Hollywood red carpet comes to Longford as Grattan Óg GAA club hosts The OsKaRs

Anyone on Main Street Longford on Saturday night would have been forgiven for thinking they were outside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

The OsKaRs was the culmination of months of preparation. The seven short movies featuring local people were screened in a gala event.

Addressing those in attendance Tommy Hawes, Chairman of Grattan Óg GAA, spoke of the importance of the fundraiser: “Having set out in 2019 to raise funds for a new development, including two new dressing rooms, we always knew we would have to revisit a fundraiser. This was necessary to reduce our loan on the development.

“It's a hive of activity since it was opened in 2022 by the great Brendan Lennon. Since then we have won The Junior Championship in 2022, The Ladies Intermediate Championship 2022 and not forgetting the U12,U13 and U14 championships at underage level.”

Tommy said the OsKaRs was a brilliant way to raise funds, but also has a benefit in building community spirit: “Grattan Óg have been in existence for over 40 years and there has been significant growth in their ladies club which started six years ago.

PICTURES | A glitzy affair in Longford Arms Hotel as Grattan Óg GAA presents A Night at the OsKaRs gala

"A vital aspect of the fundraiser is to create proper facilities for the ladies club. Grattan Óg provides an important service to the youth of the area and we want to continue to grow. The funds raised will be used to build new ladies dressing rooms, gym and meeting room.”

Tommy acknowledged the support by members past and present: “When we held the first OsKaRs in 2019 little did we know what the next few years would bring. We especially want to acknowledge those who are not with us since the last event. In particular we fondly remember Brendan Lennon and John Moran.”

“This night is not only about the OsKaRs. It belongs also to our actors and actresses, both local and from afar, who gave up their time so generously since January. Without them we wouldn't be here tonight and the seven films on show showcase their great work.”

The Grattan Og Chairman spoke of the important relationship between the club, the community and the businesses who support them: “Can I ask everyone here to support all the local businesses who have supported us, they also need our support to survive.”

Tommy concluded by thanking those who worked behind the scenes to bring the night together: “An event like this takes a lot of organising and I would like to thank our committee who met every week for the last two months. These meetings played a huge part in this evening's event. Lots of ideas were shared and discussed and a great will to succeed was ever present. I want to thank them all for their work and support in getting us to this moment.”

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Grattan Óg vice chairman, Eamonn Brennan, spoke to the Leader of his pride in the support the community showed in getting behind the OsKaRs fundraiser: “I came to Stonerark NS in 1981, that's 42 years ago. You don't pick your club, you are given it, and I'm glad I was given Grattans. Ballymacormack Grattans is not a parish, it's a half parish, just a few bends in the road, but what the community have done to developer the club is phenomenal.”

Eamonn referenced that community support for Saturday's event: “15 years ago we raised over half a million euros by raffling a house and a car. We have done the OsKaRs twice, we expanded our pitch, upgraded our facilities and contributed to the new school. We owe a huge debt to all the actors. Each actor had to raise €600 not only did they do that, but many raised far more. Special thanks to the actor from outside the area who took part.”

The Grattan Óg vice chair thanked those working behind the scenes: “I would like to express our appreciation to Kevin Rowe Events and his outstanding team. His extraordinary high standard, particularly with his director Tom Dempsey, got the best out of us all.”

Eamonn said the support for the club is vital: “As well as being a fun night and an entertaining night there was a serious side to it. We built a clubhouse three years ago. It cost around €280,000. It was financed by the OsKaRs, Lotto and a bank loan. The profits from last night go a long way to clearing that debt. There were a lot of people who took out ads in the programmes, there were also people who bought tickets, even though they were unable to attend.”

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He thanked the businesses who supported them: “Our main sponsors were Mick Maguire Construction Stonepark, Longford Fireplaces with the Nerney Family, local accountancy firm Grant Thornton, Kenagh Craft Metal, Value Centre in Mullingar, Elite Energies, Glancy Enviro and the charity Self Help Africa. “We are also indebted to Matt O'Brien fashion and Orlagh and the staff of the Longford Arms for ensuring the event was a wonderful success.”

Eamonn was delighted with the success of the night: “It was a very enjoyable night from the beginning to the end. There was great excitement. The awards are not the most important part of it, but there was real tension. There were around 600 guests at the event, and everyone seemed to enjoy it.”