LIOS PÓIL SAYS ‘IS FEIDIR LINN’

IN a summer when almost every festival and event in West Kerry has been cancelled because of the coronavirus emergency the ‘yes we can’ spirit of Lios Póil has risen to the challenge, keeping alive the annual féile that celebrates all that is best about the village and its community. Féile Lios Póil, was slimmed down from the usual week of activities to a three-day ‘mionfhéile’, and the focus was shifted to outdoor activities and online events to keep the show on the road this year. It was a case of doing the best that could be done in difficult times but it worked and organisers were delighted with the level of participation. The féile got underway on Saturday morning with Rás an Stricín –a hallmark of the festival and a gruelling test of fitness that involves racing up the side of the very steep hill overlooking Lios Póil for the honour of being crowned Rí and Banríon an Stricín. Tiarnan Ó Loingsigh from Garfinny won this year’s ‘king of the hill’ title after completing the climb in 18 minutes and 40 seconds. It was slower than the record time of 17:58 and slower too than the time of 17:59 set last year by multiple winner Ronán Ó Grifín. But at just 12 years of age Tiarnan was the youngest ever winner of the title, and that pushes his achievement well into the ranks of the remarkable. The fastest man in this year’s Rás an Stricín was Darragh Ó Muirí who reached the top of the hill half a minute after Tiarnan, and the fastest woman was Joanne Ní Shuilleabháin who set a time of 24:55 and earned the title of Banríon an Stricín. The féile stayed outdoors with a well attended car treasure hunt on Saturday afternoon before bringing the community together – but safely apart – with an online photo exhibition and live streaming of local talent in the wonderfully eclectic Fís na Féile. The festival continued over the weekend with nature walks, the signature Siúlóid na Féile with 250 participants, and under-12 football before coming to a close on Monday evening with a road race. “It went very well, we were very pleased. The people living locally and those who come home especially for the féile are great for taking part and helping out and now their children and even their grandchildren are getting involved as well,” said féile chairman Risteard Mac Eoin.

Pádraig Ó hAiniféin and Gabriel Ó Cathasaigh giving it welly in their race up the Stricín. TOP RIGHT: Deaglán Ó Deargáin. BOTTOM RIGHT: Ciara Ní Dhochairtaigh.