of several well-known RTE actors, The Rose of Tralee and was the hairdresser of choice for the Gaiety Theatre over the years. “I’ve been busy over the last 13 years running my own businesses and looking after salons all over the country, but going to […]

Your search for the ideal Christmas gift is over as Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny has released an extensive range of gift vouchers for fabulous weekends away, afternoon tea delights or relaxing spa retreats. Buying a monetary voucher to give someone the choice of one of the many delights that Lyrath Estate has to offer is rewarding not only for the recipient, but those who purchase a voucher worth more than €500 will be treated to their own gift of a ‘Deluxe Pamper Me package with Afternoon Tea’. A range of packages that cater for two people staying for bed and breakfast are available, including the ‘Have It All’ package.  This fabulous deal features an early check-in, a two-course lunch in Tupper’s Bar, a 30-minute spa treatment for each person, dinner that evening and bed and breakfast and is priced from €299. Winter Warmer midweek offers start from just €155 per person sharing and include two […]

As featured in the Kildare Post and on KildareNow Representing the world’s largest airport retailer and some of Ireland’s most well-known brands and events, the success of local company O’Brien PR has continually grown throughout the firm’s 14 years in business. When Aileen O’Brien first established O’Brien PR in 2003 it was a small firm with big ambitions, and it wasn’t long before those ideals began to come to fruition and she established the company as one of Ireland’s leading public relations firms. When the world’s largest airport retailer, Dubai Duty Free, came calling in 2006 to take on the job of helping to run their sponsorship of the Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh, the early impressions made were obviously positive as the firm has ran the public relations campaign of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby ever since the airport retailer took over the title sponsorship of the historic race in 2008. This year […]

14 riders are preparing for the last leg of the hugely exciting Corinthian Challenge Series which takes place at Leopardstown Racecourse on Sunday October 22nd. The last leg of the series, which raises money for Irish Injured Jockeys, moves to the racetrack in south Dublin following two hotly contested races at the Curragh and Gowran Park in July and September, and the increased field of 14 riders will be competing on Killavullan Stakes day, over the famous Irish Champion Stakes course. Last year’s winner of the third leg of the Corinthian Challenge at Leopardstown was Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, who managed to get a start out of Labaik from Gordon Elliot’s yard. Sheikh Fahad will return once again this year, and this will be his first race in the series after being ruled out of the opening two races thanks to an injury he picked up when falling from a horse in the UK. Each […]

Trainer Aidan O’Brien landed his 12th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby success on Saturday, July 1st at the Curragh as 6/1 shot Capri stormed to victory in a sensational finish to the 153rd running of Ireland’s most lucrative race.   A hotly contested race saw the Seamie Heffernan-ridden three-year-old finish just a neck ahead of John Gosden-trained Cracksman in second place, while Capri’s stablemate, Wings of Eagles finished in third after going out as 2/1 favourite.   The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby was once again worth a mouth-watering €1.5 million, and it was O’Brien who was once again the man to beat as he secured his first win in the race since 2014, although most punters were backing Wings of Eagles instead of Capri before the off.   It capped a brilliant day of racing at the Kildare racetrack as Dubai Duty Free celebrated their tenth year as the title sponsors of the Dubai […]

With the kids now back in school after a long summer, it’s time to start planning your next ‘great escape’. The Halloween midterm is always an opportune time to recharge the batteries and spend some valuable time with your mini ghouls and goblins. The K Club in Straffan, County Kildare’s Five AA Red-Star hotel, has added even more treats to its Halloween deal. The Halloween Midterm break package includes two nights’ bed and breakfast and dinner on one evening in the Byerley Turk Restaurant and is priced from €290 per adult sharing. Children under six sharing with their parents stay and eat for free. This fantastic package also includes a family ticket to any of the following family attractions; Dublin Zoo, Tayto Park or the nearby Lullymore Heritage Park, which is hosting its seasonal Terror Train ride. *(Family ticket is for 2 adults and 2 children) To add to all the spooky fun, there will […]

