Queen of the Lakes festival set to draw huge crowds to Ballinrobe
After a hugely successful revival last year, the popular Queen of the Lakes festival is set to have Ballinrobe rocking from July 19th to 26th – starting on Connacht Final evening and climaxing a week later with the popular Queen of the Lakes selection pageant in the town.
Generous sponsorship from Tesco and Failte Ireland have made it possible for the festival to become even bigger and better than last year’s event, and an active local committee have been working tirelessly on the project in recent months.
“Last year, our festival ran for three days, and it was a great success. Now we are expanding it to a full week, and we are looking forward to a great week in Ballinrobe,” said Deirdre Biggins, chairperson of the organising committee.
An action-packed weekend is promised in Ballinrobe with A Step Back in Time – Country Market and Heritage Day, street-painting, face-painting, soccer matches, and Ballinrobe Races.
There will be music and entertainment in local pubs every night of the week.
The Queen chosen on Sunday night, July 26th, will preside over social and community events in the region for the next 12 months.
The tradition started over 20 years ago when the Queen of the Mask contest was held, and in the past ten years it was re-named the Queen of the Lakes. The selection contest has always attracted huge crowds.
The reigning Queen, Aoife Kelly, will be on hand to place the tiara on the crown of the new Queen. Twelve contestants will take part from all around the Lake District. “I have had a great year as Queen of the Lakes, and I wish this year’s contestants the very best,” said Aoife Kelly, who launched the 2009 festival last week.
The winning girl will receive a cash prize of €500, a piece of Tipperary Crystal sponsored by Walkin’s Gift Shop, and will also go forward to next year’s Rose of Mayo contest. The winner in the Rose of Mayo takes part in the Rose of Tralee.
The full programme of events is as follows:
Sunday, July 19th:
The Polka Dot Challenge, taking cyclists up and down some of the highest peaks in the Lake District. Contact Western Lakes Cycling Club officer Fergal O’Neill (fjgon@eircom.net or 087 1211047) for more details;
Music on the Street – chat the Connacht Final night away – live music with Phase and Pot Electric, in Cornmarket, Ballinrobe. Barbecue, with pig roasting on the spit, from 7.30pm onwards; there is also a traditional roasting of the pig on spit outside O Haire’s pub in cornmarket. Come along and celebrate the Connacht final!!
There is a karaoke competition in Art O Neill’s Bar along with a traditional session with ‘Dancing at the Crossroads’ , from 7pm to 9pm in McCoy’s Bar followed by DJ Sean. All drinks are just €3
There is music in Costello’s Bar with DJ Richie.
Monday & Tuesday, July 20th and 21st:
Ballinrobe Races, one of the great west of Ireland traditions.
The first race commences at 5.40pm along with music in the race course with 'Tempo'.
A 4 course race menu in McCoy’s is €25 with live music from ‘Sheebeen’.
Live music in Art O Neill’s with ‘Street Wise’ along with a free BBQ.
Costello’s Bar are hosting a Texas Hold’em Festival Freeze Out with €500 guaranteed. Please call 0872060595 if any enquires.
The race meeting specials are from €9.95 in the Aubergine Restaurant on Main St.
On Tuesday, the first race meeting commences at 5.40pm along with music by 'SaFire'.
Live music in Art O Neill’s Bar with the ‘Elastic Band’ followed by a free BBQ. McCoy’s have live music with ‘The Neil Diamond Experience’ and a four course race menu costs €25.
Finally, there is a Texas hold’em session in Costello’s Bar.
Wednesday, July 22nd:
No-Name Disco for teenagers, The Valkeburg, with DJ Fergal Darcy of i102 Radio.
Open day at the new BMX track, the cycling centre, Kilamine Rd. Bring your bike and helmet for a fantastic fun afternoon. 4-7pm. Ages 9-90. €2 charge.
Thursday, July 23rd:
The Queen Ball, The Valkenburg, 9pm. Music by Shaun Loughrey. Come along and meet the prospective Queen of the Lakes 2009.
The Conor Lambert Puppet show presents ‘Punch and Judy with hosts Ding and Dong’. It shows at 5pm and 7pm in the Valk. Tickets are available at the door.
McCoy’s-Hypnotist and comedy show with the legendary ‘Barry Sinclair’. Show starts at 9.30pm.
Friday, July 24th:
Open Air Ceili, Abbey Street, Ballinrobe, with the one and only Carousel, 8pm. Dance the night away!
The Traditional Irish Music in Biggin’s Bar Bowgate St.
Art O Neill’s Bar hosts a Caribbean night.
Night club in the Valk.
Saturday, July 25th:
A Step Back in Time – Ballinrobe Heritage Day. An old favourite. Shop-keepers in traditional costumes. Vintage cars, stands, boiled boxty, roasted pig, costume characters, the lot. Prize for Best Shop Window. Galway Jazz Band from 12-2pm in Abbey Street. A superb day is in store. Please note Main Street will be pedestrianised on this day.
Soccer blitz in The Green for U8s, U10s, and Seniors.
Official opening by the Town Crier and current Queen of the Lakes, Aoife Kelly at 10.30am. Dress up in your old gear and join the fun.
Live music on the streets with the ‘Guinness Jazz Band’,12-2pm.
There is entertainment all day in Arts’ with the Duggan School of Dancing river dance special at 3pm along with a magician, face painting, pig on spit, BBQ and of course live music with the famous ‘Tempo’ at 6pm followed by DJ Geoff.
The ‘Guinness Jazz Band’ plays again, Abbey Street, 8-10pm.
Ibiza foam party with laser show and confetti bombs in McCoy’s Bar, Abbey Street.
70’s night in Inch’s Bar (Fitzpatrick’s), Main St.
Traditional music in the front bar of The Valk with the ‘Big Session’ at 10pm.
Music in Costello’s with ‘Tempo’ with free BBQ in the beer garden.
Sunday, July 26th:
Family Fun Day, Flanagan Park, Ballinrobe. Clowns, costume characters, bouncing castles, roaring and shouting, maybe the odd bit of screaming, but nothing we can’t handle. A Kiddies Disco, too, in Flanagan Park, and a (perhaps not unrelated) Tug-o-War.
Queen of the Lakes final pageant, in association with Tesco and Failte Ireland, in The Valkenburg, Ballinrobe, 9pm. Compere Liam Horan. Doors open 8.30pm. Come early to be guaranteed a seat. Admission €15. Show followed by live music with Tempo, and Disco.
Inter pub tug-of-war competition in Abbey St at 7pm.
Trad session in McCoy’s Bar from 7pm until 9pm. Music with ‘Dancing at the crossroads’. DJ Sean 10-late. All drinks €3
The Karaoke final takes place in Art’s Bar.
WESTERN LAKES CYCLING CLUB
