Suddenly, a gap in the social calendar

Although certain advertisements for luxury chocolates would have us believe otherwise, ambassadorial receptions are not usually known for their flamboyance

So when the US ambassador, Jean Kennedy Smith, first breezed into her Phoenix Park, Dublin, residence in June 1993, no one was prepared for the social whirl which was to follow.

Quite apart from all her official duties, Mrs Kennedy Smith began to operate an open-house policy at the residence, holding huge parties, formal dinners, drinks parties, tea parties, garden parties and intimate soirees, so that it was soon rather a faux pas to admit you had not seen the collection of family photos on top of the Kennedy Smith piano.

Formal occasions and large parties aside, Jean Kennedy Smith's entertaining tended to be very relaxed, albeit relaxation spiced with the legendary Kennedy vibrancy. Much thought was put into guest lists and seating arrangements to make sure the invited guests shared common ground and common interests.

Indeed this was what gave the edge to her socialising - it was usually with a purpose.

Any of the regulars at the residence, a company which includes directors Jim Sheridan and Neil Jordan, Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney, playwright Sebastian Barry, PR consultant P.J. Mara, Senator Maurice Manning and film censor Sheamus Smith, could tell you that Jean Kennedy Smith is particularly good at introducing people, usually to their mutual benefit.

Ciaran Benson, former chairman of the Arts Council, describes parties thrown by her as "always very relaxed and great fun. I never saw a tense moment."

He says: "She was very outgoing and had a real love of the arts. She would go to a lot of first nights and theatre openings, as well as entertaining in the residence. She also made a lot of behind-the-scenes connections between people and was responsible for bringing a huge number of American artists and intellectuals to Ireland who might never have come here."

This occurred most famously with the colloquium on US culture that took place in June 1997 when a roll-call of famous Americans, including the Kennedy family historian, Arthur Schlesinger, the playwright Arthur Miller and the film director Alan J. Pakula, were invited to stay at the residence. Lauren Bacall is also a frequent guest.

Influential Irish-Americans were also an important part of Jean Kennedy Smith's social scene. Among those who built up a special relationship with her were Mike Roarty, the chairman of the Irish US Business Council, the art collector Brian Burns, and Dan Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, an American football team.

Kingsley Aikins, executive chairman of the Ireland Funds in Boston, comments: "These people felt there was one of their own in the park. Before her, many Irish-Americans didn't even know who their ambassador was. With Jean Kennedy Smith, they felt there was a cead mile failte for them."

Although Kennedy Smith socialised intensely, often holding three functions back-to-back in one evening, she made sure that the residence was open to more than an inner circle.

She held an annual Fulbright Golf Tournament each June to raise money for graduate student exchanges which culminated in a black-tie dinner for more than 600 US and Irish business people. She held frequent small colloquiums in the magnificent drawingroom, most recently inviting several influential US newspaper editors to talk to members of the media here.

In addition, there was a wide variety of lunches with community groups, travellers, women's groups and, of course, parties associated with her own charity for children with special needs, Very Special Arts.

Without Jean Kennedy Smith in the park, the social calendar is suddenly looking rather empty.