Posts tagged Dublin

Letters from Ireland: Dublin, a Remarkable City of Love and History…

Adventure Travel 4 Comments

My dear travellers and all lovers of unusual trips, welcome to the second travelogue in the series of posts from Ireland on the Mr.M blog. The month of February is dedicated to this unusual country in the heart of Western Europe, a country known for its greenest landscapes, St. Patrick’s Day, music, the famous Irish whiskey, but also for its exceptionally high quality wool. At the very beginning of today’s travelogue about the capital of Ireland – Dublin, the most famous city of love and history in Europe, I would like to thank the Enterprise Ireland team for the cordial invitation to the 50th anniversary of the three-day Irish craft fair and the Showcase Ireland fair and for enabling cooperation with Irish fashion brands that you had the opportunity to see in fashion stories from Ireland.

If by some chance you missed reading the previous travelogue post about Showcase Ireland or you want to remind yourself of some interesting things, take the opportunity to visit the following LINK.

Dublin is Ireland’s capital, situated on a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey in the province of Leinster. The town’s southern border runs along the Dublin Mountains, which are part of the Wicklow mountain range. At the latest census, the inner city region had a population of about 600,000, Dublin and its suburbs had a population of around 1,300,000, and County Dublin had a population of 1,500,000, making it the island’s most populous metropolis.

How was Dublin founded? The Gelli settled in the area about the 7th century, followed by the Vikings. The Kingdom of Dublin expanded to become Ireland’s main settlement following the Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland in the 12th century. Since the 17th century, the city has grown significantly, temporarily becoming the second largest in the British Empire and the sixth largest in Western Europe following the 1800 Act of Union. After obtaining independence in 1922, Dublin became the capital of the Irish Free State, which was renamed Ireland in 1937. As of 2018, the Globalisation and World Cities Research Network classified the city as a global metropolis, with a “Alpha Minus” classification that placed it among the top thirty cities in the world.

Dublin’s historic center is surrounded by the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal, bounded to the west by Houston train station and Phoenix Park, and to the east by the IFSC and Docklands. O’Connell Street is a major thoroughfare in the city center and many Dublin bus lines, as well as the Luas Green Line, stop at O’Connell Street. The main shopping streets in the inner city include Henry Street on the north side and Grafton Street on the south side.

Dublin has many landmarks and monuments dating back hundreds of years. One of the oldest is Dublin Castle, which was first established as a great defensive work by order of King John of England in 1204, shortly after the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169, when he ordered to build a castle with strong walls and good moats for the defense of the city, the administration of justice and the protection of the king. Largely completed by 1230, the castle was of typical Norman courtyard design, with a central square without a tower, bounded on all sides by high defensive walls and protected at each corner by a circular tower. Located south-east of Norman Dublin, the castle formed one corner of the outer perimeter of the city, using the River Poddle as a natural means of defence.

One of the most prominent sights of Dublin is the Dublin Tower, officially called the “Monument of Light”. It is a 121 meter conical tower, made of stainless steel, completed in 2003 and located on O’Connell Street, where it meets Henry Street and North Earl Street. It replaced Nelson’s Column and is intended to mark Dublin’s place in the 21st century. The tower was designed by Ian Ritchie Architects, who sought “Elegant and dynamic simplicity that bridges art and technology”. The base of the monument is illuminated and the top is illuminated to act as a beacon in the night sky across the city.

The old library of Trinity College Dublin, which houses the Book of Kells, is one of the most visited sites in the city. The Book of Kells is an illustrated manuscript made by Irish monks around 800 AD. Ha’penny Bridge, an iron footbridge over the River Liffey, is one of Dublin’s most photographed landmarks and is considered one of Dublin’s most iconic landmarks.

Other landmarks and monuments include Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Mansion House, the statue of Molly Malone, the complex of buildings around Leinster House including part of the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland, the Custom House and Arras an Uachtarain. Other landmarks include the monument to Anna Livia. Pulbeg Towers are also a landmark of Dublin and can be seen from various places around the city.

Interestingly, there are 302 parks and 66 green spaces in the Dublin City Council area as of 2018. Public parks include Phoenix Park, Herbert Park, St Stephen’s Green, Saint Anne’s Park and Bull Island. The Phoenix Park is about 3 kilometers west of the city centre, north of the River Liffey.

Its 16-kilometer perimeter wall covers 707 hectares, making it one of the largest walled city parks in Europe. It includes large areas of lawns and rows of trees, and since the 17th century it has been home to herds of wild fallow deer. The residence of the President of Ireland, which was built in 1751, is located in the park. The park is also home to Dublin Zoo, Ashtown Castle and the official residence of the United States Ambassador. Music concerts are sometimes held in this park.

St Stephen’s Green park is close to one of Dublin’s main shopping streets, Grafton Street, and the shopping center named after it, while the surrounding streets are home to the offices of numerous public authorities.

St Anne’s Park is a public park and recreation facility shared by Raheny and Clontarf, both suburbs on the north side. The park is Dublin’s second largest municipal park, part of a former 2 square kilometer estate that was put together by members of the Guinness family, starting with Benjamin Lee Guinness in 1835. The largest municipal park is located near (northern) Bull Island, which is also shared between Clonley Dolly Beach, not far from Ramount.

