MORE than 500 people jigged the night away at the inaugural Irish in Jersey dinner on Saturday night.

With free Guinness and oysters on offer at the beginning of the evening and legendary Irish folk singer Mary Black topping the night off, the newly formed group achieved what it set out to do – bring the Irish community in Jersey together.

The gala dinner, which was compèred by JEP journalist Elaine Byrne, who comes from Ireland, culminated in hundreds of revellers dancing off a traditional Irish menu to the music of Mrs Black, who played on stage for almost two hours. She is currently celebrating 25 years since the release of her first album and is embarking on a world tour, but diverted from Finland to Jersey to help launch the Irish group in Jersey.

Mrs Black first came to the Island around 30 years ago to pick carnations for a summer season, but told the audience that she was ‘delighted to be back in such a wonderful place’. The honorary Irish consul, Pamela O’Neill, watched with pride as four young girls from the Cannon O’Rafferty School of Irish Dance opened up the show with a spectacular performance.

A collection was held at the end of the evening and thousands of pounds was raised for Channel 103’s charity Help a Jersey Child.

• Picture: Among the entertainment for the evening was a performance by Lucy McGrath (13), Chantelle Thackrey (14), Jess Wilton (14) and Michelle Hanrahan (14), of the Cannon O’Rafferty School of Irish Dance. Picture by Rob Currie (00592772)