It was glitzy, it was glamorous, it was entertaining and, for one family in particular, it was a particularly emotional occasion.
Pictures: Marie Carroll O’Sullivan
The annual Irish Hotels Federation Kerry branch Christmas ball was a night of great style, wonderful food and drink and marvellous company for those in attendance but it was a nostalgic night for the Randles family of the Dromhall Hotel given that it was the penultimate gathering to be held in the hotel’s popular ballroom.
It has played host to countless weddings and wakes, socials and parties, banquets and meeting for several years but, moving with the times, the family has decided to transform the space into a stylish new restaurant and additional bedrooms.
It was fitting, therefore, that the Kerry branch of the IHF chose to hold this year’s ball in the Dromhall and it was appropriate also that managing director Bernadette Randles is the current chairperson of the branch.
Her parents, Kay and the late Neil welcomed their first guests in 1964and it has been a real home away from home for visitors and locals for almost 60 years.
And what a night the Christmas ball turned out to be with Santa Claus himself and the Sam Maguire both in attendance and both in big demand for souvenir photographs.
The black tie gala commenced with a champagne, whiskey and gin reception with an engaging jazz trio before guests tucked into a sumptuous banquet that featured a starter of pork and venison terrine with roasted pistachio, star anise and cinnamon spiced plum chutney and sourdough toast followed by chicken and Cooleeney Farm brie soup or a mulled wine sorbet with apple cider gel and winter spiced syrup.
The main course choice was a fillet of Irish steak béarnaise, with oxtail bon bons, celeriac and potato mousseline and charred onion or roast fillets of sea bass with a vegetable and potato tray take, roast tomato emulsion, cherry vine tomato and olive and parmesan puree.
The dessert was a dark chocolate and raspberry tart with white chocolate, coconut and truffles, chocolate popping candy and French vanilla ice cream.
To round off the evening guests tucked into festive minced pies and the wines served on the night were Te Pa Pinot Gris 2021 from New Zealand and Chateau Pascaud Bordeaux Superior 2019 from Bordeaux.
MC for the event was hotelier Geraldine Rosney and grace before meals was offered by Bishop Ray Browne and, after dinner, the dance floor was packed all night with the Pat Fitz Band providing the entertainment.
A standing ovation was afforded on the night to local businessmen Michael O’Donoghue and Donie Ring who earlier in the day were inducted into the Order of Inisfallen.
Proceeds from a raffle on the night will go to the Kerry Mental Health Association and Kerry Mountain Rescue.
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