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Packed Programme Of Events For St Patrick's Weekend Festival

7th March 2013

FINAL preparations are being made for the St. Patrick's Weekend Festival which runs from the 15th to the 18th of March. With a range of events planned for the whole week-end this inaugural event will certainly bring life to the Town.
“We have been working hard over the past few months to organise this major festival and we hope that many Offaly emigrants will return home to enjoy this event. We are asking people locally to contact their friends and family wherever they are living and to come to Tullamore for the week-end for a real 'gathering' of families and friends" states Sean O' Brien, Secretary of the organising Committee.
Lecture in DEW Visitor Centre
The week-end starts with a lecture by Michael Byrne on "The Story of Tullamore DEW Whiskey" in the DEW Visitor Centre at 8.00 p.m.; admission is free and all are welcome.
This will be an illustrated presentation on the history of distilling in Tullamore town and in particular the development of Tullamore Dew. The Tullamore Distillery started in 1829 but it had antecedents in the Flanagan distillery of the 1780s and other enterprises such as the Pentland Distillery at Market Square.
Michael Byrne will talk about Daniel E Williams and Desmond Williams and the development of an export market. Those who worked in the business will be particularly welcomed for any contribution they may wish to make to the story. The talk will be fully illustrated and is being held in the Tullamore Dew Visitor Centre on Friday 15 March at 8pm. Daniel E. Williams was from Wales perhaps St Patrick was also.
Tullamore Comhaltas Concert
The Tullamore Comhaltas group are holding a Concert in the Bridge House starting at 8.0 p.m.
Battle of the Bands
Many up and coming Bands will try to make a name for themselves over the week-end as they compete in The Battle Of The Bands. This takes place in Fergies Bar, Market Sq. starting at 9.00p.m. on Friday 15th March. The winner will perform on the Gig Rig in Market Sq. on Monday 18th March as part of a special day's entertainment. Application forms are available at the stand in the Bridge Centre or check our website HYPERLINK "http://www.stpatricksdaytullamore.com" www.stpatricksdaytullamore.com; telephone contact is Mark Quinlan at 087 6875691.
Heritage Walk
A Heritage Walk will be led by local Historian, Michael Byrne on Saturday 16th March. This starts from O' Connor Sq. at 11.00 a.m. and will finish at the Canal area. This event is free and all are welcome to join in.
Market in O' Connor Sq.
The very successful Market held in O' Connor Sq. at Christmas is set to return as part of the "Gathering" Festival to be held in Tullamore over the St. Patrick's week-end. Anyone wishing to have a stall should contact Susan Killeavy at 087 4116275.
“We are delighted that the Market will return on the Saturday of St. Patrick's week-end. It was very popular at Christmas and no doubt it will be a big attraction again. O' Connor Sq. will be closed to traffic on Saturday 16th March to cater for the Market. We will also have a Gig Rig in the Square with local bands performing from 2.00p.m. to 8.00p.m. It will certainly be a festive occasion." stated Sean O' Brien, Festival Secretary.
Programme
“We have a full programme of varied events over the whole week-end, with something to suit everyone. There will be an official programme available this week-end which will give exact details of all events, including entertainment in local hostelries. There will be a Bar Extension in all local Pubs and Hotels and all will have live entertainment for the week-end. If any organisation wishes to run events in conjunction with us please feel free to contact us and we will facilitate this. We already have notification of a number of "Gatherings" which people have organised over the week-end." outlined Sean O' Brien.
Parade
“The Parade on Sunday 17th March will be the anchor event of the week-end and this year will be special as it is the 30th anniversary of the current Committee organising the event. The Parade starts at 11.30a.m. from the Car Park in the Bridge Center and groups are asked to assemble at 11.0a.m. at the latest. Entries are still being accepted. This year the Parade will be strictly a community event and there will not be any commercial entries allowed. If a business wishes they can sponsor a float with their advertising but commercial entries as such cannot take part."
Major Vintage Event
“The day after St. Patrick's Day is a Bank Holiday and we have a great day's entertainment planned. There will be a major Vintage display in Market Sq. from 12.00 noon to 5.00p.m., with entries coming from all over the country. Anyone locally who wishes to display vintage items are welcome to do so and entry is free. There will be a Gig Rig here also with local bands playing from 2.00p.m. to 6.00p.m. The winner of the Battle Of The Bands will perform on the Gig Rig here also."
Entertainment for younger ones
“There will be lots of entertainment for younger children all week-end. Bouncing Castles and Slides will be in Kilbride Park on the Saturday. Jumping Jacks will have a special show on Saturday also. Magicians, Stilt Walkers, Face Painters and Jugglers will roam the streets to entertain on Saturday and Monday! We hope that many Tullamore and Offaly natives will return home for this great week-end; please contact your family and friends and ask them to come" concluded Sean O' Brien.
Contact details for Committee; John O' Toole at 083 1399449; Sean O' Brien at 086 3892854; Pascal Fox at 086 8760279; Johnny O' Connor at 087 2602487; Declan Harvey at 087 4106571; Mark Quinlan at 087 6875691.

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