London: Some 500 guests from the world of politics and media attended a St Patrick's Day reception at the Irish Embassy in London last night.
The Irish Ambassador to Britain, Mr Daithí O'Ceallaigh, hosted the annual event after returning from Leeds where he had joined 400 members of the local Irish community at a Mass to mark the centenary of Leeds Cathedral. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Roache on the eve of national day in recognition of the many Irish men involved in building the cathedral.
Television celebrities Carol Voderman and Diarmuid Gavin were expected to be rubbing shoulders with former Downing Street communications director Mr Alastair Campbell, Health (and former Northern Ireland) Secretary Dr John Reid, and London Mayor Mr Ken Livingstone at the embassy, which will host a second reception tomorrow night for representatives of the Irish community in London.
Irish communities were raising flags and balloons at festivals, parades and parties across Britain yesterday as the celebrations reached their climax after their launch in Manchester, Birmingham and London on Sunday.
Senator Mary O'Rourke addressed the Enterprise Ireland lunch in Glasgow while traditional Irish music followed Mass and the annual parade in Nottingham.