Biddy’s Day captures the imagination

IN the lead up to the third year of the new and rejuvenated Biddy’s Day festival, all the talk was about the growing popularity of the event and how much the tradition has grown in recent years.

This upturn in fortunes showed no sign of reversing in Killorglin, on Saturday as locals and organisers enjoyed what they described as one of the best years of the festival yet.

Held in various venues around Killorglin last Saturday, there were many highlights to choose from, including the re-emergence of two Biddy groups from elsewhere in the county – a sight which organiser Conor Browne was particularly happy to see.

“It’s always fantastic to see new groups,” he said. “We had Cromane, who reformed their Biddy’s. They haven’t been active in a long time, and they came back very strong. They had their performance down to a tee; it was like they’d never been away,” Conor told The Kerryman.

“Milltown Youth put in a Biddy group also, and that was their first one as well in a long, long time. It’s great to see the Biddy groups re-forming,” he said.

Another highlight each year is the torchlight parade, and once again the crowds lined the street to watch the parade.

“The parade was brilliant. This girl, Caoimhe Dunn, she’s an artist from Wexford, and she was here thanks to Kerry County Council. She built us a bull lantern which was amazing, and added to the parade. We are always trying to add new things to it every year,” Conor continued.

As part of another yearly tradition, Francie Sheahan’s pub was named as the winner of the King of the Biddy’s contest, while Paudie Sheehan – who played with the 1996 Laune Rangers team that won the All-Ireland Championship – was named as the 2019 King of the Biddy’s.

“He’s a very popular man in town,” Conor laughed.

In a huge boost to the town, Conor assured us that Biddy’s Day will definitely return next year – and for many years to come.

“We are already in talks with other groups who will be re-forming next year, and we predict that it will only keep getting bigger and bigger,” Conor said.

Sienna, Bernie Casserly, Dylan Aherne, Linda Aherne and Bernie Casserly enjoying Biddy’s Day on Saturday.

Eileen McGillycuddy (back) with (front from left) Isabelle O’Shea; Harry, Anna Mai and Conor Hughes; and Harry O’Shea at the Biddy’s Day festivities in the CYMS Hall in Killorglin on Saturday.

Basket weaver Pat Broderick, who last year presented Charles and Camilla with a gift following their trip to Kerry, was on hand on Saturday at the CYMS to display his special skills.

Molly Casserly and Caoimhe Dunn

Kerry McCourt, Darragh Foley, Alannah Foley & Megan Foley practising their St Brigid’s Cross making skills at Biddy’s Day in Killorglin on Saturday.