Tanyel Revan has announced that she is now engaged to her partner Ediz.
The news of Tanyel’s engagement comes just 10 months after she appeared on this year’s winter series of Love Island. After being in the series’ original lineup, Tanyel was dumped single from the villa.
Last night, Tanyel took to Instagram to share her engagement news with her followers. The 27-year-old shared a beautiful video montage of the moment her now-fiancé chose to propose.
Tanyel’s future husband decided to pop the question on a yacht during a romantic trip to Turkey. After she said ‘yes’, the bride-to-be was greeted with a bouquet of yellow roses.
“I said YES to marrying my best friend and soul mate,” Tanyel gushed in the caption of her video, before sweetly adding: “It was always you”.
After exiting the Love Island villa earlier this year, Tanyel soon found love once again with the 31-year-old property developer. During the series reunion in March, Tanyel confirmed that she had entered into a relationship since leaving the show.
In an interview with The Sun, she gushed: “It was crazy. I feel like this is the quickest that anyone has gotten engaged after Love Island. It's very mad, but it's really exciting.”
After detailing that her ring is “yellow gold”, Tanyel went on to add: “I am over the moon. I feel like it's natural. I felt it was coming, I knew it was time for it to come. When you know you know. There's no way I could've been with anyone else.”
Subway has unveiled its festive winter warmers menu 2023 – which features the beloved V.I.Brie SubMelt and the return of the limited-edition Sticky Toffee Pudding Cookie.
Subway’s panini-style pressed and toasted cheesy SubMelts recently launched as part of Subway’s new Series menu. The V.I.Brie SubMelt is the perfect winter addition to the range, featuring classic festive flavour combinations of creamy Brie, American-style cheese, maple smoked streaky bacon, caramelised red onions and sweet onion sauce in a panini-style pressed and toasted Sub. Packed with mouth-watering flavours, the V.I.Brie SubMelt is available as either a 6-inch or a Footlong.
Finally, fans of Subway’s cookies will be overjoyed to hear the fan-favourite Sticky Toffee Pudding Cookie, will be welcomed back this winter. Available individually, as a pack of three, or in a box of 12, the classic, gooey toffee pudding-inspired cookies are the perfect sweet treat to end your meal, or to share with friends.
Available for delivery and in-store from 15th November, Subway guests will be able to enjoy the festive menu until 2nd January 2024 or while stocks last.
To find your nearest open Subway store, visit Subway here.
A recent survey conducted on Irish adults sheds light on the profound influence pet ownership has on mental well-being, with eight out of ten individuals attributing a positive impact to having a pet. The study, conducted on November 12, 2023, also highlighted that over a third of respondents found their beloved pets through animal shelters, emphasizing the growing trend of adopting animals in need of a loving home.
The findings coincide with the announcement of Purina's renewed partnership with the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), signaling a commitment to supporting over 1,700 cats and dogs annually. This partnership aims to provide essential nutrition, care, and aid in the rehoming efforts of these animals, contributing significantly to the charity's mission.
Purina's involvement is expected to positively impact the lives of more than 3,500 cats and dogs over the next two years, emphasizing the crucial role nutrition plays in the care and rehabilitation of animals.
The survey results highlighted that pet ownership is seen as a vital means of combating loneliness, with the majority of respondents considering their pets as integral members of their families. Almost 60% of participants admitted to purchasing gifts for their pets during significant moments like birthdays and holidays, further showcasing the emotional connection and bond between owners and their animals.
In Ireland, a nation known for its love for animals, 64% of individuals surveyed reported owning pets, with dogs, cats, and fish ranking as the top three choices.
The CEO of DSPCA, Pat Watt, expressed gratitude for the longstanding partnership with Purina, emphasizing the critical role nutrition plays in the care and recovery of animals. Both organizations aim to further promote responsible pet ownership and animal welfare through advocacy and public awareness initiatives.
Joanne McKenna, Country Category Manager Ireland at Purina, highlighted the deep bond between pets and their families, underscoring the positive impact pets have on mental and physical wellbeing. McKenna stressed the importance of recognizing the significant benefits of pet ownership for both individuals and families.