Carleton Varney has designed the interiors of landmark buildings from Washington to Japan, and now the world-renowned interior designer has brought his iconic style to Newbridge Silverware.  The ‘Decorator to the Stars’ who is also known in the USA as ‘Mr. Colour’ has been commissioned by Newbridge Silverware to redesign its restaurant, which is now known as ‘Café Carleton’. Mr. Varney has a high-achieving CV that includes projects such as The White House, government buildings around the world, plush hotels and the mansions of international celebrities.  He has had a magnificent career for over 50 years and remains as one of the brightest minds in the world of interior design. As one of the foremost Irish lifestyle companies in the world Newbridge Silverware is a brand that is synonymous with style, cutting-edge design and fashion and knew that Carleton was the man to stamp his signature style on the restaurant. One of the restaurants highlights […]

Naas’s landmark Osprey Hotel today revealed plans to completely redesign and refresh its dining space and lobby, which will hold a new 130 seater restaurant called Herald & Devoy. Owners of the four-star Kildare hotel, The PREM Group, have started the redesign which is part of an overall €3m investment into the Osprey. The new eye-catching lobby will include a ‘casual chic’ brasserie, ready to delight all guests with ‘Coffee-To- Go’ and all day dining fayre on offer. The Osprey has enlisted, several well-respected names from the worlds of food and architecture, such as well-known architect and television personality, Hugh Wallace and food writer and food consultant, Hugo Arnold.  The launch of the restaurant is good news for Naas and the surrounding areas, with up to 15 new permanent jobs expected to be created. Herald & Devoy will have a casual chic brasserie feel to it, with a contemporary fit out, designed and created by […]

Take the hassle out of travelling this summer by holidaying closer to home with a family get away at the luxurious Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny. This breath-taking destination in the heart of Leinster is the perfect place for a family break, and with summer offers including lots of great family activities this luxurious property has something to entertain everyone. Located just five minutes from the centre of Kilkenny City, the property and its grounds tend to surprise visitors with 170 acres of mature parkland complete with exquisite lakes, rustic walkways and historic gardens on the site. The luxurious Kilkenny estate is running special family summer offers ranging from two, three and five night stays, with breakfast included each morning and one evening’s dinner included on the guest’s chosen night. The two-night package starts from €279 per adult sharing and includes a family pass to Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny’s newest visitor attraction set in the […]

Press ReleaseJapanese superstar Hideki Matsuyama will make his first appearance at a regular European Tour tournament when the World Number Four tees it up at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation from July 6-9. The 25 year old has become one of the hottest properties in the game thanks to his scintillating form since May of last year which has yielded three victories on the US PGA Tour, including at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, and two runner-up finishes. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, the third Rolex Series event of the 2017 Race to Dubai, will feature a record $7 million prize fund when it takes places at Portstewart Golf Club for the first time this year, with golf fans able to purchase their tickets here to witness Matsuyama in action. Matsuyama’s maiden appearance at the island of Ireland’s national championship – alongside a plethora of the game’s biggest names […]

Tucked away in the Irish countryside, in the village of Straffan Co. Kildare, you will encounter a fine example of Ireland’s famous hospitality at the Five Red Star K Club Hotel. If you haven’t yet gotten around to booking your summer break, The K Club offers a luxurious experience and fantastic facilities for all the family to enjoy. The K Club Summer Offer (from €285per night) includes three night’s bed and breakfast in a Superior Room and a four course evening meal on one evening in The Byerley Turk Restaurant. With families in mind, The K Club offers interconnecting rooms and rooms with the option of a sofa bed to keep a close watch on the young ones. Each family has complimentary access to the health club with its swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, steam room and outdoor hot tub. This package also includes tickets to the National Stud and Japanese Gardens, Tayto Park or Dublin […]

The countdown to Father’s Day has begun and what better way to show the number one man in your life how much he means to you than with gift from the Five AA Red Star K Club, County Kildare. This Father’s Day, (Sunday 18th June), The K Club are hosting a special event on the Ryder Cup Course, designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer, which is encouraging any Father and offspring of any age to enter into a grand singles tournament on the day. The special Father’s Golf Day package, priced at €100 per person includes a two-course meal at the course’s Legend Clubhouse restaurant for every entrant and there will be a first and second prize for winners consisting of a day’s golfing on the Ryder Cup Course and the Smurfit Course respectively, as well as a K Club Towel and sleeve of premier Srixon balls. If golf isn’t dad’s thing, gift him a […]

