Mrs. Brown’s Boys ‘Winnie McGoogan’ to join County Mayor for charity Hooley
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Micheal Sheridan, Mercy University Hospital Foundation, County Mayor Cllr. John Paul O’Shea and Angela Horgan, Pieta House Cork at the launch |
~ Actress and Author Eilish O’Carroll of Mrs. Brown’s Boys fame has graciously accepted an invite from County Mayor, John Paul O’Shea to be Master of Ceremonies for his upcoming charity event ‘Hooley in The Hall’ taking place next month.
County Mayor Cllr. John Paul O’Shea is set to mark the end of his term as Mayor of the County of Cork by hosting a “Hooley in The Hall” and in aid of Cork charities, The Mercy Hospital Foundation and Pieta House, and it has just been announced that comedienne, actress, performer and writer Eilish O’Carroll (of Mrs. Brown’s Boys fame) will take up the mantle of Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
The summer charity event will take place at County Hall, Cork, on Friday June 17th, and is kindly supported by The Kingsley Hotel, part of The Fota Collection.
Shaping up to be one of the biggest charity events of the summer, the Hooley in The Hall will be hosted by one of Ireland’s best known and most loved faces, Eilish O’Carroll, and have a line-up of awesome blue grass and Cajun sounds from ‘Ray Barron & Friends’ (of Two Time Polka) and the hugely popular ‘The Whole Hog Band’. The night is perfect for groups of friends and neighbours, that office night out or just an excuse to don a Stetson, break out those blue jeans and strut your stuff. With finger lickin’ homemade BBQ, the Mayor’s Moonshine, fun games and DJ ‘til late, the evening is set to raise the roof while raising funds for The Mercy Hospital Foundation and Pieta House, Mayor John Paul O’Shea’s chosen charities.
Eilish is easily recognised for her work on her Brother Brendan’s hit TV show, Mrs Brown’s Boys. Since the late nineties she has embodied the character of lovable neighbour, Winnie McGoogan and endeared herself to the nation as a bit of a national treasure. Despite the multiple recordings, stage productions, and even the filming of Mrs Brown’s Boys Da Movie, Eilish has achieved her own separate success in Snap, Sparrow’s Trap and a short film called Noreen, as well as having penned and performed her own one-woman award winning show called ‘Live Love Laugh’. Although hailing from Dublin Eilish is now settled in Castltownshend, West Cork and has become an adopted resident of Cork County, which made her a great choice for the role.
Speaking in advance of the Hooley in the Hall Eilish said “Cork has always been so welcoming to me, and so to be asked to MC this event is an honour. Immediately the country theme struck me, my inner performer can’t wait to get involved and encourage fun in aid of such worthy causes. Pieta House does marvellous work, as too does The Mercy University Hospital Foundation, so I absolutely can’t wait! My thanks to the Mayor for inviting me to be a part of the night.”
Kicking off at 7.30pm, the whole ground floor of County Hall will be themed in a country-style, with the freedom to mill about the food and drink stations, join in the dancing with a lively DJ who will take the reins from midnight. Tickets for the whole evening, including all of the above unique and memorable entertainment, are priced to please at just €40 per person.
Speaking of today’s announcement Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. John Paul O’Shea said ‘A comedienne in her own right, musician, actress and writer, Eilish O’Carroll has been a tv personality many of us turn to at the end of a long day to make us laugh. When considering who I wanted to MC the Hooley in the Hall, marking the end of my term as County Mayor, there was no doubt Eilish would be a great fit. Pieta House and the Mercy University Hospital Foundation see so much sadness and darkness; I knew Eilish would be ray of light to shine through. It is my joy and pleasure to announce today that she has accepted our invitation and will be present to entertain and guide us through the night'
Cork’s Pieta House will put all funds raised towards continuing to provide a safe place for people who are in suicidal distress and/or self-harming. ‘The Hooley is our ideal opportunity to support these two organisations in the good work they do for the people of Cork while having a great night out with our colleagues, neighbours and friends. Everyone’s welcome!’ said the Mayor.
Mayor O’Shea went on to acknowledge the continuing outstanding support of The Kingsley Hotel, part of the Fota Collection as main sponsors, stating: ‘The team at The Fota Collection have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to this and several other worthy causes in Cork and County since their arrival in the region and they are to be congratulated on their willingness to row in behind good causes with such graciousness’.
You can purchase your tickets for the Hooley in the Hall at reception in The County Hall, at any of the Council’s eight Municipal District Offices or through the Mercy University Hospital Foundation website www.mercyfundraising.ie/hooley-in-the-hall. You may also e-mail mayorshooley@corkcoco.ie or call Edel (Howard) Bodie on (021) 4285367 for tickets. Group bookings most welcome.
Tickets are also available countywide in the Cork County Council Municipal offices in West Cork (028-21299), Bandon/ Kinsale (021-4772154), East Cork (021- 4631580), Ballincollig/Carrigaline (021-4285352), Cobh (021-4811307), Fermoy (025-31155), Blarney/ Macroom (026-41545), Kanturk/Mallow (022-21123)
A special overnight rate for the night of the Hooley is available at The Kingsley Hotel (just across the road from County Hall) - €145 based on 2 sharing, including breakfast. Bookings to: www.thekingsley.ie – special event packages, or call 021 4800500.
Press release