PRESS ROOM

Still glossy and gorgeous and now twice the sales! U Magazine sells double the number of magazines since it went fortnightly in June 2007. U magazine has reported an ABC of 38 080 for the first three months of it’s newly launched fortnightly issue!

Publisher & Harmonia CEO Norah Casey took the decision to increase frequency in June 2007. Believing that the monthly consumer has migrated from the monthly market “We’ve kept the best of U mag and included up to the minute style ideas with affordable high street fashion and the latest fashion news, it comes with an irresistible cover price – only €1.50 in the ROI and £1.20 IN northern Ireland.

Twice the fun, twice the gossip, glam glitz and goodies, U magazine is the only Irish Women’s magazine to offer readers the chance to get their hands on fashion and style on a fortnightly basis.

U Magazine stayed glossy and gorgeous with a healthy dollop of celebrity goss to keep readers in the know. U mag will stay true to it’s Irish roots and be the ultimate source book for the latest looks and seasons must-haves.

Harmonia has been named Publisher of the Year 2008 by the Periodical Publishers Association of Ireland. This is the third year in a row the Association has honoured Harmonia in this way. It also named U Magazine as Magazine of the Year - the third time it has also won the award.

Harmonia is the largest consumer magazine publisher in Ireland. We have a strong stable of consumer magazines with many famous names including Irish Tatler, U Magazine, Woman’s Way, FOOD&WINE, Eat Out and Auto Ireland. We also have Ireland's most popular women's website IVenus.com.

The Irish Tatler Women of the Year Awards 2007

One of Northern Ireland’s foremost community campaigners Baroness May Blood will receive the overall Woman of the Year Award for 2007 at a glittering ceremony in Dublin’s Mansion House tonight (Friday, November 16th)

Baroness Blood became the first woman in Northern Ireland to be granted a life peerage in the House of Lords, she was a key catalyst in the peace process, a founding member of the Women's Coalition and took an active role in the Multi Party Peace Talks which culminated in the Good Friday Agreement.

She is best known in the North for her passionate campaigning for one of the most important social developments - integrated education – where catholic and protestant children learn together. She says: “The value of integration is that young people learn to celebrate each others’ culture rather than fear it, that’s it in a nutshell”

Her frank and outspoken views have won her many friends and enemies and she has faced death threats from paramilitary groups. But nothing has stopped her relentless work in bridging communities in Northern Ireland.

Other notable women honoured including Lorraine Keane for her high profile presenting of TV3’s Xpose, Chairwoman of RTE Mary Finan, artist Pauline Bewick who received the Hall of Fame Award, Nuala O’Loan who recently stood down as the Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland, jockey Nina Carberry and Newstalk’s CEO Elaine Geraghty.

The business award went to the first woman to run the Irish Stock Exchange Deirdre Somers and the International Award to former South African ambassador to Ireland Melanie Vervoerd a passionate anti-apartheid campaigner.

The music award went to rising star Luan Parle, Deborah Veale took the fashion design award, Mia Gallagher scooped the literature award for Hellfire while nurse Mary Donohoe received the special recognition award for her work with Aids/HIV projects in South Africa.

The winners of the seventh prestigious Irish Tatler Women of the Year Awards 2007 will be announced at a glittering ceremony at the Mansion House in Dublin on Friday, 16th November 2007.

The Irish Tatler Women of the Year Awards are now in their seventh year, these awards are unique in that they recognise and reward Irish women who have excelled in their chosen field of expertise or work. Through the pages of Irish Tatler readers nominate the best of Ireland’s female talent – the famous and not so famous who have made a difference to our society.

The nominations were significantly higher this year for all categories and the panel of expert judges chaired by Norma Smurfit had the unenviable task of selecting winners from the nominations received.

Norah Casey who founded the awards commented: “We have some wonderful winners for 2007 - women with exceptional achievements. Elaine Geraghty who went from receptionist to running a national radio station; we now have the first woman CEO of the Irish Stock Exchange, Deridre Somers, Mary Finan, at the helm of RTE, May Donohoe – a nurse who was moved by the plight of a woman who she couldn’t save and went on to help thousands of people with Aids in Africa, the incredible Melanie Verwoered whom the ANC declares as one of the most remarkable white south African campaigners against apartheid and finally the overall Woman of the Year for 2007, May Blood, an incredible peacemaker and transformational leader in Northern Ireland who is so humble of her achievements. They for me epitomise why these awards are so important.”

