annus mirabilis dave hits all the right notes
Pictures: Independent Woman
• amfAR cinema against AIDS
• Celebration of the Arts Gala
• What to expect premiere London
• Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet
• Men In Black 3 London Premiere
By Barry Egan
Sunday Dec 20 2009
This must be Dave Kavanagh's annus mirabilis.
In 2009, the Irish music business icon faced down his cancer, fell in love with Rhona Kelly ... and then two weeks ago, to top it all off, his multi-platinum act Celtic Woman performed at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with US President Barack Obama and his family in Washington.
So last weekend in his house in Dublin, Dave threw a party to celebrate. Johnny Ronan, Glenda Gilson, Guggi, Simon Carmody and Graham Beere were among the guests. Of course one doesn't need causes celebres to party in Ireland right now. It's simply the season to be jolly.
Accordingly, the VIP area in Neil Prendeville's Boardwalk Restaurant in Cork was jammed with bon vivants last Thursday week while Assets Model Agency had its Christmas party on Thursday night in Krystle in Dublin. Oliver and Yona Caffrey had a party in their house in Wicklow the same night.
Speaking of entertaining, I got talking to my BF in London, Nigella Lawson. (I interviewed her in 2004 for LIFE magazine and have stayed in touch ever since.) When she told me that she was staying in London on Christmas Day, I had to put the question you are all dying to ask.
Precisely what will you be cooking, oh Domestic Goddess? "The usual," she answered, "full blowout as per Trad Xmas Lunch in me book. Not to plug, but to explain!"
So will Mr Saatchi be cooking on Boxing Day?
"No need to. Cold cuts and sandwiches galore. My favourite."
How about an Irish Coffee? "I favour a baby Guinness," she said decadently, "a shot glass of Illy liqueur or Kahlua topped with Baileys."
I asked her what she asked Santa for (I thought perhaps she might get Tracey Emin to make that bed) and what were her New Year's resolutions: "Nothing and none."
So you're not giving up camp and coquettishness for 2010 then?
"I'm not coquettish."
Bah humbug.
- Barry Egan
Originally published in
Latest celebrity sightings
