Annual festival in local Tipperary village is a roaring success

The Golden Kilfeacle GAA Festival On The Suir brought joy to many

The Golden Kilfeacle GAA Festival On The Suir was a huge success. From start to finish every event was well attended and enjoyed by all.

The 5K walk on the Wednesday evening, sponsored by Cllr John O'Heney, had everyone walking around Mantlehill with refreshments along the way, sponsored by Margaret Carr, Sheila Fogarty, and John Joe Moloney.

The kid’s event in the GAA complex was a resounding success, featuring appearances from Spongebob and Minion.

Music at the event was provided by DJ Francis.

The children also competed in an art competition, with facepainting on the day coming courtesy of Jackie.

This event was sponsored by Paul Kennedy and Spreadwell Construction.

The festival drive-in bingo was one of the best yet, say the organisers.

A huge crowd of enthusiastic bingo goers flocked to the GAA grounds on the Thursday evening.

Music was once again provided by DJ Francis.

Plenty of cash was given out to people, who went away happy, with most asking when the next drive-in bingo will take place.

This event was sponsored by Liam Maher and LMP, Thurlesbeg Cashel

The Festival Field Evening on Friday, May 30, was much awaited due to the rivalry between all ten teams in the Tug of War Showdown.

It was a night to remember for all ten teams and the huge audience that cheered them on.

The referee on the night was Garda Eddie Nugent, and the MC was Michael Fitzgerald.

The organisers offer a huge congratulations to manager Micheal Fitzgerald and Kilfeacle & District RFC, who were worthy winners.

The presentation of the prizes took place in the Bridge House Bar Golden on Friday night.

This event was kindly sponsored by Adrian Clancy and Rejuvenate Golden Gym.

The Juvenile GAA blitz is always a well supported event and this year was no exception.

This event was sponsored by Cllr Liam Browne.

The field evening side shows were well supported, such as the bottle bank with Evelyn and Breda, Ring-A-Bottle with Tina, number of blocks in the trailer with Michael, shop with Lorraine, coffee marquee with Mary and Sheila, barbecue burgers with Liam, live music with Willie Boles and friends, an array of car boot stalls and stands, DJ Francis on music, children’s races with PJ and Jim, and festival ticket sales with Nellie.

The organisers offer many thanks to Golden NS and Thomastown NS for their support in facilitating the Nana and Grandad event.

The winners were Karen Wheeler and Martin Shanahan, who both received a €50 voucher for KW Opticians, Cashel.

This year's best dressed lady was Valerie Grace, who received a handbag sponsored by The Kilkenny Shop, Cashel.

This year's best dressed man was Cllr John O'Heney, who received a €50 voucher from Mr Mister Menswear, Cashel.

The field evening raffle was a great success.

The winner of the huge hamper, sponsored by Anthony Casey and Gala Golden, was

Larry Ryan, Mantlehill.

The winner of a homemade jams hamper, sponsored by Go Hálainn Homemade Jams, Golden, and John Moloney, John Quirke,Castlepark.

The festival dog show with Trish saw some beautiful dogs entered into this wonderful event, which was sponsored by Arthur Morrissey and Morrissey Construction, and Ronny Wuyts, Boarding Kennels.

For roughly 35 years, Micheal Fitzgerald has hosted the auction, and timber auction.

This year, the organisers say Michael did a brilliant job with both auctions.

As well as a varied general auction, they had 64 trailers of timber up for auction, with every one of them being sold and delivered to houses in the parish and surrounding areas on Saturday morning.

The organisers wish to say a huge well done to Michael for his tireless work for the GAA festival.

They also wish to say a huge thanks to the timber committee, led by Jim O'Connell.

They say the work these men and women put in every night for over three weeks was astounding, and all done voluntarily.

They also wish many thanks to Eamonn and Margaret Carr, Mantlehill for the use of their premises.

Seven prizes were on offer for the festival draw.

The draw was held in the Bridge House Bar, Golden, on Friday night.

The seven winners were:

First prize: Louise Prendergast;

Second prize: Claire Molumby;

Third prize: Brendan Moloney;

Fourth prize: Mark Flannery;

Fifth prize: Marie Edwards;