Dublin’s Loveliest Loos
I’d like to share with you my pick of Dublin’s loveliest loos! Yes- you did hear me right and no there won’t be photos of any actual toilets but there is a vintage angle!
Rua Ruth Loves…
Ever since I learned how to copy and paste links into emails I have created a habit of sending links to friends and family of things they might like from articles, ideas, books, things to note, recipes, events, things we should do and just random whimsical things I come across. With that in mind I…
Snapping Roses
We are having an Indian summer this September, I am just back from a walk down Dun Laoghaire pier in my short sleeves! And last Sunday was also a day of glorious sunshine. I spent it in the company of other photographers for a Photowalk.
Lost Fashion on Merrion Square
I’m moving uptown! I am delving into the Lost Fashion History of another part of town. Moving from the rag-trade streets of South William Street to the couture fashion businesses and flamboyant fashion figures of Merrion Square.
A Gentleman’s Outfitters
I have delved into many family stories here on Ruaruth and now its my turn. My fascination with fashion history and the rag-trade district around South William Street in Dublin was really born from stories of my Grandad’s shop on Exchequer Street.
Bloomsday Blouses
It is that time of the year again - Bloomsday! This weekend you will see Leopolds’, Mollys’, James’ and Noras’ dressed up about Dublin town on messenger bike rides, on horse and cart, enjoying an offal breakfast in the Gresham or guzzling Gorgonzola and burgundy in Davey Byrnes or wafting around reading passages from Ulysses at …
Where the Bluebells are…
I love bluebell season. There is something so romantic about that blaze of blue threaded throughout a forest, by the roadside or in a garden.
The Trinity Ball
It’s a warm night in Dublin tonight. I can feel spring is in the air, the sun has set with a warm glow over the city and Trinity College has lit up its classical facade for The Trinity Ball
Shopping in 18th Century Dublin
Where did people buy clothes in 18th Century Dublin? What streets were the most fashionable shops located and were we as stylish as those in London and Paris? I found out the answer to these questions and more at a talk which was held in the Tailor’s Hall one candlelit evening in Dublin’s Liberties.
Blackrock Market
Blackrock Market is set in an old seaside merchant house in the centre of Blackrock village Co Dublin. It is one of the last surviving bric-a-brac markets left in Dublin from a line-up of markets which used to be dotted around the city from the prettily named Dandelion market off Stephens Green to the Blackberry market in Rathmines.
The Angel of Grafton Street
We are having a brief respite from incessant rain this weekend with some much needed sunshine so I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about something bright and beautiful which I came across this week – this angel which is located on a building on Grafton Street.
The Smiling Hedgehog
Dublin has been under a heavy cloud of rain for the last couple of weeks and when this happens the only thing to do is take cover. A favourite spot to do this in The Natural History Museum which is affectionately known as The Dead Zoo by Dubliners.
Grafton Academy
The story of The Grafton Academy is the story of one woman’s passion and verve for life which still continues in the ethos of the school today. I met Suzanne Marr- Pauline’s daughter one blustery autumn day at number 6 Herbert Place to hear the history of a remarkable woman and a remarkable school.
Dublin Lumière
The city is shining after dark and the festive atmosphere is electrifying. As I gazed in wonder on my way home I put together a visual list of my Top 5 most best spots to see Dublin’s Christmas lights…
Fanlights at Night
I am very lucky to live in Georgian Dublin- right around the corner from Merrion Square in fact. One of my most favourite spots in Dublin not least because it has some of the most spectacular architecture in Dublin, was home to literary and artistic greats…
Dublin’s Most Romantic Libraries
As a world famous literary city Dublin has some of the most beautiful and romantic libraries. These oft forgotten spaces have been a source of knowledge and an oasis of calm for the Irish public for over a century.
On Raglan Road…
“On Raglan Road of an Autumn day I saw her and I knew….” so goes the poem by Patrick Kavanagh and the lyrics of The Dubliner’s most famous song.
Ritzy Rags
Ritzy Rags has been a Dublin fashion girl’s insider secret for many years now. A destination for thrifters, film and theatre costume designers, charity shop hunters…
The Drawing Room…
Getting a chance to look behind grand Georgian doors not usually open to the public is my idea of heaven. There are many incredible interiors around Dublin that we simply don’t get to see, making them, in my opinion, the most intriguing. I was delighted to happen upon @thedrawingroom
A Sybil Exhibition
Sybil Connolly queen of Irish fashion in the 1950s reigns again this Autumn/Winter 2013 in Brown Thomas. This excellent exhibition curated by John Redmond of Brown Thomas and the Hunt Museum is a rare opportunity to see her gorgeous gowns and get an up close view of the incredible craftsmanship and unique handkerchief linen pleats she is so famous for.