Lee Strand ends a great year with a great social

ANOTHER great year for the company and another great night in Ballygarry House Hotel for the suppliers, shareholders and employees of Lee Strand as its 56th annual social was held on Saturday night.

Guests were greeted with a champagne reception, but before the 300-strong crowd tucked into a delicious fourcourse meal, they stayed to anxiously watch the final few minutes of the Kerry/Dublin match on the big screen in the hotel’s pavillion.

The already-buoyant atmosphere was further boosted by the success of the boys in green and gold, and with the match nerves out of the way, a selection of Kerry’s hardest-working farmers enjoyed a well-earned night out.

On a night celebrating the achievements of the company and its many supporters, Ivan Groves of Ballackey, Kielduff, was named as the winner of the Lee Strand Overall Milk Quality Award 2018.

Others such as Brendan O’Regan, Maurice Dowling, Joe Brosnan and Tim Finnerty were honoured for their many years of service and dedication to the company.

After the dinner was polished off and all the fantastic spot prizes were raffled off, there was a chance for everyone to relax and unwind.

They did this by dancing the night away to the dulcet tones of band ‘Arklight’ and the music of DJ Martin Howard well into the early hours of the morning.

It’s now a case of all hands on deck for next year’s milestone event as Lee Strand and its suppliers get ready to celebrate the company’s 100th year in existence.

Jerry and Catherine Dwyer from Tonavane pictured with Tom Leen at the 56th annual Lee Strand Social in Ballygarry House Hotel on Saturday.

Barry Lyons, Abbie O’Sullivan and Eoin Lyne from Kielduff pictured before the start of the Lee Strand Social on Saturday night.

All photos by Domnick Walsh. Noreen McMahon, Jerry McMahon and Maura McMahon pictured enjoying the build-up to the 56th Lee Strand Social in Ballygarry House Hotel on Saturday night.

Jacinta McMahon and John O’Sullivan pictured at the 56th Lee Strand Social in Ballygarry House Hotel on Saturday night.

Ivan, Betty and Niall Groves enjoying the atmosphere at the 56th Lee Strand Social on Saturday night.

Gina Lynch and Maurice Dowling pictured at the Lee Strand Social in Ballygarry House Hotel.

Kathleen and John Burrows pictured enjoying the drinks reception at the Lee Strand Social on Saturday.