Which sights should not be missed if you are visiting Dublin? Trinity College is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Irish capital, due to the unusual treasures housed in the Old Library, built by Thomas Burgh between 1712 and 1732. The main reason for the large number of tourists is the famous Book of Kells, an amazing, illuminated manuscript of the four gospels of the New Testament, which were written around 800 AD. created by monks on the Scottish island of Iona, but even more stunning is the 65-meter long room, the main chamber of the library, which houses about 200,000 volumes of the oldest library.

Dublin Castle (Dublin Castle), this castle has been the stronghold of British power in Ireland for over 700 years, beginning with the Anglo-Norman fortress commissioned by King John in 1204. Only the Record Tower, which was built in 1258, remains of the original structure, while most of what you can see today was built from the 18th century onwards, but believe me, parts of this castle are still impressive.

Christ Church Cathedral is a magnificent cathedral that was originally designed to be seen from the river, make the effort to walk up to it, to really see its grandeur up to and to truly admire the beauty and grandeur of this religious edifice. The cathedral dates back to 1038, when Sitrich, the Danish king of Dublin, built the first wooden Christ Church here. A little later, in 1171, the original base was expanded in the shape of a cross and rebuilt in stone under the leadership of the Norman warrior Strongbow.

You might think that this is a bit of an unusual tourist recommendation, but if you have time, you must visit Glasnevin Cemetery. Gravestones in Ireland’s largest and most historically important cemetery where you can read like a who’s who of Irish history as most of the leading names of the past 150 years are buried here, including Daniel O’Connell and Charles Stuart Parnell. The cemetery was established in 1832 by O’Connell as a cemetery for people of all faiths – a high-minded response to the refusal of Protestant cemeteries to bury Catholics. There are a lot of organized themed tours of this cemetery so ask around and learn more about Irish history.

During the trip, the hotel where we stay is very important to all of us, because the hotel is our home in the new destination and therefore it is very important to choose a good hotel in each destination. During my stay in the capital of Ireland, my hotel Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence was my home, which is decorated with modern style, comfort and a beautiful atmosphere in the old in the immediate surroundings of the park in the heart of Herbert Park.

Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence is set in a tranquil park in the center of Dublin, this hotel acts as a peaceful and spacious oasis dedicated to providing a luxurious, relaxing city break imbued with high quality hospitality and a thoughtful personal touch.

During my visit to Showcase Ireland, I had the opportunity to stay in a park view studio apartment with a balcony. For those who want to extend their stay and enjoy the hotel a little more, Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence is pleased to offer exclusive Studio Apartments with a balcony that have a magnificent view of the park. Within this distinguished category, this hotel has a select number of Studio Suites, each offering unparalleled views of tranquil Herbert Park.

These studio apartments redefine luxury living, seamlessly blending the comfort of a superior hotel experience with the convenience of a fully equipped kitchenette, ensuring that every moment of your stay is filled with enjoyment and comfort. Perfect for holidaymakers and business guests looking to stay a little longer, the apartments have an integrated kitchen, lounge and dining area, as well as all the amenities you’d expect from a luxury hotel. The Park Residence at the Herbert Park Hotel is the perfect choice for guests looking for both short and long term accommodation in Dublin.

Today I want to introduce you to a truly exceptional Irish brand with a passionate story behind it. This is a story of celebrating true craftsmanship, ethical production, sustainable natural fabrics and the desire to bring each of these together into beautiful, modern and timeless collections of cruelty-free silk sleepwear for men and women, as well as famous award-winning pillowcases.

The Ethical Silk Company is a brand that began its journey in the lush and colorful country of Ireland, brought to life in the hands of Dubliner and wife founder Eva. As a girl, Eva was inspired by her mother’s numerous beauty rituals that she did every day before going to bed with a silk scarf around her pillowcase to protect her skin and hair, and she continued this as an adult when she lovingly founded The Ethical Silk Company, in order to show the world the benefits of sleeping on silk!

The Ethical Silk Company brand, with a lot of hard work and creativity, has undergone a transformation into the much-loved brand it is today. The brand led by a group of 5 business women, Banke (CEO of the company), Fritha (Director for Europe), Margaret (Director for UK), Sade (Director for North America) and Shola (Director for Ireland), who took over from Eva, are now fighting with full force for ethical and slow fashion!

Despite their different stages of life, this team of five fantastic women has many passions that bind them together as one business family. They strive to be uncompromisingly committed to ethical production and fair practices because they firmly believe that everyone should be fairly rewarded for their work and skills, and should be treated with respect. Of course, there is also a love for natural, sustainable fabrics where no animals have suffered in the production process that has as little impact on our planet as possible.

A simple and transparent supply chain. The team of this brand knows their suppliers very well, they build a solid and reliable relationship and during these years they visit them regularly, so they are also considered an extended part of this business family. What’s most important is a deep appreciation of generational, expert craftsmanship and beautiful, high-quality tailoring and merging these into modern, elegant and timeless fashion collections for men and women.

Plus the beauty of hand block printing with each piece being unique and telling its own story. The Ethical Silk Company family is in love with what they do! They never sit still in the world of slow fashion. The future is eco fashion and they are proud that the brand’s Ethical Silk Company clients can have peace of mind knowing that they are not only enjoying the timeless elegance of the men’s and women’s collections, but are supporting the cycle of sustainability and social responsibility, making a statement that luxury and ethics can coexist beautifully.

In today’s post, you have the opportunity to see The Ethical Silk Company men’s silk pajamas, which are proof that elegance can meet comfort when sleeping in natural ivory with navy details. Made from 100% mulberry silk and tailored in a Fairtrade tailoring unit using environmentally friendly mulberry silk. These pajamas are breathable, lightweight and temperature-regulating for the best possible sleep.

