The Rambling Mummers, comprising performers from many parishes throughout East Galway, and organised by local New Inn girl Claire Smyth, took senior honours, while Lackagh dominated the junior competition at the annual Mummers Festival in New Inn last weekend.
The victorious senior winners, the Rambling Mummers produced a really strong, professional, and entertaining show, to shade the verdict over a really good Lackagh Group. Newcomers Fohenagh took third prize, and won many admirers for their really entertaining performance.
This year’s Best Senior Musician award went to James Hogan of Killeigh, Co Offaly, while the Best Dancer award went to Matthew Gardiner of the Rambling Mummers.
Sacara Furey of Lackagh took the Best Flute Player award while the Best Singer award went to Megan Lohan of the Fohenagh Mummers.
Francis Fahy of Lackagh was the Best Storyteller at the festival, while the very versatile and energetic Eugene Hession took the Sean Dolan Perpetual Trophy as the Most Outstanding Entertainer.
Best Individual awards went to Sean Glennon, Fohenagh; James Hogan, Killeigh; Malachy Noone, Lackagh; and Mary McMahon of the Rambling Mummers.
Closing the festival, the chairman and compere, Michael Mullins, thanked the loyal patrons for their tremendous support over the past 32 years, and he welcomed the many people who were attending their first festival.
He said that the reason that the festival was so popular was because of the quality of the entertainment on offer, and he paid tribute to everyone who took to the stage at this year’s event. He expressed confidence in the future of the festival, given the quality of the young performers at this year’s event, and he thanked their mentors and coaches for their dedication and commitment.
