26th August 2015
Media Release
#MansionHouse300 #LordMayorsBall
As part of the Mansion House 300 celebrations, An tArdmhéara, Críona Ní Dhálaigh, will
host the Lord Mayor’s Charity Ball on Saturday 10th October at 7pm at the Mansion House,
Dawson Street, Dublin 2. This year’s Charity Ball is very special as it marks 300 years since
the first Ball was held in the Oak Room of the Mansion House.
The Mansion House 300 is a yearlong programme of events celebrating the Mansion House
being used as the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin. The first Charity Ball was
held on 26th December 1715 and the proceeds from it went towards the support of poor boys
at the Blue-Coat School in Blackhall Place.
The Charity Ball is sponsored by Conference & Events Venue @ the Mansion House. The
three very worthy charities benefitting from the Ball are Cancer Clinical Research Trust
(CCRT), Headway and The Rise Foundation.
Speaking about the Ball an tArdmhéara, Críona Ní Dhálaigh, said, “I am delighted to
continue the tradition of the Lord Mayor’s Ball and raise money for three great charities. I
would like to pay special thanks to our sponsors Conference & Events Venue @ the
Mansion House for their generous sponsorship which means that all monies raised on the
night will go directly to the three charities who all do such great work throughout the year.”
Agus í a labhairt mar gheall ar an Damhsa dúirt an tArdmhéara, Críona Ní Dhálaigh, “Táim
an sásta traidisiún Damhsa Carthanachta an Ardmhéara a chur chun cinn agus airgead a
shaothrú do na trí charthanacht thábhachtacha seo. Is mian liom mo bhuíochas a chur in
iúl dár n-urraitheoirí Conference & Events Venue @ the Mansion House dá n-urraíocht
fhlaithiúil a chuireann ar ár gcumas gach pingin rua a ardaítear ar an oíche a sheoladh
díreach isteach chuig na trí charthanacht seo a dhéanann obair chróga ó cheann ceann na
bliana”
The evening promises to be a night of fine food, music and fundraising and a hint of the
grandeur of years past. Tickets for the Ball are priced at €100 and can be purchased from
the Lord Mayor’s Office or at www.lordmayordublin.ie
Speaking about the sponsorship, Padraic O’Kane Managing Director of the Conference and
Events Venue at the Mansion House and FIRE Restaurant & Lounge said: “We are
honoured to be the title sponsor of the Lord Mayor's Ball for the third time. The return of such
a pinnacle event marks a very positive turn for the city and charities alike who benefit
substantially from this event. The Lord Mayor’s Ball falls on a special time of year for us as
‘the Conference and Events Venue at the Mansion House’ celebrates a decade hosting
spectacular national and international events. As our business continues to grow we are
only too happy to support such worthy causes."
ENDS
For Media Queries please contact: Dublin City Council Media Relations Office T. (01) 222
2170, M. 087 740 0277
https://twitter.com/DubCityCouncil
www.facebook.com/DublinCityCouncil
For Further Information please contact: Office of the Lord Mayor of Dublin, The Mansion
House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2. T. 01 222 6200 / E. lordmayor@dublincity.ie
Notes to the Editor
Dress code: Black Tie
Tickets cost €100, Tables of ten €1,000
Drinks Reception from 7pm
Dinner at 8pm
Entertainment – Speakeasy Swing Band and DJ Doolittle till late
History of the Lord Mayor’s Ball
The Lord Mayor’s Ball dates back to 1715 where it originally took place in the Oak Room of
the Mansion House on St. Stephen’s night (26th December) and the principal invited guests
were the city’s 24 Aldermen and their wives. Proceeds went towards the support of poor
boys at the Blue-Coat School in Blackhall Place. In 1728 the members of the lower house on
Dublin City Assembly, who were not invited to the Ball, managed to have it abolished on the
grounds that it was causing ‘great inconvenience’.
It was revived in September 1861 for the visit to Dublin of the Prince of Wales and the
venue was the Round Room at the Mansion House which had been built in 1821. Local
businesses benefitted with ‘Ball Dresses in Fancy and Light-Coloured Silks’ for sale at Mrs.
Sidford of 17 Nassau Street and ‘Fancy Tulle and Tarleton Dresses, Sylphide Wreaths and
Head-dresses; for sale with James Forrest & Sons of Grafton Street. The Ball continued to
be held most years until 1912.
The tumultuous events of 1913-1924, and the suspension of Dublin City Council from 1924
to 1930, meant that the Lord Mayor’s Ball was not held. Revived in 1946, it was held in the
Metropole Ballroom in O’Connell Street with the Lord Mayor’s Coal Fund as the beneficiary.
From 1975 to 1997 it was held in the Burlington Hotel on St. Patrick’s Day in aid of the
Central Remedial Clinic. Its latest revival was in 2013 when Lord Mayor Naoise Ó Muirí held
the Ball in aid of three charities and it has been held annually since then.
Mansion House 300
In 2015, The Mansion House celebrates 300 years as the official residence of the Lord
Mayor of Dublin. Developed by Joshua Dawson on former marshland, the Mansion House
was part of the development of Dublin extending away from the medieval city. The City
Council purchased the House on 18th May 1715 for use as the official residence of the Lord
Mayor of Dublin, a function it still performs today. It welcomes visitors from Dublin, Ireland
and overseas daily, has witnessed the formation of the new Irish State and has seen
International dignitaries, civic leaders, sporting heroes and stars of stage, screen and music
through its doors. It is also a family home with Lord Mayor’s welcoming new babies and
celebrating engagements and weddings as well as carrying on with normal family life.
