Carrickmacross Festival Parade Photo: © Michael Fisher

Festival Fun in Carrickmacross  

Northern Standard Carrickmacross News Thursday 4th June

Despite one of the worst years for weather, the Carrickmacross June Bank Holiday Festival was very enjoyable with a good carnival atmosphere around the town. The opening parade on Friday evening brought colour and excitement to the town as the participants, many of them young people, made their way from Inver College along to the Main Street. The theme this year was the Pirates of the Caribbean.

Carrickmacross Festival Parade Photo: © Michael Fisher

The launch night last Thursday was in aid of the Laura Crossan Trust and was held in the Fiddler’s Elbow. There was live music on the night by local blues legends the Short Fuse Blues, with a number of support acts.

Carrickmacross Festival Parade Photo: © Michael Fisher

Several local bands played at this year’s festival including Black Tie Event, The Flaws, R U 4 Reel, and The Fuzzy Burgers. After Dark featured local man Martin O’Neill on bass and vocals and the Paulo Nutini Tribute featured local drummer Mark Montague. An Lochrann Linn Band and the Steadfast Brass Band both performed over the weekend. Carickmacross Comhaltas presented an afternoon of traditional Irish music, song and dance.

All the Fun of the Fair at Carrickmacross Festival Photo: © Michael Fisher

Special thanks to the Phoenix centre team, who helped out by allowing the teddy bears’ picnic to move inside owing to the bad weather on Monday. The raffle which was meant to be held on Monday will be carried out over the next few days. All prize winners will be announced on the festival’s facebook page. The organising committee would like to thank all the sponsors who contributed to making the event a success. Roll on next year!