May Fair and Square in Castlepollard

Jay G Forde

Castlepollard Town Square was buzzing with activity on Saturday as the town hosted its second May Fair, which organisers described as a successful revival of a long-standing local tradition.

Speaking at the event, Cllr Alfie Devine reflected on how the festival had been reintroduced after decades. He explained that the May Festival had originally been held in Castlepollard nearly 40 years ago, when the town square featured decorated May trees, market stalls and community gatherings. As a town with roots as a market centre dating to the 1700s, the modern festival is aimed at restoring that heritage and sense of community.

The festival, organised by the Castlepollard Town Team, has expanded significantly since the inaugural one last year – Cllr Devine noted that while last year’s event had been smaller in scale, its success encouraged organisers to develop a larger programme this year.

Leadership of the project was credited to Cliff Gurren from Castlepollard Town Team, alongside contributors including Keith Faye and other volunteers.

This year’s festival featured a wide range of attractions, including a Viking village, live performances on an outdoor stage featuring Clann Lir CCÉ, Mick Foster and Moyra Fraser, The Cruachan Balladeers, Amplifi and CAS. There was a notable increase in market stalls, many run by traders who had travelled from across the country. Mr Gurren had remarked that some stallholders had journeyed over 100 miles to attend.

A central visual feature of the festival was the display of May trees created by local schools. Cllr Devine said: “Six to seven schools participated, each designing a tree as part of a friendly competition that offered prizes and encouraged community involvement among younger residents.”

The winners of the May bush competition were: first place, Castlepollard Parochial School, second, Gaelscoil an Chuilinn, Mullingar, and third, St Feichin’s NS, Fore.

An aviary with birds from Raven Haven Aviaries gave people the opportunity to hold and take photos with a proud looking raven and several beautiful owls, and the presence of Irish wolfhounds accompanying the Viking re-enactments group led by Tara Byrne and Bart Gozdur, as well as carnival rides, added to the lively atmosphere on the town square.

An important, more formal, part of the event was the official launch of the Castlepollard Town Plan. Local businessman Donie Cassidy introduced the plan and welcomed visitors to the town, before handing over to Cllr Devine to explain more of the details.

The initiative, developed through collaboration between Queen’s University, Belfast and Westmeath County Council, focuses on improving aspects of the town, including traffic flow, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and overall urban development. Cllr Devine said the plan was based on public consultation and research. One notable proposal involved the redevelopment of the old Market House, and plans to restore it as a functional town hall and community hub. “To see how we can improve the town over the coming years, and that includes getting the town hall back into use. It was the old Market House, and that is going to be redeveloped and put back into use as a town hub for people to use for whatever they want to use it for.”

An art exhibition in the Castle Varagh Hotel also formed part of the festival, showcasing work from artists across the region, along with workshops in the marquee on the Square. Mr Gurren highlighted the strong artistic presence in the area and praised the efforts of local contributors who coordinated exhibitions and workshops for adults and children.

They gave the public the opportunity to see work from Aisling Kiernan, Deirdre Clogher, Kenneth McDermott, Kim Mills, Maria Golubeva, Pascal Kiernan and Paula Richards Hynes, and the opportunity to participate in art workshops with Deirdre Clogher Art, Mary Lee Art Studio and Mullingar Gathers.

Public response to the festival was positive, and according to Cllr Devine, many attendees expressed the view that the event had helped to “put Castlepollard back on the map”, signalling renewed pride and interest in the town.