Film producer Hal Roach once mischievously quipped that ‘you know it’s summer in Ireland when the rain gets warmer’.

The capricious weather was a constant subject when I was making ‘Quintessentially Irish‘ with Navan-born Pierce Brosnan, a film that is a lush valentine to everything great and Irish.

Here are some of the most spectacular locations encountered while filming it.

THE K CLUB 

It is a pleasant 30-minute journey from Dublin Airport to the luxurious hotel The K Club in County Kildare, looking resplendent after an impressive multi-million-pound refurbishment.

Our gorgeous Liffey suite has expansive views overlooking the river where Tiger Woods proudly caught a fish during a stay here.

The K Club’s spectacular golf course – designed by Arnold Palmer – hosted the Ryder Cup and remains a huge attraction. There’s also a golf simulator, which Matt Damon enjoyed over a few pints of the black stuff (Guinness) while filming the historical epic The Last Duel.   

But it’s the spa and elevated dining options that make this the perfect place for a getaway.

The K Club has one of the country’s finest Bordeaux collections, the plush Palmer North restaurant serves a generously portioned venison, the club sandwich in the Henry Bar is top-notch, and breakfast is exquisitely presented in the splendid Barton restaurant.

While the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is Ireland’s most visited attraction, the hotel concierge arranges for us to take the scenic 16km (9.9 mile) Arthur’s Way Heritage Trail, passing the Guinness-owned Leixlip Castle and Ardclough village, birthplace of Guinness founder Arthur Guinness.

BALLYFIN 

Then, less than an hour further south is Ballyfin in County Laois.

Quite simply, Ballyfin is Ireland’s most distinguished address and deserves its reputation as the world’s best hotel. It feels like a home and is subtly designed as such.

So many hotels have uncivilised mid-afternoon check-in times. Not Ballyfin.

Its Gourmet Escape package allows guests to arrive from midday and to be welcomed Downton Abbey-style by the friendly staff, including charming general manager Peter White.

Enjoy a complimentary glass of Champagne in the stunning library with its crackling fires, while a mouth-watering lunch awaits amid the grandeur of the State Dining Room, which overlooks a charming Doric Temple cascade.

One of the hotel’s fans is Kim Kardashian. She’s stayed twice and surprised guests with an appearance in the State Dining Room. 

George Clooney is also an admirer. 

He booked out the hotel for a Clooney clan gathering and met his Irish cousins, who hail from neighbouring Abbeyleix.

Mr Clooney stayed in the charming two-storey Gardener’s Cottage, overlooking the walled garden and the Slieve Bloom Mountains. 

We stay in a stunning suite, the Lady Caroline Coote (formerly her boudoir).

CASHEL PALACE HOTEL 

Next stop is the spiritual home of Guinness, the wonderful Cashel Palace Hotel in County Tipperary, formerly an 18th-century mansion owned by the Archbishop of Cashel.

He famously left a £100 legacy to his godson, Arthur Guinness, who used this jackpot to buy a brewery.

The hotel deserves all the accolades it has received under the astute ownership of Susan Magnier (of the horseracing dynasty – the hotel even has an equine concierge). 

Our stay is made all the more special by its delightfully youthful friendly staff. 

It has long been a haven for celebrities, Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor, for instance. 

And Queen Elizabeth II visited the majestic nearby Rock of Cashel, which as Ireland.com notes, ‘is home to over 1,000 years of history’.

The website explains that the site is home to a ‘complex of interlocking structures’, including a 13th-century cathedral and the 15th-century Hall of the Vicars Choral – a medieval choir’s residence.

The Rock can be accessed directly by hotel guests through the hotel garden, which features 300-year-old mulberry trees.

If that’s too much trouble, book a lovely garden wing superior room overlooking the Rock.

A rejuvenating peat mud bath treatment in the elegant spa is a must – and be sure to finish off a delicious dinner at the Michelin-starred Bishop’s Buttery restaurant with a decadent whiskey Baba.

THE PARK HOTEL KENMARE 

The island home of the reclusive Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Last Jedi was the remote monastic settlement of Skellig Michael in County Kerry.

A far more hospitable stay in the area is the remarkable Relais et Chateaux property, the Park Hotel Kenmare.

