Desire Lines: Dress rental for summer occasions, gluten-free menus, and more

Irish Examiner

17-05-2025

The dress
One of many fashion rental platforms now operating in Ireland, Drobey's mission statement is to take the guilt out of keeping up with fast-changing fashion trends and experimenting with one-off looks. The idea is to invest in your staple everyday items, and they'll take care of the rest.
Whether it's a summer holiday, a wedding or a black-tie event, don't buy a one-off item, rent it! They've just opened their first brick-and-mortar store in Blackrock, Dublin, so you can try before you rent. We're lusting over this Jovana dress, €120 to rent, previously worn by Roz Purcell.
drobey.ie
The chocolates
Lir Chocolates have launched Guinness chocolates in a pint tin – just in time for Father's Day shoppers. Filled with rich and malty Guinness-infused chocolate caramel truffles, the range also includes mini chocolate pints, and a chocolate rugby ball.
www.lirchocolates.com
The restaurant
May is Coeliac Disease Awareness Month. With Glas, on Dublin's Chatham Street, operating as Ireland's first fully gluten-free restaurant, it's not only good for coeliac and gluten-intolerant diners, but the vegetarian ethos is good for planet earth too.
There's no wheat, barley, or rye handled in the kitchen and each dish is guaranteed to be completely free of gluten. The fully vegetarian menu includes vegan choices too, with menus updated regularly to reflect the seasons.
glasrestaurant.ie
The summer terrace
We know summer has finally arrived when The River Lee transforms its terrace. The new theme at the River Club is Cork in Bloom. This year they have partnered with The Boatyard Distillery to invent a new cocktail menu just in time for the sunshine. Created with Cork florist and long-time collaborator, Fox Flowers, the new décor is a tribute to the florals found growing wild in the West Cork countryside. A lush, green escape, the Cork in Bloom Terrace is adorned with apple blossom, hydrangea, primrose and foxglove, rambling fuchsia and crocosmia. From weekend brunch to light bites, book now for a taste of summer.
theriverclubcork.ie
The exhibition
An exhibition by over 50 Irish illustrators, celebrating the life and work of the internationally renowned illustrator and artist Tomi Ungerer has opened at the Laneway Gallery in Shandon Street, Cork.
Born in Strasbourg, Ungerer spent much of his final decades in West Cork and made an extraordinary impact on the illustration scene here.
The 'In Memory of the Future' exhibition sees all members of Illustrators Ireland select a work by Ungerer and create a response to or interpretation of it. Open until June 14.
illustratorsireland.com
The family must-see
Don't miss the Dream Point experience at Dublin's Docklands. Open for a limited time, this is a wonderland for kids and grown-ups. From balloon rooms to dream cafes, the highlight is Ireland's largest ball pit, overflowing with 250,000 pearl-toned balls beneath floating clouds. The space is also fitted with 'lifeguard chairs' for a poolside vibe.
This massive, 21,000 sq ft 3D world of dreams comes to Ireland from Dan and John Gleeson — the Irish brothers who previously brought The Van Gogh Experience, the Friends Experience, the Lego Bricktionary Experience and more to Dublin.
This has to be seen to be believed. Book it now.
dreampointexperience.ie
The beauty refills
The Handmade Soap Company has a host of green credentials, including using all-natural ingredients and 100% recycled plastic bottles. Handmade in Ireland, their fragrant collections are vegan-friendly and include body and skincare, and home fragrances.
We're fans of their refills, too, from handwash (€19) to reed diffuser oils, which use minimal packaging to keep you and your home smelling fabulous. You'll find these and plenty more cool Irish brands at Faerly, the online Irish store for sustainable living.
faerly.ie
Compiled by Vickie Maye, Nicole Glennon and Jillian Bolger, [e-mail]
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