Glitz and glam as Beragh Red Knights host special event

There was glitz and glam galore at the Armagh City Hotel on Saturday as the Beragh Red Knights held a sparkling ‘Night at the OsKaRs’ ceremony to help raise money for club funds.

The extravaganza saw budding actors and actresses from the club come together to star in leading and supporting roles in seven short films which were unveiled on the night, with a special guest appearance from Drumnakilly comedian, Kevin McAleer, in what was a fresh new twist on Channel 4’s hit show, ‘Derry Girls’.

Organised by the club’s committee of 20 members, and spearheaded by Anita Porter, the night featured an exquisite a red carpet, and awards were handed out in an array of categories, including both ‘Best Actor’ and ‘Best Actress’.

All funds raised will go towards the club’s new development – a new full-size training pitch with floodlighting, changing rooms, car parking and a perimeter walkway to help cater for its growing membership – on the Radergan Road, just outside the village of Beragh.

Chairman of the club, Brian McCartan, told the UlsterHerald that the night was ‘fantastic’.

“It was a truly great evening,” he said. “A lot of work went into the proceedings; the club had been planning for it since November.

“There were upwards of 500 people in attendance, and we were more than happy with the support that we received. It was a fantastic night for all involved.”

Prior to the event, the club held a casting night where 100 plus local people came forward to be cast into seven movies, and there were four weeks of acting training which took place. Under the watchful eye of Kevin Rowe Productions, of which Conor McMahon was assistant director, the seven movies were filmed over two weekends, and featured a swathe of popular local locations, including Farley’s Bar, the Corner Bar, Heaney’s, the Glenpark Estate, Dean Maguirc School and various people’s houses.

“Beragh have purchased the field on the Radergan Road, and this event was geared towards the development of a full sized pitch,” Fionnula Horisk, Beragh Red Knights PRO, told this newspaper. “It will mean we have better opportunities for training times for our boys and girls. It’ll give us a bit of flexibility.

“Our club is growing and our youth numbers are strong, which is great to see, but we’ve outgrown our current facility and we realise the importance of building for the future.”

Beragh Red Knights have expressed thanks to everyone who got involved with the event and supported it in any way, and they have further thanked the local businesses who have sponsored the event, including neighbouring clubs, like Carrickmore and Errigal Ciaran.

Award winners

Congratulations to the following award winners on the night:

• ‘Best Film’ – ‘Derry Girls’
• ‘People’s Choice’ – ‘Peaky Blinders’
• ‘Best Actor’ – Matthew McCartan as Thomas Shelby in ‘Peaky Blinders’
• ‘⁠Best Actress’ – Louise Brannigan as Dolores Van Cartier in ‘Sister Act’
• ‘Best Supporting Actor’ – Barry McCartan as Bird in ‘The Field’
• ‘Best Supporting Actress’ – Bernie Keenan as Siobhan in ‘Love Hate’
• ‘Best Comedy Scene’ – ‘The Snapper’
• ‘Best Dramatic Scene’ – ‘Love Hate’
• ‘⁠Best Location’ – Glen Park Estate, which appeared in ‘Shawshank Redemption’
• ‘Best Costume’ – Peaky Blinders