CIE Social Club’s Christmas party

ON Saturday night I headed for the Crowne Plaza where the CIE Social Club Christmas Party was taking place and everyone was in festive form by the time I got there.

I wasn’t too long in when I met up with David and Clodagh Quinn from Blackrock who told me they were expecting to have ‘one or two’ and make it a great night with past and present members.

Not too long later I got a word with Ann and Gerry Nixon from Belfry Gardens who told me it was about time they got a mention, seeing that their children are never out of these pages!

Just arrived in were Noel and Barbara Dunne from Doylesfort Road and Fiona and Martin Murphy from The Laurels who told me it was going to be an epic night for sure, as it always is.

I then headed over for a chat with Patrick and Geraldine Fitzsimons from Blackrock who told me the night is a great chance for any of the retired members of the social club to maintain a connection with the current members.

After this I managed a quick word with a very busy Michael and Lorraine McKeown from Bay Estate who said it was definitely going to be a ‘Party night’, just like every other year.

Not too long later I managed a few words with Carmel McKevitt from Avenue Road who was with husband Dalton and told me it is always a fantastic night and they were expecting more of the same this year.

I then headed for a table where I caught up with John and Joan McDonnell from Avenue Road who were enjoying the company of Hugh and Philomena Rafferty from Priorland Gardens, Maisie and John Meehan from Dublin Road who were all looking forward to one of the best nights of the year on the CIE social club calendar.

Next I headed over for a word with Andy and Phillis Clifford from Woodbury Gardens who told me they were going to have a wild night with all their old friends and were joined by Martin and Theresa Dullaghan from Castle Park who agreed with them.

Making my way through the crowds I then got talking to Marian and Gerry McCooey from Meadow Grove who were with Florence and Liam Leathem from Oaklawns and Derek and Rona-Lyn Ward from Heynestown. When I asked if it was going to be a great night Gerry told me to call back at around 2am when Derek and Liam would be on the dancefloor jiving the night away.

Looking as sharp as ever was Kevin and Aine Connolly from Tallanstown who were there with Jean and Dessie Todd from Rathmount and Kevin told me it was quiet night, but he was sure it was going to get rowdy later on.

After this I got a word with Martina, Dermot and John McGuinness from Square Blackrock and Martina said it’s always a great night, but she was particularly looking forward to hearing Karen Mathews who was singing with her bad at the Christmas party.

Next I met up with Peter and Margaret Bannon from Castlebellingham who assured me it was going to be a quiet night, no, I didn’t believe him either.

After this I headed over for a chat with Jim and Mary McFaul from Belfry Gardens who were hopeful that it was going to be a lively night.

I then caught up with Georgie and Linda Martin from Carrickmacross who assured me this was going to be a mad night for sure.

Finally, before I departed I got a word with Peter and Evelyn Begley from Mourne Vale who told me that while I was talking to them, this was the calm before the storm and they were up for making the best of the night.