The glitz and the glam will not just be reserved for the Curragh Racecourse this summer as the annual Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Ball returns to The K Club in Straffan, Co. Kildare on Friday, June 30th.  The glamourous, black tie ball in aid of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation is one of the key social events of the summer and will be attended by a mix of racing fans, business people, media personalities and international guests, many of which will fly in from Dubai. Dubai Duty Free will celebrate its 10th year as the title sponsors of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby this year while it is also the 20th anniversary of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation, and the fourth year in which they will receive the proceeds from the event. Among the attendees at this year’s ball will be RTÉ racing expert Tracy Piggott, who is MC for the […]

The ‘60s Summer of Love featuring Donovan’ exhibition opened at the Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware today (May 22nd).  The stunning fashion and music exhibition helped roll back the years to a time when a rebellious and inspired new generation found its voice. The exhibition was opened by Donovan Leitch, the artist credited by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as the man who ‘singlehandedly initiated the psychedelic revolution with his album Sunshine Superman’, and the Scottish musician performed some of his most famous tracks to the crowd gathered at Newbridge Silverware. The exhibition features several garments and items of musical interest from Donovan’s own private collection.  Among some of the garments in the exhibition are two cloaks worn by Donovan which featured on the covers of his vinyl’s, one being a Moroccan inspired robe and the other, an original Victorian garment. The wedding dress belonging to Donovan’s wife Linda Lawrence created […]

Irish Injured Jockeys today announced that it will once again run its charity racing series, The Corinthian Challenge which will see at least ten amateur riders riding over three top class race courses in a bid to raise funds for the charity and the jockeys it supports. Last year the amateur riders raised over €120,000 for Irish Injured Jockeys. Well-known names to compete last year included Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, who is a member of the Royal Family of Qatar, racing journalist Niall Cronin, TV presenters Tracy Piggott and Sally Ann Grassick and Goff’s, Sophie Candy.   The overall series winner was Alice Kavanagh, a student from Kildare who is currently studying equine at CAFRE College in Enniskillen. The first race will take place on the 16th of July at the Curragh over 1.5 miles on the Irish Derby track. The second leg will be held on the 16th of September at Gowran Park over 1.5 […]

  Trainer Gordan Elliott’s Roaring Bull stormed to victory in the Dooley Insurance Flat Race at Punchestown on Tuesday evening, rounding off a brilliant opening day’s action at the Co. Kildare racecourse. Jockey Lisa O Neil guided the 25/1 Gigginstown House Stud horse home to victory giving trainer, Gordan Elliott his first win of the day. Dooley Insurance Group, one of Ireland’s largest independent insurance brokers, were the title sponsors of the race as they also celebrated the recent launch of their new Equine Insurance Division, a sector of their business which will help those involved in the equine industry gain greater access to insurance that is tailored to their needs and not have to put up with a one size fits all kind of cover. It also helps the Naas-based brokers celebrate 60 years in business, and they have picked the ideal way to launch their new division, with the Punchestown Festival providing a […]

Newbridge Silverware, one of Ireland’s leading tourist destinations, has been awarded a ‘Chinese Tourist Welcome’ accreditation which ensures the Kildare-based attraction is a must visit venue for visitors coming from China. The Museum of Style Icons(MOSI) at Newbridge Silverware has been awarded Chinese Welcome Accreditation after implementing specialist training workshops with assistance from the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI), making it a key destination for Chinese tourists. Sue Fong Gan, a fluent Mandarin speaker and Guest Relations Executive at Newbridge Silverware, was joined by 19 other colleagues as they completed four core modules that covered areas such as communication, marketing, Chinese attitudes to foreign travel and information on the background of Chinese tourism in Ireland and the UK. The team were awarded their certificates by a representative of the Chinese Embassy for Ireland Mr Li Shaofu and Tony Lenehan – Chairman, County Kildare Failte. Speaking following the presentation of the certification, Newbridge Silverware CEO William Doyle […]

