Pub closures brought the curtain down on one bar’s famous bingo night... but technology has revived it.
Barney Mac’s in Drogheda, Co Louth, attracts an army of punters for its Monday sessions.
But for the last three weeks, the owners have been using Facebook live to dodge the lockdown, revive the entertainment - and raise a fortune for charity.
Manager Brian McDonnell, 65, is the bingo caller, while daughter Fiona, 34, double checks the numbers.
The last three Mondays saw a staggering €2,000 shared between Feed the Heroes, the Jack and Jill Foundation and Drogheda Women’s Refuge.
Mum-of-one Fiona said: “There were 90 players online on Monday night, with prizes sponsored by local businesses.
“So we create an event on Facebook and there’s a link to where people can donate. I send over photos of the bingo cards and then we do a Facebook live, where people Comment when they have a check.”
Brian organises the virtual session from his kitchen table in the town’s Oulster Lane - and has attracted players from as far afield as Luxembourg and Glasgow.
- Next week’s chosen charity is the Drogheda branch of the Alzheimer Society.
