Big programme of events for Maytime Festival

May 1987

THE 23rd International Maytime Festival is officially launched at a reception in Harp Lager brewery.

Guests are welcomed by Jim McClean, managing director, Harp Ireland Ltd., and the attendance includes local dignitaries, representatives of Dundalk urban district council, Louth county council, Dublin and East tourism, members of the Maytime Festival council and finalists in the Festival Queen competition.

Guinness Group Sales, again major sponsors, promote a number of attractive items on the programme with particular relevance to the licensed trade.

These include the £1,600 Smithwick’s national darts tournament, which has attracted entries from all over the country; Guinness pub quiz, Harp pub drama and pub décor, and the Macardle’s pub golf.

Organisers predict that the Harp Lager jazz and blues festival, with open air and indoor sessions, will make Dundalk a mecca for music enthusiasts.

Other established events returning this year are the Smirnoff pub talent competition, community street sports and children’s art competition.

It is hoped the festival parade, organised by Dundalk Junior Chamber, will bring many visitors onto the streets to view the bands and floats which have entered.

As usual, the programme opener will be the selection and crowning of the Festival Queen, sponsored by Derryhale Hotel.

Full houses are anticipated throughout the week for the International Drama Festival which features groups from the USA, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Adjudication is by RTE’s Tommy McArdle.

The drama is not confined to the international line-up, as lunchtime and late night theatre is also featured.

A new event is a youth day, organised by Dundalk Junior Chamber in conjunction with the festival council, and it includes street drama, a talent contest, quiz, treasure hunt and fancy dress disco.

Among the visitors is a student theatre group from Washington, and a brass band ensemble from Columbia State University.