GIVEN that the most terrifying thing I generally come [across in the course of my working day is a glass of warm white wine, or worse still a dangerously loud tie, I felt a bit sheepish at the launch of A Woman's World Beyond the Headlines, a new book [which includes essays from [women journalists such as war reporter Maggie O'Kane and social affairs reporter Aileen O'Meara.
The book is a joint venture bet Attic Press and Oxfam, and publisher Roisin Couroy pronounced herself astonished at the very large turnout at the launch in the Mansion House on Wednesday night.
Twelve women contributed to the book, edited by Mary van Lieshout, who spoke movingly and in very stark terms of the plight of women in the developing world. Once the speeches were over, including an informative if slightly long one by Joan Burton, the occasion quickly turned into a party with music by Xacara, a very lively Latin American band. Roisin McDermott from Women's Aid arrived looking fit - she's in training for the annual Women's Aid Sponsored Cycle at the end of May, which is that organisation's big annual fund raiser.
Boosting the coffers is of course the main aim of the event, but the indomitable Roisin says that a good laugh is the other main objective and yes, it is open to male entrants - the best fun they had was a couple of years ago when 40 gardai arrived to take part in the two day spin, and they've hoping they'll turn up again this year. If you want to take part, telephone 01-8600033.