`Ain't no sunshine when she's gone," sings the security man, John Lyons, from Dungarvan, Co Waterford, as he moves lightly along the corridor. "And she's always gone too long, every time she goes away." Love is in the air. The Red Hot Valentine's Ball is about to kick into gear. Venus and Adonis are draped in red at the entrance to the ballroom.
Composer Sean Davey and his wife, singer Rita Connolly, in a magnificent, red ball gown, arrive. Composer Fiachra Trench, who is off to Los Angeles shortly to work with Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack for the mega movie Pearl Harbour, is here with his wife, Carmel McCreagh.
More musicians include fiddle-player John Sheahan of the Dubliners, who will celebrate 50 years together next year, and his wife, Mary Sheahan. Alan Smale, leader of the National Symphony Orchestra, is here with Niamh Nelson, an NSO viola player. Both remember to mention that the NSO will be going on a nationwide tour in March.
Possibly the youngest attendee, at her first ball, is a delighted Aisling Warren-Greene (12), whose mother, Caitriona Walsh, is one of the organisers of the night, which aims to raise funds for International Orphan Aid Ireland. Last to go in is Cupid, with his bow and arrow, but only a handful notice the little cherub.