Would rock stars turn up? Some of us craned our necks at two separate events this week to watch for the rock 'n' rollers.
Work by "the new boys" went on show at the United Arts Club at 3 Fitzwilliam Street this week. Heads twisted to see Shane MacGowan.
The New Boys Exhibition features the work of six artists, all new young members of this private club, which is a centre "for people interested in literature, music, painting, drama and good conversation". The "boys" were there to meet their admiring public on opening night.
John Roch Simons, a former pop video-maker, was there with his wife, Catherine White, from Fethard, Co Tipperary. They were looking out for Shane MacGowan to arrive, if only to see a portrait of himself on the wall - in reflective mood.
Terry Carroll, curator of the exhibition, was pleased that her own son, photographer Kip Carroll, was one of the artists in the show. Check out his scary image of a piranha. Artist Gordon Farrell, from Co Longford, David Leech and Mel McNally were the other artists in the show, as well as sculptures by Anthony Scott.
Meanwhile, at the National Museum of Ireland, a book by Dr Mark Clinton, entitled The Souterrains of Ireland, was launched by Minister for the Arts Síle de Valera.
Her uncle, the late Ruaidhrí de Valera, as professor of archaeology at UCD in the 1970s, was credited with inspiring the book, while the recently retired Prof Etienne Rynne, of NUI Galway, was equally encouraging, said Clinton.
The rock vibe was in evidence here too - what with Dr Pat Wallace of the National Museum, and Clinton himself, who is the former manager of In Tua Nua and bassist with The Rhythm Kings, which also featured writer Ferdia Mac Anna and journalist Richie Taylor. It was heady stuff, man.