Throughout 2015 a series of events have been held to mark this historic anniversary.
Conference & Events Venue @ the Mansion House
The Conference & Events Venue @ The Mansion House is located adjacent to The Mansion
House, official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin in the building that was the Lord
Mayor's Banqueting hall (previously known as the Supper Room), and the Round Room.
The Round Room was built in 1821 for the visit of King George IV and Fire's original building
was constructed at the end of the 19th Century, overlooking the Lord Mayor's Garden.
Throughout the course of the 20th century, various concrete extensions were added to the
front of the structure.
The business has gone from strength to strength and now boasts a €2 million development
project that has seen the creation of a further 30 hospitality jobs bringing the workforce to 76
full time employees. The development now offers a new Lounge facility located on the
ground floor – previously offices and storage – and a new dining area on the first floor for
semi and private dining, along with Private and Semi Private meeting rooms.
Information and Quotes from the Three Charities:
Cancer Clinical Research Trust (CCRT)
CCRT is a registered charity (CHY12210), founded by Professor John Crown, which
supports a cancer research program based throughout many leading institutions in Dublin.
The primary focus of their work is “translational research”, that is research which spans the
laboratory and the clinic. Prior to the translational era of cancer research, there was a
division between medical researchers who investigated new treatments in patients, and
cancer scientists, whose work sometimes seemed to have limited relevance to the real world
of cancer sufferers.
In the translational approach, all of the new treatments which are tested in patients are
derived from solid scientific observations which were made in the laboratory. Similarly,
information about the effects of new treatments on the patient and on their cancer is fed
back to the cancer scientists, in order to make the lab research maximally relevant to patient
care.
CCRT has a compact team of oncologists, nurses, data managers and scientists dedicated
to providing the highest level of quality services to cancer patients through continuous
research and access to cutting edge clinical trials. Website: www.ccrt.ie
Quote: “I was delighted to hear that the Lord Mayor had chosen CCRT as one of the
beneficiaries of this year’s ball. As a patient advocate for CCRT and having
significantly benefitted from one of the many clinical trials, it gives me great hope that
such a deserving charity is continuing to be supported.” Elaine Kelly, Patient
Advocate, CCRT.
Headway
Celebrated for their unique, multidisciplinary approach, Headway acts as a lifeline to people
living with the long-term effects of Acquired Brain Injury (A.B.I.). A brain injury can be
aquired after a stroke, a brain hemorrhage, an infection, a tumour, or a fall or other
accident. Headway’s specialist rehabilitation staff work in a multidisciplinary manner to
deliver person-centred services to help to rebuild skills and confidence, helping survivors,
and their families, to get the most out of life after their injury.
Founded in 1985, Headway services include; Information and Support, Day Rehabilitative
Services, Rehabilitative Training Service, Psychological Services, Community Re-Integration
Service and Supported Employment. As an organisation Headway prides itself on the quality
of its services and is internationally accredited through the Commission of Rehabilitation
Facilities for both Home and Community and Vocational Programs (Brain Injury Speciality).
Such accreditation ensures that both the business function and service delivery within
Headway is of the highest standards. To find out more go to www.headway.ie.
Quote from Headway - “ We are deeply honoured to be part of the 300th anniversary
celebrations of the Mansion House and are delighted to be selected as one of the
beneficiaries of the Lord Mayor’s Ball . Headway is a lifeline to people with brain
injury after concussions, accidents, falls and strokes. Every day our team of specialist
rehabilitation staff help people to rebuild their skills and their confidence so that they
get the most out of their lives after brain injury. Despite our critical role in peoples’
lives, our services have been under pressure. The funds raised at this event will
provide much needed support for our clients and their carers, said Kieran Loughran,
Chief Executive of Headway
The RISE Foundation
The RISE Foundation is a registered charity established by Frances Black in 2009 to support
families who are concerned about a loved one’s addiction to alcohol, drugs or gambling.
RISE is one of the few organisations that provide therapeutic services solely for family members
and not the person in addiction. The Foundation provide a safe space for families to come
together and get support, information, education, therapy and counselling, they work from an
evidence based approach and employ experienced and accredited addiction counsellors. The
services provided by RISE facilitates and supports family members to free themselves from the
stress, anxiety and worry of addiction and to understand the nature of addiction and the profound
effects it has on relationships and family dynamics. It is recognised that the experience of family
living is the single greatest influence on an individual’s life and the family unit is a fundamental
building block of society.
The Rise Foundation know from their work that one of the biggest challenges to family recovery
is the belief that everything will be ok if they can just 'fix' the loved one who is living with
addiction. In their work they see how the strain of addiction on families leads to shame,
depression, anxiety, mistrust, guilt and an overwhelming sense of powerlessness. Because
addiction hurts the whole family, it is absolutely essential to work with the family so they can heal
and find their own path to recovery. RISE works with and supports a diverse range of families.
The RISE Foundation provides a ten-week family programme in Dublin City, Swords, Kilkenny,
and Portlaoise. They also provide a one to one counselling service in Dublin City, Kilkenny and
Carlow. A continuing care programme is provided to people who have completed the 10-week
family programme.
Quote from The Rise Foundation – “It is a privilege for The RISE Foundation to be one of
the chosen charities for the Lord Mayor’s ball this year. It means so much to us as we are
a small charity with very little resources. It is a real honour that the work that we do here
at RISE has been recognised by the Lord Mayor, but it means even more to the families
that we are work with. We would like to say a huge thank you to The Lord Mayor of Dublin
Críona Ní Dhálaigh for choosing us and we are all really looking forward to the event” said
Frances Black, CEO The Rise Foundation.