Ballinrobe ‘Celebrity’ Sean Nós a success

Ciara Galvin

THIRTY people from local businesses in Ballinrobe took to the stage on Saturday night and raised close to €10,000.
‘Celebrity’ Sean Nós took place in Ballinrobe Community School and saw large crowds gather to support colleagues, friends and family as they showed off weeks of hard work and practice.
One of the event organisers Tom Mannion described Saturday night’s event as a ‘great success’. The funds raised by the dancers will go towards the staging of the Mayo Fleadh Ceol in Ballinrobe next May.
The audience was treated to a great night of entertainment with Liam Horan as master of ceremonies and music for the dancers provided by Aonghus Ó Maicín and Eoin Walsh.
Judges Mildred Byrne of Midwest Radio and impressionist Shane Cunningham from Headford were impressed by all who took part, but eventually crowned John Conroy as the winner.
Their choice of best costume went to Rory McHugh representing McHugh’s Café.
Luke Carney of Carney’s Bar and Eating House took the prize for raising the most money.
Voting for this accolade by the audience meant putting money into each dancer’s money bucket located in the hall.
A special prize went to Norann Cavanagh and Darragh Murphy representing Devour Bakery  for their performance.
While the judges were considering their decisions, some local dancers performed to the music of the Claremorris Comhaltas branch musicians Anthony, Cathal, and Fintan Kavanagh, Ann Morley, Orla Mannion, Eoin Walsh and Chloe Feeney. Molly and Johnny Granahan from Partry also put on a display of the brush dance.
The organising committee thanked all those involved in making the event a success and Tom Mannion said they received nothing but enthusiasm and commitment from the businesses and organisations in Ballinrobe.
He also thanked committed dance tutor Chloe Feeney who he said showed great teaching skills and organisation during all the sessions. Mr Mannion said the event could not have taken place without the generosity of all the local businesses, sponsors, principal and board of management of Ballinrobe Community School who all helped in bringing the event to fruition.
“This has been a great experience for all of us involved in organising the event. The Ballinrobe Fleadh Ceol Mayo Committee of Kevin Feeney, Chloe Feeney, Carmel Feeney, Eleanor Mannion, Orla Mannion, Barbara Granahan, Eoin Walsh and Conor Murphy thank everyone involved for their splendid efforts,” concluded Mr Mannion.