Beaufort delivers a great night out

TAE, barm brack and plenty of craic, the Beaufort Rambling House returned on Saturday night as the locals were treated to a plethora of entertainers to warm the winter air.

The evening had originally been postponed due to the adverse weather conditions of late but it returned with plenty of gusto with songs from near and far filling the Beaufort Community Hall with a spirit lively enough to knock your socks off.

In an interesting addition on the night, local musician and historian Thomas O’Sullivan was on hand to read out an extract from an edition of The Kerryman from way back in 1952, which highlighted the efforts locally to erect a cross on Carrauntoohil.

Neilly O’Sullivan was the emcee on the night and he did not disappoint as he kept the evening and the banter flowing well throughout; on an evening organised by the Beaufort Pioneer Association, Neilly paid tribute to the founding members of the rambling house, Tony O’Shea and the Late Patie O’Shea, both of whom were fondly remembered on the night.

On a night that featured music and stories that harked back to a different, and some might say simpler time, the hall was suitably kitted out with a warm and welcoming fireplace, while any outsiders wandering into the hall might have been a little taken aback at the decorative washing line adorning the wall - again, a throwback to a simpler time.

In a sign of any successful night, the ending came all too soon, with many people remiss to leave behind an evening that will live in the memory for quite some time yet.

The countdown to the next rambling night has begun.

CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: Bridie Shanahan, Jim Dunne, John and Patricia Byrne; Kathleen O’Sullivan, Barbara Brennan and Maureen O’Connor; Joan, Peg and Mary Kissane; Mickey Cronin at the Beaufort Rambling House.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Caitriona and Siún Moriarty, Firies, at the Beaufort Rambling House on Saturday.

Photos by Michelle Cooper Galvin Jerry and Tess O’Connor with Mary and Joe Coffey at the Beaufort Rambling House in Beaufort Community Centre on Saturday.