By Siobhan O’Neill White

Mother’s Day is an important day if you’re a Mammy or have a Mammy and/or Nanny. But let’s not forget those who have lost their Mams. The day is difficult and tinged with sadness. If you have lost your Mam, perhaps do something nice for yourself that day. Run a bubble bath, or curl up with a book. Dubray’s in Ilac SC has a fab selection, we love the latest Beth O’Leary, feel good funny!

Nyrah beauty is an Irish brand my Mam and I adore. Their peacock-coloured skincare hatbox is a stunning gift. If your Mam is a #Glammy, Irish brand Tan Organic has beautiful gift sets. Their gorgeous tan goes on easily and is kind to sensitive skin. Their wonder balm is amazing for mums-to-be! Listoke Gin, from Co Louth has gift sets with flavoured gins and cool extras like juniper berries to jazz up your gin cocktails. The grounds of Irish National Stud Kildare are beautifully scenic with horses and fairy trails to explore. There’s also a lovely cafe to treat your Mammy. Made in Co Clare, Burren Perfumery sets are gorgeous. Inspired by the landscape and scents of the breath-taking Burren. Brooke and Shoals candles, hand creams and shower gels smell divine and are lovely for gifting Mammies! To enter to mams.ie Nyrah Beauty, Burren Perfumery, Brooke and Shoals, Tan Organic and Listoke Gin Mother’s Day competitions, go to our FB page. We’re now coming into Communion and Wedding season. There’s a growing trend called Twinning, where Mammies and Daughters match their outfits. But boys and Dads have been left out - until now! Bestwear, Shop St. Drogheda, always have great value on boys Communion and men’s suits. This year, they have a new range of matching suits for boys and men which are smart, stylish, well cut, with gorgeous lining and waistcoats. The man 3-piece suit is €250 and the boy’s €120. Show the pic with the mams.ie voucher code to get 10% off (just take a snap on your phone and show in store easy!) So instead of paying €370, get both suits for €333. Ideal for Communions, Weddings and special occasions. We compared prices with some other stores and these really are superb value. For queries, call 0419836036 or contact best.wear@hotmail.com. For more Mother’s day inspiration, see mams.ie. With love, Siobhán, Mumfluencer since 2009….before #Blogging was a thing!

On the 30th of October 2022 Project Fashion Academy hosted their annual ‘Young Designer of the Year Awards’ in the City North Hotel and Conference Centre, Gormanston, Co. Meath. The event this year was in support of a very worthy charity, Make a Wish Ireland who rely entirely on the generosity and support of individuals and events run by businesses like Project Fashion. Make-A-Wish Ireland has one simple aim – to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, to bring hope, strength, and happiness and this year they are celebrating 30 years of granting wishes. Paul and Paula Keeley, Founders of Project Fashion, Swords, Co. Dublin, came up with an idea in 2019 to create a platform to inspire their many students and raise money for charity. The awards this year were again a phenomenal success raising over eleven thousand euro for Make a Wish Ireland. The fantastic partners of this year’s show were The City North Hotel and Conference Centre, Flynn Park Outdoor Adventures in Balbriggan and WOW Balloons who’s support ensured fundraising success! The show itself was hosted by the fabulous Glenda Gilson who was joined by four inspirational celebrity judges, Orla-Morris Toolen (this year’s RTE Junk Kouture Presenter), Helen Steele (Fashion Designer extraordinaire with current collections in Dunnes Stores), Emer O’Neill (RTE’s Homework Hub Presenter, Activist and Children’s Author) and Katie O’Connor (This years Miss Dublin and an All-Ireland Champion Dancer). This year’s show was even bigger and better than the last and according to event director Sabrina Morris, “There were even more sponsors this year who Project Fashion said were at the core of making the event the great success it was, and they included Videographer Majestic 360, KB Designs, Hickey’s, Heaven Ashbourne, Dessert Diamonds, PEELO, Bly Amour, Helen Steele Fashion, Andrew Collins Photography, Film Equipment Hire, Eurospar Kinsealy, The Flower Yard, Pigsback.ie, One4all, The Bridal Outlet, and Designworks Photography. If any fashion creatives, individuals, or businesses would like to get involved with next years Project Fashion’s ‘Young Designer of the Year Awards 2023’ please get in touch by emailing pfashionmarketing@gmail.com.

