Burke’s farm to bounce to barn dance beat

Burke’s farm ready to bounce to barn dance beat

2,000 people to dance in Aghamore slatted house

Anton McNulty

DURING the winter it will be the home of 200 cattle as they munch on their silage but at the end of the month the slatted shed on Burke’s farm in Aghamore will be thronged with cowboys and cowgirls for the second Aghamore Barn Dance.

The phenomenon of the barn dance has grabbed the imagination of the Mayo public in recent times with people of all ages swopping the trendy nightclubs for the slatted sheds across the county. Last year was the first time the Barn Dance was held at Burke’s Farm in Coogue, Aghamore with 1,200 people attending and this year over 2,000 are expected to don the leather boots and stetsons for the dance on August 28.

The event is in aid of the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice and Donal Byrne, one of the organisers told The Mayo News that he admitted he did not expect such a large crowd at last year’s dance. He explained that the novelty of the Barn Dance had caught the imagination of all ages and he expects more places to organise their own Barn Dances.

“I was at a barn dance in Balla along with Gerard Burke but it was on a smaller scale. I liked what I saw and that is how we got the idea of organising a barn dance. Last year was such a success and this year will be even bigger with more live music acts followed by a DJ. The crowd is very mixed with people of all ages dressing up and coming to the dance.

“People are sick of having to go into town to pubs and nightclubs and there is a great novelty factor of going to the middle of nowhere and going into a shed for a dance. There’s always a great buzz and people really enjoy it. Without doubt there are going to be more barn dances around the place because it is a great way of raising money,” he said.

Anyone thinking they will have to bring their wellies and overalls can rest assured that the shed has been completely washed down with a power hose and the floor has been covered over with a timber floor. Donal said the shed has been kitted out with a stage, a licenced bar and lights and added that it would be like walking into a nightclub rather than a cattle shed. All the health and safety requirements have been met and certified with full toilet facilities and parking.

The organisers have promised a bigger and better show than last year with All-Ireland Talent Show finalist, Olwyn Murray, Lorna Jordan, who was a runner up in ‘The West Factor’ talent competition as well as John O’Halloran and Emma O’Sullivan performing on the night. Trad-band ‘At the Racket’ and ‘The Phoenix Show Band’ are some of the band who will be performing and All-Ireland Champion Dancers DΡmhóg Frain and Sharon Kilduff will also be joining in on the fun.

Last year the organisers raised over €7,000 for the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice and this year two calves will be auctioned off to raise money for the Hospice. Donal thanked Liam Elwood of Coney Island Lounge in Gorthaganny just over the Roscommon border, who is providing the bar service and Michael Comer of The Pancake Factory who are donating all the profits from their sales to the Hospice, and added that the charity was a worthy cause.

“Every person across Mayo has been touched by the Hospice in one way or another – be it family, friends or neighbours – we all know of someone that has experienced care from the Palliative Care Service. We managed to raise over €7,000 last year and we hope to exceed that target this year,” he said.

Tickets cost €20 and can be purchased in: Moran’s Lounge, Aughamore; Paddy Phillip’s Bar and Gareth Delaney’s Pub, Ballyhaunis; Mulvihill’s in Castlerea; Ryan’s Bar, Kiltimagh; Coney Island Lounge, Gorthaganny, Mayo Roscommon Hospice Offices in Knock or alternatively contact Gerard at 086 3335746 or Dónal at 086 8775571.