For Further information please contact

Jane O’Brien, Marketing Manager: 01240 5353

086 3007275

email jobrien@harmonia.ie

Elaine Prendeville, Editor: 01 2405365;

086 2647779

email eprendeville@harmonia.ie

NOTE

A synopsis of the winners appears on page 3 while a full profile of all of the winners appears on page 4 onwards

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Awards 2007 Recipients

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year 2007: Baroness May Blood

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year International Award 2007: Melanie Verwoered

Sponsored by Waterford Crystal

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Northern Ireland Award 2007: Nuala O’Loan

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Special Recognition Award 2007: Mary Donohoe

Sponsored by House of Fraser

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Hall of Fame Awards 2007: Pauline Bewick

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Public Life Award 2007: Mary Finan

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Fashion Design Awards 2007: Deborah Veale

Sponsored by Moet & Chandon

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Media Award 2007: Elaine Geraghty

Sponsored by Lancme

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Entertainment Award 2007: Lorraine Keane

Sponsored by Pulse Accessories

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Literature Award 2007: Mia Gallagher

Sponsored by Nestcafe Gold Blend

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Sports Award 2006: Nina Carbery

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Business Award 2007: Deirdre Somers

The Woman of the Year 2007 Award Profiles

The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year 2007:Baroness May Blood

Baroness May Blood

Baroness May Blood was born in West Belfast in 1938. She originally rose to prominence through the Trade Union Movement, during which she acted as a representative for the Transport and General Workers Union while working as a cutter at the Blackstaff Mill in Belfast. Joining the TGWU was one of the defining moments in Blood's life; as a shop steward she campaigned for better rates of pay and working conditions, learning that real change could be brought about through agitation.

When the mill closed in 1990 May turned her attention towards voluntary work in the community sector. From 1991, Blood has worked in a full time capacity bettering her local community. As a member of the Shankill Partnership she strived to improve education, housing and employment opportunities for the less fortunate around her, and became one of the most vocal crusaders when it came to promoting a more positive side of Northern Ireland. During her time with the Shankill Partnership, Blood secured £6.5 million in funding to found three community centres and employ and train ninety people in the Shankill area.

She is a founding member of the women's coalition, and took an active role in the Multi Party Peace Talks, culminating in the Good Friday Agreement. May's community work has not gone unnoticed. She has no fewer than three honorary doctorates, and in 1999 she became the first woman in Northern Ireland to be granted a life peerage in the House of Lords. May uses her position in House of Lords to highlight many issues affecting people in Northern Ireland and remains committed to helping the less fortunate create better lives for themselves.

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The Irish Tatler Women of the Year Business Award: Deirdre Somers

Sponsored by Waterford Crystal

Deirdre Somers

Deirdre Somers is the first female Chief Executive of the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE). Following graduation, Somers began her career at KPMG, training to a senior level in the corporate tax department, before becoming a manager in KPMG Financial Services, specialising in international tax, IFSC set ups and structured finance.

In 1995, she became the Irish Stock Exchange Listing Policy manager, and went on to become the Director of Listing at the Stock Exchange, where she was responsible for all public listings, including those from companies, investment funds and specialist securities.

As an Irish Government expert she has participated on the EU Council working groups drafting of the Prospectus and Transparency Directive and has advised on the primary aspects of the Market Abuse in Financial Instruments Directives.

Since Deirdre's appointment as Chief Executive, the Irish Stock exchange has recorded the single highest volume day ever on the ISE on August 17th, when over 15,000 trades were done in one day with a total value of over €1.56 billion.

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Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Media Award: Elaine Geraghty

Sponsored by Lancme

Elaine Geraghty

As one of the personalities responsible for propelling Newstalk 106 to the foreground of Irish radio, Elaine Geraghty has one of the most senior roles of any woman in the Irish media. Having worked with Denis O'Brien since 1989, when they set up Classic Hits 98FM together, Geraghty has traversed almost all aspects of Communicorp, Newstalk's parent group.

