Dance licence granted for Strictly Come Dancing Achill

A WEEK of festivities, including the highlight of Strictly Come Dancing Achill, will take place on Achill over the Easter period after a bar licence has been granted for the Big Red Barn.
The Achill Easter Festival takes place from March 16 to April 2, and it will include a wide range of events and activities for young and old throughout the parish. A number of the events will take place in the Big Red Barn, a custom-made American-style barn, which will be located beside Ted’s Bar in Cashel for over a week of the festival.
Donal Byrne of the Big Red Barn and Maeve Cafferkey of Ted’s Bar appeared before Achill District Court where there was an application for a temporary dance licence in the venue and special exemptions.
Mr Byrne told Judge Mary Devins that the barn will be left on site where it will host a number of events, with the proceeds going to both Achill Tourism and Naíonra agus Iarscoil Naomh Sheosaimh, an Irish-speaking pre-school located in Bunacurry on the island. He explained that he will be the event manager and Ms Cafferkey will operate the bar and provide the bar staff. The bar he said will be in operation for two events in the barn.
The highlight of the events to be staged in the Big Red Barn is Strictly Come Dancing Achill, which will take place on Saturday, March 26 (Holy Saturday), with doors opening at 8pm and the show starting at 9pm.
The evening promises to be a spectacular display of dancing and entertainment as 12 couples grace the floor with their ballroom style dancing. The dances include Rumba, the Cha Cha, the Jive, the Charleston as well as lots of other well known ballroom dances along with two spectacular group performances. The event has been organised to raise money for Naíonra.
Other events to take place in the venue include Expo Achill 2016, an exhibition of products and services produced and available in the area; a Robot Battles Workshop for young children; a Mock Achill Wedding; and Tommy Marren’s newest play, ‘Nobody’s Talking To Me’.
There were no objections to the granting of the licence by An Garda SíochΡna, and Judge Mary Devins granted both the dance licence and special exceptions.

MORE www.achilltourism.com or 098 20400.