The Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny was electric on Saturday night, as nine courageous couples took to the stage for a Strictly fundraiser that raised the roof for Cancer Care West Support Centre Donegal.
Over 500 spectators packed the ballroom for the event, organised by Gabrielle McMonagle and presented by Noel Cunningham.
The dancers had been honing their skills since September under the expert guidance of professional dancing tutor and choreographer, Marian Shiels. The audience was certainly not disappointed, between the high-kicking Can Can to the cheeky Charleston, the jives to the smooth cha chas.
At the Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
At the Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
The participating couples were: Fiona Gibbons and Liam Deeney, Catherine Doherty & Cllr. Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly, Rachel McLaughlin and Robert O’Connor, Bernie Frain and Brian McMonagle, Alice Diver and Joe Terry, Mairead McFadden and Donnan Harvey, Kelly McIntyre and Peter Socha, Aoife Toner and William Coyle, and Anna Soffe and Manus McFadden. Each couple brought flair and fun to their dances and the audience lapped up the high-energy group dances.
The judging panel, comprised of Carolynne Murray, GM & Director of the Shandon Hotel, Stephen Maguire, Director of Donegal Daily, and Kevin Dooher, the Wild Atlantic Traveller, faced the difficult task of selecting a winner. After much deliberation, the prize went to Anna Soffe and Manus McFadden for their line dance packed with toe-tapping rhythms and amazing flips.
Manus McFadden and Anna Soffe Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
The theme of the evening focused on the powerful work of Cancer Care West Support Centre Donegal. Guest speakers included breast cancer survivor Lisa Gallagher, who spoke of the immeasurable support of the centre in Letterkenny. It was also an evening to remember those who are sadly no longer with us due to cancer.
The total amount raised by Dancing With Your Local Stars will be announced in due course. Stay tuned!
Backstage at the Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
Kelly McInyre and Peter Socha Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
Mairead McFadden and Donnan Harvey at Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
Liam Deeney and Fiona Gibbons at Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
William Coyle and Aoife Toner at Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
Joe Terry and Alice Diver the Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
Bernie Frain and Brian McMonagle at Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
Catherine Doherty and Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly at Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
Catherine Doherty Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
Robert O’Connor and Rachel McLaughlin Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
At the Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
Manus McFadden and Anna Soffe Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
Judges Stephen Maguire, Carolynne Murray and Kevin Dooher at Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
At the Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
Noel Cunningham and Lisa Gallagher Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
Marian Shiels and Noel Cunningham at Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
At the Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
DJ Marty Friel Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
At the Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
MC Noel Cunningham at Gabrielle’s Diary Dancing With Your Local Stars in aid of Cancer Care West. Photo Clive Wasson
