Bono's Old Haunt Comes Back To Life For Self Help Africa Bash

Tosca, one of Dublin's hippest restaurants of the 1990s is set to return to the capital for one night only on Friday October 26, to raise support for Self Help Africa.

Owned and operated by Norman Hewson, brother to U2’s Bono, the regulars at the Suffolk Street eaterie included artists Jim Fitzpatrick and Guggi, author John Banville and singers Gavin Friday and Liam O’Maonlai, among many more. A pit-stop for artists performing in the capital, celebrity patrons included Bob Dylan, Naomi Campbell, Bruce Springsteen and of course, U2.

In what promises to be a unique star-studded event, over 25 original staff are coming back – from places as far flung as LA, London and Limerick! – to reunite under the leadership of Norman Hewson and Head Chef, Aongus Hanly. They will be joined for this one-off night by regular patrons for a special 'pop-up' event in the Smock Alley Theatre, Temple Bar, which will also feature top class entertainment. Among the performers so far confirmed are Eric McGrath, Lady Vada and members of the cast of Raw. Tosca was also a regular place for Hot Press book launches, with Philomena Lynott and Jackie Hayden's original 1995 edition of My Boy, Eamonn McCann's War and Peace and Liam Fay's best selling Beyond Belief all launching there.

With a menu created specially by Hanly, currently of Caviston’s, an array of favourites will be served. All ingredients are being provided by Irish farmers and supporters of Self Help Africa. With performances by former Tosca patrons and some very special guests, as well as items for auction from the Tosca archives, the event will be limited to 200 guests and will sell on a first come first served basis.

This fundraiser is the flagship event of Self Help Africa’s World Food Day celebration activities, keeping in line with this year's theme of “Agricultural Cooperatives - Key to Feeding the World” and Self Help Africa’s work in rural communities helping households grow more food, diversify farming activities, access markets for their produce, and ultimately achieve a secure future.

Tickets will go on sale on September 26 (this Wednesday) at €95 each. To find out about tickets people can contact the Self Help Africa Dublin office on 1850 757678.

Among the staff working on the night will be:
Norman Hewson, Tosca owner and host of the event;
Aongus Hanly, Tosca chef, now with Caviston's Dun Laoghaire;
Ciara O'Callaghan, Tosca waitress, now Fair City actress;
John Gerrard, Tosca waiter, now internationally renowned artist;
Patricia O'Shea, Tosca manager, now owns hotel HOME in Buenos Aires;
Dominic Lombard, Tosca chef, now owns a winery in Spain;
Justin Carroll, Kitchen porter, now a successful jazz musician;
Kelly Gough from RTE's RAW with fellow cast members;
Angie Gough, Tosca waitress, now works for Self Help Africa in London (sister of Kelly);
Morwenna Gerrard, former Tosca waitress, now an architect, based in Blackrock, Co Dublin;
Peter 'Duffer' Duff, Tosca chef, still a chef;
Ingrid Smith, Tosca Manager, now a designer in architect firm;
Richard Jacob, Tosca Manager, now owner of Idaho Cafe in Cork, with wife Mairead;
Jennifer Egan, who went on to be a teacher, now setting up her own food company...