15th February 2020: More than 430 guests gathered at the inaugural Catherine Lawlor School of Art Valentine Ball and Art Exhibition supporting the Marie Keating Foundation at the Ballsbridge Hotel.
Artists, supporters and ambassadors came together to enjoy a night of glamour and art to help the Marie Keating Foundation’s vital cancer support services. The art exhibition kicked off at 10am on Saturday 15th and was a wonderful start to a very special event with the Marie Keating Foundation benefitting from both it and the ball.
Guests arrived to a prosecco reception at 7:30 , with flowers and chocolates for all the ladies, thanks to M&S. RTE Radio One DJ Shay Byrne MC’d the event. Guests enjoyed a four-course meal with wine from M&S and were entertained by Treble Force Dance Troop, ABBA tribute band Waterloo and First Class Entertainment.
On the night, successful bidders were delighted to bring home a work of art created by renowned Irish artists and Catherine Lawlor students alike, helping to support the Foundation’s cancer awareness and support services.
Linda Keating, Director of Fundraising, Marie Keating Foundation said “The Marie Keating Foundation receives very little government funding and as a result, we rely heavily on the generosity of people like Catherine Lawlor to keep our awareness and support services going. Our aim is to support people at every step of their cancer journey. We also want to say a big thank you to all of our guests that came to this evening’s event. Your support means we can continue our mission of working towards a world free from the fear of cancer”.
Catherine Lawlor who organised the event said “We are delighted to be supporting the Marie Keating Foundation as our charity partner for this inaugural Catherine Lawlor Valentine Art Exhibition and Ball. Unfortunately, there is no family in Ireland who hasn’t been touched in some way by cancer so it is a cause close to all our hearts. I am so grateful to all of those who bought tickets and came to enjoy the weekend and night and to those artists and students who donated paintings, and to our committee for all their dedication in organising tonight’s event, I cannot say thank you enough.”
“I’m thrilled to be here tonight as MC of the inaugural Catherine Lawlor School of Art Valentine Ball supporting such an important cause. It is wonderful to see such a fantastic crowd come together to enjoy the beautiful art on display this evening all while supporting the vital work of the Marie Keating Foundation. It is my third year supporting an event for the Foundation and I admire greatly the tireless work they do on behalf of cancer patients and survivors around Ireland.” RTE Radio One DJ, Shay Byrne.
