THE Blues on the Bay Festival was a huge success.
It launched on May 27 with BBC Radio Ulster broadcasting the Ralph McLean Show from 8pm until 10pm in the Whistledown Hotel.
Many of the groups appearing in the festival were on air to render their own version of blues music.
Although I am not a great fan of blues music I really enjoyed meeting the artists.
To prove the popularity of the Whistledown, the place was packed out. Although the weather could have been a bit kinder no one complained and, from the First and Last and right around the town, there were great crowds everywhere.
The overflow of fans who were camped around the town were very well behaved and tidy.
But in the town on Sunday morning everywhere was knee deep in litter.
But, with great foresight, the council men were on the road from 6.30am to tackle the mountain and when I was out again at around 10.30am, Paddy Lungridge and his men had worked a miracle as there was hardly a wisp of paper left. Great work lads.
I’m sure the many nationalities in the town were impressed with the appearance, but I did see a few looking at the old Osborne Hotel.
I’m sure they thought like me, why could they not put a tin of paint on those walls?
It really is an eyesore and the sooner the demolition men move in the better.
The only other sore point is the gap at the Castle House where a house was demolished about 10 years ago and due to some legal wrangle it has never been rebuilt.
If these places were left presentable I’m sure the ’Point would be back in the Tidy Towns Competition prizes.
The Tall Ship Artemis was back in Warrenpoint for the festival.
This huge ship was a picture as she sailed majestically down the lough on various cruises. The crowds looking to board it were enormous.
Some of the passengers were dressed in period costume and held battered suitcases or bundles on their shoulders.
They were commemorating the thousands who left Warrenpoint Quay in 1847 during the famine to make a new home in the new world.
It was great to renew old friendships such as Brian Larkin, his wife and their daughter Mary, from Greenore, who own the Co-op there.
Brian is a great supporter of nautical history and was the mainstay of the Connemara / Perievor exhibition in Greenore.
The Sloans from Killowen were also there. I took pictures of most but it’s a pity it wasn’t at the Famine Memorial where the Carvill boats left from.
It’s great to think that of all the ships sailing for Boston, New York and Newfound Land only one was lost and that struck an iceberg and the captain deserted the ship and let his passengers drown.
INF Lotto numbers on Sunday, May 30, were 5, 21, 23 and 24 and no-one had all four. Six people had three numbers A Eccles, S Boyle, G McGreevy, C Dinsmore, J Creaney and M Fegan.
Sunday’s lotto is now £5,100. Condolences to the family of Margaret McComiskey who died suddenly in Manchester last week.
Sunday, May 23, saw the second Annual Mourne Lurcher and Terrier Charity Show, the great weather brought people from all over the country for the showing and racing events.
A great day was had by all with the event raising £1150 towards the Comunity Rescue Service Vehicle Fund.
A big thank you goes to John Maginn at Dunmore Hill Boarding Kennels for his continued support and everyone who sponsored and attended the event.