“Near Dublin” Ireland

Venue…The fabulous 4 Star, Red Cow Hotel, Near Dublin!

In 1924, Stan Laurel starred in a film called “Near Dublin”. The Sons of the Desert will enthusiastically celebrate this fact by hosting the 8^th European Convention, Near Dublin!

Join us for a weekend of Irish ‘craic’ and mystery and allow yourself to be enchanted by her charms and magic. A truly European event beckons as we celebrate with three themed banquets and entertainment. We await you and we bid you ………Cead Mile Failte!

Friday 24^th…Registration from 2pm

Goodie bags, renewing old friendships and meeting new faces.

Opening ceremony including showing of the Stan Laurel short “Near Dublin”.

Parade of Tents and special introduction ceremony. Your first chance to spend money as the dealers’ tables open and they tempt you with their wares.

At 7pm we gather in the dining hall for the “Welcome to Ireland” night.

Traditional Irish fare awaits washed ably down by a drop or two of Guinness!

With our bellies full, we ready ourselves for the evening’s entertainment. Bring your shillelagh and your old cloth cap and dance a reel and a jig to the old sod (turf that is!).

We are joined by popular Irish entertainer Eugene Lambert as he performs for us the very same act that he performed at the Olympia Theatre in 1953, watched from the sides by Oliver Hardy. Laugh as Ollie did and see why Mr. Hardy was so envious of Eugene’s act.

Liam Muldowney, hosts a night full of Irishness. Music and dancing into the small hours will ensure your thumping head next day! Special guest Jean Darling will join us as we sit back and enjoy all that is Gaelic.

 Saturday 25^th …Wake to the tranquillity and relaxed Dublin air and enjoy a full Irish breakfast. A day in Dublin awaits and YOU get to choose. From outside the hotel you can take the tram and relax as it rambles through the old streets of Dublin, transporting you into the centre of this vibrant and exciting city. Giggle as you look at he astonished faces of the Dublin population, wondering who the Fez headed strangers are.

If you choose to spend your time shopping or relaxing or sightseeing or eating or drinking….this city has it all. The Convention Guiders will ensure you are guided to whatever you want. There is so much to see here that you won’t have time to do it all. Sit back and enjoy lunch in the lively Temple Bar area or visit the Guinness Storehouse and see where this most amazing of products is made. The Jameson Whiskey Distillery is not to be missed and how about the fabulous Olympia Theatre and its Art Deco style façade that lasts to this day. See where Stan & Ollie thrilled their Dublin audiences back in 1952 and 53.

Simply ramble around the city centre and then sit down and feed the St. Stephen’s Green ducks as you watch the world go by.

When you return to the hotel, “A Night in a British Music Hall” awaits you.

Traditional British fare will be followed by a return to days of old with hosts John Ullah and Martin Tierney. Enjoy the same entertainment that Stan and Chaplin enjoyed in Fred Karno’s troupe. Once more, if you can last the pace…..the wee small hours await us!

Sunday 26^th …After a full Irish breakfast prepare yourself for the Dublin games.

A vast array of fun and sport will ensure laughter and wisecracks as we endeavour to outdo each other in a variety of ridiculousness! Who will triumph in the “Near Dublin” Darts? Who will be crowned King Paddy at “Pick a Star”? Time will tell. The Intra Tent Quiz awaits. Quizmaster Eric Woods will ably guide and direct and even undirect a few of us, as he hosts his famous intelligence test. Did someone say intelligence? Who was it? The Sons have no time for such nonsense!!!

We shall enjoy a light lunch, Dutch style with Vera Gunther and Clogs and tulips are expected!

At 1.30pm we board the coaches for a Jitterbugs Journey that sees us travel through the Garden of Ireland that is Co. Wicklow. Its breathtaking scenery will leave you….breathless!

Our destination is Glendalough, (the Glen of the two lakes). It is here that St. Kevin spent his life, living as a hermit and preaching (sounds like a couple of Sons that I know). This is the oldest and best example of a monastic site in Europe. Its almost perfect Round Tower survives to this day and as you stand beneath it you can only use your imagination to wonder at the cunning of the Monks as they outwitted their Viking attackers. Take the guided tour through the aged churches and graveyards or enjoy a drink or some refreshment in the Glendalough Hotel. For the real tourists amongst you there are the shops, full of all the Irish trinkets that you can imagine. Go on…..send one home. You know you want to!

The Coach Commanders will guide us to our coaches and we shall “commence the singing”. Prizes for the best and worst and loudest as we travel through the winding roads and catch sight of the “Excalibur” movie locations.

As we get “Near Dublin” and the hotel, there will be time to wash and ready ourselves for the German night, with a traditional German menu and the company of host Wolfgang Gunther. With the support of a Bavarian Oompah Band, we will laugh, guffaw and roll in the aisles as we wish for more. Another long and enjoyable night beckons!

Monday 27^th …Once again no expense is spared as the Sons of the Desert leave dull care at home and enjoy the fullest of Irish breakfasts. The Leprechaun Awards ceremony will see the “Near Dublin” Games winners and the winners of such tremendous weekend titles as …”Who Was He Again?” and the “Why Did They Come Award?” and don’t forget the “Who Didn’t Leave The Bar Award?”……….

An open Grand Sheik’s meeting and handshakes and hugs and embraces as we go our separate ways once more and wonder…..WHY HAVE WE NEVER HAD THE CONVENTION IN IRELAND BEFORE??????????

We bid you adieu, goodbye, au revoir, auf wiedersehen and slan!

Costs…€419…£295…$490.

Payments can be made by cheque, bankers draft and payable to European Convention.

Send to:
Trudi Muldowney, 17 The Crescent, Woodpark, Ballinteer, Dublin 16, Ireland.

U.K. payments can be sent to:

Eric Woods, “Laurel House”, 102 Hough Green Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 4PF, U.K.

First Deposits of €150…£95…$150 due now. Two other payments to follow.

Any enquiries to jitterbugs@eircom.net

 NB… Convention costs INCLUDE all meals and accommodation……….That’s right, ALL meals and accommodation! The Red Cow Hotel has been recently refurbished throughout and can offer the Sons of the Desert the very best of service that is second to none. They are very enthusiastic about looking after our needs and look forward to greeting you on your arrival.