IRELAND: Intrigue for senior citizens in Fáilte

LOUTH, Ireland (The Drogheda Independent), August 18, 2008: By Angela McCormick An invite to RTÉ’s Fáilte Towers left Drogheda’s senior citizens wondering if they would be taking dancing lessons in their birthday suits. Some 20 of the town’s more mature folk made their television debut show last night on the reality TV show. Before they left it was all a bit of a mystery. The only information the senior citizens interest group had on their visit to the hotel run by celebrities was they would need a change of clothes. ‘I’m bringing two suits and one of them is my birthday suit,’ laughed Michael Clark from Marion Park, as he recalled the visit by Dutch nudists to the hotel in an earlier programme. Rita Maher from Stameen was highly amused by the nudist’s arrival at the Castlebelligham-based TV hotel. ‘The celebrities were stunned when the nudists walked down the stairs, as cool as cucumbers. Oops, but I suppose cucumbers are appropriate,’ giggled Rita, as her senior citizen colleagues joined her laughter at the unintended pun. The incident in Fáilte Towers where red wine was spilt on a ‘bride’s’ wedding dress had Bridie McIvor from Magdelene Street intrigued. ‘Perhaps we need a change because they are going to spill wine on us. Let’s hope we get a chance to drink a glass first,’ she chuckled. Dena and Jimmy Carvin from Ballsgrove were looking forward to meeting some of Fáilte Towers’ more notorious contestants. ‘I hear we might be taking dancing lessons. Brian Dowling is my favourite. I’d just love to get dancing with him,’ said Dena. Former Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna is Jimmy’s sweetheart. ‘I thought she was great but she’s been booted out so I don’t suppose I’ll meet her,’ he pondered. Cecilia Nsofor from Knockbrackdowns was all on for the dancing lessons. ‘I can dance very well. I love it, there is no dance I can’t do,’ said Cecilia, rearing to go. Vera Floody of Halpin’s Terrace was definitely in favour of dancing. ‘Perhaps it will be ballroom, or maybe Salsa,’ she mused. There was also the fear that the clothes change might involve something a bit more drastic. ‘I hope we don’t get dumped in the hotel swimming pool,’ said one anxious lady. A well turned out Paddy Closkey from Stameen had all eventualities covered. ‘Just in case I’m bringing a spare boiler suit,’ he declared © Drogheda-Independent.ie