ILoveLimerick.com Video of Official Opening of Pieta House Mid-West

Hi Everyone,

A few weeks ago, I attended the official opening of Pieta House Mid-West, the Centre for the Prevention of Suicide or Self-Harm. (Check out my blog post here.)

The ILoveLimerick.com crew were there on the day to do a bit of filming and interview the people who made the badly-needed centre a reality in Limerick. I was also interviewed for the feature.

Watch it here:

Until Next Time,
Sami Long
Miss UN Ireland 2010
Miss UN Europe 2010

Limerick Emergency Services Fashion Show

Hi Everyone,

On Friday, the 18th of February, I had the pleasure of modeling in the Limerick Emergency Services Fashion Show which took place in the Strand Hotel, Limerick.

Photo by MunsterImages.ie

The show was produced by Fiona Doyle of Glamour the Agency with over forty members of the Emergency Services hitting the catwalk (including paramedics, gardai and paramedics) to raise funds for St Gabriels.

Photo by MunsterImages.ie

The show, which was MC'd by RTE's Lorcan Murray, featured the latest collections from local boutiques and clothing stores such as Isobel, the K Boutique, Bella Sola, Gretta Gibbs, Marion Murphy Cooney, Caroline Mitchell, Seduzca, the Ivory Closet and many more. 

Photo by MunsterImages.ie

The male models took to the catwalk wearing designs from many stores including 7 Camicie (which I wrote about in a previous post which you can view here). The female models' hair was styled by some of the girls from Halo.

Photo by Eric Barry

I really enjoyed the experience (despite the many changes!) and really hope to do it again soon. I would like to thank Fiona Doyle for asking me to take part.

Until Next Time,
Sami Long
Miss United Nation Ireland 2010
Miss United Nation Europe 2010

Maggie Red Blog Interview

Hi Everyone,

If you read my blog entry on my Mayoral Reception, then you'll know that I recently met up with the author of Maggie Red Blog in Pier One, Limerick to talk about what I have been up to since I was featured as the first Star of the Month on the blog back in September.

Check out the new interview entitled "Catching Up With... Sami Long" here.

Maggie Red also covered My Homecoming Party which also took place in Pier One, Limerick at the start of January in her "Seriously Social" segment which you can view here.

I was also at the Ivory Closet's Valentines Jewellery Party which featured in the blog's next "Seriously Social" section and which you can check out here.

A huge thank you to Maggie Red.

Until Next Time,
Sami Long
Miss UN Ireland 2010
Miss UN Europe 2010

ILoveLimerick.com Interview

Hi Everyone,

When I was at the opening of the LAW Retail Outlet at the end of January, I met Richard Lynch, managing director of ILoveLimerick.com and Sean Wrenn and Gary O'Donnell, Associate Partners of ILoveLimerick.com.

The ILoveLimerick.com team aims to highlight everything positive about Limerick through documentaries, lifestyle programming and interviews. It is Limerick's own TV channel and has over 190,000 Total Upload Views on Youtube. The amazing people behind ILoveLimerick.com provide a platform to promote the interesting, talented and motivated people who live, work and create in Limerick.

Rich, Sean and Gary were at the official opening with photographer Pat Browne of Munster Images filming a documentary about the work Limerick Animal Welfare does (which you can watch here).  

When I was asked if I would like to do an interview for ILoveLimerick.com, I absolutely jumped at the chance. I really admire the work they do and felt hugely flattered to be asked.

You can check out the interview here:

Until Next Time,
Samantha (Sami) Long
Miss United Nation Ireland 2010
Miss United Nation Europe 2010

Mayoral Reception by Cllr. Maria Byrne, Mayor of Limerick

Hi Everyone,

On Monday, the 7th of February, the Mayor of Limerick, Cllr. Maria Byrne held a Mayoral Reception in City Hall to mark my achievement in winning Miss United Nation Europe 2010.

Photography by Kevin Wallace

I was incredibly honoured to receive the reception, especially from Maria Byrne who is an amazing woman and a great role model for the people of Limerick.

Photography by Munsterimages.ie

I was joined by some of the most wonderful people I have had the pleasure of meeting over the past few months including Brendan and Terry Ring of the Cliona Ring Foundation, Claire Kirby of Limerick Animal Welfare and Shay Kinsella of Share a Dream. Other guests who joined me in the celebration included Clive Power of Xtreme Occasions, make-up artist Claire Kelly and Diarmuid Ring and Louise Clifford of the Pier Hotel as well as some of my closest family and friends.

Photo by Munsterimages.ie

As always, I chose my dress from The Ivory Closet's extensive range and selected a mint green Rachel Gilbert number, which I teamed with a purple blazer, grey tights and neutral shoes in order to make it more "daytime" as well as my sash and Carol Shaw Jewellery crown. My hair and make-up was done by Claire Kelly.

Photography by Kevin Wallace

A couple of days later, I met up with Maggie Red Blog to let her know what I have been up to since I featured as her September Star of the Month. Check out the interview by clicking HERE for all my news as well as some more details of the civic reception.


