RUSSELL’S WAS THE SPOT TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR
IT MAY have been raining constantly on New Year’s Eve but that certainly didn’t stop us getting out and about ‘After Dark’. Our first port of call was to Russells Saloon in Park Street where the celebrations were in full swing by the time we got there.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with Brian and Majella Keating from Mulholland Avenue, who were up for making a night of it with Declan and Siobhan Smith from Pinewood Grove, who told me they were all really looking forward to seeing in the New Year together. Was it my imagination, or were they the same seats that Brian ad Majella were in when I met them there the last time I covered the end of year celebrations?
I then headed for a table where I caught up with Michael Carroll from Annagassan, Sinead Hearty from Lisdoo Road, Elaine Irwin from Jenkinstown, Sheila Flanagan from Annagassan and David Ward from Dundalk, who told me they were there for the night and were definitely up for making the best of the celebrations and were then joined by Sean and Jackie Craven from Manydown Close, who were just in and ready to party.
Not too far away I then got a word with John and Cathy Whyte from Faughart, who were up for making the best of the night with Teresa and Anthony Rafferty from Silverbridge, Aidan and Emer McGrath from Blackrock and Michael and Sharon Toal from Kilcurry, who told me they were all looking forward to the New Year celebrations so they could celebrate they are ‘still alive’, but Michael told me it was going to be 60 shades of grey, but not to tell Tommy Campbell in the Rugby Club!
Meanwhile sitting up near the bar I then caught up with a group who included Sylvia Perez from Basque Country, who was with Una Holland from Park Villas and Shona Doyle from Cedarwood Park, who told me it was going to be a quiet night, ‘out early, home early’ was what they said, but I wasn’t so sure. They were having a time of it with Sylvia Mendxadorre also from Basque Country, Antoinette and Philip McGovern from Cortial, who told me that Philip was designated driver and would make sure they all got home safely.
Not too far away I then caught up with Sarah and Niall Lennon from Belfry Avenue, who assured me they were there for the night and was looking forward to a massive night.
Next I caught up with Stephen Shields from Barton Park with Laura Riordan from Kingswood and Lisa Riordan from Woodbury Gardens, who were in great form and told me it was going to be a great place to see in the New Year.
After this I headed over for a quick word with Verlaine Keenan from Avondale and Denis Dullaghan from Blackrock, who told me that New Year’s Eve is the big one and they were definitely on for making the best of it.
Heading for an adjacent table I then got taking to Grainne and Peter McCluskey from Bay Estate, who were with Eimear Murphy from Bay Estate, who told me they were in early for the good seats and were definitely there for the night.
Seated at an adjacent table I then got talking to Conor Flynn from Ashbrook, Gerard Woods from Newry Road and Gavin Farrell from Ashling Park, who were armed and ready for a thoroughly great night.
I have to admit I tried to get a word with ace barman Mark Gogarty, but he was just too busy to comment on the night!
Not too long later I had the pleasure of meeting up with Ann Marron from Inniskeen and Mark Duffy from Park Street, who assured me it was going to be an epic celebration together.
Making my way to another table I then got talking to Mark and Aoife Adams from Park Avenue, who were in the company of Paula O’Reilly originally from Benagh, who was with Sean Nash from bay Estate, Stephen Faulkner from Hill Street and Sarah Murphy from The Crescent, who were in great form and ready for a major night of fun together.
Finally, before I departed I met up with Stephen Traynor from Meadow Grove and Rebecca Connolly from Castle Park, who assured me they were going to have a quiet night together – I’m thinking that plan didn’t work out too well for you?