Return of the Balding Cow festival

FAMILY FUN WEEKEND PLANNED AT GORTROE AND DROMAHANE

PERHAPS one of the most unusually named events of its kind in Cork, the Balding Cow Festival will see hundreds of people descend on Gortroe for three fun-packed days from September 2.

Organised by the Lombardstown Community Council, the family weekend will feature a packed programme of events to suit all ages and tastes.

Following on from the success of last year’s cycle, organisers will be running the ‘Can You Cope With Cope’ 3km hill climb at 7pm on the first evening of the festival at Gortroe. The twowheeled theme will continue on Saturday with a running cycle at 4pm featuring 8km and 50km courses followed by a barbecue and live music at the Gortroe Inn.

Sunday promises to be busy with a number of events taking place locally including the annual Autumn Fayre at the Dromahane Community Park from noon.

The Parent’s Association at Glantane NS will hold a fundraising tractor run from the local Community Centre, also beginning at noon. For more information about the run contact Noeleen on 086 8766700

The Balding Cow Family Fun Day will take place from 4pm6pm in the village featuring an array of market stalls, bouncy castle, face painting music and a plethora of other colourful activities.

The ‘Balding Cow’ weekend gets its unique name from the old Gaelic name for Lombardstown which translates as ‘ the field of the bald cow’.

While the reason for the name of has been lost in the mists of time, community council chairman Jerry O’Regan said it has certainly helped attract interest.

“We wanted a name for the festival that would not only stand out but would also catch some flavour of Lombardstown’s history. Judging by interest the name of the event has generated, I think we have succeeded in that,” he said.

Proceeds from the fun day will go to helping develop local amenities into the future.