Celebrity solicitor Gerald Kean will again be the special guest at Friday night’s Portarlington and Killenard Gala Ball, an event which has raised over €300,000 for local charities.
This year, Laois Down Syndrome is the chosen charity for the gala ball at the Heritage Hotel, Killenard, for which only a handful of tickets remain.
In the region of 250 tickets have already been sold and the night again promises to be a major event on the local social calendar.
“Gerald Kean never lets us down. And you never know who he might bring with him,” said co-organiser Marie Corcoran.
Along with Collette Kenny and Maria Molloy, Marie has been organising the event for over a decade. “We have been called the Three Musketeers and everything else as well,” she joked.
Anticipation is building for the 11th instalment of the ball which has now raised over €300,000 for a host of local charities.
The night will begin with music from JL Sound and drinks on arrival, followed by a four course meal with wine, and dancing to the early hours to the Keith McDonald Showband.
Dinner is at 7pm sharp, with dress formal. However, Marie says they don’t expect the men to hire a suit, but neat dress is essential.
Marie said they have always been delighted with the support they receive from Portarlington, neighbouring towns of Portlaoise, Mountmellick, throughout the county and beyond.
She said the Portarlington and Killenard Gala Ball is a great boon for businesses in the area. “It brings an extra bit of custom to the local businesses. All the hairdressers are booked out on Friday night,” she said.
She added that everyone gives their time for free and no free tickets are handed out, to maximise the money raised for charity.
Tickets can still be bought in Saoirse Care charity shop, Portarlington, or by calling Marie at 087 7589896, or Colette at 086 2654277.
