Boat trips and music mark family festival in Milltown

DESPITE some early fears for the weather, the worst weather held off recently for the successful running of Milltown’s second annual canalside festival in honour of Heritage Week.

“The weather wasn’t as unkind as we thought it might be, there was just a heavy shower early on, and then it stayed off,” said organiser Pearl Voigt.

“There wa

s a steady stream of visitor all day, and I reckon we had about 500 people in total, between 12-5pm, and I think we could’ve gone on,” she said.

“We even had All-Ireland winners turn up in the shape of our under 16 tag rugby team who came home after winning the Community Games in Carlow,” she said.

“We had 60 paintings on show, and these were exhibited along the canal, and all day we were entertained by local musicians Leo Shannon, Paddy Farrell, Jenny Doyle, Sarah Webb and young Sean Kelly, an up and coming singer accompanied by Jonathan Keogh.

“The Irish Wolfhounds were very popular with all the kids wanting their photo taken with them.

“The two boats were going non-stop all day, and proved very popular with long queues.

“The men on the boats were exhausted by the end of the day!

“We also had Conor Lane with his bog oak carvings, there was jewellery, wood carvings and a beehive, selling honey and products.

“We created great fun and laughter with the washing line competition, to see who could hang out a basket of laundry the quickest.

“That caused great fun, and some serious competition between the local ladies!” she laughed.