Upcoming Event: Outbreak - Limerick Zombie Festival

Photo by Ken Coleman

In the lead-up to the hugely successful Dublin Zombie Walk 2011, I took note of the fact that a similar event was being planned for the streets of Limerick in early October, "Outbreak - Limerick Zombie Festival". Not only would there be a zombie walk, but the event encapsulated an entire weekend of zombie goodness. Needless to say, I was extremely interested. Then, when I discovered that the organisers were looking for a charity for the event to be in aid of, I knew I had to get involved.

Following a bombardment of e-mails by myself about the amazing work that the Cliona Ring Foundation does, Mike McLoughlin - organiser of Outbreak - agreed to hold the event in aid of the Cliona Ring Foundation. Needless to say, I was absolutely thrilled - not only would I get to dress up as a zombie for the second time this year but it would all be in aid of the CRF, which I am an ambassador for.

The event itself is currently taking place this weekend and the event schedule for the remainder of the festival is as follows:

Friday 30th

Event – Zombie Film Night
Venue – Daghdha, St. John’s Square
Start time – 8pm
Admission: Free (but a donation to The Cliona Ring Foundation may be given on the door, and would be greatly appreciated!).
Kicking us off will be a screening of Limerick film-maker Dermot Petty’s short ‘Zombie Waltzing’, a documentary about the new and disturbing phenomenon of Gothic Country’n’Irish music, filmed locally in Lough Gur.
This will be followed by a screening of Dan O’Bannon’s delirious and demented 1985 zombie-comedy classic Return of the Living Dead, which will be introduced by film writer and critic John Byrne.
BYO snacks and supplies

Following this, After-party in Bourke’s Catherine St.

Saturday 1st October

Hunt Museum at 2pm plays host to the Spooky Tour! A specially themed tour of the museum for our little zombies. It’s FREE in for any kids (or kids at heart) who turn up dressed as Zombies!

YOUTHFEST 2011 takes place in Dolans from 1pm, Its a Huge All day All ages non alcoholic event, with Lots of bands, dancers, magicians and yes, plenty of Zombie goings on too! The event benefits the local Youth Cafes

Melt Cafe If you’re about town and looking for a good coffee, pop in to Melt on Catherine st. , and 10% goes to The Cliona Ring Foundation!

THE ZOMBIE SHUFFLE!! This is the one you’ve been waiting for! The party starts around 6pm At the Bottom of Bedford Row, outside Foxy’s Bar. We’ll have music, facepainters, photographers, and some special performances before we set off on our slow parade of the city at 7.30pm. The route will continue up Thomas st, along Little Catherine Street, back down William street, onto Cruises Street. From there, there is Official Outbreak themed Events in Nancys, Cobblestone Joes, and Mickey Martins.

The Official Shuffle Afterparty takes place in Nancy Blake’s Directly after the Shuffle concludes, with Drinks promos and special entertainment laid on for us!

FILTHSTEP takes place in Dolans, doors at 22.30pm Limerick’s Original Dubstep Night returns to lay down some heavybass sounds for all the heads back in limerick looking for something different.

Midnight Feed! Later that night, those hungry zombies can grab a late night feed at Lulu’s Cafe on Catherine Street, where there will be a special deal for all Zombies that turn up! Its open til 4am, so plenty of time to get that feed in!

Sunday 2nd October

The Zombie Hangover feast! Pier One Hotel Offer a zombie feast, late Breakfast with movie screenings, and proceeds going to Cliona Ring Foundation. Recover in comfort!

SKAZZOMBIE Skazz bring their unique Ska Punk Sounds to Foleys on Lower Sarsfield St. for our Wind down party! Gigs starts at 9pm.

Photo by Ken Coleman

I am particularly looking forward to the Zombie Shuffle, its afterparty and the Hangover Feast taking place on Sunday in the Pier Hotel - I'll definitely be indulging in a Vegetarian Corpse Surprise!

For those of you travelling to Limerick for the weekend, the Pier is offering a special room rate of only €49. Contact them on 061 317179.

Please come along and support the Cliona Ring Foundation this weekend and join in the festivities. For more information on the Foundation, visit http://www.clionaringfoundation.com/ or check out the ILoveLimerick.com documentary I did with the ILoveLimerick crew below;

Until Next Time,
xxx Sami xxx

Outbreak - Limerick Zombie Festival Press Shoot



Copyright: Ken Coleman

On Saturday, the 10th of September, following the Limerick Pride 2011 Parade, I participated in a press shoot for Outbreak - Limerick Zombie Festival in aid of the Cliona Ring Foundation. (To find out how I got involved in the festival, click here.)

The shoot involved my (rather crap) attempts to flee from a hoard of zombies - taking refuge on the Treaty Stone, legging it down the street (with Councillor Tom Shortt in tow at one point) and barracading myself into the newly-opened Edinburgh Woolen Mills on Bedford Row. The Pier Hotel acted as base camp for us and a room was kindly provided so that the volunteers could be zombified.



Image by Ken Coleman

What I Wore
I wore a multi-coloured dress from the Ivory Closet Dress Hire Limerick along with my Carol Shaw Jewellery crown and my Miss UN Europe sash. My hair extensions were by hotloxshair.com .




