Operatics on the lawn? Go Figaro

THE SOCIAL NETWORK:Emily Naper of Loughcrew, Co Meath, will be joined by her sister Caroline Dashwood and nephew Alexander Wade this evening for The Marriage of Figaro at Loughcrew Gardens. Naper and Dashwood are granddaughters of the late Lady Sheila Dunsany, and they grew up in West Wycombe Park, a Palladian mansion in Buckinghamshire.

It will be a busman’s holiday for Alex, who comes from an opera-loving family. His father, Michael, “runs operas at Trafalgar House in Wiltshire”, Naper said.

The two-day Loughcrew Opera Festival, which opened last night for its 13th year, stars the soprano Norah King.

Naper is looking forward to welcoming her “neighbours”, Tom and Valerie Pakenham of Tullynally Castle, and their daughter, Eliza Chisholm, to this evening’s performance. Tom tends not to use his title, Lord Longford.

A host of other opera buffs, including Marie Cooney of Tipperary Water, the muralist Michael Dillon, and Mairead McGuinness MEP, are also expected.