Tribes battle it out in Ogonnelloe

OGONNELLOE has been split into three fictitious tribes who will battle it out during various fun events as part of a new festival next month.

 

Munster and Ireland hooker and past pupil of Ogonnelloe National School, Damien Varley, recently met some of the tribes that will be competing during the Dergfest Summer Festival of the Tribes.

In addition to lunching the event, the Munster hooker inspected the new Anna Carriga banqueting venue onthe shores of Lough Derg.

The purpose of the event is to foster community spirit and raise money for a number of groups and charities including Ogonnelloe GAA Club, Raheen Community Hospital, Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer and South African charity Missionvale.

Over the month of June three tribes, Brian Borus, CuChulains and FionnMcCumhaills, will be involved in fierce competition, craic, rivalry, merriment and mayhem as they vie for the honour of being crowned the

The many events include pub olympics, a wet weekend of water sports, art and photography competitions, lawnmower grand prix, donkey derby, tractor pulling, road race, raft race, baking face-offs, variety shows, monster bingo, live music, discos, big bands and much, much more.

Elsewhere, if you are looking for love by the lake, Dergfest Take Me Out could be just the ticket.

The goal of Dergfest is to encourage participation of all, young, old, brave, and even bold. Pub Olympics kick off the festivities on Saturday, June 2 with with darts, draughts, chess, rings, progressive 45 and Bridge.

On Sunday, June 3, there will be a roadrace for runners and walkers, tug of war, tractor pulling, lawnmower grand prix, donkey derby and slow bike race.

Watersports take centrestage on Sunday, June 10 with a swimming race, raft building, dragonboat race, duck race and lots more.

Culture is also catered for with photography and art competitions, international cuisine, set-dancing, baking and amateur dramatics on Saturday, June 30.

Organisers believe there will be something for everyone and the ethos of the festival is participation, community and craic.

As well as the competitive events there are also some big nights at the Anna Carriga Pavillion.

The festival concludes with The Dergfest Variety Show followed by a big band rocking into the wee hours on June 30.