Colourful Cork
I spent 48 hours in the city to take in a snippet of the famous Cork culture. Here is a round-up of what I found and is a mini guide for those who want a quick guide of what to do, shop, eat and see in city of Cork for a weekend.
From the Rooftops
I’m shouting it from my Baggot Street rooftop- Happy 2014 everyone!
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.
Happy Christmas from Ruaruth
Wishing everyone who has kindly read Ruaruth a very happy Christmas and a wonderful 2014. Looking forward to posting new adventures here soon.
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…
The History Dress: Sarah’s 1970s Skirt
The history item in question this time around is a 1970s printed skirt belonging to a very good friend of mine- Sarah Louborg. Sarah has the most fascinating family history and incredible personal style.
Costumes Parisiens
Costume Parisiens is a new fashion exhibition just opened in the Chester Beatty library in Dublin Castle. It showcases fashion plates from 1912-1914 from Journal des Dames et des Modes alongside costume of the time from The Ulster Museum.
Sybil Connolly: In Detail
In July I went a talk about Sybil Connolly in The Little Museum of Dublin by Robert O’Byrne, author of many brilliant books on fine and decorative arts and Vice-President of The Irish Georgian Society. His talk was fascinating, insightful, funny and engaging and made me think even more about Sybil Connolly’s life and work.
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…
Love in Temple House
Temple House has got the love. I was a bridesmaid this summer at my oldest best friends wedding, we know each other since we were 4 years old so this rite of passage was a very special occasion. The location was Temple House in South Sligo.
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.
Blooming Shoes
Dublin is blooming! There has never been such a hive of activity and creativity in the air. One of the dynamic organisations promoting this feeling of creativity and positivity is Upstart. Granby Park (an Upstart project) have created this beautiful pop-up park and guerrilla gardening project.
Happy Birthday Maureen
As it is the beautiful Maureen O’Hara’s 93rd birthday today I thought it would be apt to celebrate with a post about one of her amazing costumes that is exhibiting in Dublin at the moment.
Number 71
Knock, knock open wide see whats on the other side of Number 71, Merrion Square…
Ria’s Patchwork Dress
If a dress could be a symbol of a family history then Ria Czerniak‘s patchwork dress speaks volumes. This dress tells Ria’s unique family history, as colourful and diverse as its patchwork folds…
The Handkerchief Tree
If you go down to Merrion Square today you are in for a big surprise. Not only are the Street Performance World Championships on this weekend but there is an exquisite outdoor art installation by artist Miriam Mc Connan.