THE Brown Thomas Horse Show I ball at the Burlington Hotel was the social highlight of the week after the champagne reception 750 people crammed into the ballroom for dinner and some extremely energetic dancing. MC for the evening was Crimewatch's very eligible Dave Harvey looking tanned after his Olympics watching holiday in Atlanta.
This year the organisers dispensed with the usual auction apparently even after a wallet opening couple of drinks people still don't put in the sort of bids to make it worthwhile. Instead, they opted for a raffle with exotic prizes that included a two week holiday in Mauritius and a (red, of course) Ferrari Testarossa the winner didn't get to actually keep the car, just drive it for the weekend. The loot still has to be counted but it's hoped the event will raise £50,000 for Brainwave, the Irish Epilepsy Association.
Tables sold out weeks ago and table hosts included Leonie Reynolds with partner, Corkman Ted O'Sullivan Ryanair's Declan and Catherine Ryan the outgoing chairman of the Horse Show Ball's committee, auctioneer Eamonn Foley (there were whispers around several tables that Clio Forde's Breda Clifford might just be the new chairwoman) the just announced Galway man Of The Year John Glynn, who brought a contingent from the west and the very charming Niall Wall and his partner Fiona Lafferty who, as you might expect from a boutique owner, looked particularly stunning.
Also there were Michael Roche, Jim Nicholson, Toni Wall, Dick Duggan and banker Paddy McGuire, whose father sold Brown Thomas to Galen Weston.