Compere, Dan Kearney pictured with contestants, Elaine Doody and Pa White before the Strictly Come Dancing competition at the River Island Hotel on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Ready for the floor: Comperes, Andrew Morrissey (left) and Dan Kearney (centre) and Karen Lynch, Castleisland Desmonds Ladies GAA Club pictured with contestants Síle Kerley and Cllr. Bobby O’Connell before the Strictly Come Dancing competition at the River Island Hotel on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Contestants, Peter Browne and Norielle O’Leary watching rival couple, Ellen Lynch and Michael Healy Rae, TD getting in a bit of last minute practise before the Strictly Come Dancing competition at the River Island Hotel on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Contestants, Ellen Lynch and Michael Healy Rae, TD with Castleisland Desmonds Ladies Club members: Karen Lynch (left) and Aileen Lynch before the Strictly Come Dancing competition at the River Island Hotel on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Contestants, Catheriona Daly (left) and Dan Lyons with compere, Andrew Morrissey and Aileen Lynch, Castleisland Desmonds Ladies GAA Club before the Strictly Come Dancing competition at the River Island Hotel on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Winning dancers, Paddy White and Nora Fealey pictured with event comperes, Dan Kearney (left) and Andrew Morrissey, Radio Kerry at the Strictly Come Dancing extravaganza at the River Island Hotel on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Contestant, Dan Lyons pictured with members of his fan club from left: Ellen Sheehan, Anna Lynch with sisters: Moya, Alex and Áine Sheehan as they waited for the start of the Strictly Come Dancing competition at the River Island Hotel on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Pádraig Murphy and Maira Moriarty waiting for the call to perform before the Strictly Come Dancing competition at the River Island Hotel on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Margo Kenny (left) pictured with Noreen O’Sullivan and Joan Walsh on their way to the Strictly Come Dancing extravaganza at the River Island Hotel on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Contestants: Síle Kerley (left) and Catheriona Daly (right) pictured with dance teacher, Linda Flanagan and Lauren Hickey at the Strictly Come Dancing night at the River Island Hotel on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
The judging panel was made up of: Mary Philpott, dance teacher; Mayor of Kerry Cllr. John Brassil; Donal Barry, Sliabh Luachra Outlook editor and 2015 Kerry Rose, Julette Culloty at the Strictly Come Dancing competition at the River Island Hotel on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
At the River Island Hotel, from shortly after 7-30pm on Friday night, it was a case of standing room only as raging hot favorites, Nora Fealey and Paddy White waltzed away with the most talked about dancing title since the demise of the Fleadh Cheoil here in Castleisland.
The Strictly Come Dancing idea is one that worked wonderfully well and jointly for Muire Gan Smal Presentation Primary School and Castleisland Desmonds Ladies GAA Club. It has stuck itself to the must do-it-again wall and its outright success stands as a great credit to those who adapted it for a local audience.
The idea may be an import but the adaptation was wonderfully local. Played out with great gusto and no little skill it was local to the point that the Tops-of-the-Town ran right through my head as I watched the carry-on of the contestants ‘backstage’ and their capers on the floor.
And, apparently, I’m not the only one. Is it possible that the great old fundraiser could be dusted off and presented to a whole new generation of hill and valley dwellers for our entertainment here next winter ?
There is immense talent here and around the rim of the valley. It could be done. There are so many stories about the heyday of ‘The Tops’ and some can be told in an open forum. One that tops for quick wit and thinking-on-your-feet must go to the late College Road resident, Mickey Donovan.
Tomo Burke is the author of the tale: Mickey was immersed in a song of many verses on stage one night and, most unlike him, he slipped up two from home. Nobody copped it when Mickey presumptuously announced: There’s several more verses to that and if ye want to hear them ye’ll have to come back here the next night.”
Mickey’s announcement brought down the house. The audience thought it was part of the act and the brazen presumption that his group would get through to the following week’s round became the object of their laughter and reaction. Mickey took several bows that night and the secret was his.
