Brendan has grand designs on the women of Carlow

AROUND CARLOW TOWN
With Mairéad Wilmot
GOOD NEWS for brides to be: fashion designer Brendan Byrne has opened the doors of his new custom-made dress design studio, Sarah Rowe writes.

The Graiguecullen man is basing himself in Traynor House on College Street, Carlow and he will be specialising in tailor-made occasion wear for women of all ages, shapes and sizes.

“I do a lot of tailored pieces, beadwork and embellishment,” said Brendan, a graduate of Cork College of Fashion Design, “but the best things about my dresses are that they’re original and that the patterns can be made to fit to the person’s body so they will fit each individual ideally.”

Brendan, who used to have a design studio four years ago in the same area, explained that designing stunning dresses is all about being passionate. “I used to have a studio a few years ago but I took a career break for a while and really missed designing,” said Brendan. I’ve always loved it, so I’ve done a full circle and now I’m back doing what I love to do. It’s a calling for me.”

With Brendan back doing what he does best, the women of Carlow can now look forward to specially-designed one-off gowns from an experienced designer. But Brendan is a designer of many talents and he is also offering an alteration service in the studio, along with teaching night classes in dress design in Carlow Vocational School.

“I’m teaching night classes on the basics of dress design. It’s a great trade to have, it’s a ten-week course with the next semester starting in the New Year, in springtime,” he explained.

Anyone interested in booking a dress consultation with Brendan can contact him directly on 087 6460716 or can call into his studio. For more information on his dress design course, contact Carlow Vocational School on 059 9131187.

Animal magic for our furry friends

NOAH’S Ark would have been proud of Petmania, Carlow last weekend as the animal kingdom united to celebrate world animal week, writes Suzanne Pender.

From rabbits and chipmunks to dogs and budgies, the fun event gave everyone a chance to meet and greet all the animals at the store, while some customers all brought along their pets to join in the festivities.

And just who among them had the X factor? That was the question on everyone’s list, with fun competitions, including prettiest pooch and a pet talent show! Petmania also welcomed along the band Jupiter Effect, as well as representatives from some animal charities, including Ash animal sanctuary and Jane’s ISPCA cat sanctuary in Tullow.

On Sunday, there were free demos of dog agility with a qualified dog behaviourist answering all those doggie dilemmas! Representatives from search and rescue dog organisations came along, while the Petmania staff were also available to give free expert advice on animal care.

Face painting, colouring competitions and many more fun activities also kept the human fans happy over the weekend!

World Animal Week runs from 4 to 11 October to coincide with the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

No Name Club returns after summer break

BORED TEENS take note … there’s somewhere you can have fun, make friends and it doesn’t have to cost you a cent! The Carlow branch of the No Name Club is back after its summer holidays and is eager to get going with lots of activities for the coming year.

The club meets every Friday from 7pm to 9pm at the New Oak Community Centre, New Oak Estate, Carlow and is always keen to welcome more teenage members to the club.

Lots of fun events and activities are planned by the club and they’d be delighted to see new faces and members.

Anyone interested in getting involved or finding out more about Carlow No Name Club can contact Aine or Ashleigh at 086 3347289.

The No Name Club is a national voluntary youth organisation, with clubs throughout the country. The clubs are run by and for young people aged 15 years and over, who come together in a safe and lively environment where there’s fun, friendship and enjoyment without the pressure of alcohol or other drugs.

Becoming a teenage member of a club – known as a host or hostess – allows young people to develop their confidence and leadership skills. The club is theirs and they, along with the fellow club members, identify what events and activities they want it to run.

Lions Club book sale

BOOK worms may rejoice with news that Carlow Lions Club is hosting a mammoth book sale.

Starting this week, the sale is taking place on Tullow Street beside Paul White’s Pharmacy.

This is also the perfect opportunity to get rid of some unwanted books because the Lions Club is looking for donations too.

The fundraising sale starts tomorrow, Wednesday 12 October, and runs to Saturday 15 October.