Naas based, Moloney & Co. Solicitors together with the Principal of the firm, Liam Moloney have been nominated for the Irish Law Awards. The nominations are in three separate categories, Leinster Provincial Law Firm of the Year, Sole Practitioner of the Year and Leinster Solicitor of the Year. Now in their 6th year, the Irish Law Awards identify, honour, and publicise outstanding achievements of Law Firms and Solicitors in the legal profession. The glitzy black tie awards will take place on Friday, May 12th, at the Clayton Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin and will be attended by Ireland’s greatest legal minds and firms. Hosted by RTE’s, Miriam O’Callaghan the awards are regarded as the Oscar’s of the Irish legal profession. Liam Moloney said: “We are delighted to have been nominated as the standard is extremely high. Our firm and team work very hard to not just meet our client’s expectations but to exceed them. We believe in best practice […]

  Caragh Nurseries Caragh Nurseries is a 55- acre production nursery, located in Caragh Village, Naas, Co. Kildare. The nursery is owned and run by husband and wife team, Jo and Ian McGarry. The team are specialists in large trees and trees in frames to provide instant privacy in both commercial and residential settings. The nursery has been behind the creation of some of Ireland’s most impressive commercial and private gardens including the spa gardens at Galgorm Spa Resort in Antrim and the entrance avenue at Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge. www.caraghnurseries.ie Curragh Racecourse The Curragh Racecourse in Co. Kildare is the home of the classics and the location for the flagship race, The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. O’Brien PR runs the ladies days (fashion competitions) at The Curragh. Race meetings we will be working on in 2017 include The Darley Irish Oaks, July 16th and Irish Champions weekend 10th September. www.curragh.ie Tickets are available for […]

  For the first time in its history, Naas Racecourse will both open and close the flat season of Irish racing. The first meeting of the Irish flat season will take place at the Kildare track on Sunday, 26th of March with the Group 3 EBF Park Express Stakes and the Tote Irish Lincolnshire Premier Handicap taking centre stage. While the Irish flat season finale meeting will take place on Sunday, 5th of November.   Naas Racecourse will play host to 11 flat racing fixtures this season with a staggering €2.65 million worth of prize money up for grabs. A total of 19 black type races will be run at the track, 10 of which are group races and 9 are listed races.   Naas Racecourse is often referred to as the ‘Nursery of Champions’ due to the long tradition of providing preparation opportunities for big racing festivals, both domestic and international, for both national […]

  Newbridge Silverware, together with Julien’s Auctions is about to exhibit a rare collection of Hollywood jewellery at the Museum of Style Icons (MOSI) this month. The exhibition, ‘Hidden Gems’ will run from Monday, 20th of March – 14th of May 2017. It will feature an incredible range of pieces made by the master jeweller to the stars, Eugene Joseff of Joseff of Hollywood who was synonymous with movie glamour. Joseff made dazzling and unique pieces of jewellery worn by the world’s most famous movie stars during the Golden Age of Hollywood and his pieces were regularly seen on the red carpet, in the movies and at special events. The collection offers rare and significant Hollywood provenance and includes pieces worn by famous movie greats including: Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Judy Garland, Bette Davis, Maureen O’Hara, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Tony Curtis, Rita Hayworth, Katherine Hepburn and Vivien Leigh. Many of the pieces […]

2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana and to mark this special year two particularly important exhibitions are currently running in the UK. ‘Diana: Her Fashion Story’ opened to the public on Friday, (24th of February) at Kensington Palace and will run throughout the year. Garments that are now owned by museums and private collectors all over the world are included in this exhibition including the famous pale pink Emanuel blouse which is owned by Newbridge Silverware and which has been lent to the exhibition. Diana famously wore this blouse in her engagement portrait by Lord Snowdon in 1981 and the piece is regarded by the curators of the exhibition as one of the most important garments within the collection. The photograph of a young, Diana wearing the blouse was originally commissioned as part of a Vogue feature on ‘upcoming beauty’. It is reported that Diana walked into the shoot and […]

