Author Edna O'Brien was a host at one of the 20,000 coffee mornings which took place yesterday in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation. She attended a gala coffee morning at the National Gallery, Dublin.
Ms O'Brien, who flew to Dublin for the event, Ireland's Biggest Coffee Morning 1998, said "The fact that a whole day happens here in Ireland, in the hills and the villages, is such a heartening thing, really."
She said the hospice movement was a very worthy cause. "It's such a good thing and such a helpful thing in Ireland and, indeed, in the world that people are helped to die, helped to make it somehow more bearable."
From 8.30 a.m., guests strolled into the sunny atrium of the National Gallery where coffee, cakes and donation boxes awaited them. A string quartet played above the gathering.
Early arrivals included the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mrs O'Rourke, and the leader of the Labour Party, Mr Ruairi Quinn.
Late morning coffee was on offer for authors Colm Toibin and Deirdre Purcell, RTE's Marian Finucane and the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy.
The chairwoman of the Irish Hospice Foundation, Ms Marie Donnelly, was delighted at the success of the event, now in its sixth year. "It works so well because it's national and it involves so many people. Everybody can contribute."
Some 38 hospice groups will benefit from the proceeds. Last year, 12,000 to 15,000 coffee mornings took place, raising £750,000. This year, the Irish Hospice Foundation hopes more money will be donated.
All money raised locally goes to the hospice in the area, said an Irish Hospice Foundation spokesperson.
Bewley's provided coffee for the day at no charge. Hosts asked each participant to donate at least £1 for each cup of coffee, although many donated more.
Other sponsors include Hibernian Swift Points Credit Card and 2FM.