These pajamas feature details such as trouser pockets, French seams, mother-of-pearl buttons and navy detailing. These pajamas are machine washable.

The Ethical Silk Company sleepwear is designed to be relaxed for maximum comfort. Since woven silk doesn’t stretch, if you’re ever in doubt about a size, I recommend choosing a larger sleepwear size to allow for extra wiggle room while you sleep. In this way, you will allow yourself maximum comfort so that you can truly enjoy the beauty and benefits of silk.

This time I have a surprise for all Mr.M blog readers so with this special code MRM10 you can get a discount of 20% and it can be used on the entire The Ethical Silk Company offer except gift cards and eye masks. This code cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or archive sale.

I would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence for their warm welcome and hosting me in their hotel. The stay in their hotel was exceptional, a unique experience that I will remember!

My dear travellers, we have come to the end of this second special travelogue in the series of travelogues about Ireland where we had the opportunity to get to know the capital of Ireland – Dublin and to share with you some interesting tourist attractions that you should visit if your trip leads you to Ireland.

Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of everyday life in Ireland. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Ireland.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with many companies and entrepreneurs in different sectors and I would like to thank Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence once again for this amazing Showcase Ireland adventure and for allowing me to experience in a very different way I feel the beauty of this unusual Irish culture and I feel the beauty of everyday life in Dublin and Ireland in general.

How did you like my story about Ireland and the presentation of the capital of Ireland – Dublin? Have you had a chance to visit Ireland yet?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with a new story!

With Love from Dublin,,

Mr. M

This post is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence as well as other local partners. This post represents my personal and honest review of the event experience and the destination itself.

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Celtic Tweed: A Story of Love for Quality Irish Materials

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My dear fashionistas, welcome to the third fashion story in a series of posts from Ireland on the Mr.M blog. This February will be dedicated to this unusual country in the heart of Western Europe, a country known for its greenest landscapes, St. Patrick’s Day, music, the famous Irish whiskey, but also for its extremely high quality wool. At the very beginning of today’s fashion story about Celtic Tweed, an iconic luxury Irish fashion brand, I would like to thank the Enterprise Ireland team for the warm invitation to the 50th anniversary of the three-day Irish trade show Showcase Ireland and for making the collaboration with Irish fashion brands that you will have opportunities to see in fashion stories from Ireland.

With the selfless help of all the mentioned partners, fashion stories and travelogues from Ireland were created, which you will have the opportunity to read this February, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure. Today I will introduce some Irish brands which caught my attention during the Showcase Ireland trade show – Celtic Tweed and Ériu.

If by any chance you missed reading the previous travelogue post about Showcase Ireland or you want to remind yourself of some interesting things, take the opportunity to visit the following LINK.

Celtic Tweed is a luxury Irish brand that makes bespoke Irish tweed clothing for men and women: jackets, waistcoats, gilets and body warmers, shirts, hats, skirts. What is the story of this extraordinary brand? After 35 years in the industry working with suppliers around the world, Celtic Tweed brand founders Mrs. Cathy Coghlan and Mr. Frank Coghlan decided in 2012 to create a unique Irish clothing collection that was to revive the fabrics of Ireland and proudly make these clothes in their hometown of Balbriggan, a town with a rich history of weaving and clothing manufacturing dating back to the 1830s.

Every day since then has been a journey of learning and discovery. The Celtic Tweed team designs with simplicity believing that the best things in life are simple and timeless. They strip away the unnecessary to create elegant pieces. Making these pieces time and time again and truly honing their skills, constantly perfecting cuts, fabrics, textures and finishes with each new collection, they are truly the best of the best created by their highly skilled team of designers, cutters and tailors.

People are becoming much more curious about how their clothes come from Balbriggan, enabling the Celtic Tweed team to share that journey with them. Their team meticulously handcrafts each piece, to create shapes that fit beautifully with your figure, to create authentically sustainable pieces of quiet luxury, which will become cherished heirlooms for you and future generations to enjoy together. The Celtic Tweed team makes clothes with love that will be enjoyed by future generations.

Celtic Tweed tailored suits, shirts and jackets are pieces of clothing that embody unparalleled luxury and elegance. Celtic Tweed’s tailoring service involves working closely with each customer to create bespoke garments that are precisely tailored to their unique body measurements. All Celtic Tweed clothing is made in Dublin, ensuring exceptional quality and loving attention to detail in every stitch.

What does this service look like? This exclusive Celtic Tweed experience begins with an initial meeting with a Made To Measure (MTM) service specialist and you meet your personal tailor, who will guide you through every step of creating your personalized made-to-measure garment. The tailor will then take all your measurements to create a unique garment tailored to your body down to the millimeter.

Once the desired design features are confirmed, the Celtic Tweed team creates a custom pattern for you. During this fashion journey you will have the opportunity to have two separate trials with your tailor before your bespoke outfit is finalized to ensure that every element is executed to perfection.

The Celtic Tweed brand business is dedicated to producing high-quality clothing that respects the planet and promotes a sustainable lifestyle. Their approach is based on sustainable design, local production and responsible sourcing, which really sets them apart from other brands in the fashion industry. The Celtic Tweed creative team creates clothing that is designed to be timeless, versatile and long-lasting, encouraging customers to invest in quality over quantity. By making clothes that are meant to last, the brand contributes to a slower, more thoughtful fashion cycle. All Celtic Tweed collections are made in Dublin, where they personally and directly oversee all stages of production to ensure that each piece meets all standards of sustainability and quality craftsmanship.

