Glitz, glamour and fun at INEC for Strictly

WHERE else would you find such glitz, glamour and dancing to beat the band on a cold February evening except at the annual Strictly Come Dancing in Killarney where crowds packed the INEC to show their appreciation for 12 remarkable couples who turned weeks of creative rehearsals into a memorable reality.

Gone this year were the musical themes and it certainly made for a more expressive and creative show. As ever, dance teacher Mary Philpott parted with the best instruction any dancer could hope for, but once the curtain was raised the dancers were on their own – and they didn’t disappoint.

Each couple was supported by their own fan club of family and friends who really got behind them, helping to add to an already special atmosphere. One of the most difficult tasks of the night fell to the judges whose job it was to pick one couple – not easy given that all the couples had performed to a high level.

After much deliberation, the select panel of Danny Leane, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, Mary MacMonagle and The Kerryman’s veryown Michelle Cooper Galvin decided on Seanie McSweeney and Cara McDonagh who danced spectacularly to ‘Beautiful Trauma’ with a seamless transition into ‘Anywhere’.

“It’s all for a great cause as the money raised for the night goes towards providing what are essential cancer services in Kerry,” said Michelle afterwards. “The performances were just spectacular and when you add in the costumes and atmosphere from the crowd, it made for an amazing night.”

“The INEC is a big venue so it takes a lot of courage to take to the stage and perform as well as these couples did,” she added.

Proceeds raised are not yet known but since the event started just three years ago it has managed to raise an incredible €165,000 for cancer services in Kerry, money that mainly goes towards providing night nurses for terminally ill people who are looked after in their own homes – a service funded solely by the Irish Cancer Society.

Chairperson of Killarney/ South Kerry Branch of the Irish Cancer Society, Eugene Sullivan, said the night was a great success, adding that this year’s atmosphere was, once again, very special.

“Each year you think this event can’t get any more enjoyable and it always exceeds expectations. The event always manages to create major highs for the dancers and the audience, and Mary Philpott did an amazing job with the couples,” said Eugene.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Winners Seanie McSweeney and Kara McDonagh with fellow contestants celebrating their win at the Strictly Come Dancing in aid of Irish Cancer Society in the INEC on Friday.

Photo Michelle Cooper Galvin. The eventual winners Seanie McSweeney and Kara McDonagh in action on the INEC stage.

ABOVE: ALL PHOTOS BY MICHELLE COOPER GALVIN Contestants who took part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing event at the INEC in aid of the Irish Cancer Society: Ciaran McCarthy, Kellie O’Sullivan, Kara McDonagh, Seanie McSweeney, Niamh O’Connor, Patrick Lynch, Danny Brosnan, Olivia Christe, Aoife McSweeney, Don Murphy, Hazel Murphy, Kieran Fleming, Les Brzozka, Finnola Haploid, Michael Milner, Denise Collins, Marion Casey, Kevin Lynch, Damien Fenton, Noreen O’Sullivan, T J O’Sullivan, Ann Marie Nelligan, Dermot O’Meara, Norann Keane with committee members Eugene O’Sullivan, Kathleen O’Shea, Kathrina Breen, Timmy moriarty, Eleanor O’Doherty and Mary Philpott.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Contestant Finnola Halpin with Ella Kate and Richard Halpin at the Strictly Come Dancing event in aid of Irish Cancer Society at the INEC on Friday.

Ava O’Doherty, Patricia and Delia O’Meara and Caitriona O’Doherty at Strictly Come Dancing at the INEC on Friday night.

Judging panel members Mary McMonagle, Danny Leane and Michelle Cooper Galvin at Strictly Come Dancing at the INEC.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Contestant Michael Milner with his son Ryan at the Strictly Come Dancing in aid of Irish Cancer Society in the INEC on Friday.