Bláthnaid Treacy, a prominent TV & Radio Presenter, celebrated the partnership renewal between DSPCA and Purina, commending the DSPCA's tireless efforts in safeguarding and promoting animal welfare. Treacy shared a personal connection, adopting her dog Mabel from the DSPCA and acknowledging the joy and positivity pets bring into households.
This collaboration between Purina and DSPCA stands as a testament to the profound impact of pet ownership on mental well-being and the shared dedication to improving animal welfare. It serves as a call to action to recognize and support responsible pet ownership while advocating for the welfare of animals in need of care and love.
After the private registry office ceremony, Maeva changed into a second wedding gown and the pair headed to a top hotel in London to celebrate their special day.
Maeva and James revealed that they will be holding a bigger ceremony and reception with their friends and family next month.
The second celebration will be filmed for Made in Chelsea so fans of the reality show have those scenes to look forward to.
D’Ascanio announced her and James’ marriage to her 330K Instagram followers earlier today by posting a sweet photo of themselves from their wedding day.
She captioned the post, “Yes! We did it!! Now we can't wait to celebrate with all our family and friends”.
The lovebirds have been an item for three years. James proposed to Maeva in April of last year while they were on a romantic holiday together in Rome.
When announcing their engagement to Hello!, the pair revealed they were also expecting their baby boy together.
Maeva said, “All my dreams are coming true at the same time. I still don’t believe it. It’s all amazing. I just want to enjoy it all as much as I can”.
Jennifer Aniston has broken her silence on the tragic passing of Matthew Perry.
The Friends actor, best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the hit sitcom, was found dead at his Los Angeles home on October 28 at the age of 54.
Now, Jennifer, who played the character of Rachel Green in the show, has paid tribute to her late co-star on social media, for her 44.4M followers to see.
Jennifer took to Instagram to share a photo of the pair on set, as well as a video from an emotional scene they played together and a screenshot of a text message between the friends.
Aniston captioned the post, “Oh boy this one has cut deep… Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that I’ve never experienced before. We all experience loss at some point in our lives. Loss of life or loss of love”.
“Being able to really SIT in this grief allows you to feel the moments of joy and gratitude for having loved someone that deep. And we loved him deeply”.
“He was such a part of our DNA. We were always the 6 of us. This was a chosen family that forever changed the course of who we were and what our path was going to be”.
The 54-year-old continued, “For Matty, he KNEW he loved to make people laugh. As he said himself, if he didn't hear the ‘laugh’ he thought he was going to die. His life literally depended on it. And boy did he succeed in doing just that”.
“He made all of us laugh. And laugh hard. In the last couple weeks, I’ve been pouring over our texts to one another. Laughing and crying then laughing again. I’ll keep them forever and ever. I found one text that he sent me out of nowhere one day. It says it all. (See the second slide…)”.
“Matty, I love you so much and I know you are now completely at peace and out of any pain. I talk to you every day… sometimes I can almost hear you saying “could you BE any crazier?”.
Jennifer signed off by adding, “Rest little brother. You always made my day”.
Shortly after Jennifer shared her moving tribute for Matthew, David Schwimmer, who played the role of Ross Geller in the sitcom, also broke his silence on his co-star’s death.
David penned, “Matty, Thank you for ten incredible years of laughter and creativity. I will never forget your impeccable comic timing and delivery. You could take a straight line of dialogue and bend it to your will, resulting in something so entirely original and unexpectedly funny it still astonishes”.
“And you had heart. Which you were generous with, and shared with us, so we could create a family out of six strangers”.
He added, “This photo is from one of my favorite moments with you. Now it makes me smile and grieve at the same time. I imagine you up there, somewhere, in the same white suit, hands in your pockets, looking around – “Could there BE any more clouds?”.
The popular dating app has garnered insights from more than 25,000 singles on Bumble around the world to identify trends that will define dating and relationships in the year to come.
Over the past year, we’ve seen fandoms reach new heights, discovered a new obsession with American Football (players), seen men embrace their inner ‘ken-ergy’, and witnessed iconic women driving the economy through their creativity.
Bumble’s 2023 trends focused on navigating love abroad with Wanderlove, dating beyond your type with Open-casting and establishing new boundaries with our partners, our work lives and our finances. Looking ahead, 2024 is set to be the year of “self” in dating and relationships with more people looking inwards at what they value and want.
