Toasting nation’s guests leaves €50k wine bill

They were the toast of the nation — but now the taxpayer has been left with a €50,000 bill after we raised a glass to Barack Obama, Prince Albert of Monaco, and Queen Elizabeth II.

Figures released to the Irish Examiner show the cost of restocking the State’s finest wine collection in the bowls of Iveagh House after the troika of VIP visits last year quadrupled compared to the previous year — up from €12,511 to €51,952.

While the US president enjoys the odd pint of Guinness, the queen is reported to like a gin and Dubonnet before lunch, and the prince prefers champagne, it appears officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs were all hands to the pump wining and dining a host of dignitaries ahead of the big arrivals.