She began work immediately after her Leaving Certificate, initially working as a receptionist for the Sunday Tribune, before moving into a sales and marketing role for the same company. From the Tribune, she moved to 98FM, where she was part of a team that pioneered a new kind of radio to Ireland. As one half of the now formulaic man/woman breakfast team, Elaine spent six years at the helm of one of Dublin's top rated shows.

From a position in front of the microphone, Geraghty once more went behind the scenes as Denis O'Brien expanded his media interests, and became Project Director of Communicorp, a company which now included businesses as far flung as the Czech Republic, Estonia and Hungary, regularly visiting their European stations. During this period Elaine was combining work with achieving a first class degree at the Dublin Institute of Technology.

Since September 2005 Geraghty occupied the position of Chief Executive of Newstalk, and has nurtured a station in its infancy to become a solid contender in the competitive waters of Irish radio.

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The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Fashion Design Award: Deborah Veale

Sponsored by Moet & Chandon

Deborah Veale

An NCAD graduate, Deborah Veale sits confidently alongside leading Irish and international contemporaries as a leading light in the Irish fashion industry. With a turnover of over €2million, her company OTIF Ltd is one of Ireland's most successful fashion companies distributing to sixty stores in Ireland and the UK and encompassing three labels; Deborah Veale, DV2 and DVProfessional.

Originally from Avoca, Co Wicklow she chose Cork as her location and with the assistance of a Cork Enterprise Board grant she conducted some market research and designed a sample range. Her designs went on sale first in Blarney Woollen Mills and have since gone on to increase availability and success throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe. Recent years have seen the label develop and expand into markets as Taiwan, Australia and North America.

Dominated by luxurious and unusual fabrics with sleek and simple lines, Veale's collections are designed for stylish, professional women of all ages, who enjoy wearing contemporary looks. With clients including President Mary McAleese, Grinne Seoige and Miriam O'Callaghan, Veale's horizons are constantly expanding to suit the lifestyles of the women she creates for. A major breakthrough came when Mary McAleese was photographed one of her designs while on the campaign trail. Since then the President has become a regular customer — she even wore a Deborah Veale navy suit on a White House visit.

Deborah Veale also has a corporate division, DVProfessional, which design tailor-made uniforms to suit the requirements of the corporate sector. EBS Building Society, The Merrion Hotel, Aras an Uachtarin, Aghadoe Heights Hotel and The Beacon Court Hotel are just some of the many clients who commission her work.

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Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Literature Award: Mia Gallagher

Sponsored by Nescafe Gold Blend.

Mia Gallagher

At eight years old Mia Gallagher wrote her first play, which was performed in the Dublin Shakespeare Society. The following year, one of her poems What Is Black was published in a young poets' anthology. During her teenage yeas she continued writing, dividing her education between Sandymount High School and the Dublin Youth Theatre.

A DCU graduate, She became very involved in Dramsoc, and had several short stories published in the DCU Arts Journal. Outside college, she set up an all-female theatre company Icon, whose first production was a 6-woman version of Hamlet with Mia in the lead role. After graduating top of her year, she traveled to Nicaragua on a coffee brigade where she contracted a near fatal bout of Typhoid, and on her return wrote a piece about her experiences for RTE Radio.

In 1991 Mia was short listed for the Sunday Tribune Hennessy Award. Increasingly, Mia found herself working on devised and collaborative projects, including a co-production with an avant-garde Polish theatre company. Her work as a life model led to unexpected developments when in 1998 she was hired as the first ever artist's model in Portlaoise Prison. In 1999, she collaborated with her mother Miriam and French actress Nathalie Rafal on a play The Nude Who Painted Black, based on the life and work of painter and artist's model, Suzanne Valadon.

In 2000 Mia returned to writing short fiction. Two monologues were commissioned the following year, one of which, Normality would eventually become Hellfire. As well as Hellfire, Mia has had stories published in the Fish Anthology two years running, in American Litzine Carve and last year won the START South Tipperary Short Fiction Chapbook award. Over the last four years she has continued to work in the audio-visual industry, and is currently working on her second novel. In June Mia was awarded an Arts Council bursary for literature in English.

