Fashion at the Castle raises €26,000

A FASHION show in the county proved hugely successful earlier this year, raising more than €26,000 for a school in Quin.

Following the success of the event, the special needs playground planned for Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire is now just a thaw away. As soon as the ground has softened and the country returns to more temperate weather, the playground will begin to take shape.
Plans have been drawn up, providers selected, play structures chosen and funds raised. Much research has gone into the formation of the playground, its equipment and the kind of developmental activities it will offer to the children of Newmarket-on-Fergus.
“Members of the board of management and I have travelled to playgrounds locally and those in neighbouring counties to see what works and what we can do better. There’s no substitute for seeing equipment in place and in action. We are delighted that our plans are shortly to become reality. Finally, the children of Newmarket-on-Fergus with fine and gross motor skills challenges will get the opportunity to develop to their full potential, as is their right,” said jubilant principal Ann McMahon.
The playground will initially feature several pieces of equipment installed over a soft-pour surface and a track for tricycles around its perimeter. Other sensory equipment will be added in time.
The playground will be complete early next year, thanks in the main to the success of Fashion at the Castle, a fashion show held in Dromoland Castle Hotel at the end of September and organised by the Fashion Show Committee of Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire’s Parents’ Council. Proceeds from the show hit a staggering €26,000, all of which goes towards the funding of the playground.
As she presented the cheque to Ms McMahon, Jean Maguire, co-ordinator of Fashion at the Castle, again expressed the school’s gratitude to the community, local businesses and all those who attended the fashion show, without whom the playground would feature only on a wish list.