IGNORING some of the more obvious ways in which the AIB could help make a better Ireland (reducing bank charges seems a good starting point), the bank's annual Better Ireland awards ceremony was held in its Ballsbridge headquarters last Tuesday evening.
Guest of honour, Taoiseach John Bruton, came without his wife, and that appeared to set the tone for the event, with a notable absence of spouses and partners among the invited guests.
"My wife Ita wasn't asked," said Dublin city manager Frank Feeley, explaining his temporarily single status.
Due to depart from his position in mid May, Mr Feeley preferred not to engage in too much speculation over either his successor or how he will fill his time in retirement although his interests in golf and water colour painting (both until now only indulged during summer, holidays in Ballybunion) will probably receive more attention.
In any case, he has other preoccupations at the moment, such as the wedding of his eldest daughter. A lecturer in electrical engineering at UCD, 29 year old Orla Feeley will marry a month before her father leaves his job.
No wonder Mr Feeley announced one of his favourite opening line is: "Don't Throw Bouquets at Me," from Oklahoma.
Speaking of weddings, one of Tuesday night's award winners, Karina Lundstrom from the National Chamber Choir, turned up with a 1882 American silver dollar, which she was given when she married her husband, Peter (another absentee).
Ms Lundstrom was seated at the same table as singing teacher Veronica Dunne, who sported a large pair of sunglasses throughout the proceedings. It wasn't the glare of television lights that troubled Ms Dunne but the bruising she received a week ago when she tripped at home and fell down a flight of stairs. Since her brother Bill Dunne was back in the country for the first time in over 40 years, she didn't like to make a fuss when the accident occurred, and as a result received no immediate medical attention.