Edenderry festival is ready to rock and goal!
From Thursday July 4 to Sunday July 7, Edenderry’s festival is set to ‘rock’ with a fantastic musical line-up, but this year the event will also feature sporting legends, theatre, art, culture, and an international busking competition,
Other attractions include Paw Patrol Live, fairground attractions, magic and a Super Family Day, the Parade of Champions led by Liverpool legend John Aldridge and a ‘goal’ that was a very famous moment in sporting history!
With the mighty Dublin senior football team now embarking on the road to another Sam Maguire, pundits and the GAA world in general are scratching their heads in puzzlement. Who can stop the Dubs drive for 5? They might all do well to remember a wet September day in 1982 in Croke Park. Kerry were playing Offaly in what was expected to be a mere coronation of the team from the Kingdom to become the first team ever to do the 5 in a row.
With only two minutes left in the game and Kerry two points ahead, it looked all over. A long speculative ball was sent in towards the Kerry goal. Two men rose for it, Tommie Doyle from Kerry and Seamus Darby. Darby caught it, turned and buried it in the roof of Charlie Nelligan’s net and a legend was created.
The five in a row would have to wait for another time and another team.
As part of festival the organising committee have decided to relive that great moment in our sporting history.
On Saturday July 6. players from both teams will gather in the Edenderry GAA club house to watch the game again on a giant screen. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session chaired by Offaly hurling legend and RTE pundit Michael Duignan.
The event begins on the Thursday night with a new play written specially for the Festival by local musician and playwright Greg Traynor.
On Friday evening The Parade of Champions will feature local teams and individuals who have won competitions during the year. Leading the parade will be Ireland and Liverpool legend John Aldridge who will also perform the official opening ceremony. Once again, the International Busking Competition will take place with a first prize of €1,000 and no entry fee, the competition is expected to again draw the cream of Irish buskers to the town. Last year’s winner, Roby Mencaglia from Italy will jet in to perform on Sunday and announce the new winner.
On Saturday July 6, it’s fun for all the family with Snow White and the Paw Patrol Friends - a live staging of the popular TV cartoon show which will enthrall the younger festival goers. Add in fairground rides, balloon art, face painting, interactive magic shows, art classes plus kids choirs and bands performing on the main stage, and it all adds up to a super family day.
In addition there are art exhibitions in many locations throughout the town featuring local and visiting artists, guided historical tours of the town and live music every night on the main stage and so much more.