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Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Entertainment Award: Lorraine Keane

Sponsored by Raymond Weil

Lorraine Keane

Lorraine got her big break on national radio. She worked for seven years broadcasting live on Radio 1 and 2FM as the manger of AA Roadwatch while also presenting various independent productions for RTE. Lorraine has also made a brief detour into the print journalism sector having written many column inches for a wide variety of weekly Irish magazines and newspapers.

Earlier this year Lorraine's biggest career change came when she was picked to be one of five stylish new women to front a new evening entertainment programme for TV3 Xpose. This popular new addition to the weekly broadcasting schedule went up against Six One News on RTE but despite this, Xpose has proven to be a huge hit throughout the country. Xpose covers all the big Irish and international awards ceremonies and pop concerts, brings you the juciest celebrity gossip, fashion news and its presenters continually interview the most celebrated names in showbiz from around the world. Getting up close and personal with some of the biggest celebrities is something that comes very natural to Lorraine as she is the wife of rock musician Peter Devlin, frontman of popular Irish band The Devlins. Lorraine and Peter have had two beautiful daughters together since their marriage in April 2003.

With a busy family life and career it is surprising that Lorraine has any free time to herself as she is constantly an avid supporter of many Irish charities and often spends her time off screen and away from her Dublin home hosting charity events, running the mini marathons or turning up to lend her support at the numerous launches and gala balls throughout the country.

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Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Music Award: Luan Parle

Sponsored by Pulse

Luan Parle

Wicklow born Luan Parle has lived her life to the sound of music. From the age of seven Luan was winning almost every talent show she entered and at ten-years-old the talented musician was fronting her very own band! Before long Luan became a firm fixture on the local music scene playing at numerous high profile venues and earning a creditable name for herself. Her hard work definitely paid off when appearances on The Late Late Show and Kenny Live came calling.

Her determination to be a successful singer songwriter fueled her ambition to do well at school and since finishing secondary school Luan has gone from strength to strength having her contract renewed twice by Sony BMG. Since then Luan has worked and written with some of the biggest names in music including Diane Warren, Elton John and James Blunt.

In February of this year Luan won Best Irish Female at the prestigious Meteor Awards based on a huge public vote. This award was quickly followed by the release of her album Free. In July of this year legendary singer Nanci Griffith and INXS picked Luan as the special guest on the Irish legs of their tour. Her distinct sound crosses almost every musical boundary and her voice has been likened to Sheryl Crow and a young Stevie Nicks.

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Irish Tatler Woman of the Year

Northern Ireland: Nuala O'Loan

Nuala O'Loan

An academic at heart, she completed a degree in law before going on to lecture in law at Ulster Polytechnic. It was here, in 1977, that she faced her first major challenge.

Just 26 years old and pregnant with her first child, Nuala was one of the victims of an IRA bombing. "The lecture commenced," she remembers, "and I looked at my watch and it was 12.40. The next time I looked at my watch it was nearly 1'o'clock and the place has been blown apart." She lost her unborn child in the tragic incident, but found a new strength that fostered a devotion to human rights, something that was to transcend all expectation in the role that would define her career.

According to legend, it was bad weather that brought Nuala to the office of the Police Ombudsman. At the time – St Stephens Day 1998 – while storms were wreaking havoc on power lines across Northern Ireland, then Secretary of State Mo Mowlam had not decided on who she would appoint as Ombudsman. According to whispers at Stormont, she saw Nuala, then chairman of the Northern Ireland Consumer Committee for Electricity, on television disgracing Northern Ireland Electricity's performance, and that, apparently, is what settled Mowlam on O'Loan as the perfect candidate for the prestigious position.

Over the course of her time as Police Ombudsman, O'Loan has headed up investigations into events that rocked the whole country to its core. In 2001 she investigated the police handling of the Omagh Bombing in 1998, finding that the RUC had prior knowledge of the attack and questioning the then leadership of Northern Ireland's Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan. She has lead investigations into the alleged abuses by officers in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and has served as an intermediary in cases involving alleged criminal activity by Irish Republicans.

