Van Morrison Entertains Star-Studded Gala Dinner Belfast-born musician surprises VIP guests on an evening of glitz and glamour at City-West. A VIP guest list of 1,400 attended The Ryder Cup Gala Dinner at Dublin s City-West Hotel, where they were treated to a surprise performance from rock legend Van Morrison. Among the assembled diners on Wednesday evening were the European and United States team members and their wives or partners, Arnold Palmer, eight-time Major champion and designer of the Ryder Cup course, Dr Michael Smurfit, owner of The K Club, former England cricketer Ian Botham and leading Irish politicians and business entrepreneurs. First to arrive at City-West were the US Team, all of whom chose to wear a classic black dinner jacket and matching bow tie. European Captain Ian Woosnam, accompanied by wife Glen, who was dressed by Paul Costello in a sparkling black number, arrived next and led his players past the crowds that had gathered outside in the wind and rain, all eager to be part of the Ryder Cup experience. The European players wore white tuxedos and red bow ties for the occasion, while almost all their partners were dressed in black. The Irish political side was represented by John O Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, and Mary Coughlan, Minister for Agriculture and Food. Both will have been delighted with the Irish-inspired menu that included aromatic rack of Wexford lamb with a wild mushroom cream, exclusively prepared by chef Dermot O Shea.---from http://www.sarahjory.co.uk/news.htm 'I am absolutely over the moon to be offered the tour with Van Morrison. My first show with Van in Dublin was at the Ryder Cup pre show party, which involved performing to people such as Bill Clinton, George Bush, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones nothing like being thrown in at the deep end! Van Morrison is a living genius and it is such an honour to be playing with him'.