LAST night there was sunflower madness in the RDS as the panelled library was taken over by the Irish Hospice Foundation's 11th annual ball. Dr Michael Smurfit was guest of honour for the night, and chairwoman Marie Donnelly, used the occasion to present him with an abstract piece specially commissioned by the foundation from Alan Ardiff in appreciation of his commitment to the charity.
Gerald Kean, 98FM's Ken Hutton, Abbey Travel's Marian Benton and In Dublin publisher Mike Hogan were all there as busy members of the committee, and another committee member, Marty Whelan compered the evening. Film producer Katy McGuinness took a table as did Avoca Handweavers' Amanda Pratt; Hospice director, Robert Power; and Patrick and Shirlie Bewley.
Marlboro donated a helmet and shirt signed by Eddie Irvine and Michael Brady was there to watch the bidding rise under auctioneer David Agar's skilled hands. Other hot properties were the handwritten lyrics and chromadine (whatever that is) to U2's song Miami from their Pop album, two signed first edition Roddy Doyle books and a photo from Perry Ogden's forthcoming Pony Kids show.