The Annual Ladies Lunch
Each year, in the springtime, the clubhouse is transformed when the Salmo ladies host their annual lunch for up to 150 guests. The event is always over-subscribed and is one of the highlights of the club's social calendar.
Each year, a charity partner is nominated to benefit from funds raised on the day. Previous partners have included the Barretstown Camp for Sick Children, Women's Aid and Anam Cara which supports parents who have experienced a bereavement.
The much-anticipated 2019 Ladies Day took place on Saturday 13th April at Kirwan Park. Each year the proceeds of the day are given to charity with Barretstown being the worthy recipient for this year. Jane Leavy, Community Fundraising Manager at Barretstown, spoke about the benefits of the charity, not only for the sick children, but also around the support given to the entire family and in particular the fun camps held for siblings and parents during such a difficult time.
Our very own Kate Burke gave a moving account as a beneficiary of the charity, recalling how her son Kieran had such fun at the camp despite her and Karl’s initial reluctance to take part due to Kieran being so ill at the time. She also told of the mischief Ian and Kevin got up to at that time, recalling ransom notes following the kidnapping of one of the 12 dwarves! Kate also spoke of how the bereavement camp helped her and the family following Kieran’s loss and how it had supported them in their darkest days. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, as all 130 women gave Kate a standing ovation following her very moving words.
It was then on to a beautiful three course meal provided by John & Derek of the Step Inn and the fantastic team alongside some familiar looking waiters in the form of our very own U20 players: Adam Nealon, James Feeney, Cian Lillis and Jake Finlay.
The ladies then headed upstairs to the Ellis Bar for more raffle prizes, followed by music and dancing until late into the night. The glamour and entertainment also proved a much-needed tonic to the lads returning from a hard-fought defeat at Malahide in the Madden Cup Final. There were shapes and bodies being thrown from all angles of the dance floor!
The day could not take place without the support of everyone at DLSP, the local community’s generosity as well as the committee members involved in organising the day each year: Tara Finlay, Kate Burke, Gill Nealon, Edel Roe, Sue Treacy and the recently recruited Johanna Davy. A special thanks to John Crothers for his role this year with regards to nominating Barretstown and helping us source prizes for the day, as well as being onsite to take some stunning pictures on the day.
We were delighted to have the continued support of Cllr Lettie McCarthy and this year we also welcomed Minister Josepha Madigan TD and Frances Fitzgerald TD to the list of esteemed guests. With the numbers growing year-on-year for this much-loved event, be sure to get your tickets early next year!