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

Harvest Charity Day in aid of the CRF & Down Syndrome Limerick

Photo by Ita West

On Sunday, the 7th of August, I ventured out to Meanus in Co. Limerick for a Harvest Charity Day that was taking place in aid of the Cliona Ring Foundation as well as Down Syndrome Limerick.

The event was perfect for a family day out and featured a BBQ, model shop, bouncy castles, demonstrations by the Emergency Services, silage harvesting and live music. I had a great time despite forgetting my wellies and having to hobble around in high-heeled boots for the afternoon (in my defense, harvest days when I was in school were held inside and featured an auction of products).

I was there to support the Foundation and to choose the winning raffle tickets which included a first prize of €800 cash! Unfortunately I didn't pick myself, but then again I guess that would be considered unfair...

Until Next Time,
xxx Sami xxx

Morning Star Rose Competition at the Bruff Summer Festival

At this stage, I have had the pleasure of attending quite a few events with members of the Bruff Community. It all began with the Cliona Ring Foundation Commemorative Night, then there was the documentary the ILoveLimerick.com and I filmed about the Cliona Ring Foundation in Lough Gur, the Pier One Facebook Party in aid of the CRF, the Bruff RFC Dinner Dance and the Lourdescycle.com BBQ.

Most recently, I attended the Bruff Summer Festival which took place on the 2nd and 3rd of July. The Festival is an annual event, a feature of which is the selection of the Morning Star Rose. I was honoured to be asked by the 2010 Rose, Eibhlin O'Sullivan, to judge the competition along with PJ O'Gorman and invited my friend and model Madeline Mulqueen along to join us as a third judge.

Madeline, Elvis, PJ and I at the Bruff Summer Festival

The Morning Star Rose Competition involved a sit-down interview with the eighteen contestants in Clancy's Pub on the Saturday, followed by a meal before we moved down the village to the stage area where half of the contestants were interviewed on-stage by Edel McEniry, the original Morning Star Rose. All four of the past Roses were involved in the event which was a very nice touch and they were so accommodating. The other contestants were interviewed on stage the following evening. Friday evening saw a parade which featured all of the contestants.

Aoife, Madeline, the former Roses and I onstage.

Madeline, PJ and I had great fun meeting and chatting to the contestants. We had such a tough time picking our winner but decided to choose Aoife Power, an absolute stunner and Pharmacy student who impressed the crowd with her violin playing. A huge congratulations to Aoife.

Some beautiful flowers I was presented with

What I wore
On Saturday, I wore a summery, orange dress with gold embellishment and rope detail from the Ivory Closet. On Sunday, I wore another dress from the Ivory Closet - this time, a white and sequinned number teamed with my Carol Shaw Jewellery crown.

Until Next Time,
xxx Sami xxx

Monster BBQ in aid of the Cliona Ring Foundation

Photo by MunsterImages.ie

On Thursday, the 26th of May, I attended the Limerick Lourdes Charity Cycle Fundraiser which took place in the Limerick Milk Market in aid of the Limerick Lourdes Invalid Fund, Motor Neuron- Limerick and the Cliona Ring Foundation. 

In 2008, a group of people from Limerick and surround came together to organise a charity cycle from Nantes to Lourdes - 800km in total. This year, some of the original cyclists as well as new recruits will once again take on this journey but this time it is in aid of the three charities (which you can find more about here) with the aim of raising approximately €10,000 for each.

The Monster BBQ was one of a number of fundraisers which the Limerick Lourdes Charity Cycle team has organised recently. The event featured great food, music and drink as well as an exhibition of photographs of the 2008 cycle.

Since it was the day of my birthday, I was only able to stay for about an hour before I had to leave for my very own party in Pier One Bar & Restaurant. Nevertheless, the evening saw a great crowd gathering and I imagine that many more guests arrived after I left.

Congratulations to the 12 cyclists and 4 back-up team members who are currently in Bordeaux and who only have two days of the cycle left. You can keep up to date with their journey via their facebook page here.

Until Next Time,
xxx Sami xxx

"This is Limerick"

Photo by Dolf Patijn.

On Saturday, the 21st of May, I travelled back to Limerick from Dublin to attend "This is Limerick" - the networking event by www.ILoveLimerick.com which took place in the Georgian House. The Georgian House & Garden was restored by the Limerick Civic Trust during the period of 1996-1999. www.ILoveLimerick.com is dedicated to highlighting the positive about Limerick and the afternoon certainly did exactly just that.

En route, I stopped by the Ivory Closet to pick up a dress to wear to the event. I wasn't the only one - almost every where you looked, you could see one of the boutique's gorgeous dresses.

Photo by MunsterImages.ie

The invite-only event was designed to encourage the organisations of Limerick to come together and work together as well as celebrating the ordinary people who do extraordinary things for their communities. Representatives from Special Olympics, Friends of the Elderly, the Parkinson’s Association Mid-West, the MS Society, the Northside Learning Hub, Polish Youth, Doras Luimní, Pieta House Mid-West, Limerick Youth Service, Insight Magazine, Limerick Regeneration, St Munchin’s Area Centre, PAUL Partnership, Southill Area Centre, Limerick Communications Office, Red Ribbon Project and Creative Limerick were all present. I was there on behalf of the Cliona Ring Foundation along with Tom Tierney, a trustee of the Foundation and the gentleman who played the role of MC at the Fourth Annual Cliona Ring Foundation Commemorative Night.

