WHETHER or not the election campaign is underway, Fine Gael is going ahead with its celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the State with a dinner dance for 1,000 people in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin, on April 17th. It is already sold out.
There will be two main features a keynote (election?) address by the Taoiseach John Bruton and a presentation to representatives of the State's founding families.
Consequently one of the guests of honour will be Eilis McDowell, daughter of Eoin MacNeill, founder of the Irish Volunteers. She will be accompanied by her son Moore, who is referred to in FG circles as the faithful son. Her other son, of course, is Michael, PD spokesman on Finance. It is doubtful if he would be welcome at the party.