It’s on with the gladrags and dancing shoes for Nano Nagle’s Strictly!

WHAT a night at the Listowel Arms as the great and good came out in force for the Nano Nagle School’s Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser.

The night had been in the making since Principal Gabrielle Browne first floated the idea back at the school’s annual social in February, taken up enthusiastically by the entire school community ever since – to the point of the nine competing couples rehearsing under choreographer Joe Burkett twice weekly since the start of September.

And how the rehearsals paid off as they bust the kind of moves usually only seen on the telly.

“We were absolutely delighted with the night,” Gabrielle said. “Listowel is such an incredible support always to us and we couldn’t get over the fact that, within a week of the initial plea for sponsorship, all sponsorship had been filled!”

Over 400 attended on Friday, there to witness the nine couples – as well as a special group of Nano Nagle staff dancers – soar to the challenge. There could only be four winners from the public vote and the judges’ vote. Parents Kieran and Maura O’Sullivan took the public prize for their excellent performance, with past pupil Paul Scanlon and dance partner Caíomhe Butler (Gabrielle’s daughter as it happens) taking the judges’ vote.

“You know, the one thing we take from the night is the fact that it really shows the degree to which the whole concept of ‘inclusion’ underpins everything we do in the school, with past and current pupils dancing. It shows that, no matter the activity, everyone can be included,” Gabrielle said.

Photos by John Kelliher LEFT: Jacqueline Halpin, Michele Halpin and Honie O’Callaghan at the outset of the big Nano Nagle fundraiser. Nano Nagle staff doing some lastminute rehearsing: Kate O’Mahony, Kathleen Harrington, Martha Quinn, Helena Slemon, Carmel Seery and Lesley O Sullivan.

Photo by John Kelliher The judges tasked with the big job of selecting the winners: Christy Walsh, Billy Keane, Sharon Phelan, Carmel Roche and teacher Jacqui Halpin.

Photos by John Kelliher Enjoying the great night in aid of the Nano Nagle were Niamh O Connor, Stephanie Culloty, Bridget Mulvihill, Catherine O’ Connor and JP Mulvihill.

Photos by John Kelliher BELOW: Jerry McSherry, Vicky McCarthy, Shane Lenihan and Marina McSherry on hand representing McSherry Bus and Hygi Care.

Olivia O’Sullivan, Jodi O’Sullivan, Aoife Moriarty and Helen Moriarty, Lisselton, enjoying the dancing.