IT was a very glittering gathering in the Clarence Hotel on Tuesday evening, and that was just the glassware. John Rocha, together with Waterford Crystal's Redmond O'Donoghue and John Foley, had a big bash for friends and admirers to celebrate the new crystal that John designed for the company.
Singer Paul Brady, who regularly meets both photographer Perry Ogden and Rocha to play a mean game of poker, announced that he would match Rocha's new collection with songs from his new collection. His rendition of songs old and new was joined by those of Gavin Friday, who also gave an impromptu cabaret.
Such was the power of the music that by the end of the night Rocha himself was cutting the rug with Jean Butler, who is off to Millstreet for the June bank holiday weekend. She and actor Gabriel Byrne, who was recently appointed a member of the Film Board of Ireland, are presenting the Gathering, a concert featuring Patrick Bergin, the Chieftains, the Corrs and Eleanor McEvoy, as part of a Famine memorial weekend.
Louis Walsh came along with Boyzone's Ronan Keating, Gavin O'Reilly arrived with wife Alison Doody (tactfully wearing John Rocha) and artist Guggi came with, his wife Sybil. Film-maker, Mary McGuckian was there but without fiance and partner John Lynch, who didn't make it back from the US in time. No doubt the couple will be re-united soon as they have several hot plans to go through; not only do they have a new film in production but" they are also getting married in Renata Coleman's place, Humewood Castle, at the end of the month.