Some were getting ready for Cannes and the Monaco Grand Prix on Tuesday but in Dublin, it was a night for theatre, with openings at the Olympia (Patrick McCabe's The Dead School); at the Project @ the Mint (Barabbas's Hupnouse) and at the Civic Theatre in Tallaght (Rough Magic's The Whisperers).
The start of the long day's journey into night began with Gay Byrne's acceptance of the Freedom of the City - an honour which was also conferred on US First Lady Hillary Clinton in Galway along with her honorary doctorate. In both places, tourists were clearly confused by traffic and security arrangements.
At the Temple Bar Gallery and Studio, a young and decidedly trendy crowd gathered for the opening of an exhibition by New York-based photographer, Peter Hendrick. Mark Cullen of Pallas Studios, which organises and curates a number of exhibitions, was there, just back from Tralee where he won a prize for his solo show, Siamsa Tire. Now he's busy working on the Dark Life film festival, scheduled for later this month. Painter Clea Van Grijn, who recently completed a commission for John Rocha's Morisson Hotel, was in the middle of the fray as was Mick Wilson, new co-ordinator of the degree year at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dun Laoghaire. Artist Toru Kamaya moved among the young crowd which included a number of NCAD students, the visual arts officer for the Arts Council, Oliver Dowling and fashion designer Deirdre Fitzgerald. At the Olympia, Patrick McCabe's play drew a varied crowd of seasoned thespians and media types who flocked through the doors, assuring a late start, and a late night afterwards. Actor Brendan Gleeson (whose brother Frank Gleeson is tour manager for the show) left after the play, but singer Gavin Friday, U2 manager Paul McGuinness, Frankie McCafferty from Ballykissangel and Tony O'Dalaigh, director of the Dublin Theatre Festival, Mick Lally and Patrick McCabe stayed in the Circle Bar until the very end.
At the Tivoli, traditional Dublin got a taste of the action with the opening of a new dinner theatre. Director Tony Byrne is planning a season of old-school entertainment in one of Dublin's oldest areas, so expect to see a variety of acts over the summer. The Plurabelles (Honor Heffernan, Felicity Stewart and Ray Fitzgerald) entertained the audience through the first half of the show while Finbar Furey brought us through a second half of old and new songs. Among those showing their support were Ronnie Drew, Irish team manager Mick McCarthy and Mick Ryan from 2FM.