We had a good session at The Blarney Stone in Shanghai. Started at 8 p.m. and finished about 2 a.m.

The bar was packed with ex-pats of all extractions and quite a few locals as well wondering what the party was about and why people were wearing Guiness hats and getting very drunk.

Next week the celebrations continue as 24 people from Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eirean are coming to Shanghai for a teaching session at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, followed by an evening concert at the Conservatory and a session on Tuesday night at the Blarney.