It's always the same on St Patrick's Day abroad - everyone seems to want to be Irish or celebrate with the Irish. In London, Aer Lingus threw a big bash in the Cafe Royale off Regent Street and unveiled its new uniforms designed by Louise Kennedy. The invited guests were mainly London-based friends of the airline as well as the travel press, including the redoubtable Wish You Were Here's Ju- dith Chalmers.
However, the most unexpected guest was perhaps Alexis Colby herself - Joan Collins. Sporting a great clump of shamrock and wearing green, she professed herself a great fan of the Irish and a proud possessor of some Irish blood. One Irishman in particular earned her praise and he was Pat Kenny, who compares favourably with his British and US counterparts, she said, describing him as "absolutely charming ".
Collins arrived with Ned Ryan, Tipperary man, London property developer and close friend of Princess Margaret. Also at the table were Louise Kennedy and her sister Caroline Kennedy.