This is Ireland’s legendary 41-room Victorian grande dame hotel that had an elegant pandemic makeover.

John Travolta and Nicolas Cage have enjoyed its Kenmare Bay views. 

It is hard to leave our sumptuous junior suite, but the luxurious Samas spa, nestled in the woods, is a worthwhile short excursion and gives us an immediate sense of relaxation.

We enjoy a Bushmills whiskey in the stylish cocktail bar, followed by a delicious dinner in the elegant dining room, with its magnificent paintings.

This hotel is a timeless gem with a five-star ethos that effortlessly combines town and country.

Kenmare, meanwhile, is a beautiful heritage town on the hotel’s doorstep. It had a cameo in the quirky The Lobster with Colin Farrell.

Pop into Kenmare Cashmere and have a pint of Guinness at Crowleys, both on Henry St.

The Park Hotel Kenmare is also perfectly situated for exploring the underrated Beara Peninsula or for a drive around the Ring of Kerry, a 179km (111-mile) driving route filled with ‘rolling green hills, sparkling lakes and jaw-dropping cliffs’, notes Ireland.com.

SHEEN FALLS LODGE 

Our final stop is another stunning Relais et Chateaux property, Sheen Falls Lodge, formerly a 17th-century fishing lodge.

The terrace of the glorious Oscar suite has a ravishing view overlooking a waterfall and a picture-perfect stone-arched bridge.

Afternoon tea in the Sheen Lounge is a delight – and the superb Falls restaurant serves a faultless dinner.

I retire to the cosy library with its log fires and read Ted Murphy’s Kingdom of Wine, which documents Ireland’s little-known contribution to wine. It is so hard to leave this all behind.

The journey to Kerry Airport is spectacular, passing through Killarney National Park, which boasts breathtaking lakes.

We stop at the stupendous Ladies View scenic viewpoint, so named after the ladies-in-waiting who accompanied Queen Victoria on her visit to the must-see Muckross House in 1861.

Ireland has always been known as the land of a hundred thousand welcomes, but now it has several world-class hotels and restaurants that ensure that every visitor will be longing to return.

Did I mention that the sun actually shines most of the time? No wonder my Irish eyes are still smiling…

Frank Mannion is an Irish film director and his new film, Quintessentially Irish, with Pierce Brosnan and Jeremy Irons is out now.

George and Amal Clooney were a long way from their English country home and all the better for it on Wednesday after the £15million property succumbed to yet more flooding.

The couple looked every inch a superstar couple as they stepped out in the south of France, where they reportedly own a property in the Provence countryside.

The Ocean's Eleven star, 62, looked dashing in jeans and a padded jacket paired with a cap and sunglasses, while the Lebanese-British lawyer, 46, made a statement in flared jeans with a slash that reached the pipe reached.

The couple enjoyed a walk and a drive through an idyllic area on the Cote d'Azur after reportedly moving house.

And the mild weather on the country's south coast may have been the tonic after their riverside estate in Berkshire was lashed by heavy rain, leaving the surrounding fields almost completely submerged.

After walking hand in hand down the road, the couple, who share twins Ella and Alexander, 6, hopped into George's £69k Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 Coupé to fill up with petrol before heading off in style.

Amal looked typically chic in her jeans, which she paired with flats, a tight black T-shirt and a leather jacket alongside stylish sunglasses.

George, meanwhile, rocked off-duty star style, complete with a dark polo shirt, padded jacket, light wash jeans and suede Chelsea boots.

Their appearance follows speculation that George and Amal have now moved permanently to the Cote d'Azur and no longer spend time at their Thames country house in Sonning, Berkshire.

The couple is said to have lived at the 18th century Domaine du Canadel for several months.

And according to locals, they haven't been seen in the Grade II listed building in Britain – which they bought in 2014 and spent millions renovating – for two years.

The Berkshire manor has endured a series of severe floods due to its proximity to the Thames.

Aerial photographs taken last November show that the manicured gardens on the estate are beginning to succumb to flooding

It happened just under a year after heavy rain caused muddy water to flood the gardens – and marks at least the sixth time the house has been plagued by burst banks since the couple tore down the stately post in 2014.