Image by Ken Coleman

For more photos, check out my new facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MissSamiLong


Until Next Time,
xxx Sami xxx

Limerick Lourdes Charity Cycle/CRF Cheque Presentation

On Wednesday, the 17th of August, I attended the Limerick Lourdes Charity Cycle cheque presentation at which the Cliona Ring Foundation was presented with a cheque for the sum of €13,008 at Bobby Byrne's Pub, Limerick.

The fundraising cycle saw a team of 12 cyclists and 4 back-up team members travel 800km from Nantes to Lourdes to raise money for three charities - the Cliona Ring Foundation, Limerick Lourdes Invalid Fund and the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association.

A huge congratulations to everyone involved in raising such an amazing amount!

Until Next Time,
xxx Sami xxx

Aware's Daisy Days Leinster Photo Call

On Tuesday, the 16th of August, I travelled to the absolutely beautiful Carton House in Maynooth for the Leinster Photo Call for Aware's Daisy Days Campaign (having done the Munster launch a couple of weeks beforehand).

I was joined by Leo Cullen and Ronan O'Driscoll as well as a group of kids who were also there to help promote the fundraising festival which is taking place all over the country this weekend (from Thursday, the 15th of September until Saturday, the 17th of September).

You can support Aware by buying a daisy chain from one of the many volunteers selling them all over Ireland this weekend. You can also donate by texting DAISY to 57500. Texts cost €2.50 each, with a minimum of €1.90 going to Aware.

What I Wore
Although this was almost a week after getting it done, my spray tan which I had gotten in the Salon Hair & Beauty IFSC ensured I had a healthy glow while the girls styled my hair and did my make-up. I didn't have the chance to pick out a dress from my favourite boutique, The Ivory Closet Designer Dress Hire (based on Shannon Street in Limerick) so instead I wore one of my own summery dresses.

Check out the rest of the shots:

Until Next Time,
xxx Sami xxx

Miss Ireland 2011 Final

On Saturday, the 13th of August, I attended the final of Miss Ireland 2011 with my good friend and author of Miss Red Blog, Ali Ryan.

The final took place in the D4 Berkley Hotel and saw girls from all over the country compete in the hopes of winning the title of Miss Ireland 2011.

Upon arrival, guests were treated to a drinks reception before the four-course sit-down meal.

The competition itself then commenced and included a swimsuit round, eveningwear round and a fashion show in which the contestants modelled the lastest A/W trends from Debenhams. Following the selection of the top fifteen and then the final five, each finalist was asked a question by one of the panel of judges which included Sarah Morrissey, Paul Byrne and Sophie Anderton.

Miss University Ireland 2011 Holly Carpenter was crowned Miss Ireland 2011 by the beautiful Emma Waldron (Miss Ireland 2010). I was delighted by the choice as I had been at the final of Miss University 2011 back in April and knew that Holly would be a great representative.

The after party took place in Buck's Townhouse and provided a great end to an amazing evening.

What I Wore
I wore a beautiful little black dress from the Ivory Closet - Dress Hire Limerick which featured feature detailing and sequins. My hair, spray-tan and french manicure were done by the girls at the Salon Hair & Beauty, IFSC.

A huge congratulations to Miss Ireland 2011 Holly Carpenter and to the organisers of Miss Ireland for putting on a spectacular show. I know Holly will do us proud when she competes at Miss World 2011 in November.

Until Next Time,
xxx Sami xxx

Catwalk to Kilimanjaro Launch

On Wednesday, the 10th of August, I went along to the "Catwalk to Kilimanjaro" Launch in Harry's on the Green.

Catwalk to Kilimanjaro is a charity climb being undertaken by Irish models Roz Purcell, Georgia Salpa, Daniella Moyles and Louise Johnston to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Ireland, which is dedicated to granting the wishes of children aged three to eighteen living with life-threatening medical conditions.

The climb itself will take place in October but, before then, the girls will be running various fundraising activities which you can keep up to date with on the facebook page here.

One of these activities was the fundraiser launch party which I attended with the author of Miss Red Blog. Highlights of the night included Paddy Cullivan's role as presenter (who you may remember as the host of the Gooseberries which I presented an award at back in January) and two comedy sets.

What I Wore
Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to pick out a dress at my fav boutique, the Ivory Closet but I did have time to get my hair done in an upstyle at The Salon Hair & Beauty, IFSC as well as a French Manicure.

Until Next Time,
xxx Sami xxx

Limerick Pride 2011 Press Launch

Photo by Dolf Patijn

On Monday, the 8th of August, following the Rebecca May Weddings Vintage Photo Shoot, I attended the Limerick Pride 2011 Press Launch.

The event took place in Bentleys Bar and featured an ILoveLimerick.com feature entitled "A Decade of Pride" (which you can check out here) as well as speeches by those key figures involved in this year's festival.

Photo by Dolf Patijn

This year's Festival runs from September 3rd to Sunday, September 11th. For more information on the upcoming events and the Pride Parade, check out the website here.

Guests included Haunty Beor, Pearstar Sashay, John McNamara, Rich Lynch of ILoveLimerick.com and many more.

Until Next Time,
xxx Sami xxx