USA'S BIG HOLIDAY RETURNS TO ROSS
THOUSANDS of people gathered in Pearse Park over the weekend for a 4th of July celebration feast of entertainment, featuring more than 1,200 pipers and drummers and fitness and strongmen competitions.
The 4th of July celebrations began on Wednesday with a reading of the Declaration of Independence by Liam O’Neill and a flag raising ceremony at the Emigrant Flame on the quays, while Claire Barr sang the Star Spangled Banner. The Cumas band performed and everyone enjoyed light refreshments and speeches by New Ross & District Chamber of Commerce President Jonathan Keenan and New Ross district cathaoirleach Cllr John Fleming, followed by light entertainment throughout the day.
On Friday there was a civic welcome for bands who travelled from America, Scotland and Newfoundland to perform in the competition and they gave brief recitals. The band members were welcomed by Cllr Fleming, Dunbody Visitor Centre CEO Sean Connick and district manager Sinead Casey and the bands performed as a massed pipe band outside the Dunbrody Centre.
The park looked resplendent in the sunshine as the musicians from Newfoundland, Scotland and America joined with their Celtic peers to compete in the
All Ireland Pipeband & Drum Major Championships.
Now in its 73rd year the championships attracted more than 60 bands from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, USA, Scotland and Newfoundland, bringing a great weekend of music and colour to the town.
Hotels, pubs and restaurants were packed with visitors over the weekend, bringing a welcome boost to the local economy. This is the fourth time the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships has visited the town and it is expected to return again next year, following the success of this year’s competition.
The park resounded with music from a large contingent of bands from Northern Ireland, two bands from the Saint Colmcille United Gaelic Pipe Band from Kearny, New Jersey, the US, the Royal Scottish Pipe Band and the St John’s Pipe Band from Newfoundland, Canada, along with local bands.
The entire event was free as it was sponsored by Wexford County Council.
The fun times continued on Sunday when the New Ross Health & Fitness Festival, Fitfest, took place, alongside three strength games. Around the park there were display stands and exercise routines from local health and fitness businesses. Children performed yoga moves alongside their parents and there were martial arts moves on display, along with some serious muscle building exercises.
Children enjoyed face painting, an inflatable bungee run challenge, an inflatable wipe out challenge and lots more. Participants enjoyed talks and demonstrations on health, fitness and mindfulness related topics and sampled healthy snacks.
The Strength Games included three major competitions. Organiser Nicky Whelan, who is a world renowed strongman, said the Republic of Ireland Strongest Women competition involved six events in total running across three different weight divisions and saw the girls put on amazing strength feats such as the stones of strength and the deadlift.
Now in its third year the Official Ireland’s Strongest Woman competition – which has the much coveted Trish Porter trophy drew huge crowds, as did The Dunbrody Viking Cup 2018 and The First Bloods Strongman 2018. This is a brand new competition to the Republic of Ireland which saw newcomers to the sport battle it out also over five fun events under the blazing sun.