Friday night (5th Sept 2014) saw a great start to a weekend of celebrations with a massive turn out for the fundraising table quiz for the soccer club, a total of 17 tables took part in the quiz, so thanks to all for supporting. Thanks to Garbally native PJ Ruane for his questions and a big thank you to Kevin Devally who kindly took on the role of quiz master for the night, Ross Sullivan who updated the electronic score board, and the back room team who helped with the collecting and correcting of questions. This was a closely contested quiz with the winners: Tiaquin Dough, team members comprised of Elaine, Ceire and Shonagh Burke and Sean Pompert. There was a tie for second place between Mahon’s Minions, a family team comprising of Susan and Noel Mahon, Newcastle and their two daughters Cassie and Elora and K.N.C.G. United comprising of Niamh and Kieran O’ Connor, Ger Ward and Canice Feeley, with a tie breakers round having to separate these two teams. – it went down to the wire with K.N.C.G. United shaving it by a point. A big thank you to Frank, Bernie and family who kindly sponsored the prizes for the quiz. Second prizes were kindly sponsored by local businessman Hatman of Ireland, Gerry and Marguerite Moran. All funds raised on the night will be used for further development of facilities at the club.
On the night, the soccer club presented an Oak Bench, hand crafted from timber originating from woodlands at Esker Monastery, kiln dried and beautifully crafted by Daniel Gill from Athenry, to the Burke family as a token of their appreciation for all that they have done for the soccer club down through the years and to mark the momentous occasion of the business being in the Burke family for the last 125 years. Over the weekend this bench found a temporary or maybe permanent home in the shop and was well used.
Saturday saw the local golfing society take to the greens of Cregmore where locals and guests battled it out to see who would win the coveted cup. Local man Pairic O’Connor was the overall winner and on Saturday night he was presented with his prizes and perpetual cup. This golf outing was kindly sponsored by the Burke Family. While some were keeping an eye on what Rory was doing at the BMW Championship in Denver, with all the celebrating that was going on one would nearly think that the FedEx Cup and the $10 million jackpot had found its way to Colemanstown!!! The Golfing Society made a presentation of a Galway Crystal Vase to the Burke family again acknowledging the contribution the Burkes have made to the Golf Society since its establishment and to mark the occasion of the 125 years celebration. Mary Broderick presented Bernie Burke with a bouquet of flowers to mark the contributions the Burke family had made to local community events.
Burke’s Bar had undergone a complete metamorphosis for the weekend, luxury garden furniture, garden benches and rattan furniture were assembled for a night of alfresco dining, while the Indian Summer and the fab outdoor peat heaters kept all warm, while being entertained by The Kings Of Connaught. Later DJ Martin kept the crowd bopping until the wee hours, while the garden was a hive of activity with different inflatable entertainment for young and old.
Sunday dawned bright and early for the Burke family as this was All Ireland Sunday and thankfully for all the locals Galway were not contesting this final so there was no dashing to Croke Park. A nice crowd had gathered to watch the match and by the time the full time whistle had blown the external seating area had filled as Tipperary Band, Simon Ryan and Mike Dalton took to the stage to entertain the crowd while all gathered enjoyed more fine dining with a BBQ. There were lots to keep the crowds entertained during the day with a threshing display by local men, horse and cart rides and a bouncy castle for the children.
A big thank you to Frank, Bernie, Catherine, Patricia, Tomas and Roisin Burke and all the extended family for this fabulous weekend of entertainment and congratulations to them all on their 125 year celebration. Any further updates regarding this event can be seen on Burke’s Bar Facebook Page.