Entering the festival spirit at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby

The following two tabs change content below.
Martin Moodie
Martin Moodie is the Founder & Chairman of The Moodie Report.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival  (24-26 June, 2011) was one of the most exhilarating weekends of the Irish social and racing calendar, let alone within the travel retail year.

With golf at the prestigious Palmer Ryder Cup Course at The K Club, a glitzy black tie ball in aid of Irish Autism Action, and Sunday’s racing, the entire weekend was a spectacular event for all, as the photos below show.

[One can only agree with the award – but who is that other lady on the right?]

[Former Bahrain Duty Free General Manager Maurice Burke is approached for his autograph by Irish television personalities, ex-model Celia Holman-Lee and Alan Hughes of Celebrity Salon fame]

The Kildare Hotel and Country Club, affectionately known as The K Club, hosted the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Golf Classic on Friday, 24 June. This four ball competition took place at the Palmer Ryder Cup Course, one of Europe’s finest golf courses.

Saturday evening saw the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Ball in aid of Irish Autism Action where, as reported, the Dubai Duty Free Foundation made a €20,000 donation. The glitzy event at The K Club began with a reception in the lavish Old Entrance Hall and chorus provided by The Hallelujah Gospel Choir. The 15-member choir then led guests in song through the manicured gardens of The K Club over to the Legacy Suite where a sumptuous dinner was served.

[Martin Moodie, Carmel and George Horan and John Sutcliffe]

[Belle of the Ball: Colm McLoughlin’s granddaughter Érin makes her debut on The Moodie Blog, flanked by proud parents Amanda (Colm’s daughter) and Michael] 

[Jihad and Sinead El Sibai and Martin Moodie]

Sunday was the all important day with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh Racecourse where Dubai Duty Free officials welcomed 270 guests in the marquee for a magnificent luncheon. Guests included UAE Ambassador for Ireland, H.E Khaled Nasser Lootah;  former Tanaiste Dick Spring; television personalities, Ann Doyle  of RTE and Alan Hughes of Celebrity Salon fame; rugby commentators Brent Pope and Tom McGurk; and Ms Ireland Ros Purcell; along with the Dubai Rose of Tralee, Grainne Boyle.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Hi Martin,

    Wow, the belle’s debut! And I’m impressed with the ‘É’… Many thanks – it’ll be something we’ll treasure.

    Lovely to see you last weekend – let’s hope it won’t be so long till the next time.

    God bless
    Amanda
    xx