On Thursday September 6th 2012 the Desmond Castle and Banqueting Hall, in the heart of Newcastle West, opens its gates for an epic fashion extravaganza. This event will showcase, in a most unique way, why Newcastle West has become a prime shopping destination for fashion lovers and also the wealth of culture, heritage and amenities the town has to offer. The fashion event centres around the current autumn/winter collections from the following participating shops: Aphrodite Bridal Wear, Bella Sola, Ela Maria’s, G Boutique, Gatsby Menswear, Kimono Boutique, Noel’s Menswear, Platform Boutique and Scanlan’s Menswear. On entry, guests will be greeted by Sir Seán Shiels and invited to partake in complementary drinks and canapés in a marquee on the castle grounds. Then moving into the main banqueting hall of the castle the models from the Celia Holman Lee Agency will unveil the collections and Celia herself will also be on hand during the show to offer fashion advice to those with particular sartorial interest!
Over the centuries the Desmond banqueting hall has been an integral part of the history, fabric and culture of the town. As the banqueting hall of the Earls of Desmond great feasts and entertainments took place in this beautiful structure, filling its rooms with music, laughter and poetry. The spirit of the banqueting hall fires the imagination with scenes of revelry and excitement. To capture this feeling, in a unique twist to the night, the Iryshe Tudor Companye will exhibit a selection of fashion from these times. Feel the hall come alive again as poetry and music accompanies the fashions of the past and present; hear how people lived, worked and played as historical costumes are presented in a fun fusion with modern styles. The event is being run in conjunction with Newcastle West and District Chamber of Commerce who have dedicated much time in working with the OPW to host the event. This venue is now open free of charge daily to the public during the summer months and is already proving very popular with tourists. This is one element of an overall effort to raise the profile of the host of attractions waiting to be discovered in Newcastle West. As the county town of Limerick, and not only an excellent shopping destination, with an abundance of retail, eating and socialising hotspots, the town also has fantastic recreational facilities such as the Castle Demesne Parklands and the Great Southern Trail, a championship golf course and a host of other sporting facilities. Add to this an artisan market held each Saturday morning, embracing the traditional market town culture and festivals including Eigse Michael Hartnett each April, the superb Business Showcase held on September 12th and the hugely popular West Fest taking place this year from September 13th to 16th inclusive. It really is a place to visit! Tickets are limited to 130 and are priced at €35. They are available from the following outlets: Aphrodite Bridal Wear, Bella Sola, Ela Maria’s, G Boutique, Gatsby Menswear, Kimono Boutique Liston Auctioneers, Market Place Brasserie, Noel’s Menswear, Platform Boutique and Scanlan’s Menswear . Each business will also be offering in store promotions during the weekend. Book now, and don’t miss out on a truly unique fashionable, cultural and spectacular occasion!