DE LA SALLE FUNDRAISER
On Saturday night I headed for the Carrickdale Hotel where the finals of the De La Salle Strictly Come Dancing was taking place. The venue was completely sold out for the event where 13 different couples did battle to become the 1st winner of this event that is a fundraiser for the school.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with my old friends Thomas, Sandra and Colin O’Connor from Blackrock who were there to cheer on Sharon who was teamed up with Thomas Campbell and wanted to wish them all the best on their big performance.
Two men who were definitely up for making the best of the occasion were Jackie Callan from Balregan and Declan Woods from Rassan who were there to support Declan’s daughter Sinead and told me that it was going to be a quiet night.
Not too long later I then got a word with a group who included Mary McArdle, Claire Murtagh and Caroline Woods all from Hackballscross who were also there for Sinead and wanted to wish her all the best on her big night.
Seated in the best seats in the house were Joan McGahon and Art Murtagh both from Blackrock who told me their son James is at the school and they were there to support the fundraiser. Best seats? Just the right distance from the stage and just close enough to the bar to get served, yes, they certainly got that one right.
Making my way through the crowds I then got talking to Leone and Conor Ewings from Stabannon. Leone is part of the Parents Committee and said she’d be working later on, didn’t worry who won, just to make sure everyone had a fantastic time.
One of the proudest men in the place on the night had to be Maurice Harrison from Quality Street who was there with daughters Orlaith and Rachel. The reason for his pride? His delightful wife Paula was taking part in the competition and as well as being the secretary of the De La Salle primary school, she is secretary of the Clans and they were all out in force to support the extremely popular lady.
Maurice was joined on the night by Niall and Linda O’Donnell from Belfry Drive (and not O’Connell as I put in when I met them on NYE, sorry about that one!), Fiona Begley from Balregan, Paula’s sister Fiona and Ollie Traynor from Rossmakeagh with their kids Eryn and Alanah and her mum Alice Kirk from Castletown Road and told me that there were more to come from the Clans ladies team as well.
After this I headed over for a chat with Carol Thornton from Haggardstown Mary Gray from Carrick Road, Katriona Cosgrove from Ard Easmuinn and Bridie Carolan from Louth Village with daughters Christine and Catherine who told me they too were there for Paula because the ladies work with her in the De La Salle Primary
school.
Not too long later I then got talking to Aine Mackin from Darver who was with husband Declan, son Jordan who was taking part, daughter Aoife Duffy, Jordan’s godmother Edel Sloane from Redbarns Road, his granny Catherine McKeown from Knockbridge and his favourite aunty Orla Murphy from Louth Village who were all in rare form and ready to party the night away.
After this I headed over for a chat with Justine Smythe from Blackwater Court ad Roisin Maguire from Omeath who were looking forward to the night and yes, they’d be shouting for Paula too.
Making my way through the crowds I then got talking to Anne and Fra Murphy from Blackrock who told me they would be cheering on Darren, Pamela and Robbie and wanted to wish them all the best on the big night.
Not too long later I met up with Pat McKeon from Castleknock who told me his son and his wife Darragh and Pam McKeon are both teachers in the school and are both taking part and wanted to wish them all the best then their time for glory comes.
I then headed over for a quick word with Aidan Kieran from Killincoole, Ciaran O’Neill from Darver and David Rogers from Hackballscross who were there to cheer on Brendan Mackin who was taking party in the show.
Finally, before I departed I got talking to Andrea Duffy from Point Road who was there to support Gavin Coleman and she was with her husband Brian Tuite, Gavin’s brother Gerry as well as Aoife Coleman from Lordship, Kevin and Caroline Barry from Blackrock. Andrea was standing having a laugh with one of the judges Pat O’Shaughnessy from Castletown Road who told me he was really looking forward to the show.