Mallow style icons
Michelle O’Sullivan from Dripsey and Trevor Moloney from Mallow who were the winners of Most Stylish Sunday 2017 at Cork Racecourse Mallow, as part of Mallow’s Racing Home for Easter Festival
THE weather gods smiled down on a record gathering of 6,000 people who went to Mallow Castle to enjoy the family entertainment, live music, food, craft fair and cycle during the Racing Home for Easter Festival.
Attendance at Cork Racecourse in Mallow was also up by over 30%.
It all kicked off with the hilarious Chancey Brothers, who led the people of Mallow on a merry comedy dance through the streets from the colourful set of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in Market Square to the Castle grounds on Saturday morning. Accompanied by the unanimous hit of the weekend - the Gardai on horseback - there was some confusion caused when they came to the attention of members of An Garda Siochana locally – with shouts of “impostors”, coming from the comedy performers.
The Country Lifestyle Pet Show was a hit , while the live music stage was populated by groups from Mallow Arts Collective Musical Showcase such as Hank Wedel & Friends; Run Down Washington Street; New Vintage; and the Mallow Gospel Singers and New Road from Mallow Bible Fellowship.
When they weren’t taking a turn on the hugely popular amusements, including ‘wipe out’; the surf simulator or the Castle Choo Choo train, the crowds were being entertained throughout the afternoon by stilt walkers and fire breathers.
Over 3, 000 people attended the Food and Craft Fair on Easter Sunday morning, where there was the welcoming waft of waffles, wood fired pizzas;, hot dogs, spicy Indian foods, homemade jams, preserves and freshly made potato crisps.
The day wouldn’t have been complete without the Easter Egg hunt and there was the great melodious backing of the Cork Light Orchestra.
When it came to the gong for style, it went to 25 year-old Michelle O’Sullivan from Dripsey who beat off some very stiff competition at Cork Racecourse Mallow in her monochrome with a pop of pink outfit, which caught the eye of celebrity judge Jessica O’Gara.
Michelle, who works in AIB Ballincollig, and her boyfriend, will be jetting off to Boston courtesy of Cork Airport’s new Norwegian route to Boston Providence.
The lucky couple will enjoy pre-flight accommodation and dinner at the Cork International Hotel and free car parking for the duration of the trip as well as access to the private business lounge and a voucher for The Loop for duty free treats before they take off for three nights in luxury accommodation in the 4 star Lenox Hotel in Boston.
Meanwhile, self-employed carpenter and father of four, Trevor Moloney was deemed to be Most Stylish Gent on the day. He scooped a €500 voucher for Barry’s Menswear Mallow for his efforts.
Easter Monday saw 175 mums, dads and kids take to their bikes from Mallow Castle on the 10km Family Fun cycle hosted by PiCycles and the Revolution Cycling Club – with some fun stops around town for photos, refreshments & games, before the Castle hosted a number of pipe bands from all over the county as part of the Cruinniú na Cásca celebrations organized by Cork County Council.
The investment by Cork County Council in the grounds of Mallow Castle over the past 12 months was deemed a huge success, with phase two due to get underway shortly further cementing the Castle’s place as an important entertainment space in the heart of Mallow community life.
Record crowds also came through the gates of Cork Racecourse in Mallow, according to Sales and Marketing Manager Mary Kelly. “The numbers for Most Stylish Sunday in particular were unbelievable – up 38% on last year’s figures”, said Mary.
“It seemed that there was a never ending queue outside the course from 1pm. There is no doubt that word is continuing to spread about the variety of entertainment, sport and craic on offer over the three day festival and that is putting Mallow on the map and we are delighted to welcome the crowds that get bigger and bigger each and every Easter,” she said.