Trad Fest is a super success

Their ‘Trad Fest’ weekend 2025 has been acclaimed ‘a great success’ as the highlight of the year with a big ‘thank you’ to all involved, in an end-of-season review by Birdhill Tidy Towns Association.

The three-day fest was aided by Tipperary County Council through the Community Festival Grant Scheme and all the businesses in Shannonside Business Park as the leading sponsor, as well as the supporting local businesses, scores of volunteers and numerous sponsors and donors.

Chairperson, Siobhan Larkin, said that the beautiful weather and wonderful community support ensured an enjoyable occasion for all as she expressed ‘sincere thanks’ to all who assisted in any way.

She said: “Events do not happen without a lot of background work and we owe a special thanks to the festival committee led by Margaret Clifford and supported by a superb team of volunteers in planning, organising, preparing, cooking, supervision, health and safety, and traffic management.

“Special thanks to our very special guest, Deirdre Scanlon of Ballina, worldwide singer and musician, and all of the wonderful entertainers, buskers, contributors to the Rambling House, poetry and storytelling.

“Special thanks also to Timmy Floyd for his exceptional organisational abilities, and aiding with the crowning of the surprise arrival of Willie Connors and the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Appreciation to Freda Gleeson and Martin O’Halloran for parking facility and thanks to Martin Ryan (Nenagh Guardian) for all his magnificent press coverage which certainly contributed to the success of the festival.”

Winners over the weekend included the Mulcaire Rovers hurling team, captained by Richard Ryan (G) with the Man of the Match awarded to Damien Coffey; the young participants in the soccer tournament including the team of girls, aged U12, represented the Lough Derg Soccer Club; and Eabha (10) and Rosie (7), category winners in the children's art organised by Cathy Guiader and assisted by Majella Foley Friel.

The winners in the treasure hunt were: first prize - Emma and Liam Shanahan; second prize - Jack Collins, Tom Murphy, Darragh Murphy, Jake Duggan and Alex King.

There is special indebtedness to the following - Ryan Family of The Coopers Bar for support and facilities, Alan Andrews of The Old Barracks Coffee Roastery for generous donation from the Birdhill Coffee Festival and for the pop-up tents for the Trad Fest, Matt the Threshers for their sponsorship and support, Pat O’Donovan for his magnificent marquee, and festival sponsors Axon Rehab, Anchor Point, Calibration Technology, Lyncare, Fáilte Solar, Annacotty Farm Shop, Mr Binman, Larkin’s Gala, Ballina, Mulcair Credit Union, Allied Irish Bank, Killaloe, John Hogan Financial, David Lawlor.

In addition, appreciation has been expressed to Matt Lynch for the guided history and heritage walk around Birdhill; Orla Delaney for her ‘Stretch and Tone Session’; Marie Tuohy for her dancing workshop; Marion O’Brien who organised the dog show and judge, Anna Crowe; Grainne Delaney and Geraldine and Eimear Raddie, for organising the treasure hunt; Margaret Hogan and team for catering; Brett Fitzpatrick and team for gourmet BBQ; and Elizabeth Floyd for website photography. In addition, the message was ‘thanks very much’ to the numerous other local businesses and private individuals who provided support with cash, vouchers and goods.

FURTHER PHOTOS

See pictures of some of the activities on the website:

Trad Weekend https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1O2ZajTjH5-tCG_iNg7uFXPNbHZPnLTOZ