The birthday banquet (taken with the fab Nokia 7250)
Happy 180th Birthday!
That grand old dame of St. Stephen's Green, The Shelbourne Hotel, celebrated it's 180th birthday this year. Over the last month the hotel has hosted a variety of events in honour of this great milestone. Last night saw the culmination of the celebrations with a lavish party in the Great Room.
I love The Shelbourne. It has a certain style and grace about the place that other hotels can only imitate. Many a long day I have spent in either the Horse Shoe or the Shelbourne Bar (the latter being my preference, though many would disagree), where we would discuss lifes loves and labours. It really is a smorgasbord of Dublin society and one should never be surprised at who might be sitting at the next table, be it famous musician, politician or journalist.
The chefs were out in force with a banquet fit for a king - Eastern, Italian and Japanese dishes followed by a sumptuous chocolate fountain and decadant profiteroles (pictured above, thanks to my trusty Nokia). The invitation requested 'Lounge Suit' and there were certainly plenty of suits in attendance. Among those enjoying the hospitality were former Ireland international player Packie Bonner, style guru Leann De Cerbo, model Roz Lipsett and fashion correspondent Bairbre Power.
Question of the night: Which property magnate owned the new chauffer driven Mercedes Maybach parked outside? This D4 resident is one of the first in the country to take delivery of the €400,000 dream machine.
