It's not often that you get an invitation handed to you on a plate - quite literally. Waterford Crystal decided to launch its latest range of china with a garden party - and invitations were despatched on a plate. The beautifully-engraved white and gold plate was embossed with the guest's name, the date (Tuesday afternoon) and the venue (the Commons Restaurant), and hinted at a surprise guest. In the end it was Anthea Turner, weather girl turned TV personality, who first met Redmond O'Donoghue, Waterford chief executive, when she came here to film the Wish You Were Here series.
The weather held off just long enough for everyone to congregate on the patio at the back of Newman House for a glass of champagne. Designers Louise Kennedy and Barbara Connolly chatted together - Louise is looking forward to moving into her new house on Merrion Square this weekend. Newly-weds Sonia Reynolds and Barry Lyons were looking tanned having just returned from their honeymoon on Pierre Doyle's yacht in the Caribbean. Keri Ann, the much-promoted new singer from Polygram, was there, also looking very healthy despite a grueling tour in Britain during the past five weeks. Unlike most of us, who would collapse and raid the mini-bar when the madness ends, Keri Ann heads to the gym to get in training for the Dublin marathon. Exhausting just to think about it.
Others at the lunch which almost turned into afternoon tea included Tony and Robin O'Reilly; designer Pat Crowley; Lorraine Keane of AA Roadwatch; RTE's Carrie Crowley and Paul Kelly of Brown Thomas.
