THE Down Fleadh is gone for another year and no-one can say it didn’t bring people to the town as every restaurant, café and hotel can verify.
The outdoor sessions were a bit disappointing with only a few doing their thing, despite the large crowds.
I saw several locals joining with complete strangers to entertain the crowds and even young girls joining hands for the odd Irish Jig.
With the glorious weather, a lot of musicians spent the weekend under canvas and several tents were to be seen at Marine Parade car park where conditions are ideal.
But if they knew what I know, they would go elsewhere because I saw rats as big as cats running through the bushes and I can get it verified if required.
Anyway I heard no complaints so it must have been okay.
The Band Parade, now a feature of Fleadh, was small but impressive and the music was excellent.
There was a large gathering along the route from the Whistledown Hotel to Duke Street playing fields where the actual competition took place.
I must say the judges had their work cut out for them and eventually junior winners were St Miguel, Downpatrick.
Drum major Rebecca McKenna received the Peter Keenan Memorial Cup.
Padraig Rooney, St Joseph’s Pipe Band, collected the Best Pipe Band Trophy, and Holy Cross Accordian, Atticall, won the senior title with Tracey McNeill taking the New Mourne Cup.
All the winners go to the Ulster Fleadh in Castlewellan in July.
Congratulations to Peter Donnelly and his hard working team on their great work for traditional music.
For the past few weeks, I did not have INF lotto results to hand in time for the deadline but now I find that the jackpot is up to a marvellous £5,500 this Sunday.
Eight numbers share the runner-up prize of £15 each. They are J Beggs, G Heaton, T Dinsmore, G Byrne, T Toner, Amanda and Irene, G Mulligan and G Roberts.
So if you want in to win, buy a ticket now.
There were a few disturbances for the weekend, but no serious damage and of course the usual juvenile drinking with young girls, in particular, being the worst.
It’s hard to blame the off-licence as the drink is sold to older people who then give it to the kids.
I wonder do parents know what their children are up to?
Surely there has to be some sign of their habit.
In another incident, a person was seen at the Old Meeting Street Filling Station tearing down the fencing and leaving it flat on the pavement.
Police were called and, fair play, were there in a speedy fashion. But the bird had flown.
Rostrevor Junior Pioneers held their annual party and presentation in the Convent School Hall last Monday when the prizes for various competitions were awarded.
Rostrevor has one of the strongest pioneer centres with Burren coming a close second.
The young members and parents were at Star of the Sea car park to start their annual walk to the summit of Slieve Martin (Cloughmore).
Again the weather was marvellous, so I’m sure they enjoyed it. Fiddler’s Green Festival time is fast approaching and the launch took place in St Bronagh’s Hall on Friday night (possibly for the last time), as the Hall transfers ownership and no-one knows where next year’s will be.
Maybe a big marquee will turn up.
July 18 to 25 are the dates and 100 events are planned.
Mayor Mick Murphy and President Tommy Sands announced the details of this year’s show. Hopefully the weather will be fine.
The annual Red Star Combined Boats, which plied between Warrenpoint and Omeath for many years is sadly no more.
But last Sunday, survivors and families of the long dead were at St Laurence’s Church, Omeath, for the annual memorial mass and as usual the familiar red star on white was displayed on the altar.
Celebrant was Fr McCreesh and readings were from PJ Bradley MLA and Seamus Kirk, TD and Speaker in The Dail, who said the red star was the first to show cross-border co-operation by ferrying passengers between the towns all during the war and many events will never be forgotten in history.
The death recently in Florida of Rev Jim McLoughlin was recalled on Sunday when his remains were brought home to St Peter’s Church for Requiem Mass before burial in the family plot at St Mary’s Burren. To his sorrowing sister Cora and family sincere condolences. RIP.
The Warrenpoint Historical Group’s annual magazine is now on sale at all the usual outlets in the district.
I would definitely advise a copy to read for it is a wealth of information.
The new editor has done himself proud with a book of stories bringing many memories to recall.
The Clontifleece Post features which appeared in last year’s Burren Bulletin by Brian Connolly.
The Connemara is featured with a song by Ciara Meeke, The Loss of The Connemara, 1916, and the Connemara/ Retriever story by Robert Jones, both sadly gone from this life.
Summer Football, The Wasp Attack by Hugh Heatley, where he tells a hilarious story concerning the late Jamesy Fitzpatrick, who was a great friend of mine, and a wonderful song written by George Scarborough brought back great memories.
Make sure you buy a copy ASAP.