Great and good of corporate Ireland dominate gala dinner

Corporate Ireland turned out in force last night at a gala dinner to honour the players of the Ryder Cup. Despite rumours of Hollywood glitz, the 1,400 guests were mostly from the world of business.

In advance of the players, who arrived late, busloads of tuxedoed businessmen and their partners arrived at the doors of the Citywest Hotel, and made quick dashes for the conference room, where the event was held, to avoid the spitting and occasionally lashing rain.

Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan made a discreet entrance looking elegant in full-length black dress and fur wrap and TV presenter Gráinne Seoighe, in striking red, made style look effortless.

Paul Costello, who designed outfits for the European players' partners, appeared in a velvet dinner jacket.

Expectations were temporarily raised when a black limo with full Garda escort swept round to the front entrance of the hotel. The occupant was Dr Michael Smurfit.

Other familiar faces included Louis Copeland, Paul O'Connell, Gordon Darcy, Dermot Desmond, Ian Botham and Denis Taylor.

Keeping with tradition, the away team entered the hotel first, in the order in which they qualified for the tournament. Apparently conscious of their lateness, they wasted no time getting away from a handful of media and fans in the lobby, stopping only on the landing to pose for photos.

Tom Lehman did turn to wave before disappearing into the pre-gala reception area, his wife Melissa, in a black and gold strapless number, smiling beside him. The European team followed, in a less orderly fashion, with Ian Woosnam at the head, all in white tuxedos and red dickie bows. Glen Woosnam wore a black fishtail-shaped dress with white tulle designed by Paul Costello that, though flattering, presented some challenges on the stairs.

The European women all wore black, with the exception of Caroline Harrington who was in a gold dress by Helen Coady. She stopped for a brief chat with reporters and said that she didn't mind being called a WAG. "It's just a bit of fun," she said.

Montgomerie, Karlsson, Howell, Olazabal and Clarke all attended the function unaccompanied.

In the conference room, designed in faux Victorian style, guests were served a six-course meal prepared by Dublin chef Dermot O'Shea. Starters included organic smoked salmon, and Cashel blue cheese on soda bread followed by Donegal crab and salad. The main course featured a rack of Wexford lamb.

The dessert, of burnt lemon tart, lemon cheesecake, lemon souffle or bitter chocolate cup, was followed by a selection of Irish cheeses, coffee and chocolates.

Entertainment was provided by Van Morrison.