On November 5th this year, O'Loan stepped down from her post, having served the full seven-year term. She had taken a brand new role and turned it into a service that protected the innocent victims of violence in Northern Ireland. Perhaps the gesture that says it best is the gift that she received from the family of Samuel Deveny, whose death in 1969 was the subject of one of Mrs O'Loan's first reports. The family gave her a clock inscribed with the words "To Nuala, the woman with the courage of ten men".

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Irish Tatler Woman of the Year

Sport award: Nina Carberry

Nina Carberry

Nina Carberry is considered to be one of Ireland's most promising horse racers. At only twenty-two years old, her achievements bely her tender years. As the first woman to beat her male counterparts in a professional race at Cheltenham in almost twenty years, Carberry has become a force to be reckoned with on the racing circuit.

The only girl in a family of six children, Nina was born to Irish racing royalty. Her maternal grandfather trained L'Escargot to win the 1975 Grand National, and her father Tommy, not only rode L'Escargot but trained the 1999 National winner Bobbyjo, ridden by her brother Paul. Perhaps it was inevitable that Nina would follow in her family's footsteps, but her achievements so far have ensured that she stands alone in her professional ability, lauded for her talent alone.

She first drew attention to herself when she became the first female Irish champion rider in a decade during 2004/2005 season, but it was her Cheltenham win in 2005, when she brought the Paul Nolan trained Dabiroun to a clear cut victory, that truly propelled her into the spotlight. Last season saw her gain a second victory at the Cheltenham Festival having guided Heads On The Ground to win the Sporting Index Cross Country Handicap Chase.

This year, Nina became the recipient of the Leading Lady Rider and Leading National Hunt Qualified Rider at the National Hunt Awards, as well as winning the Murphy's Irish Stout Handicap Hurdle at Killarney, making her a good tip for the 2008 Irish Grand National. With her trainer, Noel and racing fans predict Nina as one of his most prized riders.

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Irish Tatler Woman of the Year

Special Recognition: Mary Donohoe

Sponsored by House of Fraser

Mary Donohoe

Mary Donohoe, A former nurse in St Vincent's hospital, Mary Donohoe set up The Rose Project in 2003 following a visit to a HIV and AIDS programme in Nakuru, Kenya. Having been approached by a missionary sister in Dublin and asked to raise funds for the programme, Mary decided that she would visit the area before she made up her mind. Upon witnessing the devastating reality of the AIDS epidemic, in particular while nursing Rose Atieno, a thirty two year old woman who lay dying in a rat infested hut, Mary Donohoe decided to set up a charity in her patient's name charged with supplying medical services to those affected with this dreadful disease. After her death, Rose became dubbed the 16 millionth person to die of AIDS in Sub Saharan Africa, a message which further drove home the message that Mary was trying to impress upon the public.

Since Rose's death, her eleven year old son Curtis has continued to care for his father and young sister, both of whom have AIDS. While for Rose, there was little food, no drugs, doctor or hospital to care for her, the eponymous project is working to fund the delivery of quality medical, nursing and psychosocial care to people like Curtis and his family.

Since it's foundation, Mary and The Rose Project have funded at total of seventeen AIDS programmes in six East African countries, including a new wing for the hospice in Kampala, a new community healthcare centre in Nakuru, Kenya and an acute care clinic in Malawi.

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Irish Tatler Woman of the Year

InternationalMelanie Verwoerd

Sponsored by Waterford Crystal

Melanie Verwoerd

Melanie Verwoerd was the South African ambassador to Ireland from 2001 to 2005, a period which saw trade from South Africa increase by sixty per cent. Earlier this year, she was appointed executive director of Unicef Ireland, where she will sit for the next three years. Her appointment was significant because it was the first time a major Irish NGO gave a foreign national the office of chief executive. As well as her current role, Verwoerd also presents the multi-cultural programme Spectrum on RTE Radio 1 every Sunday.

Verwoerd's career trajectory is an interesting one. In the late 1980s, she left South Africa for Oxford University, where she met numerous South African exiles, and learned for the first time about the political situation in her country. The experience had a huge impact on Verwoerd, and she returned home with a view to contributing to the process of building a new South Africa, under the leadership of Nelson Mandela.

