Home News Community Moment in Time: Portlaoise ARCH millennium ball in 2000

Moment in Time: Portlaoise ARCH millennium ball in 2000

Michael Foley, Mark Shaw, Margaret Foley, Henrietta Fitzpatrick, Cllr. Joe Dunne, chairman Laois County Cuncil; Fiona Fitzpatrick, Ann Walsh and Anne Foley at the Portlaoise A.R.C.H. Club Millennium Ball in The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise. Photo: Alf Harvey.

At the turn of the Millennium, there was a particular obsession with marking the end of a century and the turn of a thousand years.

Portlaoise ARCH (Association of Recreational Clubs for the Handicapped) was no exception as they got suited and booted and put on the style at an event in the Killeshin Hotel in May 2000.

Photographer Alf Harvey was on hand to capture the impressive event.

The Army No 1 Band, under the directorship of Commdt. Joe Ryan, set the tone.

The Army Band played in the foyer during the reception and even invited some of the ARCH Club members to join them in playing some of the instruments and conducting the famous band.

The social night fittingly coincided with the night set aside for the People in Need event.

At the time ARCH held a monthly disco, catering for 80 to 90 members from all over Laois.

ARCH also organised an annual trip, with their trip the previous year to Limerick.

Those attending the event were greeted with a corsage to add to their finery.

Michael Dowling,Carol Miller, Orla McCrory, Niall Fingleton, Nicholas Rea and Mary Butler at the Portlaoise A.R.C.H. Club Millennium Ball in The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise. Photos: Alf Harvey.
Justin Keenan, Leonard McEvoy and Martina Keightley joining in with the Garda Band
Michael Foley, Mark Shaw, Margaret Foley, Henrietta Fitzpatrick, Cllr. Joe Dunne, chairman Laois County Cuncil; Fiona Fitzpatrick, Ann Walsh and Anne Foley.
John Brophy, Claire Walshe, Gary Adams, Tony Harris and Mary Morrissey
Angela Kelly, Nora Keightley, Martina Keightley, Debbie Lalor and Cllr. Joe Dunne, chairman Laois County Council.
Jim Kinsella, Brendan Sharpe, John Scully, John Kehoe and Donal Mahon.

SEE ALSO – Moment in Time: Brigidine Convent reunion in 2004