Bumble has launched new features including Best Bees
This personal prioritisation sees singles rejecting the constant strive for perfection, discarding outdated timelines, challenging ‘jobification’, and placing more value on emotional vulnerability, self-acceptance, and shared priorities.
Heading into 2024, there is an air of optimism and clarity for the ‘year of self’ as Bumble’s research* shows that more than half (57%) of women surveyed are going into the new year with a clear view of what they want from their romantic lives.
Bumble’s dating trend predictions include:
Gen(erational)-Blend Romance:
Building on dating beyond your ‘type’, there has been an increase in cross-generational relationships. Singles on Bumble are increasingly open to connections both older and younger. For 2 in 3 (63%) people, age is not a defining factor when dating with more than half (59%) of women saying they are now more open to dating someone younger than them. We’re also changing how we view others’ relationships with nearly half (45%) of Irish women stating age gaps in relationships become less significant as partners get older over the last year.
Val-Core Dating:
Singles today are looking for shared priorities and expect their partners to not only care about social causes but to actively engage. Val-Core refers to the rise of people valuing engagement on issues that matter to them. For 1 in 4 (25%) people on Bumble it is key that their partner actively engages with politics and social causes, in fact it makes them more attractive.
Research also cites women are less open to someone with differing political views and for 1 in 3 (33%) women it is a turn-off if someone they are dating is not aware of current societal issues.
Betterment Burnout:
From biohacking and starting your day at 5am, to plugging into self-help podcasts, there has been a rise in people ‘self-optimising’ – striving to become a perfect version of themselves. This has led the majority of singles (55%) to feel pressure to constantly look for ways to better themselves, leaving 1 in 4 (24%) feeling unworthy of a partner. Looking ahead to 2024, singles are rebelling against the constant self-improvement with more than 2 in 3 women (68%) taking active steps to be happier with who they are here and now. In fact, 2 in 5 (40%) Irish women said they will now only date people who will not try to change them.
Intuitive Intimacy:
For people today, and particularly women, it seems attraction comes down to one key thing: emotional intimacy. Singles are focused on finding security, safety, and understanding, with a third (32%) of people surveyed on Bumble believing that emotional intimacy is now more important than sex and that it’s actually more attractive than physical connection. When it comes to dating, an overwhelming majority (83%) of Irish women say it’s key that their partner has an understanding of both emotional and physical intimacy. In 2024, it’s time to get in your feels.
Open-Hearted Masculinity:
The year has been filled with global conversations about masculinity and gender roles in fashion, media, music, and film (ken-ergy, anyone?). When it comes to relationships, 1 in 4 (25%) men state that they have actively changed their behaviour, becoming more vulnerable and open with people they are dating than ever before. For a quarter of men (25%), this new-found openness has had a positive impact on their mental health and for 1 in 3 (32%) a lack of vulnerability is now a dating dealbreaker. In Ireland, Gen Z is driving this trend with 1 in 3 (32%) of men in Ireland stating that their male friends are increasingly practicing healthy masculinity.
Timeline Decline:
People, especially women, continue to feel a constant pressure to follow traditional relationship timelines. Into 2024, we’re seeing the decline of timelines in favour of women choosing to actively build their own path, with 1 in 3 (31%) women saying they are no longer focused on adhering to traditional timelines and milestones. This is reflected in intentions with nearly 3 in 4 (72%) of women looking for a long-term relationship and only 1 in 5 (23%) seeking marriage. For nearly a third (31%) of women, this means only dating people who have the same perspective on timelines and milestones. More than 1 in 4 (28%) of Irish women say seeing posts from friends online makes them worry that they aren’t meeting traditional timelines.
MVP (Most Valuable Partner):
With a new wave of women tennis stars, a constant stream of sports documentaries, and a global competition next summer, sports is set to take a front seat in dating – or maybe we’re just all after our own Taylor and Kelce love story? For 1 in 3 (31%) singles, a shared love of sports has now become a ‘must have’ regardless of if you’re a player or simply a spectator. Our obsession with sports is also changing how we date with a quarter of people (24%) stating that attending sports together is important, particularly amongst Gen-Z and Millennial singles. In Ireland, nearly 2 in 3 (61%) of profiles on Bumble include a sports interest badge and the top athletics include: Football, Rugby, and Swimming.**
Consider-date:
This year’s prioritisation of self-care and mental health has led to more than half (58%) of singles being more open about their mental health and making a concerted effort to slow down. Single people are reframing how they date to better protect their mental health, with almost 1 in 3 (31%) actively ‘slow-dating’ and being considerate about how much they are dating to ensure quality over quantity, even more so amongst women. In fact, more than 1 in 3 (36%) of women are actively seeking people who value both time and self-care. This is bringing back a trend that Bumble identified in the pandemic, challenging the “job-ification” of love with 1 in 4 (25%) people actively deterred by anyone who treats a date as a checklist exercise.
