Left: Digicel's Harry Smith exchanges pleasantries with Rowena Minott (centre) and Millicent Lynch at the St. Patrick's Day reception.   Right: Irish dancers livened up the atmosphere when the British High Commissioner hosted a reception for the Irish cricket team, at Trafalgar House, Trafalgar Road, on Saturday, March 17. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

A St. Patrick's Day celebration at the British High Commission? Some might say, 'yeah right', but that's exactly how it went down on Saturday at the High Commissioner's residence on Trafalgar Road.

Scores of guests came to enjoy one of the oldest and most anticipated celebrations of the year. The party was made even sweeter as the Irish cricket team, mere minnows in the game, shocked former ICC World Cup winners Pakistan earlier that day. Alas, the team didn't show as they were headed off to Ocho Rios. But the Irishmen and women in attendance had just a grand time nonetheless.

British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell had the reception area bathed in green, the Irish colour, and jokingly reminded everyone this had nothing to do with any political affiliation. Speaking on behalf of Digicel, (the other entity responsible for this event), CEO David Hall said the evening was a real symbol of the ties strengthening between England and Ireland.

The highlight of the evening was the performance of Irish band and dancers who totally enthralled the gathering with their music and the ever-popular riverdance. A few brave guests tried to emulate their Irish performers but this isn't a dance you get after a few minutes of watching the real thing. The band members didn't just play some typical Irish songs, they also got the audience involved by encouraging them to clap along and teaching them a few lyrics to the popular Irish number "Welcome Poor Paddy Home".

Guests included

Spanish ambassador Jesus Silva and wife Sara; Indian High Commissioner Shri Kailash Agrawal; Canadian High Commissioner Denis Kingsley; Dr. Johnathan Greenland and Dr. Rebecca Tortello; William and Gwen Clarke; Aubyn and Tamara Hill; Kenny Benjamin and Aloima Suarez; Mayor of Port Maria Bobby Montaque; Dr. Hopeton Dunn and Dr. Lilieth Dunn; Don and Ayesha Creary; Joseph A. Matalon and wife Bernadette; Stuart and Yvonne Fisher; President of JPS Damian Obiglio; Keith Collister; Dahlia Harris; H.G. Helps; Dr. David McBean; Carrole Guntley; Taynia Nethersole; E.G. Hunter; Pat Gooden; Robert MacMillan; and George Fatta.