  Irish cosmetic brand, Pestle & Mortar Cosmetic has its sights set firmly on expansion in the USA. The company, which was established in December 2014 by husband and wife team Sonia and Padraic Deasy has experienced rapid growth and has developed and launched six skincare products in just over two years.   Pestle & Mortar’s turnover reached over €2 million in 2016 with products sold through key retailers and specialist skin care providers in Ireland, the UK and America.   Retailers at home include Arnott’s and Avoca while Liberty in London and ABC Home in New York are stockists abroad. The company also sells direct to the consumer through its online platform and to high end day spas. Such has been the success of the business that QVC in America has asked to stock and sell all of the products starting with the Pestle & Mortar Superstar Retinol Night Oil. QVC is the largest home […]

If you really want to spoil the love of your life then you need to have the Five AA Red Star, K Club in Straffan, Co. Kildare on your radar. This gorgeous country house hotel has a large variety of opulent suites and rooms with spectacular views across the manicured gardens and terraces and the River Liffey which flows through the 550 acre estate. The food, service and warmth of the staff leaves you under no illusion – this is truly five star. Facilities include a luxurious spa, swimming pool, gym, tennis courts, two golf courses and there are lots of restaurants to choose from. If you and your beloved want to try your hand at some fun outdoor pursuits you will be spoilt for choice as falconry, archery, clay pigeon shooting, horse riding and fishing are all available. If that sounds too much like hard work, perhaps a leisurely romantic walk around the estate […]

Nostra, an independent, Irish owned and managed ICT company based in Lucan, Co. Dublin has today announced 50 new jobs. The company was established by Kevin O’Loughlin along with Gary Byrne, Senan Finucane and Barry O’Loughlin in 2006 and has grown rapidly in the last number of years. The business has grown from just four staff in 2006 to 75 people in 2016 with 50 new positions to be filled over the next three years.   Recruitment for the new positions, with the support of Enterprise Ireland will begin immediately and includes roles for computer engineers and sales personnel who will be required to service recent client wins and support the growth of new international business. The company supports well-known brands including BoyleSports, Dawn Farm Foods and aerospace giant Avolon which now has a requirement for international ICT supported and managed by Nostra.   In 2016 the company turned over €7 million and it is […]

  There was a huge crowd at Naas Racecourse today for The Lawlor’s Hotel Novice Hurdle. The 5,732 strong crowd descended on the Kildare track to watch the Gordon Elliott trained, Death Duty storm to victory in the capable hands of jockey, Jack Kennedy. The premier Grade 1 race has featured top-class performers such as two Grand National winners, Pineau De Re and Rule The World and was the first fixture of the National Hunt Season in Kildare. A large contingent of ladies were in attendance dressed to impress and keen to catch the eye of the fashion judges – model and broadcaster, Glenda Gilson, Bairbre Power of the Irish Independent, Jennifer Stevens of Irish Country Magazine and Anna Fortune of The Kildare Post. Hannah Crosse from Kilfeacle in Co. Tipperary was declared the best dressed lady on the day. She wore black trousers from Ted Baker which she paired with a white top from Gallery 9 in Naas. […]

The four-star Osprey Hotel in Naas will reveal its new look health club, ‘Fitness & Leisure @ The Osprey Hotel at 1.00pm this Saturday, 7th of January. The Osprey was recently bought over by The PREM Group who carried out a substantial refurbishment at the gym in order to meet the demands of its discerning health club members and guests. The additional floor space now accommodates 14 new pieces of state of the art strength and conditioning equipment. The new equipment reflects all types of training programs and objectives, and will provide members and guests with the motivational resources they require to achieve their personal fitness goals. These machines include fitness favorites such as the HD Elite Power Rack, The Olympic Flat Bench, The SYNRGY360 and Jordan Rubber Solid End Dumbbells with various weight variations for all levels of fitness. The Aerobic Studio has been upgraded a new Members Lounge has been created and a […]

