IRISH LANDMARK HOST ANNUAL DRINKS PARTY AND UNVEILS PROPOSED GARDEN MEMORIAL IN HONOUR OF SYBIL CONNOLLY

The Irish Landmark held its Irish Landmarkers annual drinks party in the beautiful and exceedingly charming Merrion Mews coach house. A mix of guests from the fashion, design and architectural worlds came together to join Irish Landmark and its party of Irish Landmarkers to unveil the proposed garden memorial in honour of the very wonderful Sybil Connolly. 

Merrion Mews, considered by many as a hidden gem in the centre of Dublin, was extensively restored by Irish Landmark in 2007 and is now one of the very rare and significant survivors of an 18th Century Dublin Town House. The Mews house with its own garden and coach yard, survives complete with its stalls and coach House intact. In fact the Garda Mounted unit use the stables to rest their mounts while on duty in town! -  A very unique guest experience!  

The Irish Landmarkers community plays a crucial role in the continuation of Irish Landmark's conservation work. Their generosity provides ILT with vital funds that make a real difference to what can be achieved. The group of Irish Landmarkers come from all walks of life, from the conservation enthusiasts to the guests who have been bitten by the Irish Landmark bug.

Guests were warmly welcomed by CEO of Irish Landmark Mary O'Brien and by trustee Dr. Edward McParland who briefly outlined the memorial garden plans and spoke beautifully about his friend Sybil Connolly, who lived on Merrion Square for so many years. "What I admired most about her was her international contribution to Irish couture, her commitment to hard work and to the most exacting standards of hospitality and design, her brilliance in arranging her house in Merrion Square as residence, showroom, production space, garden and - in the mews - guest accommodation, and her sense of fun particularly in New York" Dr. Edward McParland

A memorial foot-stone designed Dr. Edward McParland, which will be skillfully carved by renowned architectural sculpture Stephen Burk, will be laid once the garden is completed and will quite simply read " Enter a garden: Remember Sybil Connolly "

 Invited guests enjoy some delicious canapés created by talented Chef Trevor Kearns including: Spiced rare Tuna, mango and chili, Wicklow Blue brie & caramelized onion tartlet: St Tola goats cheese artisan sourdough crostini & pea: Crispy chorizo and Rioja risotto, flat parsley & lemon aioli: Valrhona Dark chocolate brownie, passion fruit curd & blackberry. 

The celebrations drew a host of well-known names with over 100 guests gathered and those in attendance Included Garden designer Helen Dillon, artist Robert Ballagh, Irish Fashion Designer, Deborah Veale, RTE’s Nuala Carey and Anne Cassin, TV3’s Aisling O’Loughlin and Debbie O’Donnell, UTV’s Lorraine Keane plus Alison Canavan and Cathy O’Connor.

“We're delighted to count Domini Kemp and Nick Robinson amongst our well-known Irish Landmarkers” said Mary O’Brien, CEO of Irish Landmark.

Each guests departed with a very generous goody bag containing an Irish Landmark voucher for a stay in any of their 26 stunning and unique properties.

For bookings, special offers and information please visit www.irishlandmark.com

Email: [email protected] Tel: +353 1 670 4733. Full Irish Landmark Trust Terms & Conditions apply.  Please read prior to booking. 

For social images and further event information, please contact:

Ailish Cantwell

INSPIRE PR

T: 01-8222330

M: 087-6999159

E: [email protected]

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Irish Landmark is a non-profit organisation that finds interesting and unusual properties that are in need of conservation, and we give them new life. Since 1992, we’ve been turning historic buildings into truly special self-catering holiday accommodation. Our properties range from lighthouses and schoolhouses, to castles and gate lodges.