You can send a message with the Compliments feature
Naomi Walkland, Bumble’s Vice-President for Europe said: “In 2023, we identified trends on love abroad, new boundaries, and a more open approach to typecasting. Intertwined with our dating lives, we saw societal conversations on misogyny, women’s rights, and social issues that left many exhausted. In our research, we’ve seen that these cultural conversations have impacted the way that people on Bumble are dating – empowering their sense of self and seeking people who value what’s also important to them, whether it’s social causes, lifestyles or just their favourite sports team.
We’ve also seen that singles are increasingly looking inwards, unpacking expectations around age, perfection, and timelines, and seeking people who are more vulnerable and accepting of who they are. 2024 will bring a year of self, with people more empowered than ever to prioritise what they value and what they will not stand for, leading to a new clarity about what they want in their romantic lives.”
To empower singles to make the most of 2024, Bumble has launched new features including Best Bees, a curated daily set of four compatible profiles to help you find more relevant connections faster. See someone who also shares your passion for sports or sustainability? You can send a message with the Compliments feature.
Miriam Margolyes has detailed why she turned down opportunities to star in two of the most popular reality shows!
The actress, who is known for her role as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, is renowned for her outrageous comments on shows such as This Morning and The Graham Norton Show.
Now, as she celebrates the release of her memoir Oh Miriam!, the 82-year-old has admitted that she was previously asked to join some of television’s most popular shows.
Speaking on the Dish from Waitrose podcast with hosts Nick Grimshaw and Angela Harnett, Miriam was asked why she decided to write her autobiography.
"I only wrote it 'cause they offered me a lot of money," she confessed candidly, before adding: "That's true, that's absolutely true. Well, when you're old and you know that your earning potential is diminishing.”
Elaborating further, the TV star went on to share that she had previously been asked by the BBC to take part in Strictly Come Dancing.
"You've got to get the money while you can. I won't do that, what do you call it? The dancing thing,” Miriam pondered, before presenter Angela suggested Strictly and queried: "They asked you to do that a few times?"
Miriam agreed and replied teasingly: "Yeah, they must have been f***ing nuts.”
The documentarian then went on to confirm that she also had offers to join I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
“And they asked me to go in the jungle,” she noted, to which host Nick asked jokingly: “Was that a hard no?”
“I’ve got class, love. I’m not doing that,” Miriam exclaimed scathingly in response, adding: "I thought, 'I'll write a book'."
Miriam’s comments come just a few days after the lineup for this year’s I’m A Celebrity was revealed. Amongst soap stars and TV legends, controversial political figure Nigel Farage and Britney Spears’ younger sister, Jamie Lynn Spears, have been confirmed to be taking part.
Kim Smyllie Skin Therapist is a new clinic which launched in Greystones in recent months, Kim the woman behind the clinic is far from new to the beauty game though. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Kim is more than qualified to bring her unique offering to a variety of customers in need of bespoke skin solutions. Kim places an emphasis on skin health and believes that in order to achieve anti-ageing results, skin health must be the top priority.
Skin Therapist Kim Smyllie
At the clinic clients can firstly book a complimentary skin consultation. Kim who has a slew of qualifications in areas such as aesthetics and physiology as well as having trained with some of the best skincare brands in the world including Alumier MD, Obagi, Zo, Skinceuticals, Image and Skin Pen by Crown Aesthetics, uses her expertise to identify the skin health needs of clients. Many clients come to Kim after they have experienced a one size fits all approach to their skincare, which Kim does not recommend. As with people themselves, all skin health needs differ, and Kim’s approach to treatments and products is completely bespoke to the customer.
