Human seals and racing pigs - just another summer in Ballyheigue!

THE stunning surrounds of Ballyheigue played host to yet another successful summer festival as locals and visitors converged on the famous seaside village for a weeklong schedule of events that kept the bright side out in an otherwise dull summer.

But the term ‘weather permitting’ is not one that deters organisers of Ballyheigue Summer Festival as fun and family entertainment carry on regardless: beach fishing, festival queens, wheelbarrow racing, terrier racing, a ‘sea to summit’ race, the ‘slip to shore’ race, soccer blitz, and the hugely popular ice cream party in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland - you name it - the festival had it. Ballyheigue is also a wellknown rendezvous for horse racing, but this time it was the turn of the pigs to come under starter’s orders as ‘six little piggies’ went to post for a hugely entertaining day at the races.

The festival kicked off on Monday last, running through the week, but sadly the festival’s showpiece – the Grand Parade - fell victim to the weather on Sunday in what resembled a day borrowed from the depths of winter. But brave and unbowed to the last are the people of Ballyheigue and it takes a lot more than Atlantic gales and sheets of rain to ruin this party as co-organiser, Mick Harkin explains:

“In terms of an event, it’s the biggest of the year and it just couldn’t happen without the help of the community. We held over 50 different events in 7 days and we try to build a lot of the events around local amenities, such as the beach and Kerryhead where we held a history walk and talk,” Mick said. And what of next year’s festival? “We’ll be meeting again in December as the festival takes about six-months to arrange. People come from far afield and they plan their holidays around the festival. We’ll also review the events and see where we can introduce some new ones, just to keep it interesting.”