The 25th Black and White Ball went off successfully. The organisers of the Ball, Marie Byrne and Anthony Gavin, are delighted with the positive feedback which they received on the night and they have been inundated with telephone calls of thanks since the successful Ball on Friday night in the Setanta House Hotel.
The 25th Ball was organised in honour of the late Senator Kate Walsh, and it was a full house. As always, there was very strong local support from Celbridge and surrounding areas. They were joined by a large contingent of Kate’s family from Laois; members of the Seanad who served with Senator Walsh in the 22nd Oireachtas; Minister Mary Harney was represented by her husband Brian who received a very warm Celbridge welcome when he addressed the Ball on behalf of Minister Harney. Kate’s close friend Reverend Ann Wooderson, who served as rector in Celbridge and Straffan parish and her husband Michael returned to Celbridge from their new home in France to be at the event.
Mr Gavin, speaking on behalf of the organisers expressed his appreciation of the support provided by local businesses, “we wish to extend a very sincere thanks to each and every one of the local businesses who supported the Ball through providing items for the raffle and for the auction which as held on the night”. He also thanked the guests who attended the event, “without the support of our ticket sellers and our guests who turn out on the night, this event could never happen”. In the region of 10,000 guests have attended the Black and White Ball in the 25 years since the Ball was first run. “We would particularly like to express our appreciation to John Eves, Dermot Carroll and Damien Donegan for the support we received from them in preparing for the night and during the event.”
Addressing the Ball on behalf of Celbridge Community Council, Ms. Mairead Byrne thanked Anthony and Marie for taking the initiative to organise the 25th Ball, which was Kate Walsh’s dream. Ms Byrne received strong applause when she informed the function that Celbridge Community Council have requested Kildare County Council to name a road in Celbridge in honour of Senator Kate Walsh”.
As guests were leaving the Ball, pressure was already mounting on Marie and Anthony to confirm that the 26th Ball will indeed happen next year. “Between now and Christmas, there is the switching on of the Christmas lights in Celbridge, the children’s party which will be held on the 8th of December and the Senior Citizen’s Christmas Party which will be held on the 9th of December in the Setanta House Hotel. That is more than enough to keep us very busy; November 2008 is a long time away.” The Black and White Ball is an event that was run in association with the Lord Mayor of Celbridge fundraising. We will consider our position after a well earned rest over the Christmas.”