The big party that kicks off the Christmas social season is the Social & Personal Top 100 Party People of the year event, and last weeks bash certainly had everyone in attendance in a festive mood. Definitely one of the most well attended social occasions of the year, it brings out the party faithful in their glitz and glam and the theme of “ghetto fabulous” didn’t disappoint. Even the venue, Café en Seine, resembled Mortons of L.A. at Vanity Fair Oscar party time.
Inclusion on “The List”, this year in association with Corona Extra, is determined by a panel of judges who start with over a thousand names and then narrow it down to 100. The esteemed panel was made up of top model and Bubble Hits presenter Glenda Gilson, publicist (and star of TV show It’s My Party) Sinead Ryan, Sunday Indo social diarist Barry Egan, TV presenter Laura Woods, Lillies Bordello boss Dave Morrissey and fashionista Maria Fusco, of Ave Maria.
Claiming the top spot this year is An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, TD, who is usually guest of honour at any event he attends. With a diary more packed than my own, he also plays host to the world’s leaders on a regular basis. A deserving winner of this most sought after accolade, he was, ironically, unable to attend the party but met with Social & Personal publisher PJ Gibbons at government buildings earlier in the day to receive his award.
Making up the rest of the top 5 positions were Rosanna Davison, who attended with her boyfriend Wes Quirke – the hottest couple about town; the glamorous Lisa Murphy, who is currently in Uganda on a charity mission; TV3 fashion stylist Lisa Fitzpatrick, who was the belle of the ball and broadcaster Gerry Ryan, who had been rushed to hospital earlier in the week and was not present, natch (although if he had been there then that really would have upped his party cred).
Among the other favoured few to make the list were Miss Ireland Sarah Morrissey, actor George McMahon, Sir Jack Leslie, beauty guru Triona McCarthy, Conrad Gallagher, Brian O’Dricsoll, Enya and newscaster Anne Doyle. My position on the list is just beneath the gorgeous Andrea Roche, who is joined by her pals Gail Kaneswaren and Roberta Rowat.
As I said, it was a very well attended event and some of those I spotted were Amanda Brunker, Ross Robertson, Paul Byrom and Niall McCrudden, Mr. Ireland Simon Hales, Keith Foran and Ivano Cafolla Jnr., Robbie Fox, Sonia Macari, Rachel Kavanagh and Phil Cosby (Bing’s grandson, no less).
The festivities continued in Lillies and Renards until late night (or should that be early morning?), with the party people living up to their well-earned reputations.
