20 Years and Still Green: Irish Ball Tonight!

What other party offers free-flow Murphy's and whiskey until 4am in the morning? No wonder the Irish Ball, now in its 20th year, was voted Best Party of the Year in our 2011 Reader Bar & Club Awards (and won a runner-up award the year before that). Unfortunately, the event’s already sold out – if you haven’t got a ticket, you’ll have to content yourself with one of the other St. Patrick’s Day festivities going on this weekend. For the 750 lucky ones among us who did, we'll see you tonight. We asked chairperson of the organizing committee, Fiona McCormack, to tell us what types of potatoes are on the menu and how to ensure we have the most craic possible.

The Irish Ball was voted Best Party of the Year in our 2011 Reader Bar & Club Awards. Why’d you deserve to win?
We deserved to win because we are the best! I think the Irish Ball stands out for many reasons. The drink we offer (Guinness/Murphy’s) is RMB 50 a pint in bars in Beijing, and it’s free at the Irish Ball. Plus there’s gallons of whiskey, so people get their money’s worth. We put a lot of thought into our entertainment, flying two bands and Irish dancers in from Ireland, as well as providing local entertainment. Not many other balls have the variety of live entertainment that we have. From 6pm to 4am, it’s live music and dance all the way! Everyone loves the Irish and one thing we do best is party!

This year is the Irish Ball’s 20th anniversary in Beijing. How do you plan on doing it bigger than ever before?
This year is very special, being its 20th year and also falling on the day itself. I don’t want to give too much away, but it will be extra special. For those who were lucky enough to get one of the 750 tickets, it will be a great time – we sold out in record time this year.

What’s the luckiest thing that can happen to someone at the Irish Ball?
We have had people meet their future husbands and wives here. We have had some babies born nine months after the Irish Ball. Luck is what you make out of it. Ireland beating England in rugby will be the luckiest thing overall.

What’s your favorite shade of green?
Emerald-green, which I will be wearing on the night.

How many types of potatoes will be served at the Ball?
[laughs] Well, you will receive a packet of Tayto potato crisps (flown all the way to Beijing from Ireland, thanks to DHL), you will have mashed potatoes with the main course, and there may also be some potato bread.

What’s the worst way someone could be overdressed for the Ball?
You can never be too overdressed … just don’t wear an English jersey and you should be fine.

What’s the worst way someone could be underdressed for the Ball?
See above.

What can we do at the Ball to ensure we have the most craic?
Relax, get in the spirit and go with the flow. Once you come to enjoy yourself, you sure will. Giving that little bit extra to one of our wonderful charities by buying a raffle ticket or bidding on something in the silent auction will also help you enjoy your night more.

Who is this year’s charity recipient?
This year, we are supporting two charities. We have worked with Jinde Charities for many years. [See here for our interview with the vice director, John Ren Dahai.] This year’s project is to take care of the childless elderly. Just RMB 200 ensures an elderly person receives monthly visits in their own home. We are also extending our support this year to Care for Children, whose mission is to place orphans into local families as a positive alternative to institutional care.

We know both organizations very well, and also know that the money goes directly to the projects and not to admin fees, which is very important to us.

Anything else you’d like to add?
I would like to thank everyone who supports the Irish Ball: sponsors, organizations and the people who buy tickets. Reaching 20 years is an amazing achievement, especially given the fact that we have so few Irish people in Beijing, yet 750 people will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with us at the Ball. We hope to give everyone who comes along a great experience and show them how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style. If you didn’t manage to get a ticket, the Irish dancers will be performing at Paddy O'Shea's on Sunday for the best hangover party in town!

Photos: Courtesy of INC