The closure of the Irish Press and its sister papers, the Evening Press and the Sunday Press, three years ago is rapidly passing into legend even as the three titles remain with a "for sale" sign on them. Meanwhile, the Irish Press plc, (the group holding company) lingers on and its annual meetings have also attained legendary status in journalistic circles. Many chairmen can wind up an a.g.m. within five minutes and few would wish it otherwise. But at the Irish Press, ever vigilant shareholders pride themselves on exercising their rights in full, keeping the board on its toes and the annual meeting going for hours. Last week's a.g.m and e.g.m rolled into one was an opportunity not to be missed and, finally, after five hours and 40 minutes, one shareholder confided that the meeting had been 20 minutes short of the six-hour record. Not so, as the Margin can reveal that the 1995 meeting lasted for seven hours. A sobering thought for any company considering a flotation in the new year.