Tim Mahony was blessed with the title of Man of the Year last night at a warm gathering at the RHA Gallagher in Ely Place, and a rather unexpected guest showed up to wish him the best. The Arthritis Foundation of Ireland, which makes the awards, plumped for Mahony because of his contribution to the business and cultural life of Ireland over the past 25 years. Mahony is chairman of Killeen Investments, which owns the Toyota franchise in Ireland as well as the 1,500-acre Mount Juliet Estate in Co Kilkenny. The unexpected guest was golfer Jack Nicklaus, together with his wife, Maeve Nicklaus, who were beamed down via satellite from his home in Florida to wish Mahony the best. Nicklaus designed the Mount Juliet Championship Golf Course, which is hotly tipped to host the 2005 Ryder Cup.
Among the guests invited to enjoy the evening were Brian Farrell, chairman of the Arts Council; RTE's Pat Kenny; fund-raiser Norma Smurfit; GAA broadcaster Micheal O Muircheartaigh and Justice Liam Hamilton.