Inistioge’s golden day for kids raises €2,500
EUROPE’S ONLY ten-arch rubble stone bridge in Inistioge was lit up gold capping off a fantastic family fun day in the village – all in aid of childhood cancer research.
A huge crowd attended throughout the day enjoying music, meeting sporting celebrities and seeing the bridge and castle lit up in resplendent gold light. Taking place on the green this year’s Light It Up Gold event was bigger than last year’s with live music and a DJ on an open stage, face painting, a bouncy castle, canoe paddling, Disney characters, a meet and greet with Kilkenny hurlers, goodie bags and more.
The community of Inistioge went gold last year as did many more famous monuments across the globe. The lighting up of the only ten arch rubble classical stone bridge in Europe has become an annual tradition now and there was added drama this year as another monument, Mount Sanford Castle – which is located behind the famous bridge – was also lit up gold, making for a spectacular sight.
There was great excitement when the Kilkenny hurlers arrived. Cllr Michael Doyle switched on the lights. One of the organisers Stella O’Connor Katus said: ‘It was a community event for families who have been touched by childhood cancer. We had a great turn out throughout the day. There was a lot of clapping and a great atmosphere when the bridge and the castle were lit up gold. Our primary goal is to raise awareness of childhood cancer and support parents and families that have been affected. Our thoughts and prayers are with the children and their families whom are affected by this. It was brilliant event again this year.’
Stella said around €2,500 was raised and donations made will go to medical research in UCD, Beads of Courage, an internationally recognised arts of medicine programme and St John’s Haematology/oncology ward at Our Lady’s children’s hospital Crumlin. The organisers would like to thank Terry Bannon, digital outputs and signiatec.ie., Air Max Kilkenny, Graiguenamanagh Canoe Club, DJ Paul Kelly, HFC Brass band, Hayley Crosbie, Alias Smith and Jones and all of the local volunteers and businesses.