It hadn't been announced at that point, but at the Fianna Fail Christmas party in the restaurant in Leinster House on Wednesday (yes of this week), there was so much congratulating of Brian Cowen for his move to Iveagh House that he was persuaded to sing. He delivered Dirty Old Town and several other numbers for Oireachtas members and staff.
Guests included Bertie Ahern and Celia Larkin and there was dancing to a band called the Deputies.
The party was late because the address by the President, Mrs McAleese, on the last day of term, the original date for the party, disturbed the running of the House.