County Meath is Crowned All-Ireland Champion in the National Rehab/ Powers Whiskey Pub Quiz
– €90,000 Raised for Rehab Services Nationwide
A team from Meath representing Farrelly’s pub in Oldcastle has emerged triumphant in the final of the National Rehab/Powers Whiskey Pub Quiz, in association with the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI).
The final, which took place in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel in Athlone, followed a series of county finals which took place around the country in early November and featured the winning teams from 25 counties in a general knowledge showdown. Legendary GAA commentator, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, was special guest quizmaster for the evening.
The winning team won by just one point in a tense battle that went down to the wire. The team members – Padraig Finnan, Barry Kevin and Peter Smith, all from Oldcastle, and Adrian Tuite from Carnaross – were presented with vouchers for €2,000 and four bottles of 12-year-old Powers whiskey.
The second prize of €1,000 in vouchers and four bottles of Powers gold label whiskey went to a team from the Fergus Inn in Ennis, County Clare. A team from O’Connor’s Bar in Dungarvan in Waterford came third and won €400 in vouchers and four bottles of wine. Although Meath and Clare were joint leaders with Mayo after three rounds, the winner was decided on the last six questions, with only one point dividing the top three teams’ final scores.
The fundraiser for Rehab saw pub quiz nights take place in some 316 participating VFI pubs throughout the country. Over 2,000 teams took part and a total of €90,000 has been raised towards the further development of Rehab services nationwide.
Speaking after the event, team captain Padraig Finnan described winning the final as “Fabulous! It was a fair and testing quiz. A lot of people came to support us and we’re very happy with the final score.”
Pauline Crowley, Head of Marketing, Rehab, said: “The National Rehab Powers Whiskey Pub Quiz once again proved to be a fantastic way for people to enjoy a fun evening out while raising valuable funds for Rehab’s services around the country.
“Last year’s pub quiz was a tremendous success with 280 VFI pubs taking part and €80,000 raised. This year the response from pubs was even greater and that record has been surpassed with €90,000 raised. It really is a fantastic and fun way of raising much-needed funds for Rehab.”
Val Hanley, VFI President, commented: “The VFI was delighted to be involved in the National Rehab/Powers Whiskey Pub Quiz and it was great to see such a positive response from so many of our members. The pub is the social hub for many communities in this country so where better to stage these nights that bring people together in support of such a worthy cause.” Zoe Traynor, Senior Brand Manager, Powers Whiskey, added: ‘Powers Whiskey is proud to support such a great initiative. Congratulations to the national, county and individual pub winners, and our thanks to everyone who took part or helped in any way.” The quiz tested the teams’ knowledge of a wide range of subjects including history, music, sport, art and literature, geography, film and TV, and current affairs. The final also included questions on the 1980s and a picture round.
The varied questions participating teams had to answer in the final included:
• To which shipping line did the Titanic belong?
• How many time zones are in existence?
• Name the Irish film that won the Camera d’Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival 2008 for Best First Feature.
The correct answers are, in order: the White Star Line; 24; Hunger. -ENDS-
Note to Editor
All proceeds from the National Rehab/Powers Whiskey Pub Quiz will help various activities of the Rehab Group, an independent, not-for-profit organisation which provides health and social care, training and education, and rehabilitation, employment and commercial services for almost 8,000 people each year in Ireland.
Top teams’ winning scores
– Meath – Farrelly’s, Oldcastle, 51
– Clare – The Fergus Inn, Ennis, 50
– Waterford – O’Connor’s Bar, Dungarvan, 49
– Limerick – Scoby’s, Hospital, 47
– Donegal – Glencar Inn, Letterkenny, 46
– Longford – Skelly’s, Ballymahon, 44
– Louth – The Central Bar, Drogheda, 44
– Mayo – Johnny’s Bar, Charlestown, 44
– Tipperary – J.J. Ryan’s, Nenagh, 44
For further information, contact: Tess Tattersall, Rehab, Tel: 01 205 7260, Email: tess.tattersall@www.rehab.ie