Across the two episodes Drogheda born Yasmine visits two very different playgrounds of the super-rich – New York and the Hamptons; and the Cote d’Azur in the south of France. There she meets Irish ex-pats who have carved successful careers and made fortunes working in these glittering wonderlands.
Irish in Wonderland, Episode 1 of 2, Thursday, September 28th at 9.30pm
Episode One: New York/Hamptons
In the first episode of Irish in Wonderland Yasmine meets a wolf of Wall Street, the Dubliner whose predatory antics inspired a bestselling book Flashboys by Michael Lewis. She hangs out with a Dun Laoghaire party organiser who throws some of the flashiest events in the Hamptons. Yasmine tries her hand at polo at one of the world’s most exclusive clubs under the tutelage of an advertising executive from Longford. And an estate agent from Sligo shows off a $7.5 million high tech Hamptons mansion with its very own singing toilet.
Some of those featured include:
Clare Kirwan, a real estate agent working in the Hamptons, originally from Sandymount in Dublin.
Janet O’Brien, originally from Dun Laoghaire, who emigrated to the States when she was 21 and subsequently set up her own bespoke catering company.
Don O’Neill, creative director at Theia Fashion House, originally from Co Kerry with his designs favoured by brides and celebrities alike.
Frank MacNamara, originally from Longford, moved to New York in 1961 and founded his own advertising agency. He set up the Hamptons’ first polo club in the late 80s and it is now one of the biggest in the USA.
Patrick Kirby, originally from Skibbereen, Co Cork, this 25-year-old has only been in New York for two years and has already risen to the role of Vice President of Accounts & Sales at booming start-up Glassview.
Andrew Woods, a helicopter pilot in Manhattan, originally from Dublin, he has flown some of the biggest celebrities in the world.
Ronan Ryan, originally from Dublin, now the CEO of IEX Trading and featured in Michael Lewis’s bestseller ‘Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt”.
Jane Wogan Notar, niece of the late Terry Wogan, who works as a health and wellness coach and personal trainer while dividing her time between New York and the Hamptons with husband Richie Notar, managing partner of Nobu.
Patrick Greene, a Sligo man who runs a bespoke service for people who want to get into the best clubs and parties in New York.
John Fitzpatrick, grew up in south Kerry, who now owns a dry walling company and meets Yasmine high up in a brand new 63 storey apartment building in New York’s financial district.
Eileen Shields, born in Dublin, graduated from the National College of Art and Design before moving to New York to work first at DKNY before moving to establish her own brand. Her shoes have been worn by many celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani and Halle Berry.