The Clooneys were hit by flooding in January when the tennis court, veranda and most of the previously lush lawn were submerged by the filthy waters of the nearby river.

Storm Christoph saw water seeping onto the lawn in January 2021, but the deluge stopped close to the house itself.

But February 2020's Storm Dennis left the Hollywood star's tennis courts, his summer home's veranda and most of his lawn completely flooded.

In 2018, the lawn was flooded with water after two inches of rain fell over the April bank holiday weekend.

And in 2016 there was weeks of heavy rain, with the Thames overflowing its banks and flowing into the garden, threatening to invade the house shortly after its multi-million pound renovation.

Meanwhile, their idyllic French estate is surrounded by 25 hectares of vineyards and features a swimming pool, tennis court, pétanque court, olive grove and ornamental lake.

The Clooneys, who married in Venice six years ago, also have a luxury home on the shores of Lake Como in Italy.

George purchased Villa Oleandra from the Heinz family in 2002 and spends most summers at the property, which features a basketball court, movie theater and a garage full of vintage motorcycles.

It has hosted a range of stars including Jennifer Aniston and Matt Damon, as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Parts of Clooney's film Ocean's Twelve were also filmed there. There were reports that Clooney would sell it, but he says these are untrue.

In addition to their real estate, George recently surprised his wife Amal on her 46th birthday with a Saint Bernard puppy named Nelson

Nelson is not the first Saint Bernard the family has owned. Four years ago, George brought along puppy Rosie, named after his late aunt, actress and singer Rosemary Clooney.

He is also known for rescuing animals, who eventually travel the world with him. He previously owned cocker spaniel Einstein, who died in 2017, and the couple have since rescued basset hound Millie and Louie, another spaniel.

By Chikamso Chukwuenyem for Mailonline

Published: 10:54 EST, January 10, 2024 | Updated: 10:54 EST, January 10, 2024

George Clooney and David Beckham were among the celebrities whose country homes were hit by Storm Henk, as flooding continues to cause chaos.

The Hollywood actor, 62, and the former footballer, 48, were hit by the storm as their homes were hit by high winds and flooding.

Will Mellor also shared his anger after a tree crashed into his garden, declaring ‘it could have killed someone’, while Monty Don worried Gardeners’ World fans with photos of his flooded garden.

Storm Henk continued to cause chaos on Friday as flooding spread across Britain with hundreds of people evacuated and railway lines blocked.

On Wednesday, as heavy rain turned roads into rivers, photos showed George and Amal Clooney’s home being inundated by floodwaters.

Their A sprawling £12million Grade II listed building on the banks of the River Thames in Berkshire was seen surrounded by floodwaters, drone footage showed.

Pictures showed the beautiful estate’s manicured gardens flooded after weeks of heavy rainfall as the storm caused river levels to rise.

The couple’s 17th century country house has had major problems with flooding since the couple bought it in 2014, shortly after their wedding.

That same day, David and Victoria Beckham were also hit by the devastating storm as they showed off the mess caused at their sprawling Cotswolds estate.

David admitted he was ‘gutted’ as he showed off the devastation caused by Storm Henk at his £12million mansion.

Using Instagram, he uploaded a photo of a large tree that had been uprooted from the ground near his property by the wind on his Instagram page.

He wrote: ‘It could have been worse. Still gutted,” along with a crying emoji.

David and his wife Victoria, 49, who share four children Brooklyn, 24, Romeo, 21, Cruz, 18, and Harper, 11, bought their mansion in December 2016 for a reported £6.15 million.

The property features a sauna, plunge pool, football pitch, gym, swimming pool and a £50,000 on-site BBQ tent for entertainment.

Monty Don also worried Gardeners’ World fans as he shared photos of his badly flooded garden amid the downpours.

He shared a series of photos of his famous garden completely drenched on Instagram, as he gave insight into the aftermath of the flood.

In one caption he wrote: ‘The highest flood in the last 33 years and still rising. The roads there and back are impassable, but the forecast is good and we have enough sauce from last summer’s tomatoes, so we can stay put for a few days until it starts to drop.’

Elsewhere, Will Mellor announced on Instagram on Tuesday that a large tree had crashed in his garden during Storm Henk.

