Mary O’Donnell and Richard Walsh in action during the Austin Stacks ‘Strictly Come dancing in the Dome. Photo by Ryan Higgins
Our Beauty Columnist, Mary O’Donnell, took part in this year’s Austin Stacks Strictly Come Dancing in the Dome on Saturday. In her last column she tells us how it all went…
THE last three days coming up to the big night were full on.
We practised and practised till we were exhausted but we laughed our way through it. I had a costume malfunction and it was the best thing that could have happened as I laughed so much, nerves were gone and sleep came naturally for the first time in ages.
Richard’s back was still not right and the extra practice was not helping matters. Seeing everyone in full costume made it very real and everyone looked amazing.
The work each and everyone put into their dance was beyond belief.
As time went on and we got to know each other, we all wanted each other to do well and watching the other couples you could see how talented they were.
Watching the dress rehearsal was just pure entertainment. The acts were so varied and well thought out. On Saturday morning we did our group dance.
Everyone was delighted with it but I forgot it all and panic was setting in. We then did our own dance and that went all wrong too.
Continued below…
We took a break and then it was back for ‘the real McCoy’. The nerves was not something I had factored in. To get up and do something in public is always hard but when it is something new it is 10 times harder.
At 7.30, I would have gladly put on my trainers and ran a marathon over dancing for three minutes.
The group dance we were told would relax us and it did go well, the four minutes felt like seconds and the reaction was huge.
The first couple were out before we knew it. We were in a room altogether praying for our friends to nail it.
Tara and her FAS team were on hand to do make-up touch ups and they were a great bunch. We did a bit of practice in between but my head was pounding. Kerry Fleming and Niall Fitzgerald really took great care of us with panadol and back massage being offered. I took both.
We were dance No.9 and it came around so quickly, so when the music started my heart kept time to the music. We had a James Bond theme, in which we had a gun, which I dropped and it put me off. I forgot a whole section but I think we covered it well.
We danced the mambo, well Richard danced the mambo, I was a loose cannon, but we danced for three minutes and no one was killed in the process.
The relief when it was over was huge and it was party time. All 12 couples did our group proud and were sensational on the night.
So the big moment came and our winners were the gorgeous Clair McEvoy and the handsome Leon Diggins, who worked so hard for the title and were lost for words after their win. They were shocked and that made it even better, big congrats 2014 winners.
Jackie O’Mahony was our very proud Mammy and we all are in awe of this super talented lady, who laughed and cried with us and gave us the confidence to do all this and we all have a special place in our hearts for you.
A big thank you to the Austin stacks committee who treated us all like royalty and encouraged us no end. Thank you Adrienne McLoughlin for all the photos.
We all have bruises and cuts from our dancing but we had a ball and have made friends for life. Thank you for following my journey and even though no bookings have come in yet, I can dance to one song.
Last, but not least, to my dance partner, Richard Walsh, who was unlucky to get paired up with the girl who could not dance. Thank you for not ever getting cross even when you had to say “left Mary” left a billion times.
When you dance your next strictly, I promise I will be seated safely in the audience cheering you on!
