It's a matriarchy. The Clear clan is out in force to view the work of Felicity Clear at the Rubicon Gallery. Helen Clear, the artist's mother, is delighted with the exhibition. "I love these," she says, looking about at the collection, which is called Fragments. Other impressed women include Clear's older sisters: Michele Clear, Paula O'Shaughnessy and Maria Clear with her daughter and grandson, Emma Devon-Hurley and Elliot Devon-Hurley (1). Next, Olivia Clear, another sister, who runs Dubray Books in Stillorgan, arrives. The only sister unable to attend is Gemma Barry, president of the Booksellers' Assocation of Great Britain and Ireland, and owner with husband Kevin Barry of the DuBray Books chain set up by Helen, mother of all the Clears.
Colm Keena, the artist's partner and The Irish Times man on the job at the planning tribunal, is present also. He introduces his little daughter, Feargha Clear-Keena (3), who is dressed like a mermaid in blue and turquoise. She is the youngest and most stylishly dressed female at the opening, apart from her mother, of course, also in blue.
Friends who come along include the design couple, Greg Wheeler and Lucienne Purcell, who have just completed their development of three houses in Sandycove (from £825,000 each). Artist Beth O'Halloran and Internet programmer Alan Eustace are here too.