Friday, July 07, 2006

The party posse are taking full advantage of these long balmy evenings and outdoor drinking is the new black. It’s important to make hay while the sun shines and all that, so the good people at Haagen Dazs ice cream had perfect timing as they hosted their summer cocktail party on the private terrace at George’s of Baggot Street yesterday evening.


With delish, nay decadent, Haagen Dazs cocktails and Kir Royales there was a real social buzz about the place as the crowd discussed plans for summer and upcoming events. A hot topic of conversation was the forthcoming White Tie and Diamond charity gala ball in Marbella next weekend. Organised by Marc and Lynn Quinlan and a host of friends, the event is in aid of the Water Angels charity and takes place on Saturday the 16th in Finca de la Concepcion. A huge Irish contingent is expected and the MC for the evening is the inimitable Brendan Courtney. Check this out for more details.


Back to last night, and the other matter in hand seemed to be avoiding the TV cameras that were floating around the party. Hosts Joanne Byrne and Sinead Ryan were filming for the final of their new RTE TV show, It’s My Party, and the pair were miked up and working the room effortlessly. Let’s hope that some great gossip passed their lips and will be shared on national TV!


Also there were TV stars Kathryn Thomas and Lucy Kennedy, Norman Pratt and Avril Collins, Gavin Lambe – Murphy and Libby Ryan, Andrew Rudd, Trevor White from The Dubliner and Jedda Downey, sister of Caroline who is no stranger to TV following the hugely successful show Charity Queens, in which she appeared recently alongside my pal Tara O’Connor.


After umpteen Haagen Dazs cocktails (I was physically unable to drink anymore) I popped into the new Portoo House tapas bar on South William Street, which was celebrating it’s opening night. Reminded me of a cute little place you’d see in Barcelona, such was the décor. The food is as good and authentic as you get in Barcelona too. I spotted Lillies Bordello boss Fiona Roche and socialites Jonothan Sultan and John McKibbin there.


It was no coincidence then that I also spotted them in Lillies later on ripping up the dancefloor with the likes of Trevor Musgrave, Lord Henry Mountcharles and his wife Lady Iona Mountcharles.