Quiz night in memory of local man a success

FUNDRAISING in memory of the late Raymond Gaffney from Arklow continued recently with ‘A Quiz For Ray’ in Dublin.

The event was a different take on the traditional table quiz with specialist retro rounds on the night including brain teasers from Bosco, The Lyrics Board with Niamh Farrell from chart topping band Ham Sandwich, a Leaving Cert Tape Test Round and a competition featuring everyone’s favourite medicine of old, flat 7 up.

However the highlight on the night was an appearance from The Den favourite Don Conroy, who challenged the crowd to a game of Pictionary.

Don, who was swamped by selfie wanting fans from the minute he arrived, also provided anyone who asked with a personalised drawing.

The event last Thursday in Oscar’s bar in Christchurch sold out quicker than anyone could of expected.

‘The night couldn’t have gone better, once the crazy nature of what we were doing with the retro themed rounds leaked out it went viral and thankfully, tickets flew out the door,’ said the event organiser, Raymond’s brother, Andy Gaffney.

‘Every year we try to do something different in order to keep people coming back to support our fundraising attempts and this seemed like a fun crazy idea. Myself and Raymond grew up with Bosco and Don Conroy and even the Leaving Cert questions were taken from Raymond’s Leaving Cert year of 2000, so Raymond was very much at the heart of the event,’ said Andy. ‘It was an odd idea but I’m so glad that the people went for it and not only sold the place out but were incredibly generous’.

A follow-up to this event will be the annual evening of music A Night For Ray in Arklow in September.

The venue and date for A Night For Ray will be announced in the next week with tickets going on sale then.

It promises to be a fantastic night of music featuring some of Wicklow’s best bands and also lots of prizes to be won. Every cent raised from both these fundraisers, as well as June’s street collection and private donations, will be going to The Bone Marrow For Leukaemia Trust in memory of Raymond.

The family would like to personally thank Don, Paula, Niamh, Ruairi, the staff of Oscars, anyone who donated prizes and the A Quiz For Ray team. ABOVE: Andy Gaffney and Don Conroy.