The old-style ballroom at Iveagh House is reserved for important occasions, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told us. "In actual fact, I don't even get in here that often myself."
He came to greet the members of an exclusive club of worldwide hotels and châteaux and attend the launch of its 2002 guide. Each member must have the five Cs - charm, character, cuisine, calm and courtoisie, according to its directeur général exécutif, Jean-Louis Bottigliero. There are 469 Relais & Châteaux members, including eight in Ireland.
Elizabeth O'Mahony of St Clerans in east Galway, former home of director John Huston, said it has been a member of the R&C chain for three years. The house, with 12 bedrooms, was built in 1784 and, of course, has the five Cs in spades.
Many of the diplomatic corps, including the new Japanese ambassador, Yoshihiko Arakawa, and his wife, Emiko, who have been in Dublin since December, following a posting in New York, came to the champagne reception. The French ambassador, Gabriel de Bellescize and his wife, Cecile, recalled visiting Cashel House (one of the magnificent eight) once upon a time.
Aisling and William O'Callaghan, of Longueville House outside Mallow in Co Cork, were looking forward to the unveiling this summer of their restored Victorian conservatory, which was originally designed by the great Richard Turner.
Still in a historic vein, Adriaan Bartels, of Sheen Falls Lodge, said the Co Kerry residence was the fishing lodge of Sir William Petty, who was surgeon-general in Cromwell's army. The hotel will host a food and wine weekend from Friday, March 8th, according to the lodge's sommelier, Alain Bras.
Elizabeth Harris, for- mer wife of actor Richard Harris, is back and forth to Ireland, often visiting Ashford Castle, she said, adding that Omar Sharif was there before Christ- mas. Peter MacCann,of the Merrion Hotel, was just back from Paris and the R&C show at the Pavillion D'Armenonville, which had 3,600 visitors, including Gerard Depardieu. Before we know it, he'll be over to Ireland.