It seems that leaving Ireland has finally pushed me further up the social ladder; the Irish one that is. I can't imagine if I'd stayed in Kilkenny, ever getting invited to hang-out with the President or a king and queen (unless on assignment for The Kilkenny People of course which isn't quite the same sort of invitation). But yes, I'm off to the palace (grounds) to welcome Ireland's first lady Mary McAleese to Norway on Oct 14th (or watch the King and Queen, Crown Prince and Crown Princess do so). And I'm going to a thing at The Grand Hotel to hobnob, deferentially no doubt, too. Shame I've left my coat worthiest of a state visit in Kilkenny. How ironic.
