Fashion and fun in Dromahair for Niall Mellon Trust
Style, glitz and glamour were the order of the day last Thursday night in the Blue Devon function room in Dromahair where a fantastic fashion show was superbly hosted by TV presenter, Noel Cunningham.
The three hour show included a very special spot from adopted Leitrim man Charlie McGettigan who mixed song and story with great skill to ensure those attending had a great night. Noel Cunningham. who has a unique style of presenting, kept the crowd and the models on their toes and his chirpy banter saw a smile on every face during what was a brilliant night of fun and fashion.
On a night where Ireland found Spanish flair too much to handle on the football field, Irish flair abounded with elegant creations from locally-based Ray Michael stunning an eager crowd.
Ray Michael’s creations wowed the crowd, a beautiful wedding dress in particular prompting lots of comment.
The contributions from Wallis, Sligo, Slevin’s Department Store, Ballyshannon and EJ Menswear, Sligo all caught the eye and one point that was made time and again was the superb work on the catwalk by all the models, many of them locals who had happily volunteered to help the cause. All of them looked fantastic.
The night was an outstanding success, little surprise in that really as the cause is a great one.
Local man Gerard Fowley has travelled for four years now to build houses with the Niall Mellon Trust in South Africa and with the moneygenerated from last Thursday night’s show, will now make it for a fifth year in-a-row.
A professionally qualified carpenter, Gerard works for Drumkeerin firm Grogan & Currid and his skills are of particular value to the projects in South Africa undertaken by the Mellon Trust.
“I know times are tough here in Ireland for people, but I got a bit of a shock to be honest when I first went to South Africa to the townships. The level of poverty there really took me back a bit,” Gerard explained to guests at the show. “These really are the poorest of the poor - I remember looking at one man walking along with a pair of battered old boots and he was using a wire coat hanger as laces.
“There are issues with sanitation and running water, but there is a great spirit in these people and I believe that the work ongoing through the Niall Mellon Trust is very important, so your support for that is hugely significant,” he stated.
Eurovision song contest winner, Charlie McGettigan, who entertained with a typically witty set of songs and stories, said he was “delighted” to offer his support and he commended Gerard for the work he does.
The models on the night were all superb, but truth be told, the MC stole the show.
For some it was a first time to meet Noel Cunningham, for others it was the renewing of old friendships, but for all the compere with the ready smile and a fantastic line in colourful shirts, left a deep impression.
“I loved it. What you could see here from the minute I walked into the Blue Devon, was the sense of community. There was great support here for Gerard and this is what is important.
“All the exhibitors showed wonderful clothes and I think the range of fashion on show was wonderful,” Noël added.
Concluding the night, Gerard thanked all those who had made the evening such a success, he thanked all who had sponsored generous prizes for the raffle and everyone who had helped in any way on the night.
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Weather for Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland
Sunday 19 May 2013
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Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
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