Kilted bagpipers and glamorous casinos don't normally fit easily together, but they did on Tuesday when the British embassy's political section held its Christmas party at the Chancery, on Dublin's Merrion Road. The pipers and bandsmen were from the Royal Irish Regiment of Ballymena, Co Antrim, which their officers were proud to tell all was first raised in 1689, and draws recruits from throughout Ireland.
Guests bought chips and took to the roulette and blackjack tables in such numbers that some got the idea of holding similar events, croupiers and all, for their own causes. But no licence was needed here, an embassy, and it was for charity. £600 went to St Agnes's Food Centre and the night's most successful gambler donated his £100 prize.
It was a jolly evening and only one guest, despite the loud music, quoted Dr Johnston on the definition of a gentleman - one who can play the bagpipes but refrains from doing so.