Offaly seamstress comes to the rescue of Debutante in distress

A Meath woman has posted her appreciation of a local seamstress who came to the rescue of her daughter who was attending a debs dance at the Bridge House Hotel.

Pam Frawley thanked Margaret's Alterations Service in Tullamore for going above and beyond what could be expected on a Sunday afternoon.

The woman posted that ''At 8pm last Sunday night, I phoned Margaret in a panic. My daughter had just arrived at the Bridge House Hotel from Co. Meath to celebrate her debs.

Basically, my daughter's brand new debs dress was starting to rip at the back. The seam was coming apart. Despite not having any idea who I was, or who my daughter was, Margaret jumped in her car, drove to the hotel, picked up my daughter, brought her back to her house, fixed her dress and dropped her back to her debs party. And all in under half an hour.

My daughter was absolutely thrilled and had a fantastic night. We just couldn't get over Margaret's kindness. To do that for a complete stranger, at that time on a Sunday evening is something very special. What a wonderful person.''

Meanwhile, the ''wonderful'' Margaret said she was only too delighted to do the good turn.

She said she was in Marian Place visiting her daughter when she got the call. Mrs Frawley said her daughter was in ''an awful state'' and both her grandmother and grandfather were in the church in Meath lighting candles that she would get the dress fixed.

Margaret said the dress was satin, and was ripped from the zip and the two side panels were also coming apart.

''She didn't know the two side panels were going as well'' said Margaret. ''I collected her and I said I will bring you on a tour of Tullamore'', said Margaret, as she drove her to her home. ''She stood in a bathrobe while I sewed the dress and in a half an hour I had it done,'' said Margaret.

The debutante made it back in time for her debs event. When she was leaving, the group picture was being taken but she told Margaret she didn't mind missing out as long as she could get her dress fixed and enjoy the night out.

When she asked Margaret how much she owed her, Margaret refused payment and told her to have a drink on her. But the girl insisted and Margaret said she left €50 in the car.

Margaret later rang her mother to say it was way too much to give as it was her debs night out.

But Pam Frawley said they were so so grateful to her for saving the dress and the night.

Meanwhile the Bridge House has contacted Margaret to thank her for saving the dress. Margaret's own daughter's wedding took place recently in the Bridge House and  Manager, Noel McCann got up on stage to say that if anyone had any alterations or rips to be repaired that Margaret the seamstress was available to help. ''I said I will kill you Noel'' laughed Margaret.