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Blooming marvelous night at the Alternative Rose of Ballyshannon

After an unforgettable evening in Dorrian's last Saturday, an emotional Niall 'Leaving On A Jet Plane' McCready was crowned the Alternative Rose of Ballyshannon. Niall was feted with the acclaim of the crowd and his rival roses, Kerry Ryan, Aidan Murray, Shane Toolan, Billy Grimes, Donagh Keon, Brendan 'Benji' Drummond, Michael Daly, Liam Winters, Paul McGonigle and Luis Moreira after a stern test of his alternative rose credentials. Niall received his tiara from the Ballyshannon Harvest Fair Queen, Laura Gallagher, who looked suitably impressed. However it would be fair to say that all our roses really, er, rose to the occasion and gave everyone there an outstanding night's entertainment which continued on into the wee hours.

A lot of thanks need to go out for helping to pull the event together. Thanks to the ever-suave Sean Perry for keeping the gushing to manageable levels and to our astute judges Michael McLoone, Patricia Keane and Charlie Gillespie. Thanks to David O'Donnell for music and Martin Ferris who took care of lighting. Thanks to Paul Dunleavy of Le Fleur for organising costumes and Marie Reynolds for make-up and hair and also Mary Daly for make-up. Thanks to John Meehan for impromptu musical accompaniment

Many thanks to our ever generous sponsors on the night: Geraldine Óg's, White's Hotel Group, McGinley's Bar, Brian Campbell Butchers, Sean Óg's, The Beauty Rooms, L&G Sweeney, Centra Ballyshannon, DKP Auctioneers, Whoriskey's Cashelard, The Breesy Centre, The Old Church Vets, McIntyre's Bar and Fin McCool's Bar.

Finally, thanks to everyone else who helped on the night, in whatever capacity, and made it such a fun and entertaining event.

Last modified: Monday, 1 June 2020 at 1:14pm