The farewell parties are in full swing for the US ambassador, Mike Sullivan, and his wife, Jane, who leave on June 20th. Bertie Ahern, Mary Harney and Brian Cowen had them to dinner in Government Buildings recently; Russian ambassador Yevgeny Mikhailov is hosting a reception to say farewell to both the Sullivans and the number two at the embassy, Earle Scarlett; there is an official event organised by the diplomatic corps and the Sullivans are hosting a reception at their Phoenix Park residence for lesser mortals.
Last week, they gave a dinner for Ciarβn MacMath·na and Dolly McMahon. The ambassador tuned into MacMath·na's Sunday morning traditional music programme by accident and became a fan. The occasion, when the guests included Seamus Heaney; Northern musician Davy Hammond (who actually sang for his supper); the former Archbishop of Dublin, Donald Caird; Auxiliary Bishop Jim Moriarty of Dublin; Brian Farrell and Anthony Cronin was to show appreciation.
The ambassador said he had heard that "half the women in Ireland have been in bed with Ciarβn". By this he meant they listened to his programme. One wit whispered that the next line of the joke is: "and they are just as dissatisfied with his performance as they are with their husbands". This the ambassador did not say.