Pictures show all the style at St Oliver Plunkett NS fashion show in Dundalk Golf Club

One event I certainly wasn’t going to miss last weekend was the fundraising Fashion Show in Dundalk Golf Club on Friday night for St. Oliver Plunkett’s National School in Blackrock and a huge crowd turned out to support the evening.

I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with one of the hard working committee Elaine Tobin originally from Tipperary but now living in Blackrock who told me the event was organised by the school’s Parents Committee to help raise money to improve the playing areas outside the school and they were expecting a big crowd to enjoy the evening.

Next I headed for a table where I caught up with Mandy Fee from Blackrock (who had helped the committee hugely in the run up to the evening) and she was enjoying a lovely meal with Carol Kenny, Suzanne Albrecht Karen Moran and Louise Lynch all from Blackrock who told me they were out to enjoy the night while supporting the cause and checking out the latest available from the various shops.

I then made my way over to a table where I got talking to Patricia Dowling from Blackrock and daughter Fiona who had been roped into appearing on the catwalk but both wanted a big shout out for Emma Dowling who was busy making sure the night was a huge success.

Meanwhile at an adjacent table I then caught up with my old friend Gillian Callan from Ard Na Mara who was enjoying her meal with Maura Shanahan from Rathmount, Cara McAdam from The Ferns and Aoibhín Williamson from Rathmount who confided in me they were happy to help buy a new playground by drinking wine, well that was one way of looking at the night.

Not too far away I got a word with Muireann Johnston and Caroline Fennessy both originally from Limerick but now living it large in Blackrock. They were was having a great laugh with Ann McKenna hailing from Leitrim but now along with Bernadette Hughes and Elaine Cunniffe all from the Rock who told me they are all mums of kids at the school and were delighted to be there to support the show. They were up for a bit of a mad one with my old friend Tracey Whately from The Crescent.

Always busy, but still had time for a quick chat was Alan Watters from D’lish who told me he and Alan Joynt were on hand to make sure the ladies were fed nothing but the best cuisine.

Heading for another table I then got talking to Sarah Nordon from Blackrock and Lynn Curran from Dublin Road who said they were just there for the crack and were really looking forward to a good night.

Not too far away I then met up with sisters Ann Pentony from Rathmount and Adrienne Cunningham who were with their mum Philomena Mernagh from Old Golflinks Road who were out to make a night of it because the girls had their dad Liam lined up as their taxi for the night.

After this I headed over for a quick word with Dorothy Farrelly and Carol McAvinney both from Blackrock who were just finishing off a lovely meal and said they couldn’t wait to see what was on offer during the fashion show.

Making my way through the crowds I caught up with another old friend in Ursula Lawless and her neighbour Kerry Williams both from Kingswood who said they couldn’t wait to see Ursula’s daughter Maya who was strutting her funky stuff on the catwalk later on.

Heading for an adjacent table I met up with Louise Andrews from Dublin Road, Brenda Melaniphy, Sinead O’Callaghan and Jo Rowley all from Blackrock who all have kids at the school and were delighted to be there on the night to help with the fundraiser.

Next I headed for a table where I had the pleasure of talking to Sandra Boyle Watters from Rockville, Catherine Delaney from Rathmount, Carolyn Campbell from Old Golflinks Road, Suzanne de Lása and Nicola Golden all from Blackrock who said they’ve all kids in both 3rd and 4th classes and wouldn’t have missed the night for anything and admitted it was just the start of a great night.

Not too long later I met up with Sarah Blackmore, Rachel Corcoran and ‘Mary Poppins’, oops I mean Nuala Barron and Lisa Hadrill all from Blackrock who were having a right old time of it with Susan Carolan from Heynestown who said it was just the right location for watching the fashion show and having a few relaxing drinks while they did it.

I certainly wasn’t expecting the welcome I received from Lesley Fee who recounted something I’d written about her many, many moons ago (during the Tivolis era) and she was up for a laugh with Jenny Ray, Aoife Lynch, Sinead McDonnell all from Blackrock and Caroline Whittenham originally from Southampton but now enjoying the vibes in Blackrock. Needless to say the ladies were on for an epic night but said they’d be happy to support the cause while they were doing it.

It isn’t often I get to meet a true superstar but next I caught up with Olympian Kyle Norton who was chilling with his uncle Edwin DeRoever who was down from Dublin with Miriam McGowan. I found it hard to believe he hadn’t been asked to get on the catwalk, but he was just happy to chill with his uncle on the night.

Finally, before I departed I met up with chairperson of the Parents Council Emma Dowling who wanted to thank Elaine Tobin, Aideen Murray, Megan Lundy, Catherine Woods and Paula Sharkey for all their great work in making the night such a success.