The 47-year-old actor shared a video on Instagram of a large tree that had fallen on Tuesday due to storm Henk.

Will explained how he had previously warned the council about the ‘dead trees’ and was angry that ‘it could have killed someone’.

“I just came out of the house because of the wind and looked at the trees. “I was putting up my decorations outside and look, this just happened,” he said.

‘The tree has been completely ripped out of the ground. I have been telling the community about these trees for years because they are dead. I knew something was going to happen. It could have killed someone. Look at that!’

He then warned his followers, “Do not go out.”

On Friday, hundreds of people were evacuated, rail lines were blocked and roads turned into rivers amid the heavy downpours.

Major rivers including the Thames and Trent broke their banks in some places, while the Environment Agency in England issued more than 600 flood warnings or alerts.

Trains on the Great Western Railway, Southern, South Western Railway and Southeastern are blocked today due to a combination of flooding, landslides and trees on the line. And some schools were closed due to flooding, including in Wiltshire and Berkshire.

In east London, 50 people were evacuated after streets in Hackney Wick turned into rivers. Ten fire engines responded to the scene and 70 firefighters responded as water began flowing along the banks of the canal into residential streets and ground floor apartments.

Police were called to the Derbyshire village of Sawley after drivers on the nearby M1 spotted cows stranded in floodwaters – with four of the animals later pronounced dead.

While officers and firefighters rescued four other cows, more animals are believed to be missing. The incident prompted a multi-agency animal welfare investigation.

Nottinghamshire County Council declared a major incident ‘due to rising water levels along the River Trent’ and told residents in flood risk areas to prepare to evacuate.

Environment Agency data shows that every river in England is now at exceptionally high levels, with some rivers reaching their highest flows on record, such as the River Itchen in Southampton, which saw flows double the previous record in December.

There were 302 flood warnings and 332 warnings in England on Friday, plus 13 warnings and two warnings from Natural Resources Wales, making a UK total of 649.

Lake Como, Italy, has stolen the hearts of George Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney — and now you can visit their favorite hotspots We weekly‘s “VIP Scene” guide.

The journey starts at the hidden gem Il Gatto Nero, located in the heart of Lake Como. This charming eatery, with its rustic Italian charm and mouth-watering dishes, is a regular haunt for George, 62, and Amal, 45. The risotto al nero di seppia, a black squid ink risotto, has become their signature choice because of the flavors of this region.

Next one, Us suggests you travel to the iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo, home to the famous La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi restaurant. This exclusive spot offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area and is a favorite of the Clooneys. The pair are known to enjoy the chef’s special tasting menu, a gastronomic journey curated by the legendary Gualtiero Marchesi himself.

No Lake Como escapade is complete without a visit to Harry’s Bar. The timeless establishment is frequented by celebrities and locals alike. Be sure to enjoy their classic Bellinis and enjoy the signature carpaccio while taking in the scenery.

If you’re looking for a waterfront eatery, head to Alle Darsene di Loppia. Showcasing the freshness of Lake Como’s seafood, the linguine alle vongole is a dish not to be missed.

Da Luciano is another favorite spot for the Oscar winner and his wife. This family-run trattoria captures the essence of traditional Italian dining, with the ossobuco being their slow-cooked veal shank of choice.

No Italian dinner would be complete without a glass of wine. Us recommends any visitor to the region to visit Azienda Agricola Sorsasso, a winery nestled in the hills surrounding the lake, for local sips.

Check out the exclusive We weekly video above for more of George and Amal’s top picks for eating and drinking on Lake Como. Come back next week for an all-new “VIP Scene” destination.

George Clooney opens up about his longtime friend Matthew Perry and his untimely and tragic death.

Clooney, 62, was promoting his new film The Boys In the Boat – in theaters on Christmas Day – when he opened up about his friend in a Deadline interview.

The actor and director revealed that he had known Perry, who was 54 at the time of his tragic death, since he was 16 and that they were old friends.

He also admitted that Perry’s breakout role on the sitcom Friends “didn’t bring him joy, happiness or peace.”

‘He wasn’t happy. It didn’t bring him joy, happiness or peace,” Clooney said during the interview, adding that starring in a sitcom was literally his biggest dream.

