Limerick St. Patrick's Day Parade with Share a Dream

Hi Everyone,

I should probably start this entry by apologising for the lack of updates and blog posts recently. I've been extremely busy and hate having to neglect my blog, facebook fan page and twitter account but it has been necessary in the last few weeks.

The last entry I wrote was about the filming of the Pier Hotel Limerick viral video advertisement and how the launch is taking place this Thursday evening. I hope to see some of my facebook friends/fans there! I'm really looking forward to it and tickets have just dropped to only €5 so you really have no excuse no to be attending, especially since that entitles you to a champagne reception, finger food and heaps of entertainment, as well as the chance to win €1,000!

I would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a very belated Happy St. Patrick's Day, especially all of my friends from all over the world who I met in Jamaica.

www.shareadream.ie

Back in January, I met with Shay Kinsella and Ciara Brolly of the Share a Dream Foundation. Shay set up the Share a Dream Foundation in 1989 after meeting a very special little girl who inspired him to vow to do everything he could to bring a little magic into the lives of sick and disabled children all over Ireland. Each year, the Share a Dream Foundation helps hundreds of families throughout Ireland to escape from their everyday lives and just have fun, whether that be through concerts, trips to Disneyland, the National Children of Courage Awards and Dream Ball, family holidays and helping to make many individual dreams come true for terminally ill children.

It was at this meeting that I was asked if I would like to participate in the Limerick St. Patrick's Day Parade with the Share a Dream Foundation. The parade would mark the launch of the Foundation's "Dream Machine" - a magical machine, the purpose of which would be to travel to the children confined to their homes to bring a little happiness into their lives. I, of course, said yes and so on the 17th of March, I could be found marching in the Parade dressed as a Fairy Princess, accompanied by two other little princesses - Amy and Megan. The Share a Dream's segment also included a group of dancers and two little boys, one of whom showed off his amazing Michael Jackson dance skills, as well as Shay and some of the Share a Dream volunteers.

I felt incredibly honoured to be asked to participate in the Limerick St. Patrick's Day as I adore the atmosphere that is present in every inch of our fantastic island (and all over the world) on the 17th of March. Plus, I love the colour green! A huge thank you to Shay and Ciara for asking me to take part and also for attending my Mayoral Reception in February. The Share a Dream Foundation is a charity that I have admired for years and I was lucky enough to attend the Annual Ball in 2006.

Photo by Munsterimages.ie

Photo by Munsterimages.ie

Photo by Munsterimages.ie

St. Patrick's Day also marked a huge celebration for Limerick City as it was crowned 2011 EU City of Sport. Rich Lynch and the ILoveLimerick.com team were there to cover Limerick's largest ever Parade with over 4,600 participants taking part and to discover what sport means to Limerick. I was interviewed prior to the parade about the importance of sport to Limerick. You can check out the video here:

I finished off my St. Patrick's Day celebrations in non other than the Pier One Bar at the Pier Hotel, of course! It really is one of my favourite places in Limerick and if you haven't stopped by for a drink or to try their €5 specials, you're really missing out!

Until Next Time,
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