One of the most important postulates of this brand’s work is the right choice of materials that reflect the dedication and love of the Celtic Tweed team for making quality clothing. Their team favors natural, renewable fabrics such as wool and linen, which have a lower environmental impact than synthetics. Wool is particularly beneficial because it is biodegradable and provides warmth without energy-intensive production, making it ideal for sustainable outerwear. They work with local suppliers as much as possible and with mills that follow environmentally friendly practices, helping to reduce their carbon footprint while supporting local communities in Ireland.

The Celtic Tweed team’s commitment to sustainability selflessly extends to customer engagement, where they encourage careful selection and care of clothing. Offering care advice, repair services and styling ideas, the Celtic Tweed team help customers in every way to extend the life of their clothes, while reducing their impact on the environment. This approach resonates with their existing customers, who build wardrobes filled with durable, meaningful pieces that Celtic Tweed can always repair for them. As I learned from the founder of the brand, this year they will introduce a novelty in their work, namely “product passports”, so that all customers will have an insight into the full traceability of the clothes they buy from the Celtic Tweed brand.

My outfit today is made up of two pieces of clothing from the Celtic Tweed collection – a jacket with knitted sleeves and classic trousers.

The Shackleton tweed jacket, crafted as a tribute to the endurance and legendary spirit of Irish-born Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton. Built to embody the resilience and adventure of Shackleton, this men’s Irish tweed jacket combines traditional craftsmanship with luxurious details. Made from a blend of merino wool and soft cashmere, the jacket celebrates Shackleton’s Irish heritage, with materials that respect the rugged landscapes of Ireland that once inspired him. This exquisite men’s tweed jacket is designed with a quilted interior that provides good breathability and warmth, while nappa leather details on the collar and pockets add a sophisticated and refined touch of luxury.

Made from 95% merino wool and 5% cashmere, the cable knit sleeves offer exceptional softness and warmth, ideal for outdoor exploration or city walking. With practical interior and side exterior pockets, this Irish tweed jacket is both stylish and functional, inspired by the enduring legacy of the legendary explorer. Who knows, you might find your inner explorer with the Shackleton jacket, a timeless accessory for those who appreciate the heritage of Irish tweed and want to embody the spirit of adventure in a special and original way.

I paired the Shackleton jacket with brown tweed trousers, which are made in Dublin by Celtic Tweed’s professional artisan tailors, showcasing the beauty of Irish craftsmanship and design. Expertly designed and hand cut in Balbriggan, North County Dublin, these trousers are crafted in a classic pattern and cut, offering a timeless sharp style. Featuring brown tweed with multicolored stripes woven in, these trousers are the same color as the jackets, but can also easily be paired with a matching brown tweed waistcoat or tweed jacket for a sophisticated, coordinated look. Designed with special attention to detail, the Celtic Tweed tweed trousers combine tradition and quality, making them the ideal choice for those looking for authentic Irish tweed craftsmanship.

If you want to stay updated and find out what new products Celtic Tweed, a luxury Irish fashion brand, has prepared for us, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

OUTFIT

Cable Knit Sleeve Jacket: Celtic Tweed

Sweater: Ériu

Trousers: Celtic Tweed

Gloves: Restelli Guanti

Sneakers: Fratelli Rossetti

A brand that caught my eye during Showcase Ireland is Irish luxury knitwear brand Ériu who make clothing, accessories and other products from 100% Irish wool which has been selected for its unique qualities of softness, drape, shine and seam definition. The founders of this amazing brand are Ms. Zoë Daly and Mr. Lionel Mackey.

Ériu‘s story began with Mrs. Daly’s grandmother, Kitsy, who knitted all her life. It was her art, her craft, her soul. For her, knitting was a practical, useful thing, but also an expression of selfless and great love. When Mrs. Zoe’s daughter was born, right on Kitsy’s birthday, as luck would have it, she knitted her a blanket, her first baby blanket. This precious blanket is made from 100% soft and silky merino wool.

Ms Zoe has discovered a new community of small and sustainable farmers who are committed to restoring Ireland’s woolen tradition, a heritage of cottage industry. A concept based on new breeds of sheep, new blends of wool, new ways of renewing old skills. After she met Mr. Lionel Mackey, a farmer from Wicklow, who understood the reality of sheep farming, as well as the needs of the business, they decided to establish the Ériu brand, which took its name from the patron goddess of Ireland, the queen of fertility, sovereignty and abundance.

They wanted to create a fully sustainable process for making Irish wool blankets, where the material is sourced directly from farmers and local textile artisans are employed. “From farm to yarn” became their mantra, a new hope and eventually the slogan of this unusual brand. During Showcase Ireland I had the opportunity to meet the founders of the brand and get to know more about their work and divine products made from real Irish wool.

In today’s fashion story, I want to present you a Beige Lugh Sweater that perfectly fit into my outfit today. How did this sweater get its name? Lugh was a Celtic solar king, god of light and sun, who had many children, including the famous Celtic warrior Cu Chulin.

