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Cregganwood: Hollywood movies Creggan style!

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On Friday 21st November over 500 people gathered in the Tullyglass to be royally entertained by Cregganwood, a major community event and fundraiser organised by Kickhams GAC Creggan.

It all began in March when the club linked up with Kevin Rowe Entertainment agency to host an information night on running a movie fundraiser.  Kevin and his team promised us that we would go on a journey that would bring people together, create life long memories and raise significant funds for the club – and how right he was!

Best actress on the night and award winner Sile Murray, for her role in Derry Girls
The Father Ted movie cast
The Bridesmaids movie cast
The Snapper movie cast celebrate on stage after they pick up the people’s choice award (the big one) after receiving the most votes from the crowd on the night in Tullyglass
Murtagh McKeague raises his Best Actor award after he played Forest Gump to perfection as part of the Cregganwood event at Tullyglass on Friday
Conor McCann, Shauna McCann, Medb O’Dolan, Aidan McKeown, Matthew Nelson and Amy Nelson stand for a group photo after the awards and movie premieres finish
Caron O’Boyle (right) wins best supporting actress at Cregganwood on Friday evening for her performance as Melissa McCarthy from Bridesmaids and is presented the award from Oonagh Heatley (left) of Kearney’s Costcutters in Randalstown
The Calendar Girls cast celebrate on stage after winning the Best Set award at Tullyglass Hotel
Benny Maguire from the Full Monty cast received the Best Comedic Moment award from Jake McAteer

Over the following 6 months the cast of 80 volunteers committed to both taking part in the movies and to raise funds for the club, and how they stepped up to the mark!  From bake sales to car washes, Hyrox events to steps challenges, raffles to family bingo nights – they showed amazing commitment and creativity, and their efforts were rewarded as they raised over £85,000 to help with the club’s development and they would like to place on record their appreciation to the local community and sponsors for their incredible generosity.

But that’s only half the story.  The real magic was how they sourced locations, costumes and extras to put on 7 movies – Calendar Girls, the Snapper, Fr Ted, Derry Girls, Bridesmaids, Forest Gump and for one night only – The Full Monty!

Throughout the rehearsals they had serious craic and their efforts were rewarded when the huge crowd turned up to watch the movies.  The cast members turned up in limos, were first treated to a reception in “The Green Room” and got the full red-carpet treatment!   The style on show rivalled anything seen at the Oscars, as did the partying!

The audience erupted in applause as the Rising Stars award winners Paddy Maguire and Thomas Murray took centre stage.
A proud family moment as cast members Ann and Sam Maguire are joined by loved ones for a photo during the premiere night.
The McKeown family with Fr Dougal (Aidan McKeown) from the Fr Ted cast
Smiles all round as guests enjoyed the biggest community night of the year.
Bronagh O’Connell enjoying the fun and a playful message from the Calendar Girls cast
A packed Tullyglass crowd bringing the full Cregganwood red-carpet energy to the night. The atmosphere was electric as family, friends and neighbours backed their chosen cast on the big screen.
Members of the Snapper cast (Olcan and Colm) bringing the laughs and lifting the atmosphere as they rallied support on premiere night.

Then the lights went down, the screen flickered into life and for the next 2 hours what can only be described as joyous pride filled the room at the magical movies the cast had produced.  


The atmosphere was electric as family, friends and neighbours backed their chosen cast on the big screen.

Cregganwood! A magical journey that created lifelong memories and forged new and refreshed bonds in the Creggan community. 

What a night!

Award winners:

To see all of Conor’s pictures from the evening, click the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/rD4Xaojn3MXfNj/?invite=cc16ea7b-b211-47ce-bcd9-a8b46a4e959f

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