They call it "d'Arbutus" in Cork and tonight they're meeting for "a final fling", as chef and owner Declan Ryan puts it. It will be a last supper with almost 100 friends gathering to bid farewell to Declan and his wife, Patsy, who have sold the family restaurant and hotel after almost 40 years in the business. The Arbutus is one of the city's best-loved institutions.
"It's going to be a real party," promises Declan. "I'll be out front and the wine cellar will get a terrible beating. He expects friends to eat, drink and be merry all through the night and well into tomorrow too. They'll probably be singing and yarn-telling all weekend.
Old friends attending include Dr Barra O Tuama, who will be asked to sing; potter Stephen Pearce and journalist Donal Musgrave - as well as Declan's brother, Michael, who co-owns Cork's Isaac's Restaurant, and his wife Catherine.
The hungry horde will be treated to a range of old favourites, especially those which have become the Arbutus signature dishes - among them, cassoulets of prawns, ribs of beef in red wine sauce, salmon in sorrel sauce and one of the more famous desserts, oeufs a la neige.
"There will be no politicians under any circumstances," laughs Declan, who says the night is being patterned on their New Year's Eve parties.