Our monthly series of Open Mic Nights finished on a high last Friday with a great variety of talent on show featuring Actors, Buskers, Poets, Storytellers, Musicians, Singers and a 'chancy' Limericks Laughs competition. As with all these nights they would not be as successful without our talented contributors who we thank wholeheartedly. We started the evening with sketches performed by ATG members highlighting scams that Policing &Community Safety Partnership use in their public programmes in the ABC council area. Owen McCreesh (local busker and youtube sensation) then took to the stage to entertain us with his distinctive style and take on old classic hits of the 60's and 70's. Next we had the World renowned Jimmy Rafferty, poet and Bard of Armagh multiple winner, to regale us with his humorous rhyme. Jimmy was just back from winning Tralee Bard 2017 and tried out new material on our enraptured audience. Half time came quick and we hadn't even heard from our loyal monthly contributors. Thomas Healy(original poetry)Tim Hanna (rip off poem) Felim Raffferty (Christmas poem original) Dymphna Ferran
(her light hearted poem on the serious subject of Dementia ) and acknowledgement of her ??birthday from all in Abbey Lane.
Elma and Curtis duo Mandoline players, Michael Callaghan( singalong songs) Ann Gilmartin (story, A Christmas tale) and then we had a close run LIMERICK LAUGH's competition with wonderful prizes. Tim Hanna's effort was a sure winner until Sandra Armstrong, just finished writing hers and rocked the place with a five line ditty about thighs and stockings... acted out to leave nothing to doubt. We all loved it!!! and she ran off with the 1st prize appropriately a Christmas stocking. a disappointed Tim won second prize of 6 mince pies. And insult was added to injury as 3 of the pies had been eaten by 'The Woodford Wolves' at the back. Big thanks to Bridie Heaney with our tribute to Patrick Kavanagh and Oscar Wilde anniversaries. And our faithful techy moonlighting on sound and lights Aisling Kelly. NEXT OMN JANUARY 26TH 2018. Seasons greetings and continued writings for the new year.