I'm going to resist the temptation to talk about "feeding time at the zoo" and just get straight down to telling you how lovely the venue is. Light and airy, and beautifully designed, one of the first things you see are the Meerkats themselves. Inquisitive little creatures, they were jumping up and down with excitement behind the glass, and I swear I saw them imitating the human greetings!

We all sat down to a delicious buffet lunch - Masterchefs really know how to do it - and to chatting with other NEO members and event organisers. I have to admit I got a bit of a shock when a snake came in and I realised I have a phobia! Luckily there is a gorgeous deck just outside, where despite the "freshness" of the day plenty more networking went on. I have to emphasise that the snake was in very safe human hands, it didn't just slide in there!!

The Meerkat Rooms are perfect for evening entertainment, cocktail parties in an exceptional surrounding, or something just that little bit different. Stephen Bell or Emily Keirnan will be delighted to hear from you if you would like to take a look or find out about menus and other options. Contact Stephen on 01-4566046.

The Launch of South Dublin County Tourism : My geography lessons continued courtesy of Marguerite Osborne in South Dublin County Tourism in January. Marguerite is heading up the team that is bringing together all the tourism related activities in South County Dublin. The SDCT has been formed to promote South Dublin County as a tourism destination, to encourage and assist the improvement of the tourism product in South Dublin County to the highest international standard and to increase the level of awareness and appreciation of the value of the Tourism industry throughout South Dublin County.

The SDCT has some very impressive plans for the area, and are interested in hearing from any tourism related businesses in South Dublin County. You can contact Marguerite at 01 4149339 or by email: info@southdublincountytourism.ie

After partaking of a few much needed sambos and saussies in the Lynch Green Isle Hotel and watching Mary Harney and the Mayor receive flowers and beautiful paintings, we took a few photos and our goodie bags and headed East...

A Very Merry Christmas Party: We had our first NEO Ireland Christmas Party in the James Joyce House of the Dead on Ushers Island. The absolute highlight of the evening for just about everyone was receiving guided tours through the house from Brendan Kilty, the owner. It's an amazing story, one you really should hear, and a fabulous venue. As well as the brilliant Sumo Multimedia and Connor & the Brendans (Bren 2 is pictured, left with the NEO Ireland advisory board Chair, Clyde Carroll) from the James Joyce House, we were helped out big time by four students from the new Degree in Event Management Course in DIT. Loads of thanks to Danni, Clare, Edel and Maeve - they were so professional and helpful we want them back!

p.s. keep those invitations coming ! can't wait for the Radio Advertising Awards, the NEO February Networking and the Count Me In Seminar on the 7th of March.