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Zara O’Dowd, Noreen Angland, ‘Bearded Man’ Gary O’Dowd and Aoife Angland at the comedy night at Il Forno on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
A NIGHT of comedy and tapas was held for charity on Thursday at a newly opened upstairs venue at Il Forno Restaurant.
It was the first time the upstairs space was used and a good crowd of people enjoyed the entertainment and great food.
Seamus Kelly was the entertaining MC for a night where people enjoyed performances from Graham Storey, Sir Stevo Timothy, Sinead Nora McGrath and more, while enjoying two tapas and glass of wine/beer for €25.
It was all part of a Castlemaine man’s efforts to raise awareness of suicide and mental health issues.
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The new upstairs venue hosting the comedy night at Il Forno on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Gary O’Dowd started The Bearded Man’s Battle For Suicide Prevention earlier this year. He lost his father Maurice to suicide last year and wanted to do something positive to raise awareness.
“My aim is to promote suicide awareness as much as possible. The whole plan was to honour my father who always had some form of facial hair. When he died I said I’d grow a beard to honour him. Then I thought maybe I can do more with this and here we are tonight,” said Gary.
It’s all building up to another event in Jack Duggan’s Bar, Castlemaine on Saturday, July 16. ‘Shave or Grow’ asks the public if he should keep or shed his hairy appearance. The night will include music, DJ, spot prizes and the chance for you to nominate your friends to get waxed, it’s sure to be a good one.
Edel Hobbert of South West Counselling who run the Kerry Lifeline for Suicide Prevention was grateful to Gary for his efforts.
“We’re delighted that Gary has organised this because the funding is what matters on the ground so we can sustain and maintain our services,” said Edel on the night. Some of the proceeds also went to Console. To find out more about Gary O’Dowd’s campaign see his Facebook page here Scroll down for photos…
Tracy Smith, Carmelita Ryan and Fiona O’Connor at the comedy night at Il Forno on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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John Lynch and Brian White at the comedy night at Il Forno on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mairead McNamara and Eileen Kennedy at the comedy night at Il Forno on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Edel and Jack Hobbert at the comedy night at Il Forno on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Ann Thompson, Aileen Byrne, Claire O’Mahony, Grainne Bell and Brian Tierney at the comedy night at Il Forno on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Andy Downes and Laura O’Connell at the comedy night at Il Forno on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Sinead Nora McGrath, Stevo Timothy and Julie Johnson at the comedy night at Il Forno on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
