Supposing you want to have an afternoon event to celebrate something with a small group of fellow women friends, writes Brian Byrne. A bit of style, in a stylish venue that's all your own for the duration. Maybe a family event, baby shower, or a low-key birthday date.
Lunch in a pub or hotel has been the traditional option. But Noella Beaumont of Harristown House has just started a new venture in her period home that is just likely to tick the boxes for any of the above.
Vintage Tea Parties. In the beautiful surroundings of Harristown's hall, drawing room and dining room. Using vintage china which Noella has collected herself, and a choice of light foods from canapes through fresh sandwiches to home-baked goodies from her own oven.
The house, which has a history as elegant as it is itself in the sprawling estate through which the Liffey river flows, has been home for 17 years to Noella, her husband Hubert and their children. Hubert came home from London to farm the estate after the death of his father and they have put an amazing amount of energy into restoring the house to something like it was in a heyday of busy social comings and goings.
The house is open on a number of days a year by appointment for tours, and has also been used several times as a location for films. Recently the Beaumonts have extended its use as a wedding venue, though limited in numbers and frequency.
Noella believes the Vintage Tea Party development is open to many variations and additions. "For instance, the ladies organising it might include some beauty advice, or a small nail bar, or a couple of suppliers relevant to the event could set up small displays or stalls in the hall. It is really a matter left to the imagination and needs of the organisers."
Although beautifully furnished and restored, the main rooms which would be used for the tea parties have a very comfortable feel to them, due in no small part to the fact that it IS a family home.
"In a way, I want them to be able to enjoy their afternoon as I would enjoy it myself with my family," Noella says.
A general menu is available for the Vintage Tea Parties, which can begin with a prosecco reception and give the guests time to wander around the house, chat, or simply relax and enjoy the views from the drawing room.
"They can have party games if it suits the occasion and the kind of guests. If the day is nice they can sit out on the terrace, or go for walks down through the garden."
An ideal number would be around 25, but smaller groups can be accommodated and there is a maximum number of 30 for which Noella could cater. "This is mainly a matter of space, and not overcrowding people. Besides, it is the intimacy of the smaller event, as well as the exclusivity of the location, which would be a key attractions."
Because each event will be quite different in requirements and size, prices need to be individually negotiated with Noella. And only one such event will be run each week, so anybody wanting to use this very different operation would need to book soon.
Just think, an elegant, fun event in elegant surroundings which are yours and your friends' for the afternoon. And you don't even have to do the washing up! Phone 045 483614 or check out Harristown on Facebook.com
This article was first published on the Kilcullen page of the Kildare Nationalist.
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