SUMMER BRILLIANCE AT BALLYHEIGUE FEST
THOSE involved with the Ballyheigue Summer Festival are this week rejoicing after the eight-day celebration – made up of 62 events – drew record crowds, earning it the title locally of the best staging yet.
Festivities included nature walks, ice cream parties, sports blitzes, treasure hunts, terrier races, and more, and one of the highlights of the family-friendly week was the official opening of a 2.5-kilometre loop walk, which Mick Harkin explained is an initiative to attract more people to the village.
“Marian Godley and I put in for funding under the village renewal scheme, and this was one of the projects covered,” Mr Harkin said. “There are six information points included, as well as three benches, and it takes roughly half an hour to complete.
“We were delighted to have Mayor Norma Foley with us for the opening, and we were also delighted to have historians Brian McMahon and Seán Kelly present to provide a tour.”
Local TD John Brassil said the event, which has been going for some 15 years, was at its most successful this year, with the good weather playing no small part.
“It culminated in a lovely parade at the end,” he said. “People have been telling me they never saw crowds like it in Ballyheigue. Garda Mark Cussen told me there were five coachloads of people into the village on Saturday, and while the party continued long into the night, not a single incident was reported. Everyone enjoyed themselves in the way they should. I’d like to thank Garda Cussen and the Listowel team backing him up.”