The Cork MII Maritime Ball raised over €7,500 for local mental health charity

It was a night of glitz, glamour and good times!

Over 200 Cork businesspeople gathered for night of food, drink and dancing while raising money for a worthy cause on Saturday night.

MII Cork held their annual ball, The Maritime Marketing Ball 2023, for the first time in three years Clayton Hotel Silver Springs on Saturday night last (1st April), sponsored by Johnson and Perrott Motor Group.  

The Cork branch of the national organisation, who provide a community for marketers through educational and networking events, also raised over €7,500 for chosen charity, Sailing Into Wellness as part of their hugely popular raffle fundraiser.  A mental health and wellbeing charity, Sailing into Wellness offers programmes that aim to empower people and build a positive sense of community through the medium of sailing.  

Guests were greeted at the entrance with a Tia Maria cocktail reception sponsored by Barry & Fitzwilliam, before making their way to the ballroom for a four-course meal.  

Daniel Keaney, Emma O’Donovan & Mark Kelleher of Craving Cork



Lord Mayor Cllr. Deirdre Forde drew the top five tickets for the raffle, each one valued over €1,000, with Red FM’s Dave McArdle acting as MC. Prizes on the night ranged from hotel stays to 3Arena concert tickets.  

Commenting on the night’s events, Chair of MII Cork Jerry Crowley said:  

“After a three-year hiatus, the 2023 MII Cork Ball is very significant for us. The MII Cork Ball has long been a staple on the Cork social calendar and is a celebration of the business and marketing community, and all the work we have done over the past year. We have had a hugely successful year, hosting lots of successful events, and we are thrilled for the Ball to finish the season on a high, while raising funds for Sailing Into Wellness.”

This year was also extra special as we awarded to students from MTU and UCC the MII Cork Marketing Student of the year. 

Co-founder of Sailing Into Wellness Colin Healy said the charity was hugely grateful to be selected as this year’s fundraising partner, adding that the vital funds would be well used by the charity.  

He added: “The funds raised will enable us to continue our programmes and support more people within communities by teaching them new skills and promoting social inclusion through sailing. We’d like to express our sincere thanks to those who donated so generously despite difficult financial times.”  

The coveted Best Dressed prizes, sponsored by Keanes Jewellers went toLorna Horgan, 96fm, and Rory Barry, Barry and Fitzwilliam. Guests danced the night away as Gemma and the Jets rocked the dance floor, playing a variety of chart-toppers and classic hits. Following this, Red FM’s Phillip Bourke returned to the stage as DJ, playing into the small hours as guests capped off an amazing evening of fun and socialising with their peers from Cork’s marketing community. 

MII Cork is the regional branch of the Marketing Institute Ireland and its objective is to grow a community of Cork marketers through various educational events throughout the year.  

You can find more information including images from the night on mii.ie or through #MIICorkBall23 across social media. 

Further information on Sailing into Wellness is available on their website – www.sailingintowellness.ie

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