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Yes ladies and gentlemen rumour has it that Ardgillan castle is the place to have your civil ceremony/wedding day. Just to show you how, they hosted their first wedding fair and Fashion Show on the 15th May last. Civil ceremonies take place in the Drawing room at Ardgillan Castle but now with resident Interior Decorator and costume designer Carina Cunningham from style warriors Dreamscape room 102, Ardgillan Castle is now available as an additional extra for your themed wedding - Bridgerton Style, Gothic Style or just Classical style, using her bridal Archway, Candleabras, lanterns, red carpet and Roth Iron furniture, dressed to your own personal taste. The bride can also have the use of the room 102 with its makeup bar, 4 poster bed and pretty interiors for photographs as part of her wedding experience. Costumes can be designed and the décor can be themed to your favourite era or style. Let’s remember, for any couples looking for an alternative to a church wedding ceremony, Ardgillan Castle gives you the freedom to be diverse and creative. Boasting of its natural opulence, elegance, heritage and breathtaking views out over the Irish Sea, it has the perfect backdrop for unique wedding photographs, it’s got it all folks. The fashion show was a huge success featuring Mizz Rio gowns from the Naul, AB Formal suit hire Swords and of course Style Warriors Alternative Bridal Gowns and Costumes. All hitting the red carpet and looking amazing, Mattress Mick even strutted his stuff on the day while Steve Mangan sang a few Micheal Buble tunes. Delicious canopes were served from Brambles our in house Caterers, vintage cars by Classic Vintage Wedding Cars on facebook. See what you missed on Carina Cunninghams Facebook page and Style Warrior Presents on Instagram and on Ardgillan Castle Instagram and Facebook. What a fabulous day, look it all up folks, entertainment at its best at our beautiful Ardgillan Castle.

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by Carina Cnnningham

Did you know that our fabulous Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan has opened its doors to a collection of artists? Welcome to “Ardgillan Artists Collective Studios”.

All crafts and artists candidates had to go through a rigorous application and interview, to be awarded a designated studio. The board of management at Ardgillan Castle made the decision on who could join the castle in this new venture. This month we would like to introduce you to the lovely artist Nicola Weldon. Nicola works mostly with clay and plaster as mediums. The unique process that she uses with clay captures impressions of wild meadows, flowers, foliage, and seaweeds. By working in monochrome or by creating contrast through the delicate use of colour, together with her attention to detail, Nicola’s aim is to reproduce the wildness of nature in each image. Nicola said. “I love being based at the Castle, together with 10 other artists and the fact that each artist’s work is so different. Having access to the extraordinary selection of flowers and plants from the grounds at Ardgillan for my work, makes it even more enjoyable. Recently, I have been enjoying exploring plaster and how it lends itself to the relief effect. I believe my framed plaster reliefs are a good contrast to my other work.” You can find Nicola’s pieces on display at Ardgillan Castle Arts and Crafts Shop , as well as in her studio in the castle. Nicola currently has a small exhibition at the La La Café, which is a part of the Irish Institute of Music on Church Street, Balbriggan. To see some of Nicola’s work, check out her Instagram. Nicola added, “I really enjoy welcoming people at my studio, where they can see me at work. I also enjoy creating bespoke pieces, so if you wish to have a particular piece designed using your favourite flower, plant or seaweed please call in and have a chat.” If you are interested in contacting Nicola Weldon please do so at : Mob: 086 8198337, Email: nicolaweldon10@gmail.com or Instagram: @nicola_weldon10

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Well, she’s back again after the two-year restrictions! Carina Cunningham of Style Warriors Fashion and Entertainment Show has a new venture. Carina is now assisting new and older modelling enthusiasts, who are looking to explore the fashion world. From vintage to movie star, burlesque to lingerie, debs’ dresses to communion, period to gothic, wedding to evening wear – she has it all. Carina has an extensive wardrobe collection available for photo shoots and for hire. She has been creating period costumes and hats in Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan in her new studio: Style Warriors Dreamscape Room 102. She shares the beautiful surroundings of the castle with fellow artists, who also display their skills in their own studios at the castle. Studios for visual artists, potters, ceramicists and jewellers have been open since June of last year where the artists and crafters freely meet and greet both the public and tourists seven days a week. This venture came to life with Argillan Castle Manager Tom Reilly’s vision and the support of Fingal County Council and the Ardgillan Castle Board of Management. On the 15th of May, Ardgillan Castle will be hosting a wedding fair and Carina will be looking for models to join the team for a fashion show on the day and learn a little about what it’s like being a model. There will be a model casting day held in the castle, a bootcamp day and then the fashion show on the day of the wedding fair. Anyone who is interested – please contact Carina on her Facebook page. Stands of local wedding suppliers will also feature on the day. The castle itself is a venue for civil ceremonies. And now brides can avail of the in-house vintage wedding décor that is available to couples planning their weddings at Ardgillan. Mags Morgan with her divine Mizz Rio wedding collections will share the catwalk with Carina at the fair.Casting day and bootcamp dates will be announced shortly. On the wedding fair day, 24 models’ names will go into a hat with the winner getting a free photoshoot from Carina!

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