Ro and Jessica’s Bordeaux hols
The French are revolting! At least they were from 1789 until 1799. The French are all absolutely lovely people now, of course, as Ronan O’Gara and his lovely wife Jessica, who are based in Paris, will happily attest.
The rugby guru and his family are currently holidaying in the south of Bordeaux. How do I know? Jessica’s daddy, cool Dominic Daly, Cork’s foremost auctioneer and raconteur, told me. Jessica, Ronan and their substantial brood (twins Rua and Molly, along with JJ, Zac and Max) will then travel back to Ireland on July 16.
Sporty type Jessica, who was dolled up to the nines with Ronan at Royal Ascot a fortnight ago, will take part in the Corinthian Challenge horse race at the Curragh to raise funds for Irish Injured Jockeys.
Doubtless Ronan will be roaring her on from the stands along with yours truly and the indefatigable Dom.
Another sporting God Rory McIlroy has his big-name Rory Foundation Pro-Am on Wednesday at Portstewart Golf Club, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free (which sponsored the Derby at the Curragh yesterday attended by the great and good in all their designer finery). Dubai Duty Free is also hosting a gargantuan Arabian nights party at the Galgorm Resort and Spa in Ballymena, in tepees specially constructed in the five-star hotel’s garden.
Everyone from Cold Feet star James Nesbitt, actor Aidan Quinn (flying in from the US to play in the Pro-Am) and Fifty Shades of Grey star Jamie Dornan to TV presenter Vernon Kay are expected, as are, of course, Rory and his wife Erica Stoll.
The latter reminds me, for some reason, of that old Jack Benny joke about golf: “Give me golf clubs, fresh air and a beautiful partner — and you can keep the clubs and the fresh air.”