One of the best-groomed and sweetest guests at the opening in the Origin Gallery is Dixie, a white-haired 14-year-old bitch, who hangs by Martin Bedford with love and devotion, decked out in a sporty cravat. Together they greet their guests to Bedford's show, I dtreo na hAimsire.
Jeananne Crowley, here on a flying visit from Clifden where she's diligently at work writing a play, officiates. She has swapped houses with her friend, actor Kate O'Toole (daughter of Peter) who has moved to Dublin while she is playing in Barbaric Comedies at the Abbey, which opens tomorrow.
The artist's family arrives too, including his older brother, Jim Bedford, who has just sailed around the world. The writer John McGahern comes in. Also here are Campbell Armstrong, author of All that Really Matters, which will be coming out in paperback in March, and his wife, Rebecca Armstrong.
Sir Ivor Roberts, the British ambassador, is here too to congratulate the Leeds man on his work. The ambassador leaves before the speeches, possibly dashing off to help his wife, Lady Elizabeth Roberts, prepare their residence, Glencairn, for Thursday night's fashion show, in aid of two charities - Angel's Quest provides respite care for the thousands of parents who care for their disabled children, and the Omagh Fund, which was established in response to the tragedy in August 1998 to help the injured people and the families of the deceased.
This was the first and last event hosted by the ambassador in Glencairn as it was sold recently. The evening began with a champagne reception followed by the Brown Thomas autumn/winter fashion show, after which The Celtic Sopranos performed and then there's supper and fireworks. Our own Robert O'Byrne was master of ceremonies, elegant as ever in a black, two-piece Cuan Hanly number.