Designer John Rocha, a notable name in the fashion industry, had initially planned to relocate to London after selling his home in Leeson Park, Dublin 6, two years ago. The move was intended to be closer to his children; fashion designer Simone and café owner Max, both based in the metropolis. However, it appears that the Hong Kong-born couturier may have reconsidered his relocation plans, possibly owing to the dismantling of his fashion business. His main firm, Three Moon Design Unlimited, was voluntarily dissolved last year, offering him a pre-tax gain of €11.5 million.
Currently 71, Rocha and his spouse, Odette, appear to be the latest proprietors of Carrickmoleen, located on the Killiney Hill Road in South Co Dublin. This historic property, with sweeping ocean views from Killiney Bay to Bray Head and the Sugar Loaf, was purchased for €2.6 million, although the original asking price was €4 million. This property also includes sprawling gardens abundant with glasshouses and fruit trees, providing an ideal location for Rocha, an enthusiastic gardener.
In other property news, South Dublin witnessed one of its most prominent sales last year, with a final transaction of €3 million for The Battery in Sandycove. This granite construction, erected just after 1800 alongside the seafront Martello tower, was potentially going to be purchased by the State as part of Sandycove’s historical defences against Napoleonic invasion. However, it was ultimately bought by Louis Ronan snr, owner of Enfer – a Tipperary-based veterinary pharmaceutical firm – and his partner, Kate. The couple have submitted redevelopment plans for this remarkable edifice, including the restoration of several historic parts, contemporary-style extensions and an increased bedroom suite.
Last week, a couple visiting the Forty Foot, a neighbouring destination bathing in delightful sunshine, might have thought that the €3 million price tag was quite a bargain.
In 2022, Katherine Bennett, Gavin Ashenden, and Mark Lambert introduced Catholic Unscripted – a self-proclaimed “Catholic renaissance movement.” Their intention is to highlight the splendidness, veracity, and virtue of the Catholic doctrine. They utilise consistent podcast broadcasts and conferences to propagate their message, often criticising what they perceive as the current “woke” contentious topics.
In their recent podcast episodes, they criticised Pope Francis for supposedly “abandoning Jesus,” “losing his way” and appearing “more like a Buddhist” than a Catholic through his teachings. They went on to applaud Tommy Robinson, a far-right provocateur from the UK, stating that he tells the “truth” and urging prayers for him and his family.
Nonetheless, the Church-owned Glencomeragh House in Co Waterford still opened its doors for a weekend of “discussions, dialogues, reflections, prayers and fellowship”. The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore even approved of the trio’s reproof, with Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan featuring in a photo with them to promote the event. The diocese also took to their Facebook page to advertise the occasion.
It’s essential to also mention that Glencomeragh House serves Christian, non-Christian, and secular groups as a retreat centre. As such, it’s neither practicable nor suitable to investigate every remark from possible speakers, as the spokesperson said.
On a final note, Noel Kelly makes a comeback.
During the summer of 2023, renowned celebrity representative, Noel Kelly, faced a considerable loss of clients, including Lottie Ryan, Ciara Kelly, and Ciara Doherty, in the wake of the Ryan Tubridy payments scandal. However, over the subsequent year, Kelly has expanded his client base, with four new clients, such as television presenter Brian Dowling Gourounlian, podcaster Mark Mehigan, psychologist Allison Keating and Operation Transformation expert Dr Sumi Dunne, featured on his website.
Notably absent is RTÉ’s Cormac Ó hEadhra, who distanced himself from Kelly after the scandal’s media coverage decreased. Tom Dunne, who had briefly vanished from Kelly’s website following audacious remarks about Tubridy, has reappeared. Clearly, something transpired.
In other news, Ciaran Mullooly, a former RTÉ correspondent now standing as an independent MEP for Ireland, has enlisted experienced political adviser John Harkin, son of former MEP Marian Harkin, for his Brussels team. Harkin, with years of Brussels experience, has been employed as a lobbyist with Ceemet, a European organisation representing employers in the metal and engineering sectors. In a related development, John’s mother, Marian, declared her intention to contest in the forthcoming general election in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency, which covers portions of south Donegal and west Cavan.
Shift of focus to Roscommon, where a group of crafty thieves broke into Chatterland Creche in Elphin the previous Sunday, causing significant damage. Moreover, they prepared themselves some fish fingers before fleeing the premises. Locals eagerly await their capture by the Gardaí, who will surely ‘grill’ them thoroughly.