Written By Olena Riznyk
AILSA CRAIG - On Saturday, March 22, the Ye Olde Town Hall in Ailsa Craig transformed into a curious blend of Irish festivity and small-town sleuthing for its annual murder mystery dinner — a beloved fundraiser now marking over two decades of community-driven support. What began as a St. Patrick’s Day celebration turned into something far more mysterious: the wake of one Padrick Flaherty, whose sudden and suspicious death stirred up a storm of investigation, laughter, and community spirit.
Set in an Irish-themed atmosphere complete with green decorations, festive music, and table-top clovers, the evening welcomed nearly 70 guests. But this time, they weren’t just attendees — they were detectives, each group handed clues and reports in a race to unmask the killer among them.
Nine acting volunteers portrayed suspects, while local teens served meals and a kitchen crew kept the dinner piping hot. All were volunteers — part of what makes this fundraiser a community favourite.
“This event is our biggest fundraiser for the hall,” explained Marilyn Barbe, one of the organizers. “The town hall was going to be torn down, but we formed a committee back in 2000 to save it. Since then, we’ve been hosting events like this every year — well, except during COVID.”
Behind the scenes, the effort that goes into the event is just as impressive as the show itself. “We’ve done a lot of renovations ourselves — new floors, ceilings, an elevator, even curtains,” said long-time volunteer Pat McDonnell. “All volunteer works. It’s about keeping this hall alive.”
Actors — some of whom have been involved since their youth — came costumed and in character, bringing drama and humour to the otherwise grim storyline. “The actors are all from the village. They love doing it,” said Barbe, smiling at the energy in the room.
But beyond the mystery and the fun, events like these play a deeper role in small communities. “It’s not just about raising funds,” Barbe added. “It’s about bringing people together. We all know each other, but life gets busy — this gives us a reason to connect.”
High school students earned community service hours by waiting tables. “We’re especially proud of the kids — they’ve worked hard,” she said. “It’s great experience for them.”
While the true culprit behind Padrick’s watery end was eventually discovered, the real winner of the night was the Ye Olde Town Hall itself. Every dollar raised supports ongoing maintenance and upcoming events — from concerts to senior lunches and spaghetti nights.
