Pierce Brosnan, made his first visit to Lansdowne Road on Saturday for Ireland's Test match against New Zealand. But even the presence of James Bond could not rescue Irish hopes. Brosnan, though, by all accounts had a great time, thoroughly enjoying the match and the atmosphere. He was a guest of Irish Permanent at the after-match bash in the old Lansdowne pavilion at the Havelock Square end. While several women looked on, the Irish Permanent's Michael Flatley drew the best one-liner of the weekend.

On seeing Brosnan, he walked up and introduced himself thus. "Hello I'm Michael Flatley". Displaying the excellent comic timing and pithy one liners of his fictional alter ego, Brosnan replied: "If you're Michael Flatley, I can't be Pierce Brosnan."