From Ranelagh Arts Festival to the Irish Antiques Dealers' Association Fair, read on for a round-up of current events
A poetry speakeasy; a Patrick Pearse-inspired concert led by Liam Ó Maonlaí; parading pirates: Ranelagh Arts Festival has a varied programme for the Dublin 6 neighbourhood. Running from next Tuesday to Sunday, highlights include a tribute to Mary Holland, the late 'Irish Times' journalist, a tour of the Dillon garden and the Taste of Ranelagh event. www.ranelagharts.org
Wannabe wearable
The more outrageous catwalk trends are usually the images that end up in magazines and newspapers due to their dramatic nature, and make-up artists complement the striking garments with their own take on what the key looks will be for the season. Transforming high-end couture to street wearable can be hard to perfect - you'll need to know your Dolce from your Gabbana, your Dark Romance from your Minimal Sculpture and only an expert can pull off the Dress-Up Box look.
Cavalry to the rescue in the form of Brown Thomas with its Beauty Masters event currently running countrywide. International make-up artists from leading cosmetic houses including Giorgio Armani, Dior, YSL, Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier will be in the designer rooms to demonstrate how to adopt the trends to create this season's signature styles. The event runs until October 5th. For an appointment, tel: 01-6056666.
Phyl Clarke
Merchants on the move
Two moves are afoot among the fine wine merchants of Dublin. Searsons has moved from 6a Monkstown Crescent, where it has traded since 1973, but only to new premises a few doors up at 10a Monkstown Crescent. To celebrate the move, the shop is holding a fine wine offer until September 27th. Included in the sale are more than 100 clarets stretching over 12 vintages, and some very well-known names will be available at knock-down prices. For more details, tel: 01-2800405, or call into the new shop and meet its managing director, Charles Searson.
Also changing address is wine merchant Mitchell & Son, which has traded at 21 Kildare Street, Dublin, since 1886. Following the sale of this premises to the Shelbourne Hotel, on October 13th it will relocate to the chq building in the IFSC. Rather appropriately, chq opened in 1820 as a bonded warehouse, storing wines, spirits and tobacco.
John Wilson
Clay in the right hands
The colourful and varied works from 56 ceramic sculptors that make up Ceramics at the Hallward, currently on show at the Hallward Gallery on Merrion Square, Dublin 2, mark a brave departure for a fine art gallery and a novel exploration of the creative possibilities presented by clay in the right hands. Abstract, figurative, evocative, even humorous, these are all pieces by Irish artists chosen from hundreds
submitted when Hallward invited submissions for its city-centre space. Included among them are this year's winners of the Hallward Mill Cove and the Ceramics Ireland awards. Pictured above is Happy Hundredth, Mr Henshaw by Stephen Dee, consisting of 101 porcelain sculptures, housed in an antique wooden printer's tray, that tell the extraordinary life-story of an ordinary man. The exhibition runs until September 27th.
Fiona McCann
Free interiors tips from top designers
All out of interiors ideas? French furniture makers Roche Bobois are offering design-challenged people the opportunity to pick the brains of some top interior designers. Emma Webb (currently working on the refurbishment of the St Stephen's Green Hibernian Club), Patricia FitzPatrick, Catherine Forrest, Grania Murray and Mary Ryder will be on hand at the Sandyford showroom for free 30-minute
consultations on next Saturday and Sunday, September 27th and 28th. Advance booking is essential. Tel: 01-6531650.
Eoin Lyons
Old pieces, timeless appeal
There'll be plenty of priceless antiques on show at the RDS from Thursday at the Irish Antiques Dealers' Association Fair. From elegantly carved, antique furnishings - such as these 1840s library chairs (originally from Doneraile Court, Co Cork and now available, along with the rest of the 12-piece suite, from O'Sullivan Antiques) - to 17th-century silverware, many of the items exhibited are worth big money in one of the few remaining realms where age increases value. Runs at the RDS Main Hall from Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th, with special previews on Wednesday 24th. Admission €10.
Fiona McCann