In 1994, aged twenty-seven, Verwoerd became the youngest woman to be elected to South Africa's first democratic parliament, where she subsequently served two terms. In 2001, she moved to Ireland to undertake the role of ambassador.

During her time in Ireland, Melanie has become a voice for immigrants, and she has been an integral part of voicing the collective concerns of the immigrant population. Particularly, Verwoerd spoke out about the bad treatment she received at the hands of the Garda Immigration Bureau, and through the media, highlighted an issue affecting thousands of people in Ireland.

In her new role at Unicef, Melanie will assist the improvement of children's lives in the world's poorest countries by supporting programmes aimed at protecting children through education, health and the eradication of poverty.

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The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Awards

Public Life: Mary Finan

Mary Finan

Mary Finan was educated at UCD & Harvard Business School. She was a co-founder of Wilson Hartnell Public Relations, one of Ireland's biggest public relations companies, which has handled clients like Jefferson Smurfit, DCC, Fyffes and Diageo.

Finan is still involved with WHPR, as its chairwoman, as well as chairing the Economic and Social Research Institute. She is the director of Canada Life (Ireland) and the ICS Building Society. Mary sits on the boards of many other companies, most of which showcase her passion for the arts; they include The Gate Theatre, The Irish Chamber Orchestra and Opera Ireland. She was the first woman president of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Dublin Docklands Authority. Finan has long been known for her commitment to education, and is a director of the Dublin City University Educational Trust and the UCD Clinton Institute for American Studies.

Last February, Finan was appointed as the Chairperson of the RT Authority, where she has been charged by the government to oversee the activities of the RT group. As a woman with extensive experience in the media, she is an ideal candidate for the job, and has managed to balance her extensive commitments and her new role with the aplomb that she has become known for.

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The Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Awards

Hall of Fame Award: Pauline Bewick

Pauline Bewick

Known as "The People's Artist", Pauline Bewick is widely acclaimed as one of our most innovative artists. Born in Northumbria in 1935, she was brought up on a small farm in Co Kerry, and traveled all over Ireland with her mother in caravans, houseboats and railway carriages. She attended school in England and Wales, returning to Ireland to attend the National College of Art & Design. Her work is predominantly of nature and often intermingles with the countryside of Kerry, Tuscany or the South Pacific.

In 1986, the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin held a retrospective exhibition, Two to Fifty, which included 1,500 works dating from when Pauline was two years old. From 1989 to 1991, she lived in Polynesia with her two daughters, and on returning to Ireland exhibited a collection of works called South Seas, some of which were also published in a book in 1996. In the same year, the Royal Hibernian Academy exhibited the Yellow Man series of paintings, a theme that later evolved to include sketches, watercolours, oils, tapestry, stained glass, music, dance and theatre. The Yellow Man collection now numbers more than 700 objects, and remains in the artist's collection.

In 2006 Bewick donated a collection of over 300 pieces of her work to the State with the proviso that it be permanently exhibited in Waterford Institute of Technology. The work, which spans Bewick's life to date, is shown across three floors around the Walton Building’s central atrium. The ground floor houses work from the current era while the first floor features work from the artist’s middle years and the 2nd floor showcases art from her early years.

The Irish Tatler Women of the Year Awards have honoured many high profile and powerful women including Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese, Mary Harney, the McCartney sisters, Christina Noble, Edna O’Brien, Miriam O’Callaghan, Marian Finucance, Marian Keyes, Maeve Binchy and many others (a full list of former winners is attached).

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Judging Panel

Chairwoman: Norma Smurfit

Norah Casey, Elaine Prendeville, Carissa Casey, Mary Davis, Caroline Downey Desmond, Ann Heraty, Hillary Herron, Cathy Kelly, Deirdre Kelly, Celia Larkin, Pauline McLynn, Deirdre Purcell, Gina Quin, Adi Roche, Patricia Scanlon.

Notes to Editors. Irish Tatler has been Ireland’s style bible for over 100 years and is published monthly by Harmonia, Ireland’s largest publishing company. The Woman of the Year Awards is featured in the January edition of Irish Tatler and is available in newsagents throughout Ireland and on subscription.

