After a hugely successful revival last year, the popular Queen of the Lakes festival is set to have Ballinrobe rocking from July 19 to 26 – starting on Connacht final evening and climaxing a week later with the popular Queen of the Lakes selection pageant in the town.
Generous sponsorship from Tesco and Fáilte Ireland have made it possible for the festival to become even bigger and better than last year’s event, and an active local committee has been working tirelessly on the project in recent months.
“Last year, our festival ran for three days, and it was a great success. Now we are expanding it to a full week, and we are looking forward to a great week in Ballinrobe,” said Deirdre Biggins, chairperson of the organising committee.
An action-packed weekend is promised in Ballinrobe with A Step Back in Time – Country Market and Heritage Day, street-painting, face-painting, soccer matches, and Ballinrobe Races.
There will be music and entertainment in local pubs every night of the week.
The Queen chosen on Sunday night, July 26, will preside over social and community events in the region for the next 12 months.
The tradition started over 20 years ago when the Queen of the Mask contest was held, and in the past 10 years it was re-named the Queen of the Lakes. The selection contest has always attracted huge crowds.
The reigning queen, Aoife Kelly, will be on hand to place the tiara on the crown of the new queen. Twelve contestants will take part from all around the Lake District. “I have had a great year as Queen of the Lakes, and I wish this year’s contestants the very best,” said Aoife, who launched the 2009 festival last week.
The winner will receive a cash prize of €500, a piece of Tipperary Crystal sponsored by Walkin’s Gift Shop, and will also go forward to next year’s Rose of Mayo contest. The winner in the Rose of Mayo takes part in the Rose of Tralee.
The programme of events in Ballinrobe this week is:
Wednesday, July 22
No-Name Disco for teenagers, The Valkeburg, with DJ Fergal Darcy of i102 Radio.
Open day at the new BMX track, the cycling centre, Kilamine Road. Bring your bike and helmet for a fantastic fun afternoon from 4-7pm. Ages 9-90. €2 charge.
Thursday, July 23
The Queen Ball, The Valkenburg, 9pm. Music by Shaun Loughrey. Come along and meet the prospective Queen of the Lakes 2009.
The Conor Lambert Puppet show presents Punch and Judy with hosts Ding and Dong. It shows at 5pm and 7pm in the Valk. Tickets are available at the door.
McCoy’s-Hypnotist and comedy show with the legendary Barry Sinclair. Show starts at 9.30pm.
Friday, July 24
Open air Ceili, Abbey Street, Ballinrobe, with the one and only Carousel, 8pm. Dance the night away.
Traditional Irish Music in Biggins’ Bar, Bowgate Street.
Art O’Neill’s Bar hosts a Caribbean night.
Night Club in the Valk.
Saturday, July 25
A Step Back in Time – Ballinrobe Heritage Day. An old favourite. Shop-keepers in traditional costumes. Vintage cars, stands, boiled boxty, roasted pig, costume characters, the lot. Prize for Best Shop Window. Galway Jazz Band from 12-2pm in Abbey Street. A superb day is in store. Please note Main Street will be pedestrianised on this day.
Soccer blitz in the green for U8s, U10s, and seniors.
Official opening by the Town Crier and current Queen of the Lakes, Aoife Kelly at 10.30am. Dress up in your old gear and join the fun.
Live music on the streets with the Guinness Jazz Band, 12-2pm.
There is entertainment all day in Arts’ with the Duggan School of Dancing River Dance special at 3pm along with a magician, face painting, pig on spit, BBQ and of course live music with the famous Tempo at 6pm followed by DJ Geoff.
The Guinness Jazz Band plays again, Abbey Street, 8-10pm.
Ibiza foam party with laser show and confetti bombs in McCoy’s Bar, Abbey Street.
70s night in Inch’s Bar (Fitzpatrick’s ), Main Street.
Traditional music in the front bar of The Valk with the Big Session at 10pm.
Music in Costello’s with Tempo with free BBQ in the beer garden.
Sunday, July 26
Family Fun Day, Flanagan Park, Ballinrobe. Clowns, costume characters, bouncing castles, roaring and shouting, maybe the odd bit of screaming, but nothing we can’t handle. A kiddies’ disco, too, in Flanagan Park, and a (perhaps not unrelated ) Tug-o-War.
Queen of the Lakes final pageant, in association with Tesco, in The Valkenburg, Ballinrobe, 9pm. Compere Liam Horan. Doors open 8.30pm. Come early to be guaranteed a seat. Admission €15. Show followed by live music with Tempo, and Disco.
Inter pub tug-of-war competition in Abbey Street at 7pm.
Trad session in McCoy’s Bar from 7pm until 9pm. Music with Dancing at the Crossroads. DJ Sean 10pm-late. All drinks €3
The Karaoke final takes place in Art’s Bar.
