James is crowned festival ‘king’
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A joyous James Moloney after he was selected for the ‘Buck of the Festival at Birdhill.Image 2 of 5
Sam Caplis was placed second in the contest at Birdhill.Image 3 of 5
Third in the festival contest at Birdhill, Robert Murray.Image 4 of 5
PICTURED RIGHT: Leaders of the team behind the success of the Trad Fest at Birdhill, Suibhan Larkin, chairperson, Birdhill Tidy Village and Margaret Clifford, chairperson of the Trad Fest event committee.Image 5 of 5
Judging the contest at Birdhill were Rosemary Joyce and Noel Joyce, with Tom McGlinchey, MC and Tim Floyd, who co-ordinated the running of the contest.Buckets of the thrills thoroughly enjoyed by the audience was generated by the superb performance of MC for the contest, Tom McGlinchey in his colourful stage costume and well researched style of interviewing each of the contestants, which went down a treat.
At the conclusion of the two hour show, James Moloney was presented with the sash and silver tankard to the applause of the large gathering as the newly crowned 'Buck of Birdhill' in the inaugural year of the contest, which was one of the highlights of the Annual Trad Fest 2026 in the village.
Sprightly young Birdhill man, James was sponsored by the Cooper's Bar, Birdhill and faced the challenge of nine other contestants in his bid for the coveted title.
In second place was Sam Caplis, Birdhill, sponsored by Larkin's Gala and placed third was Robert Murray, Newport sponsored by John Hogan, Accountant.
The other contestants and their sponsored were Colm Caplis (Mr Binman Seamus Hannon), Cormac Galvin (The Workshop Gym), Daire Cantillon (Matt The Threshers), Jack McCarthy (Fitzgerald Groundworks), Denis Mulcahy (The Thatch, Ballycommon), Cathal Colgan (Dave Lawlor) and Eamon Coffey (Barracks Roastery).
The contestants were drawn on where and why of their choice of holiday destination, which varied widely, their work and recreational interests, with some surprises being sprung on them by MC Tom McGlinchy, whose performance rivaled any 'Dancing with the stars' panellist.
JUDGING PANEL
Adjudicators, Rosemary Joyce, Nenagh Municipal District Administrator, Tipperary County Council, and her equally talented brother, Noel, multiple time All-Ireland GAA Scór recitation champion decision was very well received.
The contest was the idea of Tim Floyd, who co-ordinated the organising and running of the event which was one of the highlights of the festival weekend organised by Birdhill Tidy Village Committee under chairperson, Siobhan Larkin and chairperson of the events sub committee, Margaret Clifford.
The varied programme of dancing to live music, chair pilates, historical walk, kids hurling match, kids games, arts and craft competiion, and the popular 'Bretts' BBQ, proved to be among the most successful ever attracting a huge attendance on Saturday in particular.
As hundreds enjoyed the setting in brilliant sunshine, demand for the very tasty burgers and sausage rolls peaked to set a new one-day record for the Birdhill man of many talents, Brett Fitzpatrick, who ran the BBQ for the committee.
Well done to all behind Trad Fest 2026 which was a great community event.