Excitement is mounting for Strictly Clon's grande finale

THE excitement is mounting in Clonakilty as the final of this year’s ‘Strictly’ approaches.

The last six couples were chosen at the weekend, in time for this Saturday night’s final, which will feature a total of 12 couples, competing for the Strictly Clon Dancing 2016 title.

The final will take place on Saturday night (19th) at Dunmore House, when the dancers line out to be judged by a panel including The Southern Star’s Kieran O’Mahony.

‘We were all a bit worried when we began to organise this year’s competition that the bar had been set very high by last year’s finalists, but even after the first night, we realised that the dancers had all surpassed our expectations. It will make for a very exciting final this weekend,’ said organiser Helen Houlihan.

The competition is a major fundraiser for Clonakilty’s GAA and rugby clubs, and was launched this year on September 24th, with a huge crowd packed into the Ahamilla clubhouse to see the 50 dancers being put through their paces.

Among the prizes for the winning couple will be a night’s B&B plus dinner for two (for each member of the couple) at the 5-star Muckross Park Hotel & Spa in Killarney, sponsored by The Southern Star.

The hotel is home to the award-winning Spa at Muckross, and has been recognised for culinary excellence winning Best Restaurant on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way in the 2015 Gold Medal awards.