Until Next Time,
Samantha (Sami) Long
Miss United Nation Ireland 2010
Miss United Nation Europe 2010

Gorgeous Goodies

Hi Everyone,

I have a new project coming up very shortly which I am extremely excited about but I can't tell you about it just yet!What I can do is give you a sneak peak of certain items I received in the last couple of days which I will be wearing for that-which-cannot-be-named.

Did you know that 7 Camicie on Patrick Street, Limerick stocks ladieswear as well as mens? They have some absolutely gorgeous fitted shirts, one of which I will be wearing for this particular occasion...

I also got a fabulous lil pair of ankle booties from one of my fav shoe shops in Limerick city, Wacky Shoes. I'm absolutely addicted to wearing ankles boots at the mo (high heeled, of course) teamed with skinnies or leggings as I think they're perfect for the current Irish climate.

 

Last but not least, when at the Ivory Closet Valentines Jewellery Party, I received the stunning Cheryl Cole earrings. You can check out some photographs of the party on Maggie Red Blog here.

Pick up a copy of the current West Limerick Edition of the Limerick Leader if you can as there is an article on the Mayoral Reception Cllr. Maria Byrne, Mayor of Limerick, held for me last Monday. I have yet to post my blog entry on that but I should be getting my laptop fixed in the next few days so it shouldn't take too long!

Until Next Time,
Samantha (Sami) Long
Miss United Nation Ireland 2010
Miss United Nation Europe 2010

Pieta MidWest Official Opening

Hi Everyone,

On Friday, the 4th of February I attended the Official Opening of Pieta Mid-West.

  
The first Pieta House, the Centre for the Prevention of Self-Harm or Suicide, opened its doors in Lucan, Co. Dublin in January 2006 after Joan Freeman, a practising psychologist, closed down her own counselling business and spent three years researching how she could help people who were suicidal. The Centre quickly became a respected and recognised service for those who were suicidal. Joan also recognised the need for a service for those who were self-harming, due to the fact that this was a topic never discussed and rarely understood. 

Photo by Munsterimages.ie

The opening day itself saw a huge turn out with many people traveling down from Dublin to view the new house and support the many people involved. The opening marked a very positive step forward in terms of Mental Health services which were unfortunately badly needed in Limerick and the Mid-West area. Several guest speakers, including Cllr. Maria Byrne, Mayor of Limerick, spoke about the hard work the volunteers and friends of Pieta have carried out in order to make the opening of Pieta Mid-West a reality before guests were treated to refreshments, finger food, a wine reception and music. 

Photo by Munsterimages.ie

The ILoveLimerick.com were also present to film the long-awaited occasion and Pat Browne of Munster Images was on hand to take a few snaps, as well as photographer Theo Hayes. 

You can donate to Pieta House by clicking here.

Until Next Time,
Samantha (Sami) Long
Miss United Nation Ireland 2010
Miss United Nation Europe 2010

L.A.W. Retail Outlet Official Opening

Hi Everyone,

On Friday, the 28th of January I attended the Official Opening of the Limerick Animal Welfare Retail Outlet on Roches Street.

Sami Long & Richard Lynch, Ilovelimerick.com

Limerick Animal Welfare was founded in 1983 to care for abandoned and neglected animals in the Limerick area and aims to promote the humane treatment of all animals. Phase One of the Limerick Animal Welfare Sanctuary at Moorestown, Kilfinane, was completed in December 2007. Phase Two of the Sanctuary Building Project (the main building) has now commenced. It is estimated that this will cost approximately one million euro. The building will incorporate a rehoming area for dogs and another for cats. The plans also include offices, a veterinary clinic and living accommodation for staff. Phase Three, the final building, will be the isolation kennel for cats and kittens. 

Photo by munsterimages.ie

The Sanctuary currently provides shelter for up to sixty dogs and puppies, fifty cats and kittens, numerous rabbits, goats, pigs, horses, ponies and donkeys. The Retail Outlet on Roches Street has been set up to help fund the construction at the Sanctuary. 

Photo by Munsterimages.ie

  
The official opening featured an appearance by special guest Jerry Flannery. Guests were treated to a champagne reception, lots of Ferrero Rocher choccies and several gorgeous little pooches to spoil with attention. Pat Browne of Munster Images Sports and Event Photography was there to capture the cutting of the ribbon, among other things. The team from ILoveLimerick.com were also present to film the day to include in the documentary on Limerick Animal Welfare, some of which was filmed at the Sanctuary earlier in the week. You can watch it here:

 
The day was a great success which a huge turn-out of people who queued down the street in eager anticipation to see Jerry officially opening the shop. I even found the perfect party dress for an event I was going to that night!

Photo by Munsterimages.ie

You can donate to Limerick Animal Welfare by clicking here.

Until Next Time,
Samantha (Sami) Long
Miss United Nation Ireland 2010
Miss United Nation Europe 2010