Ends

The FOOD&WINE Restaurant of the Year Awards 2007

Kevin Thornton, from Thornton’s Restaurant in Dublin was named as Chef of the Year at Sunday’s FOOD&WINE/Edward Dillon Restaurant of the Year Awards in Dublin while Deanes Restaurant was voted the best overall Restaurant of the Year 2007.

John Howard FOOD&WINE Hall of Fame award for 2007 for his outstanding contribution to Ireland’s gastronomic development. Ireland’s food revolution would not have been possible without the pioneering contribution of John Howard, ex-chef and proprietor of Le Coq Hardi, one of Dublin’s finest restaurants.

Le Coq Hardi set new standards for Irish cuisine when it opened in 1977, providing an important training ground for other aspiring chefs and producing some of Ireland’s most influential culinary figures such as Derry Clarke of L’Ecrivain and Gearid Lynch of Cavan’s Olde Post Inn. Despite his retirement from the kitchen in 2001, John has remained an active figure within the food industry. He continues to act as president for Bocuse d’Or Ireland and as a judge for the Bocuse d’Or world Culinary Contest.

Other national awards went to newcomer Saba Restaurant for Best Service, Avoca Caf for The Good Cooking Award and Fallon & Byrne for the X Factor Award. Still at The Dylan won The Style award.

Ireland’s top chefs and restaurants for 2007 were announced at a gala luncheon at The Mansion House in Dublin on the 26th August.

Over 500 top chefs and restaurateurs from all over Ireland gathered for the awards lunch making it the biggest culinary event of the year.

‘We have made a number of changes to the awards this year to help open them out to a wider group of restaurants which allowed the judges to assess establishments on a wide range of experiences - the dcor, the ambiance, the level of service, standard of cooking, the skills of the sommelier and the quality of the suppliers they use. We also looked at restaurants that were being innovative and concentrated on finding those elusive gems that offer great cooking at great prices’, commented Norah Casey, Publisher of FOOD&WINE Magazine and Chair of the Restaurant of the Year Awards judging panel.

For further information please contact:

FOOD&WINE Magazine:

Jane O'Brien on 01 2405353 or email jobrien@harmonia.ie

Elena Healy on 01 2405343 or email ehealy@harmonia.ie

Notes to Editors

The Restaurant of the Year Awards were launched in 2001 by FOOD&WINE Magazine. FOOD&WINE is published monthly by Harmonia and is available via newsagents or on subscription. Eat Out, a companion guide to restaurants in Ireland is also published annually.

Judging Panel

Norah Casey (Chair), Publisher, FOOD&WINE Magazine

Hugo Arnold, Editor, FOOD&WINE Magazine

Raymond Blake, Wine Editor, FOOD&WINE Magazine

Marilyn Bright, Irish Food Writers Guild

Toms Clancy, Wine Correspondent, The Sunday Business Post

Hilary Finlay, Director, Ireland’s Blue Book

Aingeala Flannery, Food Critic, Irish Independent

Brian Geoghegan, Business Consultant

Ross Golden-Bannon, Restaurant Critic, The Sunday Business Post

Corinna Hardgrave, Editor, Eat Out

Ruth Hegarty, Secretary General, Euro-Toques Ireland

Sean McArdle, Director of Irish Farmers' Market

Myles McWeeney, Food Critic & Wine Correspondent, Irish Independent

Sean O’Malley, Manager Education Ireland, Filte Ireland

Lucinda O’Sullivan, Food Critic, Sunday Independent

Paolo Tullio, Food Writer, Irish Independent

The FOOD&WINE Magazine and Edward Dillon

Restaurant of the Year Awards 2007

The Awards

The Best Restaurant Awards Sponsored by Penfolds

Awards are made in Ulster, Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Dublin.

The overall Restaurant of the Year 2007 is chosen from the regional winners

The Best Restaurant Awards Sponsored by Veuve Clicquot

Awards are made in Ulster, Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Dublin.

The overall Chef of the Year 2007 is chosen from the regional winners

The National Awards Sponsored by Hennessy

Best Service Award; Best Sommelier Award, The X Factor Award; The Innovation Award; The Good Cooking Award; The Style Award; Best World Cuisine Award; Best Artisan Supplier Award.

The Hall of Fame Award

Entrants to the Hall of Fame are chosen for their personal contribution to Ireland’s gastronomic development and the restaurant industry as a whole.

