Glitzy night at Breda’s Charity Ball
On Saturday night, I headed for Bellingham Castle where the annual Breda’s Charity Ball was taking place. One of the major events in the mid Louth social calendar, this was the third fundraiser for the Oncology Unit in the Lourdes hospital organised by Anthony Gerraghty from Kilsaran in honour of his late wife Breda who passed away in July 2015 after battling cancer.
Anthony was supported by his family all there on the night and they included Derek and Louise Geraghty from Whiterath, Rachel and Adrian O’Brien from Collon, Martin and Kathleen Geraghty from Greenacres and June and Brian Kirk from Ardee.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with Geraldine and Martin Finnegan from Crossmaglen who are family friends of the Geraghty’s and told me they were really looking forward to their first Breda’s Charity Ball.
Heading for one of the tables I then had the pleasure of talking to Margaret O’Brien from Stabannon, Rose Lynch from Dromin and Anne O’Neill from Annagassan who were all looking exceptionally well and wanted to wish Anthony and everyone who worked on the night, all the best.
Next, I headed over for a chat with Imelda Garvey and Teresa Halpin both from Clogherhead who said they were there with Glen and Freda Halpin from Tateban who were all up for making the best of the night.
After this I headed over for a chat with Rose Mackin and Triona Wright both from Ardee who were there to support the cause and have a wild and crazy night.
Not too far away were Mary Hocine from Dromiskin and Peggy Brennan from Dunleer who told me they know the Geraghty family and were definitely looking forward to a good night.
I then headed over for a chat with the two Anne Dunne’s, one from Dunleer, the other from Dillonstown who have known the couple for years and wanted to wish Anthony the best of luck with the fundraiser.
Making my way through the crowds I caught up with Brendan and Mary McArdle from Corderry who were there with part of the Oncology team and assured me it was going to be a fantastic night.
Looking sharp and ready to party was Patrick McGivney from Mornington who wanted to wish them all the best with the fundraiser.
After this I got talking to Micheal and Nora Neasy from Castlebellingham who are good friends of the Geraghty’s and said they were there to enjoy the crack.
I then caught up with some of the main organisers and they were Sheila, Pat and Niall Kierans from Monasterboice who were all looking extremely well and said it was going to be a very busy night to make sure the night was a success.
After this I then got talking to Bernadette Canavan from Kilsaran who was looking extremely well and was delighted to be there to support such a good cause.
Not too long later I met up with Tommy and Sandra Sharkey from Blackrock who were joined by Mark Elwall originally from Wolverhampton but now living in Blackrock, he was with Brenda Reenan also from the Rock and were there to party the night away.
Next, I headed over for a chat with William Rigney and Margaret Cassidy both from Dunleer who were making their debut at the ball and couldn’t wait to make the best of it.
Anthony then introduced me to some of the Oncology unit and partners who were there to support the night and they included Anna Harrison Egan and husband Joe, Liz Summersby and sister Yvonne Halpenny, Mary Meade, Mary McArdle and husband Brendan and Ciaran Briscoe who were all there, looking well and ready to enjoy the fundraiser.
After a swift journey back to the DkIT to catch my daughter Amy Cogan and her class 2 Connolly perform, and win the St. Vincents Fashionably Talented night, I headed back to Bellingham Castle where I caught up with Graham Purcell and Joan Wilson from Blackrock who assured me it was going to be an exceptional night and for such a good cause too.
Next, I got talking to Stephen early from Drogheda who was with wife Deirdre as well as Brian and Jacqueline Young also from Drogheda. Stephen said that Brian is Sheila Kieran’s sister and they were delighted to be there for the ball.
After this I met Liam and Andrea McCarthy from Mullinscross who were really looking forward what should be an epic night.
I then got talking to sisters Marian Mulroy and Rose Corrigan with daughter Isobel Corrigan all from Annagassan and said they would be using plenty of the dancefloor later on.
Not too long later I got a word with Anthony’s sister Rachel who was with husband Adrian O’Brien who told me it always a wonderful night.
Making my way over to group of ladies who had travelled over from Oxford specially for the ball and they included Louise Keane, Rosaleen Hoadley, June White, Shirley Mortimer and Carol Kavanagh who told me they are all cousins of Anthony’s and were delighted to be there for the ball.
Finally, before I departed, I met up with Monty and Anne Moore from Suil Na Mara, Gordon and Michelle McDonnell from Castlebellingham, Dessie and Joan Boylan from Termonfeckon and Pat and Deirdre Kieran from Castlebellingham who were all looking very well and were definitely there to party the night away.