While many of Dublin's big stores have been laid to rest or consumed by multinationals, Arnotts, that grand old dame of Henry Street has been ambling along sedately (since 1843, to be precise). On Wednesday evening a flock of her faithful friends gathered to marvel at the wonders worked by a pretty radical facelift.
The new blond, bright and zippy Arnotts - now Ireland's largest department store - was introduced by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. At the lavish party, everything from champagne to pints poured forth, while a string quartet played Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Upstairs, in the new Studio Bar on the second floor, samba band La Luna played. Among those savouring the new atmosphere were John Rocha, former Miss Ireland Anne-Marie Gannon, one of the store's American directors, Casey Tolar, and at least two generations of Nesbitts: Arnotts chairman Michael Nesbitt and his father, Ronald Nesbitt, president of the company. Nesbitt senior's wife, Ella Nesbitt (who announced that in her 80 years she had never allowed her pencilslim person to be constrained by any foundation garment) was dressed from head to toe in vintage Arnotts gear. Her ensemble, a neat Raymond Kenna suit in beautiful, hard tweed and a mustard trilby by Herbert Johnson cut a timeless dash among the more sober suits.