Bunclody community come together for annual summer fete
There was a great summer and joyful atmosphere against the backdrop of the picturesque grounds of the rectory as people of all ages joined in on the fun.
A very popular event on the day is always the dog show, with many beloved pets strutting their stuff to earn a variety of prizes across the categories.
The organisers also gave a special thanks to the judges and participants of the potato growing competition which saw an intense battle.
"Thanks to everyone who helped and supported the Bunclody summer fete at St Mary's Rectory. John Power congratulated the winner of the potato growing competition 2025, John Porter on achieving a crop weight of 2kg 362g from a single British Queen seed sown in a container around St Patrick's Day.
"Thanks to Kate Power, Isabelle Halligan, and Josh Collier plus friends for rummaging, weighing, and recording the crop weight of each of the 21 entries,' they said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
Fear and concern among Indian community, says ambassador
The Indian Ambassador to Ireland has said there is widespread concern and fear amongst the Indian community in Ireland, following what he described as recurrent and brutal attacks in recent weeks. Speaking to journalists at the India Day Festival in Merrion Square in Dublin city centre, Akhilesh Mishra said he has been working to reassure those members of the community who are fearful. "I'm very confident that garda and the political leadership here is very, very supportive. "They are taking all possible measures to ensure safety of public spaces, and they are taking all measures to give confidence and a welcome feeling to the Indian diaspora. For that, I'm grateful." Hundreds of people attended the event, organised by the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland. The organisation's chairperson, Dr Jásbir Puri Singh, said the Indian diaspora in Ireland have learned how to celebrate their national day by seeing the St Patrick's Day celebrations around the world. "We have the same values, accepting each other. Ireland is a land of a thousand welcomes. We also do the same, any guest who comes to our home is like God." He said if any Indian person thinking of coming to Ireland asked him for advice following recent attacks here, he would say: "It happens all over the world, in every nook and corner of the world it happens, please do come. Irish people are usually friendly and nice, they are nice humble people." Attendees enjoyed dance and musical performances on the festival stage. Many Indian families took group pictures. Sanjo Mulavaracal was standing proudly with his three Irish-born children. One daughter had just been on the stage playing the Indian national anthem on violin. He told RTÉ News he has been living here for 20 years. He said he has always received a warm welcome when travelling around the country. "I'm very happy here, all the time." He has not experienced any animosity towards Indian people here and has not seen a change in attitude in recent times. Sweta Varnwal who has been in Ireland for three and a half years said it is "absolutely wonderful and blissful". "People complain about the weather here but I love the weather here even if it's raining, I enjoy the rain." She said she had not experienced animosity towards Indians. "To me personally, the incidents that have happened are with the teenagers and I wouldn't call that type of activity specifically against Indians as such. "It was mostly teenagers causing nuisance around the estate or the places where we were living." Schweta Gosavii was very happy to be at the Festival with her children who were performing. She has been in Ireland for ten years but has seen a change in the last year. She recently witnessed a racist attack on another passenger on a bus. "In front of me a nurse was there and one guy, he attacked her, and said some bad words and 'Go back to India'." She said the nurse was frightened and crying and she was scared too. "I have kids and I'm also worried about going out, but I hope everything will be sorted out." Gardaí were at the event to engage with the Indian community. Inspector Ciaran Nunan of the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau said they want to hear from anyone who has concerns or fears. "We're very interested in making sure communities are safe and feel safe throughout the country and that's why we have engagements such as today where we come and engage with communities. "We do that with different communities all year round and we encourage the reporting of hate crime."
Irish Independent
10-08-2025
- Irish Independent
Bunclody community come together for annual summer fete
The annual event hosted by the Bunclody Union of Parishes drew a great crowd who were eager to take in the grand show of classic cars, partake in the many games, and taste some of the menus on offer. There was a great summer and joyful atmosphere against the backdrop of the picturesque grounds of the rectory as people of all ages joined in on the fun. A very popular event on the day is always the dog show, with many beloved pets strutting their stuff to earn a variety of prizes across the categories. The organisers also gave a special thanks to the judges and participants of the potato growing competition which saw an intense battle. "Thanks to everyone who helped and supported the Bunclody summer fete at St Mary's Rectory. John Power congratulated the winner of the potato growing competition 2025, John Porter on achieving a crop weight of 2kg 362g from a single British Queen seed sown in a container around St Patrick's Day. "Thanks to Kate Power, Isabelle Halligan, and Josh Collier plus friends for rummaging, weighing, and recording the crop weight of each of the 21 entries,' they said.
