It's the time of year that all and sundry leave their regular bases and hit the road to sunnier climes. If you are not one of the thousands heading to the Galway Races this week then you may find the social scene in Dublin, and around the country, a bit on the quiet side.
Among those westward bound to the Ballybrit racecourse are Geraldine Mahony, Judith Giltinane, Paul Collins, Grainne Seoige, Albert Reynolds, Quentin Fottrell and Hilary Cahill.
Others who will be racing in Galway this week include An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, various Government Ministers and ploiticos, who will be entertaining the masses in the legendary Fianna Fail tent. Paying for the privilage to press the flesh. Personally, I don't get it.
And what about the rest? Well, rest is indeed what people have been getting lots of lately as the summer holiday season is in full swing. Just back from European vacations are TV presenter Caroline Morahan, who was in Pollo, Italy, and her stunning colleague Pamela Flood, who was in Sitges. Gavin Lambe - Murphy lived it up in Capri with friends.
DJ Hugh Scully got some R'nR in Croatia. Vivienne Connolly and Mark Dunne were in Palma and socialite Norman Smurfit hosted her annual charity gala in nearby Marbella last weekend. Sinead Ryan and Malachy Geelan also enjoyed Spain, as did RTE newscaster Aengus MacGrianna, while ex rugby captain Niall Woods had a ball in France.
Further afield were Kerri Galligan, who has just returned from Figi and L.A., Glenda Gilson, who has been to New Zealand and Ronan and Yvonne Keating who were in Faro. Jetting off soon will be Bono and his family to their South of France villa; Louis Walsh to his place in South Beach, Miami and John Healy of The Four Seasons is off to Spain.
I need a holiday myself, so am off to France for a week, followed by another week in Spain, where I'm sure to bump into many familiar faces, judging by it's popularity.
Hasta La Vista darlings - I'll be back (on the 10th of August).
x