‘I knew Matt when he was 16 years old. We used to play paddle tennis together. He’s about 10 years younger than me. And he was a great, funny, funny, funny kid,” Clooney said.

“He was a kid and all he said to us, I mean me, Richard Kind and Grant Heslov, was, I just want to be on a sitcom, man. I just want to be in a regular sitcom and I would be the happiest man on earth. And he performed probably one of the best ever,” Clooney said.

Clooney and Perry both rose to fame at the same time, with both Clooney’s ER and Perry’s Friends debuting in 1994, both airing on Thursday nights, and Clooney adding that they were “side by side on the soundstage.”

“And when we saw that happen in the parking lot – we were at Warner Brothers, we were sitting right next to each other – it was hard to watch because we didn’t know what was going through his mind,” Clooney admitted.

“We just knew he wasn’t happy and I had no idea what he was doing, twelve Vicodin a day and all those things he talked about, all those heartbreaking things,” Clooney added, referring to Perry’s book Friends, Lovers 2022. and the big terrible thing.

“And it also tells you that success, money and all those things don’t just automatically bring you happiness. You have to be happy with yourself and your life,” Clooney said.

Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of both Friends and ER, with Clooney reminiscing on the pickup’s impact.

‘They took us upstairs. They picked us up Thursday evening at ten o’clock, and Thursday evening at nine o’clock. Those were the Cradle of Love eras because Seinfeld was there and we knew it. We all knew it,” Clooney said.

“We knew that this was the time slot that we knew it would take us a year to do anyway, if people would like to show it. We were backstage and there were six of us and six of us,” he added, referring to the casts of both shows who were present at the 1994 NBC advance presentation.

“For us, it was Noah Wyle and Tony Edwards and Eriq LaSalle and Sherry Stringfield, and Julianna Margulies, and myself. And for them it was their six and we were all sitting backstage and none of us were stars except Tony Edwards was the most famous person and Courteney Cox,” he said.

“They were the two people that everyone knew, and the rest of us were kind of unknowns. They showed a trailer for both shows. And then we got on stage. And I remember thinking at that moment: this is a very special moment. It ended up being one of those crazy things, I can’t explain it. Two weeks after we debuted, we were on the cover of Newsweek. “After that, everything changed for us,” he said.

Friends lasted 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004, with Perry appearing on the show for its entire run, while ER ran for 15 seasons, although Clooney left after season 5, although he did return for a season 6 episode and the series finale in 2009.

George And Amal Clooney They are two goals, but he is not ashamed to admit that they are not quite at the same level.

George, 62, admitted to ‘hitting on top’ during a recent wedding interview Page six, teasing that he “still” thinks Amal, 45, is out of his league nearly a decade after they tied the knot. “Anyone would say the same thing,” he added.

The pair sparked their romance after meeting in Lake Como, Italy, in 2013. A year later, they returned to Italy to exchange vows at the Aman Canal Grande Hotel.

We weekly confirmed in February 2017 that George and Amal were expecting twins. Son Alexander and daughter Ella arrived in June.

Once known as one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors, George’s world completely changed when he met Amal. “He spent so long doubting he would meet that soulmate he always dreamed of… It’s no exaggeration to say she blew him away,” a source exclusively shared. Us in 2021.

George “considers Amal extraordinary” and – as evidenced by his latest interview – “is telling anyone who will listen that he’s the one who hit the jackpot here, not her,” the insider added.

The power couple, who co-founded the Clooney Foundation for Justice in 2016, have made “constant efforts” to maintain their spark. “Like any marriage, they have had their challenges and had to adapt to certain situations and challenges,” the source said Us, noting that George and Amal are “very solid” in their marriage. “It takes compromise, setting boundaries and a lot of patience to keep the relationship on track, but that’s exactly what they did.”

When it comes to raising their six-year-old twins, George and Amal take on the same responsibility. “[They’ve] formed a real partnership,” a second source revealed earlier this year, adding that the pair “take turns preparing breakfast and lunch for the kids” and taking them to their various activities.

The family of four spent the summer ‘European style’ on Lake Como, which suited Ella and Alexander perfectly. “They go on boat rides, do water spots, have a small group of friends close to their age that they have playdates with,” the second insider said. Us.

