Overall winner of the 2018 Wheelbarrow Competition with her entry, ‘The Dogbox', is Kathleen Ryan (left) with her sister Margaret and late mother, Effie (RIP).

Borrisoleigh Festival bigger and better than before!

The Borrisoleigh Festival returns again this year, bigger and better than ever before!


The festival takes place this weekend and is being run in tandem with The Arty Rooster Arts Festival, which runs for the entire week having started last Monday. The growing International Wheelbarrow Extravaganza promises some wonderful creations! The competition is open to everyone to submit their modified wheelbarrows to be in with a chance to win some great prizes. Your imagination is the only limiting factor in this unique competition!


The Arty Rooster features shopfront exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, talks and performances including an oil painting demonstration by artist Jim Donnelly on Saturday morning and a short play written by Ciarnad Ryan. The play is based on events which took place during the War of Independence and will be performed on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the function room in Finn’s Bar. Follow ‘The Arty Rooster’ on Facebook for full schedule updates.


The annual walk with the Bush and Briar Ramblers takes place on Saturday, July 6th, walking part of the Beara Breifne Way from Greenane to Latteragh. Registration is at 8.30am in the Community Centre.


Award winning photographer Tom Doherty will be hosting a photo walk giving tips on how to take great photos on a walk around Borrisoleigh starting at 11am in The Square. This should prove useful to anyone planning on entering the festival Instagram Competition. Be sure to use the hashtag #BorrisFest19 when posting festival photos on Instagram to be in with a chance to win some great prizes.


After the official opening with Lord Mayor Paddy Dolan and special guest on Saturday there will be a Jiving Competition and Social Dancing with Phil Maher’s Band. Ebony will finish off the night from 10pm to 12.


A fire performer will be thrilling spectators throughout Saturday night with a number of performances from 8pm and hot chocolate and wraps will be available from ‘The Hungry Horse’.


Sunday, July 7th, has a packed schedule from 2pm with the Wheelbarrow Extravaganza, live music, kids entertainment and lot more. The individual wheelbarrow categories are: Best Environmental; Best Miniature Garden; and Most Imaginative.


Entries open on Sunday, July 7th, 2- 4.30pm. No entry fee. This year there is a new 'Commercial' Category. Local businesses can showcase their business in a wheelbarrow in the centre of Borrisoleigh for the duration of the festival. €10 advance entry fee. Wheelbarrows can be displayed up to July 7th. There will be a public vote for the best overall wheelbarrow on Sunday afternoon. Votes cost a euro each.


So, take another glance at that old wheelbarrow in the corner of the garden and imagine what an amazing spectacle it would make with a little bit of ingenuity and TLC. And don’t forget to use #BorrisFest19 when uploading your photos to Instagram!


At 2.30pm in the Community Centre there is a Make-Up Demonstration with MUA Kayley Moylan; admission is €8. Kids entertainment features Bouncy Castles, Disco Dome, Gladiators, Gaming Van and Hawkeye Powershot Competition. There will be a BBQ in The Square also on Sunday evening and a Hobby horse competition from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.


Live music starts at 2pm on Sunday with DJ Matt Ryan and a host of wonderful performers throughout the day, starting with Paudi Bourke at 4pm; Dufrane, 4.30pm; The Mangled Badgers, 6pm and finishing with Silver Dollar from 8pm 'til late.


All in all it promises to be a terrific festival with something for everyone and all ages. Pick up a copy of the festival booklet in any local shops for a full schedule of events and follow Borrisoleigh Festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for regular updates.