High jinks and jiving for Fealeside Strictly Come Dancing

KERRY TD Michael Healy Rae knows more than a thing or two about votes and getting a lot of them.

So he will be in good company on Sunday week, when he leaves the Kingdom to travel to the Devon Inn Hotel, where votes will be crucial for those taking part in Fealeside Strictly Come Dancing.

Deputy Healy Rae will be the chief judge in the competition, which ultimately is all about securing the maximum number of votes and, in doing so, raising money for Abbeyfeale Town Park, Tidy Towns and the Christmas Lights.  The more votes they bring in the better chance they have of being crowned King and Queen of the dancefloor.

The dancing of course will matter too, the organisers promise. “Performances will be sensual, flamboyant, even outrageous, and that’s only from our celebrity judges,” they say.

But in any event, a lot of fun is promised following weeks of secrecy.  Rehearsals have been taking place in a secret location on the outskirts of Abbeyfeale for some time involving  local personalities from Abbeyfeale and all the outlying districts. But on Sunday, May 8 all will finallly be revealed when the dancers take to the floor “hoping to give a performance that would impress even the late Patrick Swayze of Dirty Dancing fame.” .

“This night will be nothing like you’ve ever experienced before and definitely nothing like what went on in Tom Tobin’s all those years ago,” the organisers promise.

The idea for a Fealeside Strictly came from local hairdressing salon owner  Betty O’Donoghue Kelly who asked a bunch of other local business women to join her:  Esther McElligott, Angela O’Rourke, Bridget Lee,  Joan O’Donnell Collins and Marie McElligott.

Participants are busy securing votes, at €2 each or three for €5, for their voting cards and tickets are also selling well for the show itself.

Tickets cost €20 and are available at Leen’s, Esther’s, Betty’s Hair Salon, Heavenly Gifts, Moss Harnett, Eurosaver, The Good Hair Company and Cryle View Dry Cleaners.  

Doors open at 6.30pm in the Devon Inn on May 8 and the show starts at 7.30pm.