Oh what a night as Strictly Come Dancing stars take to the floor

WHOPPING €20K RAISED FOR DOWN SYNDROME KERRY ON A STAR STUDDED-NIGHT AT KILLARNEY’S INEC

FOR the dancers at the INEC on Friday night, it was the culmination of six weeks of hard work. Down Syndrome Kerry’s Strictly Come Dancing saw 24 couples compete for the top title, on a night rich in brilliant action and entertainment.

The 48 dancers performed under the watchful eye of judges Micheal Ó Muirchearaigh, Toireasa Ferris, DJ Gavin O’Leary, singer Elaine Canning and an incredible 800 attendees, as some €20,000 was raised for DSK.

For Patricia Griffin, it was a night of family success. Her son Cathal and his first cousin Mary Claire McCarthy paired up and were joined winners alongside father-and-daughter team Jessica and Paudie Power.

“It was a proud night for the family, as another first cousin, Conor Grifin, also competed,” she said. “Cathal and Mary Claire were of course delighted to take the honours on the night, but that was beside the point. This was about raising funds, while promoting this great organisation and its amazing clients”.

Cathal, Conor, Mary Claire and Jessica were among six competitors with Down Syndrome, and were joined by Amy Taaffe and Paul Scanlon. For Patricia, the night served as an opportunity for the six to show everyone exactly what they can do.

“All six of them prepared very hard, and that was obvious on the night,” she explained. “They started practicing six weeks in advance, and would go for lessons a couple of times a week, either on their own or in groups. They worked as hard as anyone else for this.”

Down Syndrome Kerry PRO Debbie Dillon extended her thanks for the ‘overwhelming public support’ received, and said the funds raised will make a world of difference to Down Syndrome Kerry.

“DSK depends entirely on fundraising. We provide speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy, and many, many services besides, as explained on our website. The support we received on Friday will help us get a lot done,” she added.

Kathy Roberts, Marguerite Duggan, Soraya and Peggy Ahmed (back room left) Patrick Roberts, Trisha Naughton, Niamh, Denis and Bridie O’Rourke and Declan Healy, Killarney.

Aileen Reen, Mags Cronin, Helen Joy, Garrett and Maidin O’Sullivan Glenflesk. Sean and Amy Taaffe Noreen and Breda Murphy, Liz Corbett and Deirdre Murphy, Abbeyfeale Damien O’Sullivan, Kathleen and Denis Griffin (back from left) Eimear O’Connor, Fiona...

Photos by Michelle Cooper Galvin LEFT: Joe Burkett, Rachel Fitzgerald (kneeling) Aiden O’Mahony, Susan Holden, Sean and Amy Taaffe, Maudie and Jessica Power, Cathal Griffin and Mary Claire McCarthy (third row from left) Irene Kavanagh, Paul Scanlan, Daneille O’Sullivan, Tom Lucey,...