A dedicated protector of land and community, Lugh represents the warrior-masculine spirit of the Ériu brand’s mission to protect the nation’s heritage, champion natural resources and bring these skills back to Irish communities. This sweater is a unisex piece with a new vision of a contemporary approach to tradition, with subtle details (braids) and a comfortable hood. Lightweight and comfortable to wear, this beautiful sweater is handmade with love by dear Ann and Anne on their homemade knitting machines from home.

The jumper is made from Ériu‘s signature blend of 100% Irish wool yarns, which bring ancient heritage to life through a fair trade wool network across Ireland. This sweater is made in 6 basic colors: navy, pink, turquoise, beige, blue and camel.

If you want to stay updated and find out what new things Ériu, a luxury brand of Irish knitwear, has prepared for us, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

There is no person in the world who cannot hide his joy when it fells the smell of new Italian leather. Today, we reunite with the Italian family-owned glove workshop Restelli, a place where art, tradition and the beauty of handicrafts meet every day, which is the true definition of Italian style and lifestyle in general.

Making gloves is not only a job but also a real art. After 100 years, passion, emotions, tradition and knowledge have been passed on to the third generation! Rafaela Restelli has fully embraced the challenges of a new fashion era where the market and way of selling has changed with a deep respect and belief in tradition and love for masterpieces that last!

Restelli gloves are not valued by money but by tradition and history full of love and patience that have no price.

We end today’s fashion adventure with old well-known friends of the Mr.M blog – Fratelli Rossetti. This Italian footwear brand that I’m sure everyone recognises for their comfortable shoes that are made from the highest quality materials Fratelli Rossetti footwear is fantastic for the reason that this brand makes classic shoes that are elegant and simply unbeatable, shoes for all time! You had the chance to see their most famous model, the Brera, in my Jordan fashion stories as well as in many other fashion stories on the Mr.M blog over the past years.

What is the story of this brand? In the middle of the 20th century, more precisely in 1945, Mr. Renzo Rossetti started his story from scratch, where he worked alone to cut leather for several types of sports shoes. His shoes were sold at the famous Brigatti store in Milan, one of the few remaining stores of its kind in the city. After a few years, Fratelli Rossetti saw success, but, wanting to develop further, they transferred the brands and equipment for this special production to Atala Sport in Padua.

So they decided to start their story again from the beginning and decided to switch to the production of classic shoes. Those were the years between 1952 and 1957, which witnessed the orientation and acquisition of new skills in the creation of women’s ballet flats and elegant, simple men’s footwear characterized by extremely flexible and high-quality workmanship. All this led to the creation of a small collection of men’s shoes with contours that differed from the various styles sold at the time. Renzo Rossetti consequently engaged in work that demonstrated his aesthetic sense and artistic perfectionism.

The story of the Fratelli Rossetti company is an inspiring story of a successful Italian family business that opened its doors in 1953. This is not just an ordinary company story, but a family story: the founder, Renzo Rossetti, and his wife, Lisetta, were dedicated to their work all their lives. The Fratelli Rossetti company is currently run by the second generation of the Rossetti family, the brothers Diego, Dario and Luca, who, due to their different roles and by developing their own different skills, have successfully brought their company to its 60th anniversary, always in search of quality and united by their passion with strict respect for tradition.

Fratelli Rossetti has a long tradition of “big little innovations”. In this company, tradition and quality have always gone hand in hand with insatiable curiosity and commitment to innovation. From the introduction of tassels and the invention of shoes designed to be worn without socks, to stylistic innovations and the launch of the “masculine” style, to the application of colors in unique chromatic shades. It was Renzo Rossetti who emphasized the importance of embracing new materials, styles and shapes: as early as the 60s, he was already experimenting with different color combinations on leather. Today, the company continues its research and development activities thanks to the knowledge of its craftsmen and the creative spirit of the styling department.

Fratelli Rossetti in its collections for men has timeless classic lines that you can find all year in their offer, some of the models are: Brera, Brera Sport, Hobo Sport, Yacht, La Giusta.

In previous stories you had the opportunity to enjoy the Brera models, but this season I decided to show you the other side of the Fratelli Rossetti brand – the new face of sporty elegance.

In today’s fashion story, I want to present to you the dynamic and metropolitan look of Fratelli Rossetti sneakers from the latest Fall-Winter 2024 collection, which are made of the highest quality soft nubuk leather in dark brown chocolate color. Of course, there is also an insole that can be removed and ventilated. The cupsole features the brand’s logo on the back and is made of flexible, lightweight rubber with a custom tread that lets you feel like you’re walking on clouds.

This sneaker model comes in several variations, mine is dark brown made of nubuck leather, while there are 2 more shades of brown: brown deerskin sneakers and smooth antique-effect leather sneakers in ebony colour. Of course, there are also sneakers in the indispensable classic olive color made of suede leather. In addition to this sneaker model, the Fratelli Rossetti brand offers several other sneaker models, so I am convinced that if you are looking for quality and well-designed sneakers, you can find them in the Fratelli Rossetti collection this season.

If you want to stay freshly updated and find out which models of shoes and leather goods the Fratelli Rossetti brand has in its offer, visit their official online store and follow them on the social networks Facebook and Instagram.

My dear fashionistas, we have come to the end of the third fashion story from the series of posts from Ireland, where together we discovered the beauty and splendor of Irish fashion with the brand Celtic Tweed, the luxury and softness of Irish production of luxury knitwear with Ériu, the tradition of Italian production of luxury gloves by Restelli Guanti and the beauty of the comfort of Italian footwear with Fratelli Rossetti, partners with whom fashion stories are a real adventure. I sincerely hope you got some inspiration for your ideal winter outfit!