Once the consultation is complete, Kim recommends a course of treatments which may include:
Alumier MD Peels:
These mild to medium depth exfoliating peels use the highest quality products from Alumier MD, a prescription only skincare range, which Kim is a Diamond level provider of. The peels can work well as a one off treatment if a client has an event or similar coming up that they would like an extra glow or facial refresh for. Ideally for those suffering from acne or those who would like to benefit from anti-ageing solutions, a course of these treatments would be recommend for the best results. Prices start at €120.
Bespoke Facials:
Facials with Kim are customised according to the client’s skin type and main areas of concern which can be determined with a thorough skin analysis at the consultation stage. Facials will include exfoliation at whatever level is needed, extractions, facial massage, LED light therapy or other modalities as required, depending on the client’s needs. Prices start at €90.
Celluma LED Light Therapy:
A celebrity favourite, this device, which is FDA approved and backed by skin science, is a unique offering from Kim Smyllie Skin Therapist that has become an instant hit with clients. LED light successfully aids in the treatment of acne, rosacea, inflammation, lines and wrinkles. It helps to boost the effects of the other treatments and peels so Kim regularly adds this on to other treatments as part of the skin health journey for clients. Priced at €50 for a standalone treatment or €30 as an add on to other treatments.
Skin Pen Microneedling:
The Skin Pen Precision is the first FDA cleared medical microneedling device. Microneedling is proven to improve the appearance of acne scarring, pigmentation, lines and wrinkles with very little downtime. For best results Kim recommends a course of three treatments depending on the skin conditions of the client. The Skin Pen can also work very well alongside other treatments, again depending on the skin health journey of the client. Prices start from €200.
Kim Smyllie Skin Therapist is not only the provider of bespoke skin treatments but also a Diamond level stockist for Alumier MD, one of the world's most proven skincare ranges that cannot be bought off the shelf but needs to be prescribed from an approved provider, such as Kim. Alumier MD is renowned for its advanced formulations that are backed by scientific research. As part of the skin health journey clients can expect at Kim Smyllie Skin Therapist includes bespoke recommendations for Alumier MD products that align with the needs of the client. Once the range has been prescribed, Kim sets up clients with access to an easy to use online store.
Kim Smyllie Skin Therapist is located in the tranquil seaside surrounds of Greystones, Co. Wicklow, just a short drive from the capital. Over time Greystones has become synonymous with some of the best providers of health, wellness and beauty services, which Kim has now joined the ranks of. The private clinic is located by the seafront and clients can expect the upmost privacy at their one to one appointments in the plush and relaxing environment of the clinic.
Kim Smyllie, owner and operator of Kim Smyllie Skin Therapist, says “I have been working in the skin therapy and beauty industry for over twenty years, where I have gained some incredible experience in knowing what does and doesn’t work for clients. I have long hoped to open my own business offering clients the absolute best treatments and products to help them achieve the healthiest possible skin. I have been lucky enough to have many clients come with me to my new clinic in Greystones, where I get to focus on skin health. Offering treatments such as Alumier MD peels, Skin Pen microneedling, LED light therapy and of course bespoke facials has allowed me to offer clients incredible results not only for the appearance of their skin but for the health of their skin underneath the surface, which ultimately dictates look and texture. I’m excited to grow the business over time and bring real solutions to even more clients.”
Potential clients can book a free consultation with Kim Smyllie Skin Therapist by visiting www.ksskintherapist.com. Follow skin health tips or to find out about the latest treatments and packages on offer, clients are encouraged to follow on social media @ks_skintherapist on Instagram.
Travis Kelce has finally opened up about *those* viral moments he had with Taylor Swift in Argentina!
The NFL star flew out to Buenos Aires last weekend to spend some quality time with the Anti-Hero hitmaker, as she performed to crowds as part of her Eras Tour.
During the weekend’s events, footage of the couple went viral as a kiss between the pair was captured.
Taylor also chose to declare her new relationship to the Argentinian crowd at the end of her concert. During the song Karma, she changed the lyrics to: “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs, coming straight home to me,” in reference to Travis’ team, the Kansas City Chiefs.
A few days on, Travis has finally decided to spill all the details about his whirlwind weekend.
Speaking on his podcast New Heights with his brother Jason, the 34-year-old joked about his moments with Taylor going viral.
