Castlemagner GAA Strictly Comes Dancing

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Castlemagner GAA held its most ambitious fund raising event ever on the 25th March 2023. The Strictly Castlemagner fundraising event has been months in the planning by it’s hard working committee. The objectives of the fundraising event are to develop an astroturf training facility and further developments on the grounds of the GAA club.

On Saturday 25th March the mass exodus from Castlemagner to Charleville started early in the morning with participants down at the Charleville Park Hotel for hair, make up and rehersals. By early evening the atmosphere in the hotel was ramping up as family and friends started to arrive. Before 7pm queues started forming for patrons to get their seats in the function room and by the time proceedings kicked off shortly after 8pm the place was electric.

Keith Hanley former winner of the Voice of Ireland was MC on the night and he managed the event like an old pro. Every couple were interviewed on stage after they performed and Keith’s relaxed style helped put some nerves at ease.

Chairman of Castlemagner GAA club Thomas Lenihan opened the event by welcoming everybody while expressing the gratitude of the club to the dancers, choreographer, the many sponsors and the members of the organising committee. Thomas acknowledged the work by other groups in the community, encouraging everyone to become involved in the ongoing works in “making Castlemagner a better place to live”. What followed for the next three hours was the best entertainment you could possibly ask for. A total of twelve couples took to the dancefloor on the night and it has to be said that each and every one of them put on what turned out to be an absolutely sensational show for the near 900 patrons packed into the hotel function room.

The five judges Mags O’Riordan, Mags Nugent, Aideen McAuliffe, Noeleen Moylan and Thomas Tobin were astounded by the high level of talent on display. Choreographer Miriam Ball put the contestants through their paces over the past few months and it really paid off as they performed a range of dance routines on the night.

The dedication to the cause shown by all participants over the last 10 or 12 weeks was unbelievable. The sheer joy on the faces of all who took to the stage was unreal. Castlemagner GAA are most grateful to all of them for making such a commitment in their lives to help the club with this fundraising event and to the public and sponsors who gave so generously towards this fundraiser. The ‘Public Vote’ winners receiving the most public votes on the night were Tracy Fitzgerald and Conor Murphy.

Tracy is a Child Care Professional working at the local Cairdeas Childcare in Castlemagner & Conor works as Home Energy Advisor at Ashgrove Renewables. The couple lifted the roof off the hotel with their stylish Charleston routine and received a huge ovation from the crowd to seal the deal.

Kanturk native and now Banteer resident Tracy Fitzgerald paid tribute to the hard work put in by all the dancers, by Choreographer Miriam Ball and by her partner Conor. “Speechless, shocked but delighted” said Tracy, “Not only did we meet fantastic dancers along the way, but we have made great friendships also”.

“Both Conor and I had great support from our families & friends but representing Cairdeas Childcare where I work has been a huge bonus, particularly for all the children and parents who supported us with all their kind wishes”.

When asked would she do it again “Yes, without doubt, the rehearsals were tough and we were nervous on the night, but it was worth all the hard work”. “An amazing experience that we will treasure for a long time to come”.

When asked if she would recommend taking part in ‘Strictly’; “Yes, without doubt, jump at it if you get the chance, one of the best experiences of my life”.

The ‘Judges Vote’ on the night was awarded to Caroline Cott & Ger Harrington. They took on the Quick Step which saw the ever popular couple give full entertainment to the crowd.

Bringing the formalities to a close the Chairperson of the organising committee Siobhan O’Connell expressed her gratitude to everyone for making the night a resounding success, while the night was rounded off with a disco before patrons were asked to ‘Please Leave the Dancefloor”.