The Irish Ashling Dancers at their best at Sunset Jamaica Grande.

Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

French Champagne Veuve Du Vernay, 'lights, camera, action', and cheering fans fashioned the scene of festivity for the triumphant Irish cricket team's arrival at Ocho Rios' Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa's 'Irish Fest' on Saturday night.

Electrical energy

Engulfed in a sea of green, the 730-room resort's massive lobby area was where the core of the electrical energy was concentrated as devotees, hotel staff and even non-Irish guests converged with bated anticipation for the arrival of the minnows that had crushed the hopes of the Pakistanis.

The St. Patrick's Day excitement was contagious; the air was charged; the Irish had made it to the second round, were on their marks and 'ready, set, to party' to the sound of Europe's Backstreet Boys, the Duffys.

High on adrenaline, the team spewed Red Stripe beer from the window of their 50-seater bus, while chanting the words to the theme song 'Ole, ole, ole, ole, ole'.

As revelry remained unchained, the only 'difficult' task the resort's staff had was getting the champions to tear themselves from autograph signing, interviews with anxious journalists and photo opportunities with emphatic supporters.

The resort's entertainment centre was in full swing, Guinness flowed as if there was no tomorrow and over 500 guests stayed glued to their seats as the Irish band the Duffys rocked the house in preparation for the real start to the 'Guinness/Sunset Jamaica Grande Irish Fest 2007'.

A grand affair it was, and a special occasion that will remain embedded in the minds of the Irish for years to come.

To one section of the entertainment centre the cuisine of Ireland took centre stage featuring Irish lamb stew, pork medallions, baked salmon, Colcannon (Irish vegetable), leek and mushroom shepherds pie, spiced soda bread, mince pie, Whisky cake and lemon sponge pudding.

No stone unturned

David Duffy, lead singer of the Irish band the Duffys, gives playmaker Kiman Wray sweet music as he plays his violin on her lap during the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa, Ocho Rios, on Saturday night.

Sunset Jamaica Grande's culinary team had left no stone unturned, commencing with an impressive array of Irish treats as early as 7 o'clock on Saturday morning, serving corned beef sandwich, potato pie and plum cake at lunchtime and culminating with a magnificent dinner buffet.

The icing on the cake was smothered on by the Duffy Brothers, led by the incredibly talented David Duffy, who refused to stay on stage during his performance. Giving lap dances, standing on tables and creating waves on stage, sometimes with violin in hand, were enough to bring the audience to their feet in reverence to the musical genre.

Their fantastic performance was cemented by the Ashling Celtic Dancers whose tapping and classic dance moves brought a refreshing addition to the evening.

A presentation of The Gleaner's Tony Becca's article, 'The Luck o' the Irish', to team manager Roy Torrens from Ian Kerr, managing director of the resort, was the climax to an evening voocal with fun, Guinness and extraordinary musical libation.

The crowd was mesmerised by the electricity coming from the Emerald Isle's Duffy Brothers during the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa 'Irish Fest' on St. Patrick's Day Saturday. - Photos by Janet Silvera