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Invited to a wedding without a plus one?

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THE thud when that fat, glossy wedding invitation lands on your doormat will fill you with either dread or delight. You open it and – yup – the bride or groom has failed to include the all-important “and guest” on the allotted line.

For those who face being asked solo to these glittering affairs, the fact that the summer wedding season has drawn to a close will elicit a sigh of relief that would blow that bridal bouquet from here to Sneem.

Several years ago friends and I would swap horror stories of being invited as a lone ranger to these do’s. “Ah but the bride is only thinking of her numbers when she asked you on your own,” was one justification from a well-meaning but misguided would-be peacemaker.

We were circled at the time around a very upset pal who summed it up when she snapped back, in tears: “Feck her and feck her numbers!” Diplomacy worthy of Kofi Annan was deployed in this instance to ensure my friend could bring a plus one.

But what kind of ego does it take to feel your guest will have a good time and be comfortable asked to make smalltalk with strangers on either side of the table? She or he is in effect the odd one out at a table of four or five couples.

Or better again, what about being seated at the kiddie table as a kind of freelance, freewheeling nanny? A nanny who is paying dearly for the privilege in terms of time and effort as she vainly protects her fascinator from spills?

No matter what anyone says, unless you have been consulted as to whether you would prefer to attend on your own, it feels like a massive slap in the face to be invited to a wedding without a plus one.

People who have been on the receiving end of this faux pas tend to have a sixth sense when it comes to looking out for one another. The above tearful friend would motor to my own rescue later that same year as I attended a wedding solo. Well before the clock struck midnight, she happened to be driving by the venue and texted asking if I fancied a means of escape. High heels or no high heels, I couldn’t clamber into that getaway car fast enough.

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All eyes down as St Oliver’s hosts bumper bingo fundraiser

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night. The event, which is being held […]

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It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night.

The event, which is being held to raise additional funds for the school’s Special Classes, will take place in the Killarney Racecourse in the Celtic Steps venue.

According to Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Principal of St Oliver’s, the idea for the fundraiser was the brainchild of Denise Hendey, a parent of one of the children in the Special Classes who approached the school wanting to assist with raising much-needed funds for the classes. “She has been utterly amazing with the amount of work and organisation she has put into this event, sourcing an incredible number of fantastic prizes for the raffle and spot prizes for the bingo winners” he said.
Continuing he said “We are so appreciative of the incredible support we have received from all the businesses who have sponsored some amazing prizes and made very generous donations in support of the event.”

St. Oliver’s has eight separate Special Classes, home to 62 children. All monies raised on the night will go towards purchasing additional resources for the classes.

The event will commence at 7pm with doors opening at 6pm. So be sure to come along to what is promised to be a fun-filled night with numerous opportunities to win some amazing prizes and hopefully if there is a ‘knock on the door’ or a ‘bang on the drum’ it will be on your bingo card!

Bingo books (€10) and raffle tickets (€5) are available to buy from the school office and will be available on the night. All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Milltown plan to preserve history in community project 

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The Milltown History and Heritage Society has announced plans for an oral history archive for the community.

It is hoped that the collection and preservation of stories and folklore will be a valuable resource for future generations.

Oral history expert and historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara will speak in Milltown in support of the launch.

Dr Mac Conmara, who is an award-winning oral historian, lecturer and author, will speak at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown at 8pm on Friday, October 24 and will introduce the fundamentals for the collection of oral history.

The presentation is free of charge and is supported by funding from the Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2025.

Attendees will be introduced to the practical skills required in interviewing, recording and documenting local heritage.

Stewart Stephans of the Milltown History and Heritage Society said they are excited to have Tomás to set them on the right path towards the development of the archive.

He said: “The collection and retention of oral history needs to be approached properly, drawing on the right advice and maintaining high standards, so we are pleased to be getting the input of such a renowned expert.” The event is open to anyone who would like to attend.

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