Huge crowds party ‘til the early hours at the Bree Barndance!
OVER the years, the Bree Barn Dance has taken on legendary status on the social calendar. While around eight years ago, the bash at Byrne’s Grainstore started out as a simple fundraiser within the local community, the extent of which it has grown was evident this year as bus after bus of people arrived to this year’s event.
Taking centre stage this year was one of the country’s bestloved folk and ballad groups - The Kilkennys. They came with a sterling reputation and they didn’t disappoint as they kept people up and dancing all night. They were followed by a DJ and the party went on until the early hours and there was sure to be sore heads spread over several miles radius the day after.
‘It was absolutely brilliant,’ said Joanne Kehoe, one of the organisers. ‘We had over a thousand people and they came from all over. At this stage, things are still being counted, but it’s looking like we’ve raised roughly €25,000. We’re over the moon with that. We hadn’t anticipated the crowd being so big this year and we’re hopeful now that we’ll be well set up for next year as well.’
‘ The Kilkennys were absolutely brilliant on the night. They had the whole crowd going and they’re lovely lads as well.’
The fundraiser alternates each year between Ballyhogue GAA and the Hall Committee and this year it was the turn of the GAA club to reap the rewards of another successful event. Despite having such huge crowds, a taxi rank was up and running to ship everyone off home safely.
The event was heralded as a huge success and the organisers were keen to thank everyone who helped out on the night, particularly Byrne’s of Bree, Power Plant Hire, South East Security & Safety and the Order of Malta. They were also keen to thank the countless volunteers who put a lot of work into ensuring things went smoothly.