All aboard the mystery bus for a great day out for senior citizens and friends of the local bar

ALL ABOARD the mystery bus, and they did on Sunday in lower Ballyfermot, as punters from Decies County Bar enjoyed the return of the surprise annual trip.

Organised by local resident Noreen Fogarty and Decies County Bar, the mystery tour is a “totally free day” out for senior citizen customers and friends of the bar.

Ms Fogarty said this was the 27th time the trip was organised.

“Usually, we have 90 to 100 people per year, to bring customers and friends on a day out,” she said.

This year the mystery location was a mini-tour of Wicklow.

“The bus went on a drive, we have tea and scones, went to Brittas, Arklow Bay, then back up to Newtown-mountkennedy and the Parkview Hotel for a four-course meal, music, dancing and a quiz.

“There was 12 tables multiplied by eight people. Everyone on the day got a pressie, worth at least €10, up to a value of €100. All wrapped up, a surprise waiting for them at their seat. Wrapped in gold for men and flowers for women. You don’t know what’s inside until you open it.”

Noreen, who runs Decies ladies darts team, calculates half the money for the day is raised locally and the other half contributed by Decies County Bar.

“We do raffles throughout the year. We missed the last two tours because of Covid, but we were full on Sunday, they were all coming out of the woodwork for this one.”