Notions and necessities: From fairy festivals and spa retreats to tan remover and a showcase of Irish fashion designers, it's all here

Irish Independent

a day ago

Dundalk designer Caroline Duffy's limited-edition silk pieces will be showcasing at Calling Irish Design at Brown Thomas in Dublin, see brownthomas.com
Try the new lunch menu at the Hawksmoor in Dublin, available Monday–Saturday, 12–3pm, see hawksmoor.ie/dublin
Check out the Age-Defying Luxe Retreat at The Johnstown Estate in Meath, from €547 for two, see thejohnstownestate.com
Magical thinking The Loughcrew Fairy Festival takes place on the July 19-20 from 12-6pm at Loughcrew Estate, Oldcastle, Meath. Alongside Opal the Fairy, expect to meet The Mystical Unicorn, the Bubble Man, Storytelling Puppets, Fancy Dan and the Magical Mermaid, with activities including wand making, crafting magic, aerial hoop and stilt walkers, candlelit and snail tales, live music, food and crafts. LH Family ticket (2 adults 2 children): €60, adult ticket: €17, child ticket: €15, see loughcrew.com
Stripe + Stare bra, €38, briefs, €20, brownthomas.com
NOTION
Keeping it briefs Think of your favourite comfy athleisure or lounge wear and then apply that to underwear. This was the thinking behind Stripe + Stare, originally founded by Devon-based Katie Lopes and Nicola Piercy as a knicker brand, focusing on comfort and sustainability. Made almost entirely from compostable Tencel in plain, patterned, bright and basic colours, they have since branched out into bras and nightwear. Not cheap, but definitively cheerful. SC Four-pack, €55, Brown Thomas, brownthomas.com
AyuGlo Tan Remover, €19.95, ayucosmetics.com
NECESSITY
What glows up Everyone knows that applying the perfect self-tan is only half the battle – perfecting a smooth and even fade of that golden glow is a different thing entirely. DHA, the sugar-derived ingredient that darkens the skin, is quite drying, which leads to that piebald patchiness. A thorough but moisturising scrub is your tan-removal friend. This new one from AyuGlo, which also does tan products, has pumice and coconut to exfoliate, as well as hydrating and skin-brightening ingredients. SC AyuGlo Tan Remover, €19.95, ayucosmetics.com
Dundalk designer Caroline Duffy's limited-edition silk pieces will be showcasing at Calling Irish Design at Brown Thomas in Dublin, see brownthomas.com
NOTION
Creative endeavours Create, Brown Thomas's annual celebration of Irish design, returns this year with Calling Irish Design, a showcase of native fashion talent that runs until August 25 at Brown Thomas in Dublin. Each designer has been mentored by fashion consultant Eddie Shanahan and shoppers will have opportunities to meet the designers throughout the summer. Among them is Dundalk's Caroline Duffy, who will exhibit her collection of limited-edition silk pieces. LH See brownthomas.com
Cocktail masterclass at The g Hotel in Galway, €39pp, see ghotel.ie
NOTION
Shake and stir Book now for a cocktail masterclass at Galway's The g Hotel on August 7. Enjoy a signature cocktail on arrival, followed by a hands-on lesson, creating your own classic cocktail, which you can then enjoy over a gourmet sharing plate that is included in the ticket price. SC Masterclass €39pp, see theghotel.ie
Check out the Age-Defying Luxe Retreat at The Johnstown Estate in Meath, from €547 for two, see thejohnstownestate.com
NECESSITY
Timeless treat The Johnstown Estate in Meath has launched a new Age-Defying Luxe Retreat at its award-winning spa. It includes Medik8 Crystal Retinal Age-Defying Facial, which involves retinal technology and a sculpting massage, and time in The Spa's indoor and rooftop thermal suites. The offer also includes evening meal, overnight accommodation and full Irish breakfast. LH From €547 for two, see thejohnstownestate.com
Coconut Cloud smoothie, €9.90, 51A Dawson St, Dublin 2, juicejar.com
NECESSITY
Jars of goodness Juice Jar, previously with branches in Bristol and across Northern Ireland, recently opened in Dublin's Dawson Street. It majors in cold-pressed juices and, significantly, mini açai bowls, for those who like the superfood experience but not on the usual major scale. SC Coconut Cloud smoothie, €9.90, 51A Dawson St, Dublin 2, juicejar.com
Try the new lunch menu at the Hawksmoor in Dublin, available Monday–Saturday, 12–3pm, see hawksmoor.ie/dublin
NOTION
High steaks Award-winning steakhouse Hawksmoor on College Green in Dublin has launched its summer lunch menu deal, a steak and a side for €21; a 35-day dry-aged rump steak from ethical, Irish farms and a choice of sides, including beef-dripping chips, baked sweet potato, buttered greens or a crisp lettuce and herb salad. Other mains available in the offer include charcoal chicken, roast hake or the Big Matt burger. LH The new lunch menu is available Monday–Saturday, 12–3pm, see hawksmoor.ie/dublin
Opal the Fairy will be at Loughcrew Fairy Festival, family ticket (2 adults 2 children): €60, adult ticket: €17, child ticket: €15, see loughcrew.com
Pippa O'Connor behind the scenes shoot