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Irish Night a huge success

Posted on Mar 01, 2010

A sell-out crowd of more than 500, including Robert O’Keefe, 2010 Grand Marshall of the Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day Parade, helped celebrate Irish Night at Lauralton Hall on February 27. The sounds of thundering bagpipes and drums filled the gym as the Fairfield Gaelic Pipe Band marched in, signifying the start of this spectacular event. Guests rose to their feet to applaud the award-winning band, the beginning of an evening filled with many ovations. Celtic Music Master and Lauralton faculty member Damien Connolly and his band TRAD roused the crowd with foot stomping traditional Irish music. By popular demand, the trio played additional tunes before leaving for another gig. Patty K. Lenihan, owner of Lenihan School of Irish Dance, Monroe, presented a skilled & flawless show of world champion Irish Step Dancers performing in full costumes of traditional and contemporary design. The dancers were unable to perform in hard shoe in fear of marring the gym floor; however, Ms. Lenihan urged the crowd to stomp and clap along with the dancers. 

Irish entertainment continued throughout the night. Drawing from the diverse New York metro music scene, the Highland Rovers Band thrilled the crowd with traditional Irish favorites as well as the contemporary sound for which they have become known. The record crowd of parents, alum parents, alumnae, faculty, staff and friends was wowed by the band’s performance and sang along with many of the songs. The Fairfield Gaelic Pipe Band returned for another set, beginning with an incredible drum solo followed by the entire pipe band joining in for the encore. Clearly excited about this event, guests danced well into the wee hours.

A table decorations contest enhanced the festivities this year and the competition was fierce! The first place winner was Amy Mitchell Fedigan, ’95 and her party of friends who constructed Finian’s Rainbow, complete with blinking lights and an array of balloons. Amy received a trophy and her name will be inscribed on a perpetual trophy to be used throughout the years of this event.

Rounding out the evening were homemade desserts contributed by members of the Alumnae Executive Board, as well as a “Luck of the Irish” raffle, with proceeds benefiting the Alumnae Scholarship awarded to current Lauralton students in need of financial aid.

Plans are underway for Irish Night 2011 which has been scheduled for February 26, 2011. Save the date and reserve early as reservations will be on a “first come, first served” basis. Watch the school website for details and reservation information for this not-to-be-missed event or contact Kathleen Kearns Donahue, ’80 at kdonahue@lauraltonhall.org or 203-877-2786, ext.114.  
 



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