Pictured at House Limerick for the Romantic GladRags 95 Minute Challenge, Richard with Louise McCormack and Lydia Doody, winners Siobhan O’Dwyer and Ian Womack (back), Nadia Sakni, Limerick’s Live 95fm and Celia Holman Lee (front). Picture: Brian Arthur.
Second-hand charity shops can be a treasure trove of interesting fashion and accessories. They are a great way of reusing and upcycling unwanted items and also helping to reduce the amount of clothes that are thrown out and end up in a landfill.
Pictured outside the ADAPT Charity Shop for the Romantic GladRags 95 Minute Challenge – contestants Siobhan O’Dwyer and Ian Womack and Louise McCormack and Lydia Doody. Picture: Brian Arthur.
In order to raise the profile of second-hand retail charity shops and highlight their great value, Limerick City and County Council joined with ADAPT Charity Shop on Sarsfield Street in the city centre and Limerick’s Live 95fm for a unique ‘romantic’ challenge called the Romantic GladRags 95 Minute Challenge. Two couples had to find outfits in the charity shop to be worn on a romantic evening out and each couple was given €95 to spend and 95 minutes to shop.
Last Saturday, I greeted the two couples at House Limerick before they went to the ADAPT Shop to search for outfits, purchase outfits, dress and make their way back to House Limerick to present themselves to fashion icon Celia Holman Lee who picked the best-dressed couple.
Congrats to Siobhan O’Dwyer and Ian Womack who won the top prize, an overnight stay, and dinner at No. 1 Pery Square Hotel & Spa. Our runners up couple Louise McCormack and Lydia Doody also received dinner for two at Limerick Strand Hotel. The two couples were taken on the horse-drawn carriage through the city to their destinations and had an amazing time. It was a wonderful day and a fantastic worthwhile initiative.
Pictured at House Limerick for the Romantic GladRags 95 Minute Challenge – Richard and Celia with the couples who took part in the GladRags 95 Minute Challenge and representatives from ADAPT Charity Shop and Limerick’s Live 95fm. Picture: Brian Arthur.
Sinead McDonnell, Environmental Awareness Officer with Limerick City and County Council said: “The council is always looking for new ways to highlighting the importance of Waste Prevention. It is always better to reuse clothing that is in good condition than to recycling them. I hope it will encourage more people into Limerick charity shops to find fabulous pre-loved fashions for themselves.”Frances Quinn from ADAPT Charity Shop said, “the GladRags 95 Minute Challenge was a great way for our ADAPT Shop to showcase our range of fashion and accessories.”
Frances Quinn from ADAPT Charity Shop said, “the 95 minute GladRags Challenge was a great way for our ADAPT Shop to showcase our range of fashion and accessories.”
Our winning couple was Ian Womack and Siobhan O Dwyer, who spent a total of €61.
- Ian Womack – Shirt €8, Trousers €2, Tie €2, Jacket €20 Total -€32
- Siobhan O’Dwyer – Skirt €8, Top €9, Belt €1, Jewellery €1, Bag €10 Total -€29
Runners up – Total cost €92
- Louise McCormack – Dress €25, Shoes €15, Bag €2, Jacket €4 Total – €46
- Lydia Doody – Hat €4, Coat €15, Dress €20, Jewllery €1, Bag €6 Total – €46
To read more about ADAPT Charity shop click here
To read more about events in Limerick click here
Photos: Brian Arthur