In the following posts, I will try to show you the beauty of the capital of Ireland – Dublin, as well as some natural beauties of Ireland with unusual fashion stories I made there. Today’s fashion story would not be possible without the selfless help of Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of everyday life in Ireland.

Today I tried to show you the beauty of elegance and refinement of luxury fashion in the natural beauty of Ireland, that’s why I prepared this outfit for you with a lot of love, I believe you will like it. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or any message for me, you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social media channels, which you can find on the CONTACT page. See you soon!

With Love from Dublin,
Mr.M

This post is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence, as well as Celtic Tweed, Ériu, Restelli Guanti and Fratelli Rossetti brands. This post is my personal and honest review of their products.

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Letters from Ireland: Showcase Ireland, a Treasury of Irish Craft and Design…

Fashion Lifestyle Travel 5 Comments

My dear travellers and lovers of unusual travel and fashionistas, welcome to the new series of travelogues on the Mr.M blog. January and February will be dedicated to an unusual country in the heart of Western Europe, a country known for its greenest landscapes, St. Patrick’s Day, music, famous whiskey and quality wool – Ireland. At the very beginning of today’s travelogue of the Showcase Ireland event, I would like to thank Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence, as well as other partners who selflessly supported my adventure in Ireland.

With their help, the travelogues from Ireland and fashion stories that you will have the opportunity to read this January and February were created, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure. Today I will do my best to bring you closer to an exceptional event, Showcase Ireland, a three-day fair of Irish craft and design that celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.

Fashion stories created during Showcase Ireland in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland and local brands:

  • Bonner of Ireland (luxury Irish knitwear) and George Horn (leather goods – gloves): LINK
  • Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli (luxury rainwear): LINK
  • Celtic Tweed (luxury Irish fashion brand) and Ériu (luxury Irish knitwear): LINK
  • Ériu (luxury Irish knitwear) and Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli: LINK

Enterprise Ireland is an enterprise development agency established by the Irish government. This organization invests in and supports the development of Irish-owned companies on their journey to achieve greater scale and become global leaders in their field. This way of working and supporting provides a platform for strong economic growth and the creation and maintenance of jobs in communities across Ireland. Their teams in Ireland and across their international network of 39 international offices help Irish companies develop high growth strategies and enter new markets with innovative and sustainable solutions.

As an Irish government agency, Enterprise Ireland is committed to trade and innovation with a focus on the creative industries and consumer retail sectors. To help grow businesses, Enterprise Ireland organises Showcase Ireland every year, a three-day trade show that presents the best of Irish craft and design to a national and international network of buyers.

This year Enterprise Ireland and Showcase Ireland celebrated the historic milestone of 50 years in existence. This year this incredible event marked five decades, celebrations that will not be repeated in our lifetime. This renowned event highlights the continued success and importance of Irish craftsmanship, design and quality. This year I had the opportunity to meet a large number of exhibitors who strive to maintain traditional crafts to modern innovations.

The fair was held from January 19 to 21, 2025, and over 400 exhibitors were present, including master craftsmen and internationally recognised designers who all came to this fair with the same goal – to present their best works.

During my visit to Ireland, I had the opportunity to discover Ireland’s rich heritage through wool, tweed, linen and more with a very modern twist on traditional design. At this fair, I met the people behind their brands and I got to know the Irish way of thinking and I realized that the people are exactly what make Ireland so special. I have learned the special Irish design, craftsmanship and listen with great interest to the stories that define Irish creativity.

During this visit to Dublin, I had the opportunity to explore the vibrant exhibition space of the fair held at the Royal Dublin Society where I was introduced to the truly breathtaking beauty of the West Coast of Ireland, while staying at the luxurious Herbert Park Hotel in the heart of Dublin.

Craftsmanship, design and entrepreneurship have long been embedded in Ireland’s identity. The distinguishing characteristics and collective strength reflected in the range of Irish designers, makers and artisans exhibiting at Showcase Ireland make it a place to discover something new and noteworthy that makes Ireland so special.

Ireland never experienced the Industrial Revolution and therefore maintained a focus on craftsmanship and design rather the uniformity of mass production that has become more common in her region. The story of Irish craft and design is only part of a rich cultural heritage and a powerful emotional connection to the island, its landscape and heritage. Many designers present their vision of Ireland through the art of forgotten crafts, textile traditions and historical references, but also with a completely new, modern reinterpreted fresh and contemporary approach to work. This commitment to past traditions leads to a revival of skills.

Over the past 50 years some of Ireland’s most famous names have exhibited at Showcase Ireland, and 2025 was no exception. Brands such as Aran Woollen Mills, Bonner of Ireland, Magee 1866, Mucros Weavers, Green Angel, The Handmade Soap Company, Nicholas Mosse and the world’s oldest candle making company – Rathbones 1488, were featured alongside 90 new brands that were first introduced exhibited at this fair. One brand that attended the first show in 1975 was Hanna Hats and returned in 2025 with styles from their archive collections as well as the introduction of new tweed models and lines.

Bonner of Ireland is a family company dedicated to using traditional crafts to produce quality knitwear from the finest yarns. Their team believes in sustainable design and innovation to provide a product and service that meets and exceeds customer needs. A person wearing a Bonner of Ireland product will gain a sense of the heritage, tradition and ideals of Donegal in Ireland.

