More than €100,000 was raised last weekend at the fourth annual Monster Organic Ball in Oranmore, after a spectacular 10-hour celebration of fabulous organic food, full free bar, live music and lots of dancing.
The money will benefit Irish charity APA (AIDS Partnership with Africa ), which will have a powerful impact upon the many projects they currently run in Africa; raising the awareness of AIDS and its causes, caring for people suffering with the disease and protecting many of Africa’s 18 million orphaned children.
The organisers would like to thank their generous sponsors as well as all the guests who helped to make it such an enjoyable event.
Guests were treated to a sumptuous as-much-as-you-can-eat feast of organic food and drink, provided and catered by many of Galway’s premier gourmets, including Justin Corner, Neil McFadden, Martin Burke, Foods of Athenry, Declan Corry, Pat Shabally, Tony Fahy and Beechlawn Organic Vegetables.
The music and entertainment was enjoyed by all, and as the marquee filled and the night continued, the pace picked up. It began with traditional music from Gary Quinn, Sean de Burca and Stephen Simmonds and continued with Mick Flavin’s country and western. Sean Slattery and the Connections packed the dance floor with their energetic rock and roll, followed by the Celine Hession Dancers, and the night concluded with more music and dancing with Abba International and Oddity.
Given that the Monster Organic Ball donates 100 per cent of the ticket sale to APA, the fabulous event relies heavily on the generosity of its sponsors, who are all members of Galway’s business community.
This year’s main sponsor, C&F Tooling, has pledged to double to its donation next year.
According to MD John Flaherty, “The tremendous work that AIDS Partnership with Africa undertakes deserves to be supported and I hope that through our sponsorship… the profile of the ball can be raised to another level”.
Another sponsor of the event is the retail chain Curley’s Furniture, who, in addition to their sponsorship this year have designated APA as one of their two key charities to support in 2009.
Other sponsors include Cashla Quarries, John Nash & Associates, Newell’s Roofing, Liam Madden Nurseries, Ard Precision Engineering, Castle Ceiling and Partitions, Global Group Ireland, Pier Head and Tossie Mongan.
