The Raft Race

Last May I organised the first ever Ballyalla Raft Race in my home town of Ennis, to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society. As a cancer survivor myself I wanted to do something for an organisation that helps so many people all over the country. 

The day was a great success, we had 8 teams in home made rafts, over 300 spectators and most importantly we raised €3500 for the Irish Cancer Society. 

Tonight the local Youth Centre are launching the 2014 Raft Race and will be taking over the organisation of the event. We are having an exhibition of all the pictures from the day, taken by my very talented friend Ciara Killalea, which will run at Mickey Kerin's pub, Ennis, for the next week. 

DRN

2nd Hand Happiness!

If you've read this blog before, you'll know by now that my favourite past time is rummaging through all my local 2nd hand shops, I see nothing wrong with owning someone else's belongs, especially if you can get them for a fraction of the price. Like The Works of Chris Cunningham, which I picked up for €3, that would be 1/11 of what was originally paid for it. Same with the Flight of the Conchords. And 3 really interesting looking frames, too my total to ten euro. Not bad, if I do say so myself. Now all I need to do is find some great images to put in the frames, and Im all set.

DRN

Little Print Shop of Horrors

Yes, there has been a lot, and I mean A LOT, of minimalist movie posters hovering around the design blog scene this past year (Blame Olly Moss) but these Halloween inspired prints are particularly sweet.

Agency Creative Spark have produces six prints on their favourite scary films. The prints cost £10 each, with all profits raised going to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

You can buy the prints HERE

DRN

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What Goes around...

Comes around... No, I'm not talking karma, but fashion!

Oh yes, On Thursday my friends Pa, Stephen, Jenny and I hit up every Second Hand/ Charity Shop in Ennis and I found quite a lot of treasure...

This T-shirt was so silly, but buying a Paris Hilton T-shirt to wear ironically was one hipster step too far for me...


If I had a working VCR player, this Spice Girls tape would have been mine, I know I had a Spice Girls tape when I was younger, with UNAUTHORISED written across its cover too, but I'm unsure if it was the same... And yes, I was a fabulous child, incase you were wondering!

So here was I ended up with after our day of rummageing, all this for ten Euro...

The denim Ralph Lauren shirt was six euro, Bring It On set me back another two euro, and the two books, A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian & We Need to Talk About Kevin, were a euro each...

And thats why I love second hand, charity, vintage shops, call them what you will, if you are willing to get over the fact that someone else owned them, there is plenty of Treasure to be found, and all for a bargain too...

Recommended Ennis Second Hand: The Somalia Shop, Parnell St CarPark. Mrs Quinns, O'Connell St, and Enable Ireland, Parnell St.

DRN

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Rubba Dub Dub...

Just a typical Saturday for the McMahon household. Yesterday my Mother, younger Brother and my Dad (who organised the whole event) went down the Fergus river, in Ennis, Co. Clare, in a bathtub...

The Idea all came about after we remodelled the bathroom at home, and we were left with a bathtub out the back, and typically my Da being the well, MacGuyver type, decided that something should be done with the tub, rather than bringing it to the skip.

And so something was done with the Bath. Barrels were attached, the plughole was plugged and a charity was decided upon, posters were done up, collection cards were handed out, and yesterday everything fell into place, and the day was an amazing success.

We had a great turn out of supports and local politicians, lots of well wishers and people gave so generously. The charity that was the event was organised for was The Irish Heart Foundation, who recently helped out a family friend, it was was nice for things to come full circle, and being able to give something back to a wonderful organisation.

Afterwards there was an excellent (and delicious) BBQ in Mickey Kerin's pub in Ennis, and we had music too, and it really was a great atmosphere and an excellent night.

I have no idea what my Dad has planned next. He been a community activist for the past ten years, and after ever event he says this is the last one. But it never is. I am hoping he will at least take the Summer off, and put his feet up, cause if anyone deserves a break after TEN YEARS of organising events and OVER ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND EURO RAISED (YES, €100,000!!!) for some really deserving people and charities, it is him.

DRN

My parents. Just a typical Saturday then...

Love Muck...

I was sent this video from Blink PR, I'm only posting cause they pretented to give my girl Jules a job there for Fade Street. And its for Charity too I suppose.

DRN

Cute Purse!

In 1995 Lulu Guinness launched her iconic fan bag- a fifteen year classic that’s still going strong. Now the style has been updated with personal designs from Paloma Faith, Sophie Dahl and artist Rob Ryan; with the latter producing a one-off bag to be auctioned in aid of charity.

Two lovers appear seated on a bench, backdropped by a night sky made up of Swarovski crystals and a poem by Ryan features on the other side of the clutch. Beautiful and timeless, Ryan will exhibit the bag as part of his ‘The Stars Shine All Day Too’ exhibition running from 1st-20th November at The Air Gallery, London. Fans will be able to bid on the exclusive design from the 8th November.

Proceeds from the sale will go to the charity African Solutions to African Problems (ASAP.) Oh it’ll come signed by Rob and Lulu too!

Yes I know Im blogging about purses but, fuck it, I think it's cool!

DRN

via fashionforlunch

Helpin' Haiti

Plastered these posters I made all over college today, hopefully half an hours work can get a few people to donate to Haiti.

DRN

Designers Helping Haiti

I dont think theres ever been a disaster like the Haiti Earthquake were people have used technology to help each other out. Since the moment it happened people have been sharing information on Twitter, Facebook and on blogs on how everyone can help. Now the designers are getting it on the action, I love the idea of everyone doing what ya can, if you cant donate money, make a poster and create some awareness.

Anyone in Ireland can text CONCERN or UNICEF to 57500 and donate €5 taken outta your credit, its not much but every little helps.

DRN

Make Your Mother Proud!

By Texting UNICEF or CONCERN to 57500 you can donate just a fiver towards UNICEF Ireland's and Concern's relief effort for Haiti. The text scheme is running until midnight Sunday the 31st so please send a quick text and help out.


DRN