ITS fairly rare these days to receive an "at home" invitation, but last week my mail included a crisp white card engraved with the words "Lady Arnott at home at American College Dublin" and giving details of the time and date.
It transpired that Annie, Lady Arnott is so impressed by the "less pressurised" education her son Alexander (20) is getting at the private college that she invited other mums with students at Rathdown, St Columba's, Holy Child and Mount Anville to come along for morning coffee and to hear what the college has to offer.
With the Leaving Cert nearly over, most of the mothers looked suitably exam-weary, but were able to ask some of the most intricate points-related questions imaginable - and most seemed interested to hear that the college is outside the points system and accepts the NCEA minimum requirements.
Lady Arnott, whose other other son, Andrew, has just finished the Leaving, is looking forward to visiting Alexander in Florida, where he is heading shortly to finish his education at the Boca Ratan-based parent university of the Dublin wing.