Nolan gets his ‘Cork on’ as Allen reveals her recipe for success

The annual invasion of Dublin by the cream of Cork’s business establishment took place on Tuesday night, with Cork Chamber’s annual dinner at the Doubltree, the hotel formerly known as the Burlington.

Ray Nolan, the tech entrepreneur who sold Web Reservations International for $340 million (€270 million) in 2009, agreed to give a speech. Tongue firmly in cheek, he stoked the fires of the intercity rivalry on Twitter earlier in the day: "I'll be 'getting my Cork on' tonight as I welcome the People's Republic to the big smoke . . ."

In his speech, Nolan pointed out that he had never stayed in a hostel when he co-founded WRI and its trading business, Hostelworld.

“The man from Wrigleys didn’t chew gum,” he said.

He also confirmed that his total investment in Hostelworld was $150,000.

Nolan is believed to have personally snagged about $80 million from the sale of WRI so I doubt he has stayed in a hostel since he sold it either.

He also had a little nibble at Government politicians for “cheerleading and turning up at photo opportunities”.

The Outstanding Achievement award went to Darina Allen of the Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork, who revealed she was a dab hand at poker in her college days. She also had a pop at our betters, nearly bringing the house down with her criticism of what she sees as excessive business regulations.

Allen also said she was "so happy" to cross paths with her former culinary boss, Myrtle Allen. "Not everyone can say that about their mother-in-law," she quipped.