Sheena McGuirke from Fore Distilleries with St Patrick at the festival in Delvin on Friday.

Delvin switch to festival to celebrate St Patrick's Day

The Delvin St Patrick’s Day Festival on Friday last, March 17, went well and thankfully the rain subsided, allowing for a full day of music, entertainment and stalls.

John Donlon of the organising committee said that, changing from what they had done in previous years, when the village hosted a parade, the committee decided to pedestrianise one of the streets and host a festival, allowing for local acts and businesses to benefit from the day.

The day kicked off with the joint grand marshals parading to the stage. The Delvin Camogie teams from all age groups and the recent tug-o-war world champions graced the stage and gave a few words to thank the community for their support.

The Samba Mammas started the entertainment for the day, followed by music from Coin Flip and The Clune cousins and dancing from Rosie from the Celtic Blondes, Delvin Stage School and there was line dancing too.

Corvenieo Cirque de Lumiere provided street entertainment, and there were numerous stalls for visitors to browse, including a display from the 3rd Westmeath Delvin Scouts, who were selling handmade products, made by children from the village. The young entrepreneurs did well, John reported.

There was also a display from the Royal County Aeromodellers Club. Kevin Matthews and Coin Flip also provided music following the festival in Brinsley’s Bar.

It was a packed day of fun and entertainment.

The event was free entry and was sponsored by Bracklyn Wind Farm, Westmeath County Council, PPN and local sponsors. The committee also have made huge efforts to raise fund for the event to ensure it was free for the community.

They are currently holding a raffle fundraiser, for which the first prize, sponsored by Bracklyn Wind Farms, is €1000 off your electricity bill. Second prize is a €500 voucher for the Farnham Estate hotel and Spa, and third prize is dinner for four in the Twelve Points Restaurant at Killua Castle, sponsored by Lorena and Allen Krausse.

Tickets are €5 each on iDonate, via the Facebook page or from any committee member. The draw will be held in Gaffney’s Bar and Lounge on April 22.

The committee would like to thank all the volunteers and those who helped before and after the event.

Mick, Donnacha, Blaithin and Orla Moran from Kinnegad.
Cian and Grace Kilroy from Killucan.
Sgt Bernard Heaney with his daughter Caoimhe.
Val Corvenieo performing in Delvin.
Sheena McGuirke from Fore Distilleries with St Patrick.
Pauric, Olivia and Caitlin Lynch from Delvin.
Martina, Kate, Paul and Meadbh Hughes from Mullingar.
Olive McDonagh from Butterfly Cottage Retreat sang in Delvin on Friday.
Mary Ivory and John Donlon from the committee.
Anthony and Richard McCormack from Bosca Bia An Ghrá in Mullingar.
Marie Grassick, Nicholas Grassick, Myles O'Neill and Laura O'Neill from the Delvin Book Festival.
Leanne and Carla Gaffney from Candy Castle in Delvin.
Coin Flip from Mullingar in action on stage.
Breda McHugh, Anne Ayres and Mary Carroll at the Delvin St Patrick's Day Festival Raffle Fundraiser stand.
Rosie Clune, Della McCormack, Peter Usher, Maisie McCormack and Lauren Smith at the ice cream van.
Karolina Isiunaite and Ericas Zubrickas from Crowenstown.
Maggie Meaney, Alexi Cruise, Grace McCormack, Annie Delany, Emily Farrelly, Mia Delany, Amy Ivory, Oona McEvoy and Lucy Ivory from Delvin.