The Winners

The Hall of Fame Award 2007: John Howard

The Restaurant of The Year Award 2007: Deanes Restaurant, Belfast

The Chef of The Year Award 2007: Kevin Thornton, Thornton’s Restaurant, Dublin

Regional Restaurant & Chef Awards

Dublin Best Restaurant Award 2007

WINNER: Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Thornton’s Restaurant

COMMENDED: Chapter One

Dublin Best Chef Award 2007

WINNER: Kevin Thornton, Thornton’s Restaurant

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Lorcan Cribbin, Bang Caf

COMMENDED: Ross Lewis, Chapter One

Leinster Best Restaurant Award 2007

WINNER: Rathsallagh House

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Dunbrody Country House Hotel

COMMENDED: Sha-Roe Bistro

Leinster Best Chef Award 2007

WINNER: Richard Corrigan, The Mill Restaurant

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Kevin Dundon, Dunbrody Country House Hotel

COMMENDED: Conor Mee, Rosso Restaurant

Ulster Best Restaurant Award 2007

WINNER: Deanes

HIGHLY COMMENDED: MacNean House & Bistro

COMMENDED: Nuremore Hotel & Country Club

Ulster Best Chef Award 2007

WINNER: Neven Maguire, MacNean House & Bistro

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Raymond McArdle, Nuremore Hotel & Country Club

COMMENDED: Simon McCance, Ginger Bistro

Munster Best Restaurant Award 2007

WINNER: Les Gourmandises

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Longueville House

HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Tannery

Munster Best Chef Award 2007

WINNER: William O’Callaghan, Longueville House

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Paul Flynn, The Tannery

COMMENDED: Fred Desormeaux, Greene’s Restaurant

Connacht Best Restaurant Award 2007

WINNER: Ashford Castle

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Quay Cottage Restaurant

COMMENDED: JJ Gannons

Connacht Best Chef Award 2007

WINNER: Tim O’Sullivan, Renvyle House Hotel

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Michael O’Meara, Oscars

COMMENDED: Denis Vaughan, Vaughan’s Anchor Inn

National Awards

Best Service Award 2007

WINNER: Saba

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud

COMMENDED: Chapter One

Best Sommelier Award 2007

WINNER: Martina Delaney, L’Ecrivain

HIGHYLY COMMENDED: Ian Brosnan, Chapter One

COMMENED: Robert Bowe, Ashford Castle

The X Factor Award 2007

WINNER: Fallon & Byrne

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Bang Caf

COMMENDED: Mint

The Innovation Award 2007

WINNER: Poulot’s Restaurant

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Farmgate Caf

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Country Choice

The Good Cooking Award 2007

WINNER: Avoca Caf

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Gruel

COMMENDED: The Ballymore Inn

Best World Cuisine Award 2007

WINNER: Silk Road Caf

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Saba

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Rasam Restaurant

Best Artisan Supplier Award 2007

WINNER: Caherbeg Free Range Pork

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Ummera Smokehouse

COMMENDED: Gold River Farm

The Style Award 2007

WINNER: Still Restaurant, Dylan Hotel

HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Mill

COMMENDED: Balzac

Ends

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Irish Tatler’s first ever spa awards were revealed at a sumptuous award luncheon in Dublin’s Michelin star L’Ecrivain Restaurant on Wednesday June 10th. Over the past three months, Irish Tatler’s discerning readers have been sending in their nominations for their favourite Spas, Therapists, and Treatments across Ireland. Now the results are in and the winners can be revealed.

The Award for Best Spa in Ireland went to Monart in Co. Wexford.

Highly Commended were:

Samas Spa at the Park Hotel Kenmare

Temple Country Retreat and Spa, in Moate

to see the full list of winners log on to iVenus.com

The U Magazine High Street Style Awards 2009 have been launched with readers of the fortnightly magazine being asked to nominate and vote for their favourite high street stores. Categories include best changing rooms, best service, best for jeans and best for an outfit for saturday night!

Readers can make their views known by filling out the form in the magazine or by going online to www.iVenus.com.

One lucky reader who takes part will win Euro 1000 worth of clothes