My Wardrobe: Actor and playwright shows us her  favourite dresses

Outfit One, above: This dress is from Brocade and Lime, a beautiful vintage glamour shop in Cork city. The heels were my wedding shoes from another stunning vintage shop, Bella Bleu.

Last time I wore it: Celebrating opening night of my last play, Gone Full Havisham.

Favourite things about this outfit: You cannot wear this dress and not twirl! It is just such a fun dress, 1950s style and I love coupling it with my wedding shoes. This dress is my Mama’s favourite and she has wonderful taste so it has to be a winner!

Outfit 2, above: This black velvet dress was a present from my sister. It is from Miss Selfridge. The heels are from TopShop. The faux fur stole is from Sheenas Boutique and the pearl drop earrings are from my husband Denis as a Valentine’s present.

Last time I wore it:

Christmas with Denis when we went out for dinner. Sometimes I leave off the stole and wear my favourite red beret.

Favourite things about this outfit: I have two style icons; Audrey Hepburn and Veronica Lake. This dress combined with vintage-wave hairstyle is like a merge of my two icons into one look.

When it comes to style I was definitely born in the wrong era. My mother said to me when I was young ‘Style never goes out of fashion’ and so I have never been one to follow fashion. I know what I like, I know what suits me. You cannot beat the stars of the silver screen for absolute elegance, class and style.

Outfit 3, above: This dress was a present from my beautiful mother. It is from Needle and Thread and I had been admiring it (lovingly) for such a long time and my Mam had noticed! The heels are from TopShop.

Last time I wore it: A sunny and beautiful summer wedding in 2019.

Favourite things about this outfit:

When my goddaughter Joanna (5 years old at the time) saw me in this dress she examined it for a while and then, very seriously, asked ‘Irene, are you an actual Princess?’ And it’s been my favourite dress ever since!

Outfit 4, above: This dress and shoes are both by Ted Baker. I really love a lot of Ted Baker dresses as they have a timeless feel to them. This dress was my Dad’s favourite so it is very special. I think of him when I wear it.

Last time I wore it: The last time was at afternoon tea in Hayfield Manor with my best friend Paula before she moved to Florida. I was dressing up to cheer myself up!

Favourite things about this outfit: This dress and shoes were bought as my outfit for the second day of our wedding- the party!

They are so bright and fun and were just perfect for the occasion. So I will always have a special love for these. They will never leave my wardrobe!

The photos were taken by Denis Minihane at the Crawford Art Gallery, Emmet Place.

Hair and makeup were by Marta Sagan