FUN-FILLED DAYS AT EASTER FESTIVAL
WEATHERWISE everything was in favour of the Racing Home For Easter festival 2017 in Mallow but temperatures were noticably down on other years - which may be a factor in the drop in the numbers of people who visited the grounds of Mallow Castle on Saturday for the family day which included a dog show, live music and entertainment for children.
The specially erected stage at the rear of Mallow Castle was the centre point for excellent entertainment in the form of the Mallow Gospel Singers, Run Down Washington Street, New Vintage and singer/songwriter Hank Wedel.
Up to 50 stalls were on view for the Mallow Artisan Food and Craft Fair on Sunday morning, which attracted a huge number of people. Included in the event were plenty food products, photographs, home made jams, jewelery, garden creations, and the like.
The Cork Light Orchestra were excellent as they played many old classics at the front door of the castle to much appreciation for those in attendance.
On Easter Monday morning over 200 people took part in the civic parade after 11am Remembrance Mass at St. Mary’s Church for those who died in the War of Independence. Led by a colour party from the RDF and Thomas Davis Pipe Band, the parade set off at 12noon and proceeded through the New Road, Fair Street and Main Street while the pipe band played A Nation Once Again at the Mallow Plaza before proceeding to the memorial monunment on Mallow Bridge.
There a wreath laying ceremony was held which involved John O’Brien (Labour), John Paul O’Shea (Independent), Melissa Mullane (Sinn Fein), Rosaire Flaherty (Fianna Fail) and Cathal Lombard (Fine Gael). The proclamation was read by Sean McNally and the event closed with a decade of the rosary in Irish recited by Mary O’Brien.
The family cycle was also a successful event which was held on Monday morning with both young and not so young taking to pedal power.
On Monday afternoon a pipe band performance was held on the lawn of Mallow Castle which featured five bands from the region. The event was hosted by Michael O’Donovan, who introduced each band with some history on their founders and history.
Mr O’Donovan paid glowing tributes to such late members of the band as Colm Dwane, Kevin Bolster and Tony Hartnett, who died recently. The bands taking part were the Thomas Davis Pipe Band, Mallow; Thomas Kent Pipe Band, Fermoy; Ballingeary PB, Newmarket PB and Cullen Pipe Band.
Over the three days Cork Racecourse was packed while on Saturday it was fashion day and later in the evening hundreds of young people frequented the various pubs in town to show off their style and celebrate the Easter Bank Holiday.