MS Candy, one of the city's best-loved drag artists, has got into the habit of holding an annual charity lunch in the Clarence Hotel. Last year's party - a lunch that ended at about 10 p.m. - was so popular that many people booked there and then for this year's long day's journey into lunch, which took place yesterday. Ms Candy decided to donate the proceeds to the Rape Crisis Centre, much to the delight of director Olive Braiden, who invited a few friends along to enjoy the five-course lunch by Tea Room chef, Michael Martin.
At Olive's table were director Gerry Stembridge; Noelle Camp- bell-Sharpe of the Origin Gallery; Frances Fitzgerald TD; Sally O'Neill who works with Riverdance and Aisling Braiden, Olive's daughter, who was celebrating her birthday.
Spotted at other tables around the room were Dave and Mairead Egan of Lillie's Bordello and their guests Mark Dunne and Danielle Hayes; Ken Doherty, the former world snooker champion; Freddie Middleton of BMG records; Helen Kilmartin of Minima; Darren Wright a scion of Howth's Wright family; Robert Dogett of Trocadero restaurant, and singer Nikki, who was just back from a Canadian tour and managed to raise the roof at yesterday's lunch.