An attendee e-mails:
The proceedings brought to mind a little Irish ditty (“O’Rourke’s Feast”), actually Jonathan Swift’s translation of an earlier piece recounting 16th century Christmas festivities hosted by Brian na Murtha at Dromahair Castle:
O’Beirne’s noble fare will ne’er be forgot
By those who were there or those who were not.
His revels to keep, we sup and we dine
On seven score sheep, fat bullocks and swine.
Usquebaugh to our feast in pails was brought up,
A hundred at least, and a madder our cup…
Come harper, strike up: but first, by your favour
Boy, give us a cup: Ah! this hath some savour!”