WATCH: 'What else would you be doing?' - Tipperary village's booming bingo back with a bang

It was standing room only in Boherlahan Parish Hall on Monday night as locals turned out in force to mark a milestone - the first anniversary of the Tipperary village's bingo return after a four-year Covid hiatus.

Since its relaunch on June 17, 2024, the Monday night bingo has grown into a thriving community hub, drawing regulars from across Tipperary, all eager for the craic, the cash prizes, and a chance to shout "check!"

At the heart of the operation is a dedicated group of volunteers who keep the show on the road.

Addressing the packed hall on Monday night last, local publican and bingo caller Tony Lacey said: "I just want to say a big thank you. First of all, I would like to thank our committee for all their help all year. They're absolutely great, and most of all, most importantly, is all of you for your support.

"It's great and especially the big crowd tonight, and we hope to see you all next week. Just because it's our anniversary, we still want to see you all again next week."

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Organiser Josephine Maher said the bingo's return had revived more than just the game: "This is our first anniversary, we are one year down, back after covid. Lots of bingos didn't come back, but a group of us got together and decided that we wanted something to happen in the village - because every village needs to have a focal point, and on a Monday night, this is the focal point here in Boherlahan."

Fellow committee member Irene Dwan added: "It has been absolutely phenomenal. It's a year tonight and I'm just so proud to be involved. The first time I put my feet in Boherlahan Hall, I knew it was a welcoming place. And I think the smiles on the people's faces sum it all up, really.

"There's a big element of fun here. And yes, it's nice when they win, too!"

Number caller Niall Tuohy, whose late father Mossy once called numbers at the same hall, summed it up best: "My dad was calling the bingo numbers here about 40 years ago…so it's nice to continue on doing what he was involved in. You know, without a committee, you don't have bingo, but without the people attending, you don't have bingo."

“It's a collective effort, and to be able to call the numbers and to give something back on a Monday night - and Tony's probably right. What else would you be doing? Probably at home watching something on Netflix or binge-watching a box set. And I do look forward to it on a Monday. You know, I definitely look forward to it."

And as for Monday nights? Forget Netflix; in Boherlahan, it's eyes down and quack, quack at 8pm sharp.

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