Sometimes the world is full of Nualas, everywhere you look. As if out of nowhere, they'll appear in front of you just when you're least expecting it. "Yes," says Dubliner Karen Egan, in a smart cocktail dress for the evening of cabaret: "I am a former Nuala." Josie O'Reilly, from Sydney, is a new Nuala. She says being a Nuala "is quite an experience". The Nualas comedy act is currently in the middle of a UK tour. Her two colleagues are not present but the trio is just on a short break, she says. We begin to suspect an Elvis-in-Las-Vegas type of invasion.
A blond and bubbly Susannah De Wrixon, a native of Bruree, Co Limerick, was a Nuala too - until the new millennium kicked in and she handed over to Josie and went solo. She later entertains us with a selection of songs by such as Doris Day and Jacques Brel. Enda Ormonde, from Lismore, Co Waterford, who is another singer/actress, smiles and says: "No, I'm a non-Nuala". How about comedian and actor Brendan Dempsey, our compere for the night? Could he be a Nuala in disguise? "He's tried out loads of times," says Susannah. "He just wouldn't fit into the boots."
"It's just amazing how many people get out of Limerick," the brazen comic retorts. The repartee continues late into the night at The Sugar Club on Leeson Street. There is an auction of paintings, photographs and other work by artists including Orla Kaminski and Michael Boran. The guests arrive and they are greeted by their host, actress Sue Mythen, who has organised the event to help raise money for Self Help Development International, which funds projects in a number of countries in Africa. Sitting in the audience enjoying the evening, which has been christened Lemon Aid, is Dr Awole Mela, director of the agency in Ethiopia. Hilary McDonagh, who heads up its activities in Ireland, says the www.selfhelpintl.ie website is there for anyone who wants to find out more about it.