Blackwater Women’s Group mark the Harvest

IT’S billed as one of the social events of the year and for good reason as the annual Blackwater Women’s Group Harvest Dance was held in Kenmare Bay Hotel where members and their families enjoyed an entertaining evening.

The fact over 120 people from Blackwater, Templenoe, Glencar, Kenmare, Tahilla, Sneem, Cahirdaniel, Cahersiveen, Bonane, Kilgarvan, Blackvalley, Tuosist and Beara turned out tells you how wide its appeal is in the community.

Patrons enjoyed a top class meal prior to dancing the night away to the brilliant band, the Two Mikes & Family Ties.

This is the Blackwater Group’s 18th annual Dinner & Dance which hasn’t wavered in the slightest in terms of its popularity.

As well as South Kerry, people from West Cork also make the trip across the county-bounds to enjoy a special evening with their neighbours.

Local politicians, Michael Healy Rae TD, Senator Mark Daly and Councillor Dan McCarthy also attended.

But the harvest dance is about more than just a celebration, it also reflects and maintains the links that are essential to binding a community together.

Mary O’Neill of the Blackwater Women’s Group described it as an exceptionally busy group that runs various activities every month.

Everything from photography and exercise classes to creating and performing their own plays is covered. The group recently won a Pride of Place Award for its activity - an accolade everyone associated with Blackwater Women’s Group is proud of.

“We like to keep active and we’ve enjoyed a social every year since we started as a group,” Mary said.

Photo by Mary O’Leary Back Row (from left): Eileen Reilly, Mary D O’Neill, Ann O’Sullivan, Bridie McCarthy, Cait Sheehan, Mary Falvey, Nora Kelleher, Eliana Madeiros Kraut, Shirley Pryce, Anna Downing, Sandra & Noreen O’Shea, Elaine O’Connor, Mary Doyle, Martina O’Sullivan & Kitty Doyle. Front Row: Mary O’Neill,Catherine & Amelia Dodd, Lee Condon , Shelia O’Connor, Josephine O’Neill,Mairead Robinson, Marie O’Connell, Doreen O’Sullivan & Betty Harrington.

Photo by Mary D O’Neill Pictured at the Harvest Dance in Kenmare Bay Hotel. Back Row (from left): Edward McCarthy, Mike O’Shea, Willie Reilly & Jimmy O’Sullivan. Front Row: Claire O’Shea, Ann O’Sullivan, Bridie McCarthy & Eileen Reilly.

Photo by Mary D O’Neill Mary & George O’Neill, Eileen & Michael Healy Rae T.D. & Mairead Robinson at the Harvest Dance in Kenmare Bay Hotel.

Mary O’Neill with Carmel O’Sullivan who won a voucher for €50 off insurance sponsored by Sean Daly & Co.

Photo by Mary D O’Neill Senator Mark Daly & Josephine O’Neill. Senator Daly sponsored dinner for two in Dáil Éireann as a raffle prize.

Photo by Mary D O’Neill Twins Mary Falvey & Nora Kelleher at the Harvest Dance in Kenmare Bay Hotel.

Photo Mary D O’Neill Johnny Casey & Martina O’Sullivan at the Harvest Dance.