Laois gala charity ball raises thousands for planned Midland Hospice

The glitter and glam of the recent Killenard Gala Ball did more than raise the spirits of the supporters who ate and danced the night away, it raised a hefty sum for the planned new Midlands Hospice.

The roundy sum of €8,000 was recently presented to the Midland Hospice Fund.

It will go towards building the 16 bed hospice in Tullamore that will serve Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath, the last region in Ireland not to have a dedicated inpatient hospice for people with end stage illnesses. The region is described as "a blackspot" for hospice care, by the Irish Hospice Foundation due to the lack of a hospice building. 

The ball held last September was the sweet sixteenth annual ball that is organised by Portarlington friends Marie Corcoran, Maria Molloy and Colette Kennedy.

Special guest and supporter of the planned hospice was RTÉ journalist Claire Byrne, a Mountrath native, who was accompanied by her mother and her two sisters.

Marie told the Leinster Express what a special night it was.
“It was a great success, we had over 200 people attending. The money we raised is a little down from previous years, but that is only because the meal and wine costs had gone up, and we did not increase our ticket prices," she said.

Once again the three friends had organised a lavish night for ticketholders, in the luxurious Heritage Killenard hotel.
The night began with a red carpet, welcoming live lounge music by Joe from JL Sound, a four course meal including wine, live music by Transmitter followed by a disco.

“People were dancing in their ball gowns in the lobby, until the early hours.

“Everyone made a huge effort to bling up, especially after the pandemic, there was a great atmosphere. It gives a great boost to Portarlington boutiques, hairdressers and beauty salons too and that is so badly needed,” she said.

Marie thanks everyone who helped make it a great night once again.

“A big thanks to Claire Byrne for her wonderful support and for bringing her lovely family with her from Mountrath,” Marie said.

She also thanks Prof Humphrey O'Connor, chair of Offaly Hospice for his speech on the night that brought home the urgency and importance of building a Midlands Hospice.

“He is working so hard to get it, and we want to get it over the line too.

“It is so important. I was speaking to a nurse who visits people's homes, and often they have to go and get oxygen or other equipment, but in a hospice it is all there to hand. Many people also go home from hospices too after a respite stay, because they improve as the care is so good,” she said.

“So we have already decided that next year's ball will also be in aid of Midlands Hospice,” Marie revealed.

Laois towns to star in Operation Transformation Ad Break Challenge

WATCH: Stunning Christmas video of Rock of Dunamase made by Laois couple

She has special thanks too to oncology nurse Phyllis Howlin who drove ticket sales this year.

“She is an angel. A big thanks too to all the businesses who donated wonderful raffle prizes. And finally thanks to everybody who bought tickets for the ball,” Marie Corcoran said.

Over the past 16 balls, the trio have raised over €350,000 for various Laois charities. The next ball will be on October 14 2023.