Naas Racecourse launched the Lawlor’s Hotel Novice Hurdle this evening at Lawlor’s Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare. The launch, which was hosted by Naas Racecourse Manager, Tom Ryan was attended by a mixture of racing fans, members of the press, fashionistas, and local traders. The fixture will take place on Sunday, 8th of January and is the Kildare track’s premier fixture. A Grade 1 contest, it boasts an impressive roll call of past champions including Carvills Hill and Ventana Canyon. Recent renewals of the Novice Hurdle have featured top-class performers such as Champagne Fever, Mikael D’Haguenet, as well as two Grand National winners Pineau De Re and Rule the World. The 2016 winner Bellshill, subsequently scored again at Grade 1 level during the Punchestown Festival and looks to be a high-class recruit to chasing this winter.   Lawlor’s Hotel have a longstanding connection to Naas Racecourse as its previous owner, Mrs. Brigid Lawlor who established the iconic Naas hotel in 1913 […]

Beat those January blues and treat yourself to a mini break away in Ireland!  If your pocket is a bit worse for wear after Christmas but you just wish you could get away then Flynn Hotels can help you put a spring back in your step with its fantastic January Room Sale (6th Jan – 13th of Jan 2017).   If you are looking for a gourmet break away, a spa weekend with the girls, a romantic break, a shopping retreat or a family get away – Flynn Hotels has the answer. The sale will commence at midnight on the 8th of January 2017 and run for seven days only, giving you the opportunity to book a fantastic break away for simply unbelievable value in any of the four, family owned and run, Flynn hotels. With nightly rates starting from just €69 per room, including full Irish breakfast, free Wifi, early check in or late checkout […]

It’s been reported recently that as many as three out of four people with health insurance are on the wrong scheme for what they need and are paying too much.  The cost of health cover is still rising and will probably continue to do so but savings can be made even from your existing supplier if you know what to look for. Aisling O’Connor heads up the Health Insurance Department at the Dooley Insurance Group in Naas and said, “one of the main reasons people don’t shop around or review their policy is that they are afraid of change. The fear factor is something that can’t be underestimated. The policy documents and the differences between plans can be very difficult to follow so quite often people find it easier just to renew their existing plan without even reviewing what they are paying for.” There are currently over 300 plans on the market all offering various […]

  Co. Kildare based, Caragh Nurseries is working closely with farmers and the Department of Agriculture to achieve the national objectives of ‘GLAS’, the new agri-environment scheme which is part of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The scheme, which stands for Green, Low-Carbon and Agri-Environment ties in with the green vision for Irish agriculture as contained in Food Harvest 2020 and as promoted by Bord Bia.  Essentially, the scheme gives farmers grants in order to assist them to preserve our traditional hay meadows and low-input pastures, reduce our carbon footprint and preserve natural wildlife habitats.  The scheme also aims to continue to apply agricultural production methods compatible with the protection of the environment, improve water quality, plant trees and orchards and protect the landscape its features and endangered species of flora and fauna. GLAS is structured as a ‘package’ and offers a maximum payment of €5,000 per applicant per full calendar year for farmers who […]

Even though the winter is biting hard, did you know that right now is the time to plant bare root trees and shrubs?  November to March is generally known as ‘bare root season’ and gardeners in the know will be aware that this is the time to plant trees and shrubs without risking the plant dying. The reason for this is because the specimens are currently dormant, they are not growing and don’t mind being disturbed. Caragh Nurseries, just outside Naas in Co. Kildare has over 55 acres of land mainly covered in trees, shrubs and hedgerows and are specialists in large trees, hedging and shrubs. The nursery is owned and run by Ian and Jo McGarry who are fast gaining a cult following of dedicated gardeners from all around the country due to their extensive knowledge, massive range of trees, hedging and ‘framed tree’s which provide instant privacy in a garden. “Many trees, shrubs […]

