All the photos from Wexford as Duncannon summer festival returns with a bang
The festival, held in the heart of the village overlooking the beach and the historic Duncannon Fort, presented events to suit all ages, starting off with an outdoor yoga session on the green. Pipers from the New Ross Pipe band, Brian MacMahon and Jodie Fanthom officially opened the festival with a great performance as they played through the village and up to the Fort.
Duncannon Fort was opened prior to its official launch, specifically for those who were in attendance at the festival, and left a lasting impression on visitors who admired the works carried out to date.
Held in the unique setting of the moat in Duncannon Fort, young children enjoyed the Teddy Bears' Picnic, feasting on picnic food, listening to stories, playing party games and dancing to music.
The popular pet fancy dress also took place in this area, with a great range of pets on display and both owners and dogs of different breeds and sizes, cats, rabbits, and a guinea pig all splendidly dressed in very creative outfits. There were a whole range of prizes and the participants and audience had a great time, delighted by the imagination, resourcefulness and effort all entrants had displayed to make this event so extraordinary.
The Fort Parade Ground was the place to be for people wanting to buy something special to remember the festival by, with stalls from the renowned Duncannon Beach Market selling a range of beautiful crafts, other stalls selling delicious food, ice-cream, and strawberries to name but a few. Duncannon Scouts Group was on hand to make knotted key rings and recruit new members to enjoy fun activities throughout the year.
Down on the green in the heart of the village was the main stage which hosted a variety of entertainment for young and old and everyone in between. A local Ukrainian choir, dressed in traditional Ukrainian costumes, sang lively folk songs in their own language; the fun ukulele band The Cool Hand Ukes entertained large crowds who joined in singing along to their popular songs; the incomparable Rathnure Pantomime Society put on a great family show to an enthralled, packed audience.
On the beach, the RNLI and the Seal Rescue Ireland were on hand to showcase the important work they do, and the SEA School from Dunmore kept both children and adults busy discovering the treasures offered by the sand, sea and shore. The family 5-a-side football tournament proved to be a great hit as did the Bar Servers' Race (won by Roche's Bar, Duncannon) and the Sand Sculpting Competition had over thirty entrants, with very creative designs sculpted by young and old.
The traditional Irish band, Skin the Deer, was formed especially for the festival and played to delighted crowds in the Fort as a Fringe performance for the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann. They also performed on the green, followed by the popular band The Controversial All Stars, who played on into the night accompanied by the audience singing along and dancing to their music.
The festival finale was a thrilling fireworks display provided by Rocket Pyrotechnics, uniquely launched from a boat off the beach. The night sky was filled with colour, which reflected in the calm waters of the coast
The Duncannon Renewal Committee has offered 'a sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped to make the festival such a great triumph' which wouldn't have been possible without the 'help and support of a whole range of people'; the financial support of local business, including main sponsor Scurri, individual donations, grants and generous contributions from local councillors, Bridin Murphy and Marty Murphy. 'Nor would the festival have happened without the support from lots of volunteers who gave up their precious time to help run the festival, stewarding, supervising the parking, directing people and helping to set up and clean up after the revellers had gone home,' they continued.
"The advice and support from officers and councillors from Wexford County Council and New Ross District Council was invaluable. A team of Gardaí from New Ross Garda Station helped to make sure the festival passed smoothly and safely, the Order of Malta provided first Aid support and the Local Link Shuttle Service ferried people between Duncannon and Ramsgrange.
'All in all, a great day was had in the village and the Fort and Duncannon Renewal Committee are already planning to make next year's summer festival a bigger and better day of family fun for all the community,' they said.
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