“For those of you who haven’t seen all the videos of me on your TikTok and your Instagram feed, I was enjoying myself down there in Buenos Aires. The show was even more electric, knowing that I had a little bit more to enjoy it for,” he teased, adding: “Taylor absolutely ripped it. She killed it and it looked like she was having some fun up there.”
When asked about Taylor’s surprise lyrics change, Travis admitted: “I had no clue. Well, I might have had a little bit of a clue, but definitely when I heard it come out of her mouth, it still shocked me. I was like, ‘Oh, she really just said that!’”
Lastly, the football star was asked how the new couple spent their downtime in Argentina, to which he noted that they “got some good food”.
“The only night that we had a chance to go to dinner was the night that the show got postponed. We didn’t want to just go and have a blast through the city like we didn’t care about the show, so we made sure we stayed in the hotel and kept to ourselves,” Travis detailed.
Bindi Irwin has shared an emotional tribute to her late father.
Today (November 15) is Steve Irwin Day, an annual event which honours the life and legacy of the late conservationist.
On her dad’s special day, Steve’s eldest child Bindi has chosen to dedicate a heartfelt tribute to him, 17 years after his death.
Taking to Instagram earlier today, the 25-year-old zookeeper shared a beautiful throwback photo of herself as a little girl, snuggled into her dad’s shoulder as he beamed at the camera.
“November 15, Steve Irwin Day,” the mum-of-one captioned the adorable snap.
Bindi, who now runs Australia Zoo with her mother Terri, younger brother Robert and husband Chandler, continued by writing: “To the world, he will be remembered as the greatest Wildlife Warrior. To our family, he will be remembered as our world.”
Many fans of the Irwin family have since taken to the comments section of Bindi’s post to send their well-wishes, and to reflect on The Crocodile Hunter star’s legacy.
“Forever in our hearts & forever a legend. Happy Steve Irwin Day!!” one follower replied.
“He’d be so proud of what you and your family have become,” another wrote.
“Now that’s a great photo! What an incredible moment captured forever,” a third fan gushed.
Steve Irwin Day was first marked back in 2007, one year after the 44-year-old’s untimely death. The conservationist was tragically killed in September 2006, after he was attacked by a stingray while filming for a new documentary.
Earlier this month, Bindi – who tied the knot with husband Chandler in March 2020 – revealed the meaning behind their daughter’s name.
Two-year-old Grace, who was born on her parents’ first wedding anniversary, has heartwarming family connections in her name, with mum Bindi writing on Instagram: “Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad.”
“I think about how much meaning and love was poured into naming the most important part of our lives, our gorgeous Grace,” she added at the time.
The prestigious international travel magazine ‘Conde Nast Traveller’ has zoned in on Mount Congreve for their ‘Best Place To Go in the UK & Ireland’ 2024 listing.
Published today (November 15th) Conde Nast Traveller says of the list, “At the end of each year, we look ahead to what’s coming next in the travel world as we pick out the top destinations we’d recommend to our fellow globetrotters for the following 12 months. Our expert contributors nominate the destinations that are on the up right now. These nominations make up the Best Places To Go in 2024, in which we shine a light on the places that are due their moment in the sun.”
They go on to say, “This list is an edit of the regions, cities and neighbourhoods in the UK and Ireland that are worthy of your time and attention in the next 12 months. All 12 destinations are places we’re excited about recommending for your 2024 plans – 12 spots that should be on your radar when it comes to plotting your all-important annual leave, and which will hopefully remind you that some of the most beautiful places in the world are right here on home turf. Happy travels.”
Of the 12 places on the list ‘Waterford & Wexford’ are cited together as a Southeast travel destination. It is the only Irish inclusion.
The listing details the newly refurbished Loftus Hall and its imminent opening, the oldest intact operating lighthouse in the world – Hook Lighthouse, Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore and the delicious seafood at The Beach House in Tramore and the magnificent Mount Congreve House and Gardens.
Conde Nast contributor Aoife O’Riordan says, “Hop over the border to County Waterford and the recently restored Mount Congreve House, another palatial pile, overlooking the River Suir with dreamy gardens and a café run by The Pantry at CLIFF, a spin-off of Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore. When the gates close, you will have the gardens all to yourself if you bed down at Mount Congreve’s fairytale gate lodge, which is available to rent, and the Waterford Greenway, an off-road hiking and biking trail along a disused railway line between Waterford City and Dungarvan, passes right by the edge of the estate.”
