AFTER a two year Covid-related hiatus the popular Clarecastle Regatta returns this coming Saturday June 25 from 1.30pm to 6pm.
According to organisers the Regatta promises to be a day of fun with a wide range of events to thrill all members of the family.
Returning favourites include a children’s fancy dress parade from the church grounds meeting at 1.15pm, dog show, bonny baby and best dressed lady competitions as well as the market stalls, vintage cars live music and food.
Other events include the “Hanging Tough” challenge, children races and amusements. There will be hurling shootouts, the Long Puck and footballs tests of skills.
The local Currach Club Fergus Rovers will be on hand to give people an opportunity to sit into and manoeuvre the currachs. Other water events will include kayaking and Stand Up Paddle Boards.
The Regatta was revived over 13 years ago and has been a resounding success offering the community of Clarecastle and surrounding areas the opportunity to meet and chat up on the Quay.
“It will be a great opportunity to meet neighbours and friends after the past two years,” Donal Carey, committee chairperson stated.
“There is great excitement that the event is coming back, once the flags go up on the river bank the enthusiasm starts to build in the community.
“The flags are a mighty tradition that the Scanlon family have started in conjunction with the Regatta, led by Johnny and Ann, son Bernard, daughter Jane and Liz Murphy and we thank them for helping us get the place ready.
“Thanks also to John Power, the local tidy towns and all the lads who meet every evening down the quay who have helped in the tidying of the area and making the quayside as inviting as it is, a marvellous amenity.”
Donal said they were reviving the children’s parade element of the day, which he said was once one of the main features of the regattas of old.
“There is always great chat when the local Wildlife and Heritage group post pictures on social media from the regattas in the ‘50s and ‘60s of the children marching in parades,” said Donal, “and we hope that the children of today can look back and have as good a memory from next Saturday’s event.”
He praised Siobhan Purcell for her “mighty work” on the “village market” which he said will have an array of food and craft stalls. Paddy Quinn, meanwhile has organised the music for the day, from which Donal was predicting great entertainment along with Dermot Moloney’s vintage cars display.
“The local Men’s Shed have a target practice ball wall ready to test young and old, on their hurling skills,” said Donal.
“Paschal Russell designed the targets; whether that is a good or bad thing we won’t know until Saturday. We’ll have the long puck across the river too, a firm favourite of the day.”
He continued, “The regatta is a day for people across Clarecastle, Ballyea, Quin, Newmarket On Fergus, Barefield, Ennis and the county to enjoy with a little of something for everyone.”
On behalf of the hardworking regatta committee, Donal said Clarecastle was looking forward to meeting everyone on Saturday.