Dancing frenzy taking hold in Bantry

THE competition is heating up in Bantry, as Strictly Come Dancing contestants take to the dance floor this March with proceeds going to St Finbarr’s Boys' National School.  

With just one week to the first show, two semi-finals take place on Friday March 9th and Saturday 10th and will be judged by local dance teachers Theresa O’Donoghue and Josie Mc Auliffe, alongside Independent TD Michael Collins and the current Miss Bantry, Katie Murphy.  

Judge’s comments and advice at the semi finals will prepare dance couples to do battle for the title of Strictly Winners 2018 on March 18th.  

The line-up of judges for the Grand Final includes Kerry GAA legend and winner of RTÉ’s Dancing with the Stars 2017, Aidan O’Mahony.  

Second judge Colum McGrath wakes up the rebel county each weekday morning with his breakfast show on C103 Cork. He will be joined by Eilish O’ Carroll, aka ‘Winnie’ from the Mrs Brown’s Boys. 

Local duo Richard Harrington and Gearoid O’Leary, both well used to entertaining audiences in West Cork,  will present the events at The Westlodge Hotel.

Event co-ordinator Sandra Maybury of PLAN-tastic Events thanked the group of dancers and their dance instructor, Michelle Naughton, ‘Demand for tickets has surpassed our expectations,’ she said, ‘and ticket holders will not be disappointed as the standard of dancing is mind-blowing. Strictly fever is infectious and the entire wider Bantry community have come together to make this an amazing event.’

Audience members can support their favourite dancers by buying votes. The dance couples with the most votes, combined with the judges’ scores, will advance to the grand final.

Brian Gleeson, principal at St Finbarr’s Boys NS said: ‘The excitement and demand for tickets resembles All-Ireland Final 2010 when past pupil Graham Canty lifted The Sam Maguire!’