Photo by MunsterImages.ie

Key speakers included Maria Byrne, Mayor of Limerick and Senator David Norris, who I was absolutely delighted to meet. The ILoveLimerick crew was there of course to capture the day and representatives from the various organisations were invited to speak about their own. Flawless School of Dance also performed.

Photo by MunsterImages.ie

For more information on the afternoon, check out the Limerick Leader Article here or watch the www.ILoveLimerick.com feature here and see Tom talking about the Cliona Ring Foundation at 22:37:

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

Bruff RFC Dinner Dance

Hi Everyone,

On Friday, the 13th of May I got all dolled up and headed off to the Bruff RFC Dinner Dance as a guest of the Cliona Ring Foundation.The Cliona Ring Foundation was established by Brendan and Terry Ring after they lost their incredibly brave daughter Cliona to an inoperable brain tumour. The foundation helps the families of children with life-threatening illnesses with their non-medical expenses. For more information on the charity and to view the ILoveLimerick.com documentary on the Cliona Ring Foundation, visit the website by clicking here.

The Bruff RFC and the Cliona Ring Foundation are very involved with one another. Back in January when I attended the Cliona Ring Foundation Commemorative Night, one of the highlights of the evening was the team being presented with a plaque to mark their success (just take a look at the amount of silverware in the picture below!). Bruff RFC is in turn also very good in supporting the foundation and frequently raises funds for it.

The event took place in the Dunraven Arms Hotel in my hometown of Adare, Co. Limerick. The evening included a four-course meal, entertainment into the wee hours of the morning and a silent auction in aid of the Cliona Ring Foundation and the Bruff RFC Under Age which raised approximately €2,000 to be split between the two charities, wrapping up the season with a great night.

I wore yet another beautiful Rachel Gilbert gown from the Ivory Closet, Limerick. Kayleigh in the River Hair Studio gave me a few extra inches in the form of a huge up do (definitely my style). Claire Kelly did my make-up.

A huge thank you to Brendan and Terry Ring for inviting Adam and I. We had a great night!

Now to leave you with some more photos...

Hair by the River Hair Studio. Make-up by Claire Kelly. Shirt from 7 Camicie Limerick. 

Dress from the Ivory Closet - Dress Hire, Limerick. 

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

Aware/Ladies Committee Galbally GAA Cheque Presentation

Hi Everyone,

By now you probably know that I want to dedicate my life to the subject of Mental Health and that the charity that aims to defeat depression in Ireland, Aware, is one of two main charities that I am very involved with (the other being the Cliona Ring Foundation). 

 

On Saturday, the 9^th of April (the day of the Enable Ireland Bridal Photo Shoot), I travelled to Galbally in County Limerick to accept a cheque on behalf of Aware. 

The Galbally GAA Ladies Committee had raised an incredible €3,000 by holding a fashion show fundraiser. The fashion show featured professional models and some people from the local community. As an ambassador for Aware, I was delighted to go along and thank the ladies for their dedication and the huge difference this money would make.

I wore a beautiful little black dress from the Ivory Closet, Limerick which featured embellished shoulders with my Carol Shaw Jewellery-commissioned crown. 

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

Pier One Facebook Party & Viral Video Launch

Hi Everyone,

On Monday, the 31st of March, Pier One Limerick held its first ever "Facebook Party" in aid of the Cliona Ring Foundation and to thank all of its facebook fans and friends for their support since the hotel reopened under new management in November. The event coincided with the launch of the hotel's new viral video advertisement in which I played a member of staff.

 As you probably know by now, the Pier Hotel, Limerick and its bar, Pier One, is my favourite place to spend time in Limerick city. The hotel not only offers incredibly reasonable prices for a double room (as low as €39) but you can also avail of €5 breakfast and lunch deals in the fantastic city-centre location. If I have an event in Limerick, chances are you'll find me staying in the hotel that evening and in the restaurant the following morning indulging in their Vegetarian Surprise for breakfast.

Photo by Maggie Red

The Facebook Party was all in aid of the Cliona Ring Foundation, an organisation which is very close to my heart and which the Pier Hotel is a great supporter of. The Cliona Ring Foundation was set up by Brendan and Terry Ring after they lost their daughter, Cliona, to an inoperable brain tumour. The Foundation is unique in that it provides support for the families of children suffering from life-threatening illness through their non-medical expenses.  If you haven't done so already, check out the documentary the ILoveLimerick.com team and I filmed out in Lough Gur with Brendan and Terry Ring by clicking here. Cliona's and their story really is such a moving and inspirational one. You can find out more about the charity by visiting the website here.