Irish Examiner
02-08-2025
- Irish Examiner
Wedding of the Week: Limerick couple Chloe and Michael's big day was special for the whole family
Music-loving Limerick couple Chloe Brennan and Michael Cussen were delighted to find a celebrant who sang from the same hymn sheet as themselves in every sense. Chloe, who grew up in Monaleen, and Michael, from Father Russell Road, were wed recently in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix, Co Laois, by Fr Paddy Byrne and held their reception in Castle Durrow, Co Laois. Fr Paddy Byrne with Chloe Brennan and Michael Cussen and their wedding party. 'Fr Paddy was an absolute gent! He was just wonderful — so much fun. When we asked him about church music, he said, 'Whatever music you want' — so we got to have a very eclectic range, including songs from The Cure, Oasis, The Cranberries, Smashing Pumpkins, The Beatles, and Taylor Swift. When I looked up at one stage during the Mass, I saw Fr Paddy singing along to Champagne Supernova,' says Chloe. 'We are also fortunate that our incredibly talented and kind singer and harpist Sinéad Walshe learned some songs for us.' Chloe Brennan and Michael Cussen. Pictures: Black Diamond Photography Rewind 10 years and Beyonce's hits were the soundtrack as Chloe, a teacher, and Michael, who works for Limerick County Council, first spotted one another — at a New Year's Eve ball on December 31, 2015, at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick. 'We danced. [Afterwards] I was shy and ran away,' says Chloe. Chloe Brennan and Michael Cussen. Pictures: Black Diamond Photography But Michael asked around about Chloe. 'I was in a musical that year with Limerick Musical Society, and we were part of the St Patrick's Day parade in 2016. Straight after we went to Nancy's [Nancy Blake's Bar] in Limerick where Michael and I bumped into one another," she says. As Chloe was about to take up a teaching position in Dubai, a two-year long-distance romance ensued. Eight years later, and back in Ireland, Kilkenny's five-star Mount Juliet resort was the backdrop to their engagement on January 7, 2024. The bride's parents Trish Forde Brennan and Donal Brennan. Both sets of parents, Trish Forde Brennan and Donal Brennan and Susan Cussen and Mick Cussen, were there to help them celebrate on their big day, along with Chloe's grandfather Dan Forde. 'We were so appreciative of everybody being there, especially Susan, Michael's mum, who passed away a few months after our wedding,' says Chloe. The groom's parents, Susan Cussen and Mick Cussen. 'They showed us what love is, and we were able to honour them. Susan loved weddings and was always the life and soul of every party. It meant so much to Michael and me that she was able to be there. 'Attending the wedding was my grandad's first time leaving the house since Covid. He had the best time and stayed for the afters.' The bride's friends were by her side also, with Aisling Kelliher as her maid of honour and Clodagh Hayden, Elisse O'Donnell and Grace McDonnell as her bridesmaids. The groom's brother Shane Cussen was his best man, and his cousin Ed Cussen and friends John Reddington and Neil Connaughton were the groomsmen. Bride Chloe Brennan. Pictures: Black Diamond Photography Chloe looked super-elegant in two bespoke gowns by Cleo Bridal. 'Mary Flynn customised the two dresses,' she says. 'Designer Mary O'Sullivan did the veil, and my hair and makeup were by the amazing Catherine Hickey Hair and Make Up.' Fr Paddy Byrne with Chloe Brennan and her bridal party. The suits were from Anthony Ryan's Galway, and capturing the occasion on film was Black Diamond Photography ( and Ivory Films. Bobby Mc & The Dukes performed during the drinks reception, and Soul Power Music was the wedding band, followed by DJ Jack Enright. Chloe Brennan and Michael Cussen. Pictures: Black Diamond Photography 'Our first dance was to You and Me by Penny and the Quarters,' says Chloe. The newlyweds, who live in Monaleen, honeymooned in Las Vegas, California and Mexico. If you would like your wedding featured in Weekend email
