On The Town:If anyone needed a reason why a book on the history of the building of the King's Inns was a deserving topic, then it would have become obvious the minute they stepped into the elegant King's Inns dining hall. The vast room, which was the venue for the launch of Patricia McCarthy's book, A Favourite Study: Building King's Inns, has all the imposing presence and austere grandeur that would have been expected by the many former chief justices whose portraits line the walls.
With three open fires roaring, all the scene needed was a few chestnuts roasting on the hearth and it would have looked like something on the front of a Christmas card.
A large crowd, made up primarily of judges, senior counsel and various other members of the legal profession, gathered in the dining hall. They included Maurice Gaffney SC, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday.
Having received a copy of McCarthy's book on that occasion, Gaffney was one of the few in a position to comment on the finished product.
"It's a really splendid book, and a book of great scholarship," said Gaffney, commending the volume's many wonderful illustrations.
Former taoisigh Liam Cosgraveand Garret FitzGeraldalso came to the launch, as did Judge Bryan McMahon, chairman of the Abbey Theatre.
Judge Catherine McGuinness, president of the Law Reform Commission, was at the event too, as was Kevin Baird, the chief executive of the recently formed Irish Heritage Trust.
, president of the Law Reform Commission, was at the event too, as was Kevin Baird, the chief executive of the recently formed Irish Heritage Trust.Patricia McCarthy, who was asked to take on the writing of her book a few years ago, described the experience as "a thoroughly enjoyable one", even if it did mean spending long hours in the bowels of the King's Inns, searching through the archives.
McCarthy's husband, Fenton, and three children were at the launch, as was her sister, Catherine Murphy, who travelled from Madrid for the celebration.
McCarthy's brother, the broadcaster, Mike Murphy, was also there.
Dr Edward McParland, of Trinity College Dublin's history of art and architecture department, who recommended McCarthy for her literary task, came to the King's Inns to celebrate the publication.
, of Trinity College Dublin's history of art and architecture department, who recommended McCarthy for her literary task, came to the King's Inns to celebrate the publication."It is aptly named A Favourite Study," said Chief Justice John L Murray, who officially launched the book. "And it will always remain a favourite work of this society."