ONE of the most important books in the National Gallery's 500 Years Of The Art Of The Book exhibition the Great Book Of Ireland - had still not turned up, just hours before its opening on Wednesday night. The keys that keep it secure in Dublin Castle had gone missing and neither Poetry Ireland's Theo Dorgan nor National Gallery director Raymond Keaveney could lay hands on them.
All went well, however - keys were found and the two could be seen leaning on the showcase and discussing Ireland's chances against Liechtenstein that night.
Many of those who lent books to the exhibition, including Fonzie Mealy, rare book connoisseur Eamonn de Burca and Jane Fenlon representing the Irish Georgian Society, were there. Dr Jan Storm Van Leeuwen came over from the Royal Library in The Hague and publisher Paul Holberton, who published the limited edition book that accompanies the show, arrived from London.