Sara Dolan, Commercial Director at Mount Congreve Trust says, “We are absolutely thrilled to be listed in the Conde Nast top 2024 recommendations. We know that this guide and any list they produce is very discerning, so it is a dream come true to be selected and featured, especially in the first year of our opening.
All of the team at Mount Congreve have worked very hard to achieve and deliver a very high standard of hospitality right across the gardens, the café, the house, the gate lodge and for our events, so it is a wonderful acknowledgement of their hard work.
We have some more very exciting plans and further estate developments planned for 2024, so we won't be sitting on the garden laurels but moving on and pushing ahead to achieve even more in year two of the new chapter of the estate.”
Earlier this month Mount Congreve Gardens also won the ‘Best Visitor Attraction’ at the Georgina Campbell Awards and Mount Congreve Gardens has been selected as a winner in the 2023 World Garden Awards, the presentation of this award takes place next week.
Mount Congreve Gardens along with the Stables Café and its onsite estate accommodation is open year-round. For further details see www.mountcongreve.com The full Conde Nast list can be read here.
The Founder of the first-of-its-kind product in Ireland and the UK the DogDry (a drying robe for dogs) has launched a unique Memory Foam Orthopaedic Travel Bed for dogs.
The brand-new innovative product is designed using the same patented design as the DogDry drying robe, the result is a super-absorbent travel bed designed to cope with wet dogs and keep the surrounding area clean and dry making travel days and winter walks a lot more appealing for everyone.
The technology and design that makes this travel bed unique are that the fully washable outer cover is made with three layers of performance fabrics, a soft, plush top fabric allows moisture to pass through, a super-absorbent core locks it away and finally a waterproof lining keeps the memory foam mattress inside fresh and dry.
The product was thought up by Frances as she had a need for it with her own dog, Frances says, “I needed a comfortable bed that our retriever Luna was happy to lie on in lots of different situations. One that came from home so had the familiar smells of home to help her settle in a new environment. And that was easy to carry from one place to the next while also carrying other luggage and holding her lead. Hence the DogDry waterproof travel bed was born.
It has some features which dog owners will appreciate including a non-slip base, its memory foam comfort levels ensure that dogs actually want to lie on it and it folds neatly to 1/3 of its size with an integrated carry handle for easy transport.”
Frances believes there is a good market for this product based on her first year in business, Frances has seen online sales of her DogDry drying robe become a great success, “We have sold to 15 countries from our base in Waterford via www.DogDry.com from all across Ireland to the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, Italy, Denmark, Austria and Luxembourg. We know from our research that 40% of dog owners in Ireland buy a substantial gift for their own dog at Christmas and at a time when families travel to be together, a travel bed for your dog is particularly useful. We’ve also discovered that friends and family of dog lovers are delighted to find an attractive gift that’s more personal than the usual fare of scented candles or gift hampers. Giving a loved one a gift their dog will use shows you understand how much their dog means to them”.
The entrepreneur who previously held a high-flying career in innovation working with global brands such as Diageo, Kellogg and more is not stopping at that, she has also designed and launched a pair of DogDry Drying Mitts on DogDry.com. These are recommended for floppy-eared hounds, and those with tiny tea-cup dogs in order to get them dry after a walk or a bath. They are also handy to keep anywhere there is a risk of wet paws spreading a mess indoors.
Frances says that the purpose of all of her products is founded on her belief that “every dog, everywhere, has the right to play outdoors. DogDry makes it easy because DogDry takes care of the mess.
So, we are delighted to now have a suite of products on DogDry.com to choose from to not only make dog owners’ lives easier but to also make their dog's lives even happier.”
DogDry drying robes for dogs come in six sizes from extra-extra small to extra large and all sizes in-between and are available online from €79, the Memory Foam DogDry Travel Bed comes in one foldable size of 90 x 60cm it is also available online at €95; pairs of DogDry Mitts are available at €30 and special festive bundles will see a DogDry Gift Set for €89 and bundles of a drying robe and travel bed purchased together for €170 via www.DogDry.com.
