ON Monday night, the entire European Commission and the Irish Government will be bopping away to the Celtic tinged pop of The Corrs. Well, maybe bopping is too mobile a word for it, but they and 600 other guests will be in Temple Bar Square for the official launch party of the Presidency. It's the most prestigious social bash of the week and invitees are guarding their harp embossed cards jealously.
The woman who has had the headache inducing task of producing the entire event is Una Carmody, events manager for Temple Bar Properties. "Last week we ordered the laminates (they're those access all areas identification cards) for all those working on the night and it came to 320," says Una. With so many officials involved, protocol had to rear its rigid head. "It wasn't really a huge problem in the end. Kathleen White and Dan Mulhall from Foreign Affairs were able to sort that out and in any case the Commission and the Government will be sitting together, and space is laid out so that it's fairly democratic there aren't really any bad seats.
There are specially bought, snazzy, Italian, designer bucket seats, which are far more stylish than they sound, and huge German umbrellas in case it rains. The information pack that goes with the invite says that "in the event of rain, mackintoshes will be provided" and in a fleeting, mean minded moment I found myself wishing for a light drizzle just to see all those posh suits in matching macs.
The indefatigable Una has organised countless festivals and events for Temple Bar but this is slightly different. "Four hours before the event starts, gardai and sniffer dogs are moving in to give the venue a complete security check," says Una, "and not a single invite went out without the Garda first seeing who it was going to and then giving the go ahead."
The entertainment for the night is designed not to be star centred - and all the performers are female, including Virginia Kerr, Anuna and Rita Connolly. A film directed by Hugh Chaloner will be projected onto a giant outdoor screen which partly accounts for the relatively late (9 p.m.) start. The Corrs will sing their two big hits - Forgiven Not Forgotten and Runaway - likely names for an entertaining political biography perhaps?