Latest news with #Talbots
The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Dublin castle dinner offers glimpse into past with free flowing wine, four course meal, Irish wolfhounds & melodic harp
ONE of Ireland's most historic castles has launched a new dinner party that invites guests to step back in time and see the location as it once was. 5 A team of majestic Irish wolfhounds greeted us when we entered Credit: journalistcollect 5 The dinner began with a guided tour of the castle Credit: journalistcollect The event was inspired by the rich history of the location including its long reigning family, the Talbots, who called the place home for more than eight centuries. During the Baron Talbot's reign, the castle was renowned for hosting lavish Following a day of hunting on the estate, guests would gather for a night of feasting, drinking, song and dance. In 2025, the Hunt Dinner Party aims – and for the most part succeeds at recapturing the same magic. Read more in Travel As a lover of history and fine dining, the combination of both seemed too good to miss, and I jumped at the chance to attend the event's official launch on June 6. From the outset, the Hunt Dinner Party is a unique experience that you're unlikely to find anywhere else. We were greeted at the door by the symbol of Ancient Irish pride, a team of magnificent wolfhounds and a cheeky terrier aptly named Lady Macbeth. It was an unmissable photo opportunity as the gentle giants posed while their devoted owner snapped some shots. Most read in The Irish Sun Set against the backdrop of the stunning 12th century castle, it was a fittingly grand opening to the evening. Once inside, a short tour of the castle preceded our dining experience. I found the best staycation in Ireland with private pod, our own hot tub and alpacas and deer on site To add to the immersion, passage through the rooms was guided by fully costumed actors portraying Lady Talbot alongside the house's butler and maid. Though performing in front of a host can be daunting, it was heartening to see the troupe give their all to a script that was, despite a clumsy line here and there, both informative and funny. Special praise must be given to the night's energetic butler, who materialised in various drunken stages alongside a trusty hip flask as the stress of the evening got to him. One of the most enjoyable and perhaps underutilised parts of the evening was the stunning harp It's worth pausing to take in the scene of the harpist stringing melodically as you enjoy "The Awakening" course of the night, a Hunter's Draught cocktail made from Irish Lambay whiskey and soda. FINE FINING Another special mention must be made of the menu design, with each of the four dishes given a beautiful name. Following The Awakening, the courses are The Forest's Bounty, The Hunter's Prize, and The Sweet Surrender. The dinner party itself is hosted beneath the main rooms in Nugent's Hall on elegantly dressed tables. It's a gorgeous space complete with a huge fireplace, historical memorabilia on the walls, and magnificent archways. With the harp strumming peacefully in the background, we were treated to a delicious first course in the form of a Caprese salad. LAVISH MENU Though not a salad eater myself, it was a refreshing and tasty start to the meal served alongside scrumptious crusty bread. From there, the wine (red or white) was free flowing, delicious, and hard to turn down when offered. Although the menu itself might benefit from some variation (the vegetarian cauliflower option being less indulgent than the beef main course), it's been curated by one of Ireland's top chefs. It consisted of The Hunter's Prize slow roasted beef beside choice vegetables and creamy potatoes with a rosemary and shallot reduction. Unquestionably the prize dish of the evening was a plate of three small desserts named Citrus Snow, Velvet Nightfall, and Summer Jewel. UNIQUE EXPERIENCE Each one was a unique and delicious bite-sized treat and they paired perfectly with the house wine. And to round out the evening, we were treated to a rendition of the family's old hunting song, Ride On, in a hilarious performance from the now absolutely bottled butler. The harp played us out as some guests enjoyed after dinner tea and coffee. Overall, the night at the Hunt Dinner Party was unlike any other I, or likely you, have experienced at the castle. Being served at a table fit for Lords and Ladies is a far cry from standing in the queue for a pint at a Shania Twain concert. So if you fancy marking a night to remember, at a castle no less, you can get tickets at Somehow, making dinner for myself now just doesn't have the same flair since. 5 Nugent's Hall is a cosy old world restaurant underneath the main rooms Credit: journalistcollect 5 Malahide Castle belonged to the Talbot family for centuries Credit: journalistcollect 5 Malahide Castle recently launched the elaborate Hunt Dinner Party Credit: journalistcollect
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
You can copy Ina Garten's signature denim button-down look for as little as $29
While she lives an arguably lavish lifestyle in the Hamptons, Ina Garten maintains a down-to-earth vibe. Her recipes are mostly simple, yet elevated classics, she makes hosting seem like a breeze and you can always count on her to wear her "uniform," a casual denim button-down shirt. In fact, the Barefoot Contessa's simple yet chic wardrobe has become synonymous with the casual top. Because it can be worn alone or as a layering piece, it's pretty much the perfect all-season shirt. That's why we're copying her look at getting the Talbots Denim Short Shirt for ourselves. When it comes to cooking garb, Garten has a somewhat surprising opinion. "I don't like wearing an apron while I'm working," she tells HuffPost, "so I find a denim shirt or a corduroy shirt and I buy 25 of them." As she explains in a Food Network article, "It's like a uniform, I don't have to worry about it." Hey, it makes getting dressed in the morning a whole lot easier! But she doesn't buy just any denim shirt. In a recent appearance on Julia Louis-Dreyfus' podcast, Wiser Than Me, she says, "I got a shirt from Talbots that I just loved. And I asked if they could make it for me in different fabrics. And they said, sure." Now, not all of us can just reach out to a clothing brand requesting custom designs, but the Talbots Denim Short Shirt is a dead-ringer for the top Ina wears. She goes on to say, "I have them in corduroy for the winter. And I have them in denim [and] chambray for the summer. And I know I can put it on and feel comfortable and feel like it looks put together." Indeed, this denim shirt would look fab paired with close to anything — you could wear it with black or tan trousers for a more elevated look, or layer it over a long dress with some fall boots. And for a weekend of errands, swap the sweats for this top worn with some leggings and cute sneakers (Garten loves Allbirds). Because this shirt is the brand's shorter style, it won't feel too long, but it's not so short that it can't be tucked in. The medium-wash makes it look more elevated than a super-light shade, and it's made of 100% cotton rather than a synthetic blend. We also love that it comes in a wide range of sizes, including misses, petite, plus and plus petite options. In case an Ina Garten endorsement alone isn't enough to sell you, here's what reviewers think of this versatile top. "So many denim shirts are meant to be worn out and open, almost as a light jacket," wrote a fan. "This shirt is perfect for tucking into high-waisted pants or skirts or for laying under a sweater. I just love the weight and feel of it." "This shirt will go with many outfits, taking me from late summer into fall," shared another. "[The] fit is terrific for me, and because I am short-waisted, the new length is flattering." "Love the flattering shorter length (finally!)," agreed a third. "The denim fabric is a nice weight and color." "For me, the fit is perfect, not boxy, flattering," said a generally pleased shopper. "It can be worn by itself or over a tank or tee." That said, they added, "The sleeves are a bit long, especially because the cuffs are deep. I usually fold them up anyway. The fabric is very soft." "Cute, but runs large," noted a final shopper. "Kind of big in the shoulders, sleeves were long and with seemingly extra fabric in the back so that the overall look was kind of big and sloppy. I did like the shorter length..." (FYI, this reviewer tried the shirt on in-store, but there are more sizes available online.) Loving that Talbots top but not its price? Here are some more wallet-friendly options... The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
