LINKS Summer extravaganza fun
ON Friday night we headed for the Lisdoo where a LINKS Summer Extravaganza was being held. The Local Individualised Network of Key Supports is based in Hilltop on the Ardee Road and helps 12 local individuals to integrate and grow in the local community. This includes them working in charity shops, volunteering for various events and also finding time to go horse riding, swimming and even some horticulture amongst their pastimes.
The night, which had a host of local singing stars in action was being presented by Paddy Mac and Joe Duffy from local station Dundalk 97.7 FM, was a fundraiser to buy a bus and had a huge collection of families there ready to have a good time.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with two of the main organisers Gabrielle Renaghan and Emma Devlin both from Togher who were delighted with the turn out and said that LINKS is an amalgamation of various charities and volunteer workers to help the group.
I hadn’t even gotten past Gabrielle when I was stopped by the bouncers who were brothers Ian and Anthony Doyle from Cedarwood Park, Michéal D’Arcy from Blackrock, Brian Watters from Castletown Road and Shane McDermott from Kilkerley who were all looking really well in their suits and were certainly taking no messing from me!
Front of house I then got talking to Paddy McGee from Fatima and Paddy Flynn from Greenacres who were involved in the meet & greet and making sure that everyone was properly welcomed to the night.
I then headed for a table where I met up with Gerard Clinton from Ardee, David Lally from Blackrock, Nora and Breege Lally also from Blackrock and Conor McKevitt also from The Rock whom I was reliably informed was going to be leading the dancing later on.
Not too far away I then got a word with Lucy and Tricia McConnell from Drogheda who were enjoying the evening along with Bernie Durnin from Dulargy Avenue with her son Chris and his wife Nicole, husband Pat, daughter Denise and grandkids Adam, Ryan and Finn all form Dulargy Avenue who wanted to wish Lucy a very happy birthday which she was celebrating on the night.
Next I met the bouncers mum and dad Christina and Kevin Doyle from Cedarwood Park who greed with the me that the lads looked extremely well in their suits.
They were enjoying the company of Mary and John Connolly from Marlbog Road who told me it was a great night.
Making my way over to another table I then got talking to Kathleen McEneaney from Willow Grove who was with her friends Frances Carr from Oliver Plunkett Park, Breda Mooney from St. Nicholas Avenue, and Imelda Clarke from Ath Lethan who assured me it was already a brilliant night and just getting better.
Next I had the extreme pleasure of meeting up with Maria Lennon from Lis Na Dara who was here with her mum Margaret and sister Sinead Lennon both from St. Malachys Villas.
Seated close by I caught up with Eileen McGoey from Ardee who was with daughter Aoibhín, husband Oliver and mother Eileen Holland from Louth Village who were all up for making it a real night to remember and for such a good cause too.
Just arrived in and still getting their bearings were Marie Grimes, Amanda McShane, Noreen Crotty, Grainne Duffy and Therese Baxter all from Belfry Avenue and all ready to party the night away.
I then headed over for a quick chat with Teresa McGuinness from Dunbin and Eileen Farrell from Avenue Road who were looking forward to a great night were going to have a few jars and then there would be some serious dancing.
Finally, before I departed I met up with Lisa Stewart from Claddagh Park, Marie Stewart from Cherryvale, sisters Carla and Chloe Stewart from Claddagh Park who were with Leigh McFaul, Anna Stewart and Deborah Gonnelly all from Muirhevnamor who were up for a real night of fun together and were all in great form when I caught up with them.