Thousands descend for Glanfest ‘24

As thousands descended on Glanworth over the weekend for the (potentially!) annual Glanfest, it’s not hard to see how co-ordinator Stephen Dunne described the bank holiday weekend as a ‘ great success’ - “We’re delighted, it went really well and we’re very happy with it,” he told TheAvondhu.

And even though it’s likely that there was more than just a few sore heads about the place, within 24 hours of the end of the festival the village was back to ‘normal’, with at least one person who was training in the pitch on Tuesday evening saying you’d never guess anything had happened there at all.

The craic kicked off on Thursday in The Harbour Bar with bingo provided in great style by Tommy Fitzgibbon, followed by a very well-supported interview night with Liam Sheedy, Rena Buckley and Johnny Pilkington. On Saturday, the Football Sevens tournament dominated the day, organised by Tom Blackburne; a BBQ and a big screen made sure that none of the sports were missed, while that evening 600 people packed into the marquee for The 3 Buachaillí, The Fógues and Riff Shop.

Of course the whole weekend was helped by the weather, while the music, says Stephen, was ‘awesome’.

With a clicker, organisers counted 2,000 people for the Family Fun Day on Sunday, organised by Dawn Walsh. Alongside her was Ciarán Cotter in charge of the Farmers’ Market, a funfair over the whole weekend, as well as 10 teams in a Mothers & Others blitz-event. That evening, 500 people went to see Offaly singer Mundy in the marquee, with Deuces Wild featuring Glanworth’s own Martin Flynn and comedian Cornelius Patrick O’Sullivan keeping them laughing into the wee hours. The volunteers were rewarded for their hard work on Monday evening in O’Donnell’s

Bar with music by Kevin O’Brien.

“There was something for everyone. People really enjoyed it, for its variety and it went very very well,” says Stephen.

“We want to thank the committee and the local community for the joined-up approach. The money we raised will go to support the infrastructure of the club, future land purchase and to improve the walkway around the pitch and the lighting for it”.

It has to be said, Mr Dunne did sound weary as he spoke with The Avondhu on Tuesday morning. While the success of the weekend bodes well for next year, it was felt unfair to start talking about it just yet!

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Johnny Pilkington and Liam Sheedy with some panel members of Glanworth GAA and Harbour Rovers, at Grassroots in Ballindangan Community Centre, part of Glanfest 2024.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Fermoy Mothers & Others team, that took part in the Glanfest blitz last Sunday.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Killavullen Mothers & Others, who took part in the blitz at Glanfest in Glanworth on Sunday last.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Glanworth Mothers & Others, who took part in Glanfest Mothers & Others blitz last Sunday.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Fr Michael Corkery, PP, Glanworth, with his cousin Rena Buckley, her daughter Síle and Cllr Frank O’Flynn (Cork County Mayor), at Glanfest last Friday night in Ballindangan.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Ann Daly with her dog Frankie, who won a prize at the Glanfest dog show, during the family fun day last Sunday.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) John Blackburne presenting Glanworth captain, Brianna Colfer, with the Owenie McAuliffe Cup after winning the ladies 7s as part of Glanfest last Saturday in Glanworth.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Eamonn McCarthy, Kildorrery, meeting up with star attraction, Mundy, at Glanfest last Sunday night.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Tadhg Dunne and Eamonn Coughlan, enjoying Grassroots in Ballindangan Community Centre last Friday night.