While George and Amal keep their children out of the public eye, the couple has had several stylish date nights this year, from the 80th annual Venice Film Festival in August to the Los Angeles premiere of George’s film. The boys in the boat earlier this month.

For the red carpet in LA, Amal stunned in a sunny Atelier Versace dress. “She cleans up,” George joked Entertainment tonight of his wife’s fashion. “I’m always embarrassed because I’m wearing something I’ve worn a thousand times.”

The Oscar winner, who stepped behind the camera for this The boys in the boat joked, both as a director and a producer, that he’s been “belittled” by Amal’s spotlight. “My whole career has now been reduced to a plus-one,” he said. “I did one of those Women in Film things a few years ago and I had to introduce myself as ‘Amal Clooney’s husband’ because otherwise I would be dead, quite frankly.”

By Carly Johnson for Dailymail.com

Published: 01:24 EST, December 14, 2023 | Updated: 01:41 EST, December 14, 2023

‘Fake influencer’ Suzan Mutesi is born.

The Australian-Ugandan influencer37, which once was labeled a ‘plague’ for the ‘gatecrashing’ of the Logies, recently turned heads at the British Fashion Awards.

Suzan wore a very revealing dress, supplied by luxury formal wear rental company OMT Formal House, and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Amal Clooney and Kate Moss at the star-studded event.

The dress’s statement bust section, made primarily of sheer yellow tulle, revealed everything underneath, including Suzan’s decision not to wear a bra.

As a result, many of the public photos had to blur the influencer’s nipples.

Her hair was styled with long cornrows dyed white, and she completed her look with pearls from Pandora and a small black handbag from Freelance.

Suzan’s usual ‘face-tuning’ and photoshopping of other photographers’ work was also on full display, with the social media star sharing altered photos of herself on her Instagram account.

Susan, of who has been accused buying some of her 1.2 million followers on Instagram, is open about her photoshop skills and spoke exclusively to the Daily Mail earlier this year about her ‘digital artistry’.

“Sometimes the lead photographer… won’t bring his light. So not all camera settings are set for dark-skinned girls or other skin tones,” she explained to Daily Mail Australia.

‘It also depends on the room. Sometimes the lighting in the room is… like the room is beautifully decorated, but there are shadows and it’s dark.”

Suzan, who was accused in May of photoshopping a lion’s head onto her shoulder to resemble Kylie Jenner, explained that she often makes sure to use the ProRAW settings on her iPhone before anyone else takes low-angle photos of makes her.

She then uses apps like FaceTune and Photoshop on her phone to create an enhanced version of her red carpet photos.

‘Of course it helps if you have a good foundation. If you don’t look great, you won’t get the best photo,” she joked.

As for the dark, smoky eye makeup suddenly appearing in many of her Instagram photos, Suzan said poor lighting is the cause.

‘That’s what happens when you have downlights. It darkens your face, but it doesn’t lighten it,” she said of her official red carpet photos.

“So if I brighten that photo, it emphasizes the facial features and the eyes, but you can also use PhotoTune to accentuate your eyes in a way that accentuates the liner a little bit so you can see exactly what the eye is like.”

Suzan revealed that FaceTune is her favorite editing app, which she will often use for low-light event photos.

She said the iPhone Photoshop app is also in her arsenal at times, but “you need to make sure your photo is in a good environment” before editing it in the app.

“Having these settings before you take the photo can help you enhance your photo because you can’t just drastically go from one thing to the other unless you’re just having fun,” she said.

Suzan has been scolded several times by influencer watchdogs and media heads for heavily editing her photos.

She often adds designer items or completely changes the background to make it look like she’s living a more luxurious lifestyle than she actually is.

However, Suzan compared her chronic photo editing to Chris Hemsworth becoming Thor for a movie, or Beyoncé sharing a professional glamor photo of herself online.

‘Barbie doesn’t look like Barbie every day. She’s just an ordinary girl in jeans… Sometimes people will hate it, but I’m a digital artist and I love it,” Suzan said.

She added, “You’re not that person, but it just looks better on your socials and it just emphasizes that life better.”

By Brian Gallagher for Dailymail.com

Published: 9:59 PM EST, December 11, 2023 | Updated: 11:04 PM EST, December 11, 2023