Sweater: Bonner of Ireland – Gloves: George Horn

To wear a Bonner of Ireland creation is to wrap yourself in the essence of Ireland, to carry the deep-rooted traditions of Donegal close to your heart. In every thread, a piece of history; in every weaving of stories. Bonner of Ireland sources its wool from local artisan wool producers: Donegal Yarns. They manage the complete vertical production process from raw wool, through dyeing, mixing, carding and spinning to the finished multi-coloured colored yarn for the weaving, knitting and craft industries. All products are made in Ireland and production takes place at their woolen mill in Kilcar, Ireland.

In one of the next fashion stories from Ireland I will show you an outfit with a Bonner of Ireland sweater from a special collection.

Celtic Tweed is a luxury Irish brand that makes bespoke Irish tweed clothing for men and women: jackets, waistcoats, gilets and body warmers, shirts, hats, skirts. What is the story of this brand? After 35 years in the industry working with suppliers around the world, Celtic Tweed brand founders Mrs. Cathy Coghlan and Mr. Frank Coghlan decided in 2012 to create a unique Irish clothing collection that is to revive the fabrics of Ireland and proudly make these clothes in their hometown in Balbriggan, a town with a rich history of weaving and clothing manufacturing dating back to the 1830s.

Every day since then has been a journey of learning and discovery. The Celtic Tweed team designs with simplicity believing that the best things in life are simple and timeless. They strip away the unnecessary to create elegant pieces. Making these pieces time and time again and truly honing their skills, constantly perfecting cuts, fabrics, textures and finishes with each new collection, they are truly the best of the best created by their highly skilled team of designers, cutters and tailors.

People are becoming much more curious about how their clothes come from Balbriggan, enabling the Celtic Tweed team to share that journey with them. Their team meticulously handcrafts each piece, to create shapes that fit beautifully with your figure, to create authentically sustainable pieces of quiet luxury, which will become cherished heirlooms for you and future generations to enjoy together. The Celtic Tweed team makes clothes with love that will be enjoyed by future generations.

During my visit to Ireland, I had the opportunity to see for myself the beauty of the design and quality of Celtic Tweed clothing, and I will present it to you in a special fashion story in the coming period.

Outfit: Jacket and Trousers – Celtic Tweed; Sweater – Ériu

A brand that caught my attention is Irish luxury knitwear brand Ériu who make clothing, accessories and other products from 100% Irish wool which has been chosen for its unique characteristics of softness, drape, shine and seam definition. The founders of this amazing brand are Ms. Zoë Daly and Mr. Lionel Mackey.

Ériu’s story began with Mrs. Daly’s grandmother, Kitsy, who knitted all her life. It was her art, her craft, her soul. For her, knitting was a practical, useful thing, but also an expression of selfless and great love. When Ms. Zoe’s daughter was born, right on Keats’ birthday, as luck would have it, she knitted her a blanket, her first baby blanket. This precious blanket is made from 100% soft and silky merino wool.

Ms Zoe has discovered a new community of small and sustainable farmers who are committed to restoring Ireland’s woolen tradition, a heritage of cottage industry. A concept based on new breeds of sheep, new blends of wool, new ways of renewing old skills. After she met Mr. Lionel Mackey, a farmer from Wicklow, who understood the reality of sheep farming as well as the needs of the business, they decided to establish the Ériu brand, which took its name from the patron goddess of Ireland, the queen of fertility, sovereignty and abundance .

They wanted to create a fully sustainable process for making Irish wool blankets, where the material is sourced directly from farmers and local textile artisans are employed. “From farm to yarn” became their mantra, a new hope and eventually the slogan of this unusual brand.

During Showcase Ireland I had the opportunity to meet the founders of the brand and learn about their work and divine products made from real Irish wool. In the following fashion stories I will show you some of the outfits I did in collaboration with this luxury Irish knitwear brand.

Sweater: Ériu

During Showcase Ireland, I recognised my special love for coats in the brand Mackintosh by Francis Campelli. This brand is engaged in the production of luxury rainwear. What is the story of this brand? Almost two centuries ago, in 1823 to be exact, Mr. Charles Mackintosh patented his development of an outstanding waterproof fabric. Raincoats are made by a select few manufacturers using his double textured 2 ply cotton bonded with a rubber compound which is then bonded with rubberized cotton. Not long after, in 1889, one of those Manchester manufacturers expanded its operations to Ireland and in 1934 registered its Mackintosh manufacturing business.

The popularity of raincoats has led to them being exported to countries as far as the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. They were worn by men and women who appreciated their function and quality workmanship, however, complaints continued due to the smell of rubber and their tendency to melt in hot weather and become stiff in cold.

In 1983, the company was bought by Mr. Francis Campelli who successfully addressed these complaints and developed a fabric that is odorless and will not change properties in extreme weather conditions. This fabric is a double cotton texture, with a high-tech breathable membrane sandwiched between 2 layers of cotton, it is breathable, waterproof, windproof, durable and has the added benefit of being dry cleanable and hand washable.

Trench Coat: Mackintosh by Francis Campelli; Sweater: Ériu

Unlike other high-tech waterproof fabrics, this one has a completely natural look and feels soft against the skin. For nearly 200 years, generations of artisans have produced these garments that have come to be known as “Mack”.

In the following fashion stories on the Mr.M blog, you will have the opportunity to see how I styled a timeless double-breasted Mackintosh by Francis Campelli yellow raincoat, which is also the first raincoat of this bright colour in my wardrobe, as well as an interesting winter jacket with a winter insole.