Sami Long & Brendan Ring

On the night in question, guests attending the party saw Pier One transformed by means of a Facebook theme which featured a Poking Room, cocktails named after the social network site (including Add as a Friend, Poke Me and It's Complicated). Magician Steve Spade was there to entertain the crowd. Everyone who attended was also entered into a draw to win a whopping €1,000 cash prize on the evening, the winning ticket being picked by Brendan Ring. Typically, the gentleman who won wasn't even there to buy everyone a drink in celebration (although that would have been the grand gone pretty quickly)!

Photo by Maggie Red

Us participants/extras in the viral video were presented with Easter Eggs as a thank you for our hard work over the grueling two-day shoot! You can check out my blog post on the filming of the advertisement here.

I wore another stunning Rachel Gilbert dress from the Ivory Closet, Limerick and my make-up was done by Claire Kelly. Maggie Red was there to cover the event under the "Seriously Social" segment of her blog, which you can check out here. 
   

Sami Long & Diarmuid Ring

The party, as nights in Pier One always are, was a great laugh. Don't forget to add the Pier Hotel Limerick and Pier One Limerick as a facebook friend! 

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

The Pier Hotel, Limerick Viral Video

Hi Everyone,

If you keep an eye on my Facebook fan page then you'll know that my favourite place to spend time in in Limerick city is the Pier Hotel on Sarsfield St. Some of the events I have attended there include my Homecoming Party, Raquel Rocca's CD Launch and the Cliona Ring Foundation Operation Transformation Night Out.

Photo by Maggie Red Blog

More recently, I was asked if I would like to act as an extra in the filming of a viral video advertisement for the Pier Hotel. I of course said yes and so on Wednesday, the 9th and Thursday, the 10th of March, I could be found in the Pier Hotel dressed as a member of staff along with Stacey, Susan, Kathy, Jeremy, Lisa, Paddy, Danny, Audrey, Antoinette, Janet, Claire, Caroline, Chrystian, Ilona, Wojtek and Gillian - some of the Pier and Pier One's Facebook fans and some actual members of staff. This will have been my second commerical (you can check out the commercial I shot with Jewellery Ireland modelling Carol Shaw Jewellery by clicking here).

The launch of the Viral Video will take place on Thursday, the 31st of March. This will coincide with a very special event - "Probably the Best Facebook Party in the World!" which will feature a champagne reception, finger food buffet, DJs Richie & Dean as well as the chance to win €1,000 in cash! Tickets cost €15 and all proceeds go to the Cliona Ring Foundation, one of the main charities I support (check out the documentary I filmed with the ILoveLimerick.com crew here).

I am really looking forward to the party and hope to meet as many Facebook fans as possible on the night, especially since it is to support a great cause. Don't forget to add The Pier Hotel, Limerick as a Facebook friend by clicking here. They are offering a special room rate of €35 on the night of the party for their Facebook fans and regularly have competitions online so it's definitely worth your while!
You can also check out the Facebook Event Invitation by clicking here.

See you there!

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

The Fourth Annual Cliona Ring Foundation Commemorative Night

Hi Everyone,

On Saturday, the 22^nd of January I attended the Fourth Annual Cliona Ring Foundation Commemorative Night which took place in Bulgaden Castle, Co. Limerick. 

The Cliona Ring Foundation was set up in 2007 by Brendan and Terry Ring following the loss of their daughter, Cliona. Cliona was diagnosed with an inoperational brain tumour at a very young age and over the following years, Brendan and Terry met numerous families who were suffering financially as well as having very sick children. As a result, Brendan and Terry created the Cliona Ring Foundation to support the families of children with life-threatening illnesses with their non-medical expenses. 

Samantha Long with Terry & Brendan Ring

Saturday night marked the fourth year of the charity’s existence and the local community’s night of remembrance for Cliona. The theme of the evening was "Transformation" and reflected how Cliona has transformed the lives of her parents, her community and, of course, all of the people the foundation has helped. 

The highlight of the evening was meeting the "Operation Transformation" team of locals who underwent a weight loss and exercise regime for the previous three months under the guidance of nutritionalist Anna Gleeson and fitness instructor Brendan Bourke in order to raise funds for the Cliona Ring Foundation. In total, they lost an impressive 5 stone 12.5 lbs! 

Operation Transformation Team & nutritionist Anna Gleeson

The night also featured special guests in the form of local sporting stars the Bruff Rugby team who recently won the Munster Senior Cup and who were presented with a plaque, the Bruff Rose Eibhlín O'Sullivan and Hurling stars. The MC on the night was Tom Tierney, a trustee of the organisation. NightFall provided entertainment and there was a raffle with sixty-five prizes up for grabs, including a family trip to EuroDisney, as well as quizzes for the many children present to get involved in. 

Bruff Rugby Team Presentation

I had an absolutely fantastic evening being welcomed into the community that so loved Cliona, despite the fact that I unfortunately did not know her. What I do know is that she was an incredible and inspirational person who has made a difference to so many people's lives. I would like to thank Brendan and Terry for inviting me to what has to be one of the most touching occasions I have ever experienced.

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