Works of art on beach
There was a fantastic turnout and a spectacular array of creations at the 15th annual Sand Festival which took place on Bettystown beach last Sunday.
A huge crowd of both contestants and onlookers attended with the Chair of Meath County Council Cllr Gerry O’Connor presenting all the prizes in the various categories.
The judges for the senior sculpturing where Pat Wogan from Slane and Joe Lawler local artist from Donnacarney. The junior sculptors were judged by Mel Bradley from Bettystown and Kim Reilly also local artists. The Sandcastles judges included Alice Duff, Rachel Reynolds, Sean McCabe, Susan Doorley and Alan Watson all local volunteers.
The organisers extended a very special note of thanks to Dick O Reilly’s wife Eileen for her sponsorship of the Dick O’Reilly Perpetual cup.
‘It is much appreciated and serves as a wonderful reminder to all that the sand festival was Dick’s idea,’ said a spokesperson for the organising committee. The Dick O’Reilly Perpetual Cup was presented to : Carmel and Eva O’Byrne from Kells County Meath. They were the Junior Sculpture Winners for 2017
The winners in all categories were: Senior Sculpturing; 1st prize went to The Duff Family from Bettystown - ‘Gorilla’, 2nd prize went to Greg Szmigiel, Navan - ‘Horse’, 3rd prize went to Krista and Eva Oliver, Drogheda - ‘Differences’.
Junior Sculpturing; 1st prize when to Careml and Eva O’Byrne, Kells - ‘Lion’, 2nd prize went to Alex and Alex Albert, Spain. - ‘ Turtle’, 3rd prize went to Dillon John, Bettystown - ‘Fidget Spinner’.
Under 5’s; 1st prize went to Ryan Keeley, Grangerath, 2nd prize went to Alex Murphy, Santry, 3rd prize went to Luke and Ann Black, Bettystown.
Under 8’s; 1st prize when to Ryan, Bettystown, 2nd prize went to Alice Gallagher, Stamullen, 3rd prize went to Fin Lavelle, Bettystown.
Under 13’s; 1st prize went to Arthur Niclos, Lucan, 2nd prize went to Brown, Mornington, 3rd prize went to James Loughrey, Dublin.
Family Category; 1st prize was won by The Kearns Family, Termonfecki, 2nd prize was won by The Robinson Family, Laytown, 3rd prize was won by The Chilton Family, Laytown.