VALENTIA ISLAND

VARIETY SHOW

The South Kerry Variety Show took place in Portmagee Community Centre on Saturday evening.

Master of Ceremonies was comedian, Bernard Casey, who was hilarious throughout. No-one was safe from his slagging and the Portmagee / Valentia rivalry was a big feature! Mary Pauline O’ Sullivan kicked off proceedings with a recitaion and then the Valentia Scor ballad group sang 2 lovely songs. Sean O Laoighire, storyteller supreme, entertained everyone with a dramatic tale- many of the audience were surprised to get a mention in his story! Cliodhna Guiney and Daragh O’ Donoghue entertained us with music and song, and Amy Lyne gave a powerful rendition of Raglan Road.

The second half began with the Black and White Ladies from Ballinskelligs.

These displayed amazing co-ordination as they dazzled us with a black and white jumble of arms and legs! Kids and adults alike were confused and amused in equal measure as the dance proceeded! Bernard Casey seamlessly blended together the whole evening with funny stories and anecdotes.

Highlights included stories of the Irish aural exam, his tune on the whistle, and a hapless tourist looking for directions (a.k.a. Caroline Heffernan, committee member, roped in to the act at the last minute!).

Julia Cooper, who had just returned from the County Fleadh Ceoil with a silver medal, wowed us with her sean nos dancing skills. Andrew Quigley and Mary Gallagher performed two very appropriate songs, given our setting by the sea, namely The Voyage and Home From The Sea (The Lifeboat Song).

Micheal Lyne made everyone laugh with his rendition of Donegal Paddy and his exploits in London. The talented Daly siblings, Maeve and Emmet, played a couple of tunes and showed why Maeve had just won a gold medal at the County Fleadh Ceoil for her great fiddle playing.The evening ended with a powerful performance by Waterville’s Sara O’ Dwyer, Tina Turner tribute act, which was of course "simply the best!

The raffle prize winners were as follows: An eco boat trip for 2 around the Skelligs, sponsored by Seanie Murphy, was won by Keelin O’ Shea. Dinner for 2 in the Ring Lyne was won by Eimear Conway. A painting from POD giftstore, sponsored by Siobhan ni Dhonnchu, was won by Karen Hayes. A €30 voucher for a local restaurant, sponsored by Ger O’ Shea, Heating & Plumbing services, was won by Loreto Lynch. A €25 Supervalu voucher was won by Carmel Nolan.

A €20 Moorings voucher was won by Aodhan Coffey. A giftset of homemade soaps, sponsored by Tina Robinson, Airmid was won by Helen Shanahan. A bottle of Hennessey, sponsored by Mike Twentyman, was won by Philomena Lawrence. A bottle of Bushmills, sponsored by Mick Duffy, was won by Sorcha Lynch.

The Committee and Staff of Valentia Community Centre would like to sincerely thank EVERYONE who helped to make our variety show a great success.

Thanks to everyone who donated raffle prizes and homebaking. Thanks to the volunteers who sold raffle tickets and refreshments, who manned the front door, who moved furniture and helped out behind the scenes.

Thanks to everyone who attended the show- hope ye enjoyed it! Huge thanks to our MC Bernard Casey who really made the event. Thanks to the very versatile Daragh Lynch who controlled lights and sound, moved furniture and even found time to present raffle prizes!

Thanks to all of the talented performers who gave their services for free- the wealth of talent in this small area is truly amazing. All proceeds raised at this event will go towards the upkeep and maintenance of Valentia Community Centre. It is great to have a full-size sports-hall, a well-equipped gym and a private meeting room available in Valentia Community Centre for everyone to use.

We hope to continually upgrade our facilities so as to provide the best possible service to you, the people of South Kerry. Call in anytime to check out our facilities, or ring 087 7918188 to make a booking or an enquiry.