Aileen O’Brien, owner of O’Brien PR has scooped the title of Entrepreneur of The Year at the North Kildare Chamber Awards at The K Club on Friday 18th November.  The glitzy black tie awards ceremony was attended by over 300 people from the worlds of business, politics and the arts. The awards are designed to recognise excellence in business and to acknowledge the hard work, dedication and innovation made by various companies and individuals.  The Entrepreneur of The Year award was sponsored by Education and Training Boards Ireland and recognises the achievement of an individual who has been instrumental to the success of a business and who has exploited an opportunity to develop a successful business from scratch or radically improved the performance of an existing business. The judging criteria also said that the individual must able to demonstrate the realisation of their entrepreneurial vision and have a clear plan in place to achieve sustained growth […]

U2’s THE EDGE AMONG STARS AT THE DUBLIN ARABIC FILM FESTIVAL, PRESENTED BY DUBAI DUTY FREE   The opening night of the Dublin Arabic Film Festival (DAFF) presented by Dubai Duty Free and in collaboration with the Irish Film Institute (IFI) took place on Friday 11th of November at the Irish Film Institute, in Temple Bar, Dublin.   Six-time Academy Award nominee Jim Sheridan serves as president of DAFF for the third time along with Festival Director, Zhara Moufid at the helm. The festival commenced with a red carpet drinks reception at the IFI which was followed by a special screening of a short film that Jim Sheridan made especially for the festival called, 11th Hour. The film stars Salma Hayek and tells the story of a bar in New York when the twin towers were attacked and is based on the real-life experience of Irish journalist, Lise Hand.  This was then followed by Clash, […]

If you have ever dreamt of spending Christmas with your family and friends in an elegant Irish country house then, perhaps The K Club might just be the perfect destination for you. Just 30 minutes from Dublin city centre, this magnificent country house hotel enjoys a rural location but is within easy access of the capital. Every Christmas this magnificent country house is magically transformed into a winter wonderland.  Open log fires crackle and warm the elegant drawing rooms while a 20ft Christmas tree takes pride of place in the lobby.  It’s a real family affair, with a range of suites and interconnecting family rooms available, each with its own Christmas tree, while traditional decorations and lights create a wonderful festive atmosphere in the library, bars and many drawing rooms.  Designed in the exact same style as the original house, the new Liffey Wing has been sympathetically created and blends seamlessly with the old. The […]

The last and final stage of The Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series takes place at Leopardstown Racecourse on Sunday 23rd October – Killuvullan Stakes Day, over the Irish Champion Stakes course, a distance of 10 furlongs.

The national Rotary Ireland Conference took place from 29th Sept-2nd Oct at the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

If you are looking for a great value, family get away this Halloween then check out The Park Hotel in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

The entrance to the beautiful four-star Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, Co. Kildare has just been awoken by a transformation of its avenue and main road frontage by Caragh Nurseries.

2016 marks the 25th anniversary of The K Club.  To celebrate this momentous occasion, the guests and staff of the Kildare resort joined together on the lawns and formed the number ‘25’. 

Following an exhilarating race by twelve amateur riders at the Curragh Racecourse on Sunday 17th July, Alice Kavanagh emerged victorious on board Vivat Rex, trained by John Feane, in the second leg of The Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series

Featuring the Boodles Ladies Day in association with Sunway Holidays, Irish Country Magazine and Evoke.ie and The Boodles Ladies Derby

The ninth Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby which was staged at The Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare, Ireland was a triumphant success.

The four-star, Flynn family owned, Imperial Hotel in Cork city celebrated it’s 200 year anniversary in style on Thursday 9th June 2016, with a glamourous gala dinner for over 70 guests from the worlds of business, the media and entertainment.

Rory McIlroy delighted the fans at The K Club as the home favourite overcame a stern challenge from Russell Knox to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation, sealing victory with an eagle after a sensational five-wood to three feet on the 72nd hole. McIlroy had spoken coming into the week of what a first professional win on Irish soil would mean to him, saying it would give him “goosebumps”, and the Northern Irishman was clearly emotional after firing a closing round of 69 to seal his 13th European Tour title in County Kildare. The result is all the more impressive given that McIlroy, who becomes the first home winner of the Irish Open since Shane Lowry in 2009, had missed the cut in this event in the last three seasons. The four-time Major Championship winner came into the final round with a three-shot lead, but was overtaken by Knox […]