Coláiste Ailigh celebrated in style on Saturday night as they presented their Strictly Come Dancing to a packed house.
Almost 600 people enjoyed the evening of dancing, glitz and glamour in the Mount Errigal Hotel. The event was organised to fundraise for the school, and was a dazzling success.
Ten couples had been rehearsing since January under the direction of Sheila Conway and Oliver Wilson. The couples were comprised of staff, parents, past students and friends of the school and at 8pm, they took to the dancefloor to compete for the two titles on offer.
The standard of dancing was high, with many jawdropping moves and intricate lifts performed.
Past student Jessica Harkin and partner Keelan O’Donnell won the judges’ award, with a full score of 40, for their energetic and charismatic routine.
The crowd crowned the school’s much loved teachers, Mademoiselle Céline Gallagher and John Bosco Gallagher, as the public’s champions, for their beautifully choreographed and perfectly executed ABBA number.
Adjudicators on the night were past student and Irish dancer Aoife Ní Loinsigh, GAA star Brendan Devenney, Choreographer and Teacher Maria Rushe, and the school Principal Michael Ó Giobúin.
The event was hosted and produced by Lee Gooch, with past student Caoimhe Ní Chatháil joining him to ensure that both English and Irish were celebrated together. Another past student and TG4 star, Michael Ó Ciarraigh, was unable to be there, but sent a fun video message to his old teachers and the dancers.
Speaking at the end of the event, the proud Príomhoide thanked the staff, students and parents of the school for their support and for making the occasion so memorable.
