Anyone wondering why the world renowned MIT Media Laboratory chose Ireland as its "bridgehead" into Europe got a simple answer on Tuesday.
It's because "the Irish are mad", said digital age guru Nicholas Negroponte at a party organised for him by U2 manager, Paul McGuinness.
McGuinness had assembled the captains of the arts industry at his company, Principle Management's Dublin offices to meet Negroponte, co-founder of MIT's multi-media research laboratory and acting director of Media Lab Europe (MLE).
Among those who answered McGuinness's call were the film director, Neil Jordan; the Director of the Gate Theatre, Michael Colgan; the Director of the Arts Council, Patricia Quinn; Managing Director of Temple Bar Properties, Laura Magaghy; the UCD Professor and former Chairman of the Arts Council, Ciaran Benson; IMMA's new chairman, Marie Donnelly and its director, Declan McGonagle; the new chief executive of Arthouse, Eileen Pearson; and the singer, Marianne Faithfull. Dick Spring attended as part of the MLE party - the Boston law firm, Mintz Levin, with which he is International Counsel, deals with Media Lab.
Asked whether he sees Principle Management having a relationship with Media Lab, McGuinness said: "No, not particularly."
