b"1 2 34 5 6The 2012 The Ireland Fund of Great Britain Ladies Lunch 1 Sarah Finucane, Daphne Fagan MAY, 2012 THE SELLOUT EVENT AT THE ICONIC IVY RESTAURANT STARTED WITH2 The Countess of Carnarvon addresses guests includingA DRINKS RECEPTION, followed by lunch. Prior to lunch Ruth McCarthy, IFGB Co-chair, welcomedMary Conlon Almassy and Sheila Bailey the guests and introduced the speaker, the Countess of Carnarvon, chatelaine of Highclere Castle which3 Stephanie Hirschfeld, is the setting for the hugely successful period drama Downton Abbey, now showing worldwide. LadyJacqueline O'Donovan4 Ruth McCarthy, The Countess Carnarvon spoke with warmth, wit and in-depth knowledge on the history of the Castle and Lady Almina,of Carnarvon 5 Geraldine Finucane, the 5th Countess, on whom the character Lady Cora Grantham is based. Lady Almina, the illegitimateAlice Paterson6 Sheila Dixon, Anne Nevindaughter of Alfred de Rothschild, really did turn Highclere Castle into a hospital during the 1st World War.The audience heard tales of the complexities of filming the series whilst the family remains in residenceincluding the astonishing fact that a full days filming results in about 6 minutes of television. The drawwhich took place during lunch offered such prizes as original jewelry kindly donated by Hamilton & Inches,Waterford Crystal candlesticks donated by Kiely Bros and a weekend for two in the stylish and luxuriousMarylebone Hotel. Thanks also go to Mason Hayes & Curran LLP for sponsoring the drinks reception andto Ogra Skincare and Lily OBriens for the treats.connect2012 | 117"