T.O. Park goes all country
Last weekend was party time in brilliant sunshine at the Park with events over four days. They were celebrating the grand reopening of the newly refurbished and greatly extended hall, fondly known as ‘The Barn’ – now renamed the Grand Ole Opry of the South.
Saturday evening was the big one. There to cut the tape for the formal reopening was Declan Crowley, an old friend of the Park from Tipperary and his lovely partner Joan. Declan was also given the honour of revealing the Barn’s new name, a job he performed with style and panache.
A great crowd had already arrived from all over the country, Galway to Wexford. Many of these were new friends of the Park, who discovered it during the series of outdoor concerts and dances held there last summer which made the Park and lovely Labbamologga known all over the country.
People gasped in awe as they entered the building. Its expansive new shiny floor mirrored every movement they made. No surprise as it alone cost over €10,000. To complement this, the entire hall has been redesigned, upgraded and refurbished.
The big talking point was the pictured murals and objects that decorate the walls. Country music, Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry is everywhere.
As you look across the hall, you are greeted by the wiley smile of one of Nashville’s most famous, the one and only Minnie Pearl. Beside her and running the length of the hall are legends from country music and the Grand Ole Opry past and present, icons such as Patsy Cline, George Jones, Dolly, the Carter family, yes they are all joined by many of the newer ones such as Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs.
Of course Johnny
Cash is there in a rare special picture from his concert in the Hammersmith Odeon in 1966. This picture was donated to the Park by Frank Myles of Clonmel and has pride of place in the hall.
Yes, T.O. Park has gone all country and gone nationwide judging by the great crowd that came to visit over the weekend from so many far away places.
BIG IRISH MUSIC NIGHT
As the Park swings back into action, their next big event is this Friday, April 1st at 8pm. It’s a music and song event, open to all. Entry is free. There will be a raffle with tea and refreshments. Please come and bring your friends. You will love the new hall. You do not have to perform, only if you want to. Just be there to enjoy and sample the atmosphere.
CONCERT AND DANCE
Sunday, April 10th is the next date for your diary. Michael and
Philomena O’Brien will be there from 2.30pm onwards for a big dance in the hall. You will never leave the floor they are so good!
THANKS ALL
T.O. wishes to extend a big thank you to the army of hugely skilled workers, supporters and friends of the Park who did so much over the past year to make a dream a reality. Together they have left lovely Labbamologga and the entire community both local and so much further away with a facility that is special and so unique. All so welcome always.
BINGO – INDOORS – OUTDOORS
Bingo this Thursday at 7.30pm sharp. The big news. Yes it will move indoors to our lovely new hall this Thursday. Of course you may play from your car outdoors as usual if you wish.
The bus is back. It will pick up in the Square, Mitchelstown at 6.45pm sharp and head out to the Park. There is
lots of room so why not come along for a great evening out with good money. See ye all there.
NEWSFLASH
T.O. Park will host a special fundraising bingo at The Firgrove
Hotel this Sunday, April 3rd starting at 2.30pm sharp. It is for Glenahulla National School.
Please be there to support this school, a gem and shining light in the community.