People with memories geared for detail like this will recall that I mentioned here at the end of March that Castleisland was preparing itself for a return of the Summer Festival.
A programme of events is being put together over a four-day period from Thursday, July 7th to 10th
There are people who still remember the great ‘carnivals’ of a generation ago and death-defying go-cart racing down Main Street and Donkey Derbies taking all sides of the same street.
Pair of Leaflets
That was well before the imposition of health and safety took all the fun out of rural Irish towns and villages and their ways of life.
Back to the future: I got a pair of leaflets in the door this evening and they represent the first piece of news I’ve seen on the proposed event.
I don’t know who the Minister for Festivals is within the structure of the Castleisland Chamber Alliance, but this programme has Charlie Farrelly’s ideas and prints all over it. And he did say that he would return to the idea of a street or summer festival soon.
White Collar Boxing
There’s the delayed, annual Humphrey Murphy 5K and 10K on the Thursday evening at 7pm with refreshments at the Ivy Leaf afterwards. The Brawl in the Hall – or White Collar Boxing is planned for Castleisland Community Centre on Friday night from 8-30pm.
The delayed Castleisland Races are now on the Saturday afternoon from 1-30pm and a vintage day on Sunday with a whole supporting cast of side events including a gig rig with music by The Sunday Cure from 1pm to 3pm to be followed by Seamus Moore of Yellow JCB fame.
Family Fun Day
This is all rolled into a family fun day and vintage machinery display on the Castleisland Co-Op Mart grounds.
All types of vintage cars tractors and machinery will be welcomed at the event on the day.
It’s all good and I’m sure we’ll get more news from the leaflet-drop fairy as the time flitters by.
You can click on both leaflets to enlarge and for more information.
Caption: Nora O’Donoghue, Cordal (left) pictured with: Lorna O’Shea, Currow; Aoife Breen, Castleisland and Amy Whooley, Scartaglin at the 2012 Castleisland Street Festival Concert. ©Photograph: John Reidy 16-6-2012. To have news items, notes or photographs included in The Maine Valley Post Please ring 087 23 59 467 or email: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com
Castleisland Vintage Run
And, in the meantime, if you’re looking for a bit of action with a charitable twist, there’s The Castleisland Vintage Run in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group’s Kerry to Cork Health Link Bus.
That’s on Sunday, June 12th starting at 1pm sharp at The Halfway Bar in Ballymacelligott – I learned from yet another leaflet drop.
There’s an entry fee of €10 per vintage vehicle and every make and type of road-worthy, vintage machine and driver will be welcomed. From the said starting point they convoy will move off to: Farranfore, Currow, Castleisland and back to the start at The Halfway Bar.
Noel O’Connor is one of our best known cancer survivors and the organiser-in-chief of this great event. He is aided by his son Frank and they put a huge amount of work into the day each year. For more information you can ring Noel on: 087 33 01 079 or Frank on: 087 28 92 758.
