Oriel Harriers host Valentine’s Ball
ON Saturday night, I headed for the Ballymascanlon Hotel where the Oriel Harriers were hosting their Valentines Ball and by the time I got there the place was packed with party revellers.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with Master of the Hunt Gerry Mulligan from Lower Point Road who was with his wife Maria, Kevin Kearney and Christine Mulligan both from Castlebellingham, Owen Armstrong, Linda and Suzanne Mulligan from Lower Point Road who assured me it was going to be a cracker of a night.
I then got a swift word with Honorary Hunt Master Michael Bishop from Kilcurry who was accompanied by his wife Lucy, son Michael and his girlfriend Aisling Farrell from Dublin who told me the Hunt Ball is always a fantastic night and they could see no reason why this was going to change.
Not to long later I got talking to Holly, Mark and Corey McGahon from Mayobridge who were accompanied by Victoria, Simon and Sarah Craig from Rathfriland. Holly told me she used to hunt with the Newry Harriers but is now with the Oriel and is just loving it!
After this I caught up with novices Will and Maura Glendenning from Market Hill who told me that Will has just joined the Oriel’s this year and was looking forward to their first taste of their Hunt Ball.
I then managed a few words with Christine and Linda Mulligan who were looking resplendent and told me that I was not to write it was ‘ party time!’
Making my way through the crowds I then met up with Harrier’s secretary Mary Keating from Muchgrange who was with husband Hughie and daughter Roisin. Mary said there were 190 plus expected, so the night was going to be a good one.
I then caught up with two likely lads in Ross Patterson from Rathfriland and Patrick Branigan from Hilltown who were lucky enough to be with hunters Melissa Martin from Newry and Eileen McDaid from Mourne and the ladies told me that it was going to be a totally mad one.
Making my way over to another table I then caught up with Chimene O’Reilly from Meigh who was with Brian Heaphy from Newry and they were joined by chairman of the Oriels Peter Callan from Meigh who was with better half Brenda, Eileen McDaid, Gary Haughey and wanted to thank Chimene for her sponsorship of one of the prizes on the night.
After this I got a word with Orna MacArtain from Gyles Quay who was there with James McGrane from Carlingford Road and they were in the company of James’ parents Tommy and Adamar who were up for making the very best of the valentine ball.
Not too long later I then got talking to Brendan and Siobhan Hoey from Dromiskin who were up for making the best of the night and so what if Brendan’s dickie-bow had gone on the missing list so early on in the proceedings?
I headed over for a quick word with Eamonn Bishop from Mill Road and Andrew Dillon from Dublin who told me they were there for the champagne and the girls!
Making my way through the crowds I met up with Samantha O’Hanlon from Galway who told me she was with Eddie from the sensational Oaktree Stables and they certainly wouldn’t have missed the night for anything.
Finally, before I departed I caught up with Michael Rogers and Helen Lawrence from Ardee Road, Michael Jnr. from Ardee Road and Karmen Derezic from Croatia, Hunt Master Eugene Larkin from Thomastown Cross and Sophia McQuaid from Belfry Drive and Amanda Larkin from Togher who told me she is married to the best racehorse trainer in Louth John Larkin and they were going to have a fantastic night at the ball.