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’ 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.
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.
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.
MAIN SPONSOR:
The Fota Collection:
The Fota Collection is comprised of the luxurious five star Fota Island Resort in East Cork and the recently re-opened Kingsley in Cork city. Each hotel has its own distinct character but both deliver exceptional and memorable luxury in unique surroundings.
See more at: www.fotacollection.ie;
The Kingsley, Cork:
A member of The Fota Collection, The Kingsley is a luxury 4-star hotel with 131 guest bedrooms, in an appealing location right on the banks of the River Lee and just a short walk to the city centre.
On the south side of Cork’s iconic River Lee, many of the elegant rooms with contemporary décor have uninterrupted views of the river, and the bars and restaurants at The Kingsley also take advantage of this wonderful riverside location, with airy, light-filled spaces maximising the marvellous views. They also reference the presence and influence of the river in their names – the chic Fairbanks Restaurant, the casual dining bistro The Springboard, and the intimate and classic bar Fishers, a tribute to the hotel’s appropriate and individual little emblem.
The Kingsley has substantial and attractive conferencing facilities, an extensive Health Club with an excellent gym, a large indoor heated pool and an outdoor hydro pool overlooking the river, and a luxurious Spa that extends over 2 floors with 12 plush and cosy treatment rooms. www.thekingsley.ie
Fota Island Resort
The 5-star Fota Island Resort, Spa and Golf Course is a unique destination nestled in the heart of the wonderful Fota Island itself, just outside Cork city and within easy reach of Cork Airport and Ringaskiddy Ferry Port and major road networks for the rest of Ireland. With 123 contemporary style en-suite rooms and 8 private penthouse suites and luxury lodges on the grounds, Fota Island Resort, Spa and Golf Club is situated in a stunning green belt.
From the moment you enter the luxurious foyer and witness the exquisite décor, you will know that a combination of luxury, hospitality and sheer quality sit at the very heart of this exceptional offering. Whether its business or pleasure, conferences or weddings, you will be impressed with the professionalism, style and quality on offer at Fota Island Resort. www.fotaisland.ie;
Media Sponsor: The Irish Examiner
Charity Partners:
The main beneficiaries of the County Mayor’s Hooley in The Hall will be the Mercy Hospital Foundation and Pieta House Cork.
About Mercy Hospital Foundation
Set up in 2007 The Foundation is responsible for developing giving opportunities and encouraging charitable contributions from within the community towards the work being carried out in the Hospital. Funds raised through the Mercy Hospital Foundation are used to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, to enhance and develop services and to help Hospital staff in providing a world-class service in a world-class hospital.
The Mercy Hospital services were used by 17,234 patients from Cork County in 2015 and 17,426 in 2014.
For more information or to contact The Mercy University Hospital Foundation call (021) 427 4076 or email info@mercyfundraising.ie
Pieta House
Pieta House, Centre for Prevention of Suicide or Self-harm first opened its doors in Lucan, Co. Dublin in 2006, and its Cork Centre is based in Bishopstown. Established by Joan Freeman, who recognised the need for a suicide prevention service at the time.
Now with nine centers throughout Ireland, Pieta House provides a professional, one-to-one therapeutic service for those who are experiencing suicidal ideation or engaging in self-harm. A doctor’s referral is not required and the service is completely free of charge. Our ethos is one of care and compassion, which we provide in a non -clinical setting.
The Bishopstown Cork Centre is the busiest Centre in Ireland. Since its opening in December 2013, Pieta House Cork has supported more than 1,400 clients, 350 families, through family support sessions and has provided over 250 emergency appointments.
They receive approx. 10-15% Government funding and the remaining 85-90% from the generosity of the Irish people. They would not be able to provide our FREE life changing service without this support. Pieta House’s vision is ‘A World where Suicide, Self-harm and Stigma have been replaced by Hope, Self-Care and Acceptance’.
For more information contact 021 4341400 or email mary@pieta.ie. For any fundraising queries please contact Angela Horgan or Pat Duffy on 021 434 5976.
