Take a trip round the Tables!

St Brigid’s Guest Tea Overwhelming Success –
The first Guest Tea ever held in St Bride’s Hall was an outstanding success for St Brigid’s GAC raising much needed contributions towards the funds needed to nurture and develop our club.
The creativity and initiative of our hostesses was clear to see, with the magnificently decorated tables and fabulous menus the reason why our guests responded so generously with their donations.
James McGinn, was a superb MC who was able to give an informed commentary on all the tables where the John Roca Thumb print (Dromore’s finest!), Wedgewood Best (every day usage in Kircubbin), Thai Tanic (Kilrea people love their Thai food) themes highlighted mouth watering menus. He even talked about the “Pink and Barbie link to Gay Pride” (not a normal event for Derrygonnelly men in the 70’s). Moving round the hall his eye was drawn to the Royal Tea (he thought the Deputy First Minister was due anytime!). Next up there was no host never mind a theme! (No panic he arrived back from Derrynoose very soon with a fine curry for all to admire and envy with those wild spice aromas from the Lough Shore!)
After all, this was just an Olym pic-Nic in the hall and James was glad to be reacquainted with his youthful school friend and athlete from Killyclogher.
Concentric circles and co-ordinated colours from the joint husband and wife team from the Derryvolgie “Naomh Brid Abu” table allowed the modest host (husband) tell us how he could accept all the credit having done none of the work. Magic! This linked James’ interest in fashion and ladies handbags as he move to the strongest hetrosexual male in the room. Rare beef and beautiful lace tablecloths (with matching fancy things with candles in them) had the host so full of pride he jumped onto the chair to show off his belt and fancy shoes! (No smart comment about the shirt from Bogart that looked like a bedspread and was the exact same as Leo McGurk’s!)
The European theme at the second largest themed table was a thrill with food from all parts! Not sure which of the males had the Ronaldo looks but a welcome for our guests who have travelled a long way (all the way from Bredagh!)
The Saffron’s table was splendid ( well except for the clash with Gerry’s shirt!) no doubt the food was as good as at the big long table! All guests were on their best behaviour as they were no doubt going to Ruislip the next morning!
Then we went South of The Border down Mexico way! You could get everything at this table, hot, spicy and no doubt full duty paid! The sun breros and cactus plants set them apart but the dancing was the real winner later on.
But surely the coup de grace was “the hole in one table”! The flower golf ball, the cup holes, the Spanish written menus, personalised golf programmes from Royal Portrush and the balls and tees (you put them there when driving!) made this one stand out. Show-off agronomist! (even though his wife did all the work, concentric circles!) Not sure who translated for the Donagheadie man but hopefully nobody ended up feelng Rough.
After all of the commentary, how could anyone complain with the winner of best table? More friends than anyone, a meal that came in its own box, caramelised deserts and a cup cake in a Naomh Brid bosca “failte chun Tae Aoi Naomh Brid”. With more friends than anyone (or friends who won’t cook) well done Una McCarney.
A big thank you to St Bride’s Hall staff and our host families McGarvey, Dunford, Morrissey, McKernan, Heaney/Finnegan, McCann, Leonard/Cassidy, Lennon, Murphy/ Marken, McKeogh/McKeever/Montague, McCarney, McGurk, Blaney, Lundy/Cummins and Campbell