A good night for a great cause!

With building on schedule for the opening of the LauraLynn Children's Hospice, at the Children's Sunshine Home next year, Miriam O'Callaghan recently joined founder of the foundation, Jane McKenna for the launch of an AT Cross Gold Dust Ballpen in support of the project.

The newly refurbished premises of Weir & Sons in Grafton Street was the location for the launch. Here are just a few images from the evening.

Jane McKenna with husband Brendan.

Special window displays, raffles and support from local businesses and jewelers from across the country helped to raise awareness of the first Children's Hospice in the Republic of Ireland, to care for children with life limiting conditions.

The Cross Ballpen bearing the LauraLynn House logo is available now from Cross stockists nationwide. 10% of the sale proceeds will be donated to the foundation.

You can find out more information about the LauraLynn Children’s Hospice at Children’s Sunshine Home here.

That summer in Dublin!

Dublin in summer, can be exhausting!

These ladies echoed my feelings in Temple Bar last week.

Family Portraits - in the light of evening!

It was nice to meet some of our American cousins in Dublin during the week - Hope you guys enjoyed the rest of your trip!

The portraits of Mike (above) and Tom (below) were shot using late evening light to give them a NYC "edgy" feel!

Travel photography in Galway

I was lucky enough to spend some time last week photographing the Galway Arts Festival. One of the most popular performers, Galway's favorite cardboard guitar player "Plink Plonk", really caught my eye. A festival regular, "Plink" busks outside Murphy's on High street for dog food money, for his faithful cardboard friend "Plank"!

This week Galway keeps up the festival pace with the annual races and if you feel the need to take time out from the craic and the crowds, then here are some suggestions.

Escape into Connemara and still enjoy the spectacular views from Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park, on a typical cloudy July day.

Visit the Falconry school at Ashford Castle and fly a Harris Hawk!

Or just stop for some amazing tea and scones at the Lakeside Cafe overlooking Furnace Lake near Maam Cross.

But, bring a raincoat - just in case!

Jungle Waterfall

While exploring the urban jungle that is Dublin, I came across this beautiful scene in the Iveagh Gardens.

Sometimes we forget that beauty is all around us and it just takes a moment to stop, look and appreciate!

Corporate portraits

Two recent corporate portraits of recruitment specialists, Melissa Foley and Lee-Ann Enright. These executive portraits were produced as part of a busy day of photography.

Both portraits were photographed using daylight with a splash of flash on the background.

Deauville…surreal!

Irish skin and more than 30 deg c. of sunshine take a while to get along with each other - and it has been very hot in northern France of late. So when I saw the colours of the umbrellas on the beach at Deauville, I thought it was a mirage. Indeed the whole town was like something out of a fairytale.

I've been traveling and photographing over here for the past few weeks and and ended up in this most unusual seaside town. It is the Monte Carlo of Normandy, all be it with a most spectacular and pristine beach.

Deauville was founded in the late nineteenth century as a pleasure resort and was purpose built in a traditional Norman style. The town hall looks particularly beautiful surrounded by manicured gardens. After the second world war Deauville became famous for the American film festival held at the end of summer. The favorite place to "promenade" here, is the American style board walk which is lined with a walk of fame. All of the major stars who have appeared at the festival are named on the barriers between the art deco beach huts.

Possibly the most unique and spectacular building is the 290 room Hotel Normandy. Built in 1912, it is a one off, with turrets, wooden balconies and gargoyles. Inside it is an art deco masterpiece. Indeed both it and it's sister hotel played a starring role in an early episode of "Poirot". With plenty of designer shops and the famous Casino next door to the Royale Hotel, you can also see why Ian Fleming didn't have to look too far for the inspiration for his first James Bond novel, "Casino Royale".

If only I had remembered to bring an Aston Martin!