Bruff readies for festival revival following over a decade's hiatus

BRUFF will come alive as the town and surrounding communities prepare for the long-awaited return of the Morning Star Rose Festival, last held over a decade ago.

The festival was last staged in 2013, and this year’s revival is the work of a newly formed committee – comprising local volunteers including Majella Clarke, Jack Clancy, and Sinéad McDonough.

The event will run from Thursday, September 4, to Sunday, September 7, bringing a packed programme of events to the Main Street and beyond.

“It hasn't run since 2013 so we're excited to bring it back to the town again,” said committee member Majella Clarke. “It's something that has been talked about for a number of years in terms of bringing it back and eventually we just sat down and said, if we're doing it, let's do it.”

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The festivities begin on Thursday evening with pub quizzes across the town, with proceeds going to the local women’s rugby and camogie teams.

Friday will see the Main Street transformed into a hub of activity, with fitness challenges, races, magicians, DJs, and live music. Performances in the local bars will also mark what would have been the birthday of Cranberries frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan. Bruff formerly hosted the Dreams festival prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Saturday will open with outdoor pilates in the local park followed by a 5k walk/run and a bonnie baby contest. That evening, the spotlight will turn to the festival’s centrepiece, the Rose contest final, hosted by Limerick GAA great TJ Ryan.

Between 20 and 30 contestants are expected to take part, with judges including 2023 International Rose of Tralee winner Róisín Wiley, former Bruff Rose Eibhlín Leonard and Limerick hurler Sean Finn.

Sunday’s events will include an open-air market, from 11.30am, a children’s disco, the Paddy Herr memorial underage tournament at the GAA pitch, and a hurling match featuring well-known players from various counties.