Coat with winter insole: Mackintosh by Francis Campelli

As a big fan of luxury and high quality leather goods, at the Showcase Ireland fair I had the honour of meeting Mr. Gerard Horn, the manager of the George Horn brand that produces luxury leather gloves.

George Horn is a third generation glove maker based in Dublin. Founded by George in the 1940s and continued by his son Brian, the company is now run by Brian and his son Gerard. With a passion for quality, authenticity and respect for their craft and artistry, George Horn produces the finest hand-stitched gloves available.

After 77 years of craft, expertise, excitement, many successes and failures, and the hard work of 3 generations of one family, the continuation of George Horn not only sees the survival of the last master glove maker in Ireland, but also heralds a new era of those learning the trade. George Horn is also engaged in the training and education of leather artisans and glove makers to ensure that these age-old skills are preserved in a sustainable and sustainable way.

In the next fashion stories on the Mr.M blog, I will show you gloves from this luxury Irish leather goods brand, George Horn.

Gloves: George Horn

Enterprise Ireland is aware of the importance of ensuring the Showcase Ireland event is an environmentally sustainable event, and their team are actively working to reduce waste and carbon emissions. Showcase Ireland was held at the RDS which is centrally located, with good public transport and a range of accommodation options nearby. It has the ISO 50001:2018 standard for energy management systems.

There is a 100kvp solar installation on site, with another 1MW of potential roof space slated for development by the end of 2025. Constantly expanding the station’s electric vehicle charging network starting in 2023 to facilitate the transition to sustainable transport and increasing the number of bike racks available on site to encourage people to attend events there using active transport alternatives.

As for catering, all catering facilities use compostable food packaging and coffee cups. What is important to note about waste, separate dry mixed recycling materials, waste wood, green waste, food and other compostable waste so that they enter the appropriate waste processing streams.

The Enterprise Ireland team is aware that sustainability only works if we are all involved and working together, so they are encouraging all participants to engage with the sustainability initiatives that were implemented at this year’s Showcase Ireland event.

One of the most important items was that each of the participants and visitors should bring their own reusable bottle, as there were places for refilling water in the registration area for visitors and participants of the event. It was also very important that the correct bins were used when disposing of any waste, this helped the Enterprise Ireland team to maintain their ‘zero waste to landfill’ policy at the RDS.

All participants and visitors are advised to use public transport or use the 5 EV solar powered charging points located in the Merrion Road car park. Take advantage of the opportunity to organize as many online meetings as possible, thereby reducing the need for additional travel in the future.

One of the highlights was downloading the Showcase app and using the QR code on the back of the badge holder to access the beige exhibition catalog using cardboard and extra paper. In addition, all visitors were advised to take photos of business cards or flyers instead of using physical copies.

All exhibitors were advised to use QR codes instead of printed materials to provide information to all interested visitors. In addition, it was extremely important for exhibitors to provide samples and gifts made from sustainable or reusable materials. They are also advised to use sustainable materials for the stand where possible.

In addition to all the proposed measures, even the balloons used at the event are made of biodegradable latex. This material decomposes at a rate comparable to an oak leaf. This material is responsibly sourced through Forest Stewardship Council Plantations that are Rain Forest Alliance certified.

Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence is set in a tranquil park in the center of Dublin, this hotel acts as a peaceful and spacious oasis dedicated to providing a luxurious, relaxing city break imbued with high quality hospitality and a thoughtful personal touch.

During my visit to Showcase Ireland, I had the opportunity to stay in a park view studio apartment with a balcony. For those who want to extend their stay and enjoy the hotel a little more, Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence is pleased to offer exclusive Studio Apartments with a balcony that have a magnificent view of the park. Within this distinguished category, this hotel has a select number of Studio Suites, each offering unparalleled views of tranquil Herbert Park.

These studio apartments redefine luxury living, seamlessly blending the comfort of a superior hotel experience with the convenience of a fully equipped kitchenette, ensuring that every moment of your stay is filled with enjoyment and comfort. I would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence for their warm welcome and hosting me in their hotel. The stay in their hotel was exceptional, a unique experience that I will remember!

I will share my detailed experience with this wonderful hotel with you in one of the next posts in the Ireland travelogue series.

In the following posts, I will try to show you the beauty of the capital of Ireland – Dublin, as well as some natural beauties of Ireland with unusual fashion stories I made there. My dear adventurers and fashion lovers, we have come to the end of this first special travelogue in the series of travelogues about Ireland where we had the opportunity to get acquainted with this unusual trade show Showcase Ireland that takes place every year in Dublin and celebrated its 50th anniversary this year .

Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of everyday life in Ireland. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Ireland.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with many companies and entrepreneurs in different sectors and I would like to thank Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence once again for this amazing Showcase Ireland adventure and for allowing me to experience in a very different way I feel the beauty of this unusual Irish culture and I feel the beauty of everyday life in Dublin and Ireland in general.

How did you like my story about Ireland and the presentation of this specific Showcase Ireland trade show that showcases the best of Irish culture and tradition? Have you had a chance to visit Ireland yet?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with a new story!

In the following stories from Ireland, we will discover some other interesting sights that you should visit if your journey takes you to this unusual country!

With Love from Dublin,,

Mr. M

This post is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence as well as other local partners. This post represents my personal and honest review of the event experience and the destination itself.

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