THIS year the winner of the Glen Dimplex award was announced before those, assembled at the Irish Museum of Modern Art had tucked into their dinner.
David Fitzgerald of the Kerlin Gallery was both happy and sad: he represents two of the shortlisted artists Dorothy Cross and Willie McKeown - as well as the winner, Paul Seawright, who he got to know at the L'Imaginaire Irlandais festival last year. Fitzgerald is currently busy with Sean Scully's exhibition at the Kerlin, which opened last Sunday after a long dinner the night before. Scully and entourage had set off with Denis Mortell to film a short documentary on Scully's life and work. His return to Inchicore, where he spent the first four years of his life, was made that bit more special when the present owner of Sean's childhood home recognised him as that "blond-haired, blue-eyed young one" who used to roam the streets.
There were packs of gallery owners in evidence, of course: John Hutchinson of the Douglas Hyde came with Alice Roden, weaver and design consultant on the new Merrion Hotel; Josephine Kelliher of the Rubicon; John Kennedy, also of the Kerlin; Brid Dukes and Mary Tuohy of the Hallward; and Pat Taylor of the Taylor Gallery. Raymond Keaveney of the National Gallery represented the old guard while Declan McGonagle, director of IMMA, hosted the proceedings.
Maurice Foley made his first appearance as chairman of the gallery.
Arts commentators were also out in force with Circa editor, Tanya Kiang; UCD's Paula Murphy, who is also on IMMA's board; and Tadhg MacDhonnagain, presenter of RTE's Cursai Ealaine. Art house's Aileen MacKeogh came along and chatted with Una Carmody of Temple Bar, who was raving about the new open air food market on Saturdays in Meeting House Square. The ever-so-trendy outdoor film season is also about to kick off in the square, and this year's films have been chosen by guests including Dermot Morgan (The Godfather) and Adi Roche, who rather fittingly chose Woodstock to coincide with the summer solstice.
The artists were all present and holding court at their respective tables; Willie McKeown with artist Richard Gorman, who is now living in Milan and exhibiting in London; Paul Seawright with parents Christine and Stephen Seawright and wife Sarah; and Dorothy Cross with James Conway of Opera Theatre Company and Vivienne and Kieran Guinness.
Maurice O'Connell's table won the "rowdy bowsies" award with shouts and cheers coming from brother Ross O'Connell, lighting designer, Rocky Wall and artist Clea Van der Grijn. O'Connell ensured that the night went off with a bang as he let off a series of window-trembling fireworks in the quad.