High spirits at the launch of the Tri3 Series
Cahir go Léir Festival - July 9th to 11th
The launch of the much anticipated “Cahir go Léir Festival” and TRI3 Triathlon Series took place on Wednesday May 5th in Cahir. The “Cahir go Léir Festival” will take place this summer from Friday 9th July to Sunday 11th July. This Community Festival is being organised in conjunction with the TRI3 Triathlon Series and a great weekend of entertainment is being planned.
Local people, County Council representatives, Garda representatives, dignitaries, school teachers and children all joined with the Tri 3 creators and the Cahir go Léir Festival committee to celebrate the official announcement of what is going to be a fantastic event for tourists, visitors here for the triathlon, competitors taking part and for the people of Cahir.
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The launch day started with almost two hundred children under 12 years old on bikes and walking to school. This was part of the green strategy in place at the schools, Cycle On Wednesday and Walk On Wednesday to get fit and lower carbon, as well as helping advertise the community festival. Once the children were all safe in class, Tony Griffin of Tri3 visited each school to thank them for their efforts in launching the event. The Local Garda presence was vital to the smooth running of the morning. They also had the opportunity to go through some of the fine points of the big day with the triathlon organiser.
This was followed by a photo-call at the castle (see photo below) and the official presentation and launch at the Duneske leisure centre
The Triathlon itself is a sprint distance race comprising a 750metre swim, a 20km cycle and a 5km run that will centre around the Castle car park with a route designed especially for Cahir and its wonderful environment. The Tri3 Triathlon Series takes place in 3 stages in Ireland in this its first year. The first of the three races is set for Galway City, the second in Cahir and the third will take place in Kilrush Co. Clare.
The festival will include many of the favourite elements of the earlier 'Fair of Cahir' events, as well as many new attractions taking place throughout the town. The Queen of the Festival, a Field Day in Cahir Park AFC, The Parade, Top Class Live Music on all 3 Nights in the Square, The Funday Sunday on the Inch Field, and of course the ever popular Crazy Boat Race.
Over 2000 people are expected to come with the Triathlon—with up to 500 of these being competitors! Up to 3000 people are expected locally so the town will be full to capacity. This has been heralded as an unprecedented opportunity to promote businesses in Cahir and the surrounding area to a receptive and appreciative audience.
A Festival Information Night will take place in Cahir House Hotel on the 19th May at 7pm to present the Festival Programme to date and to sign up any willing volunteers who will be crucial to the success of the event.
The festival committee are busy planning the program and fundraising events, but staging a community event such as this also depends on the generous sponsorship of the businesses in and round Cahir. The support that has been shown to date is a clear indication that the people of Cahir are behind the event and are determined to make it a success. The committee is also very grateful to South Tipperary County Council for their support of both the Cahir Go Léir Festival and the Tri3 Triathlon, particularly since maintenance work will be required at some areas of the route to meet Triathlon standards.
Liam Ahern (head of the county council), Tri3 organiser, committee members, Garda representatives, river rescue team and Johnny B band members, with support from local schoolchildren, on the launch day.
Current Programme (subject to change - watch this space)
FRIDAY 9th JULY
2:00pm - TIPP-FM, Live in the Square
6:00pm - Mick Martin, Republic of Ireland International Player, officially opens the festival on Stage in the Square.
6:30pm - The Barman's Race and Pub Relay
7.00pm - Introduction of Cahir House Hotel Queens on Stage
7:30 to 8:30 - Irish Dancing and Music on the Stage - Tipperary Youth Ensemble
8:30 to 10pm - LIVE ON THE SQUARE - Sponsored by Cahir Pubs - Johnny B and the Boogie Band on Stage until the finish of the evening's entertainment
SATURDAY 10TH JULY
8:30am - Registration for the Triathlon takes place in Cahir Castle
9:00am to 1:00pm - Farmers Market in the Square
11:00am - TRI3 Triathlon
2:30pm - Triathlon Prize-Giving in the Square
2:00pm to 6:00pm - Cahir Park Soccer Club field day, Fun and Games for all
7:00pm - Stage opens with the Interviewing of the Queens
8:30pm - 10:0pm - LIVE ON THE SQUARE - Sponsored by Cahir Pubs - The Kopycat Killers Tribute Band to finish
SUNDAY 11TH JULY
2:00pm - 'The Parade' - Sponsored by The Heritage and the Lazy Bean Café - starts in Woodview and finishes in the Square
4:00pm -
Crazy Boat Race on the river - Sponsored by Dolan's Supervalu
2:30pm -
Dog Show on the Inch Field (behind Castle) - Sponsored by Darren Ward Jewellers
2:30pm to 6:00pm 'Funday Sunday' on the Inch Field (behind the Castle) with Bouncy Castles, Donkey Rides, Games, Stalls, Barbecue sponsored by Tom O'Donnell & Tom Hallinan Butchers
3:00pm - Cahir House Hotel Festival Queen is crowned on the stage in the Square
6:00 to 7:30pm - Irish Dancing and Music from the Tipperary Youth Ensemble
8.30 to 10pm - The Knights of Leon Tribute Band to finish
And lots more to come!! For more information please contact Maria Taylor on 086 1022014
Download a PDF copy of the schedule poster here
Download a PDF copy of the Crazy Boat Race and Parade poster here
Other Events taking place in conjunction with the Festival
Barrack Street Bash in The Hill Inn Saturday & Sunday night 7 - 9.30pm Live Music, Irish Dancing, Street Barbeque & much much more
Queen of the Festival Competition (under 18’s with parental consent only) introduced Friday Night, Interviewed Saturday Night, Winner Crowned on Sunday after Parade.)
Dr. David Butler of Carrigeen Castle will give two walking tours of Cahir over the festival Weekend. Both will start at 3pm on Saturday 10th July and on Sunday 11th July, meeting at the Tourist Office. David will take you on a tour of the town, which will last about hour, to see the local sights and architecture
Funfair in GAA Playing Field all weekend
Matches to take place in Cahir Park Football Club Saturday & Sunday and Field Day 2-6pm on Saturday
Art Exhibition in The Craft Granary, Church Street, Cahir
2:30pm and at 3:15pm - EPIC Youth Theatre (Entertainment Productions In Cahir) presents "The School" in the Parochial Hall. A short performance of approximately 15 minutes.
Treasure Trail (Saturday & Sunday)
Shop Window Competition (Winner Announced Sunday)
Festival Fever Competition (Tickets to be bought for Sponsored Weekend away Prize)
Festival Parade (Sunday, Fancy Dress Competition, Floats, boat floats, Industrial and other, Groups, FCA, etc,)
Fun-day Sunday on the Inch Field (behind the castle) 2-6pm. with Dog Show, Pony Rides, Stalls, Barbeque, Bouncy Castle, Games, Pets Corner, FCA Exhibition (to be confirmed),
Fly-tying and fishing lessons
Crazy Boat Race 2pm (Sunday)
Boat Rides (Saturday & Sunday by River Rescue/Cahir Dive Club)
Try A Dive (Saturday & Sunday by River Rescue/Cahir Dive Club)
Country Market Stalls (Saturday on Square)
Farmers Market Stalls. (Saturday on Square)
Face painting on Square on Saturday and at Funday Sunday
Ladies GAA Football competition under 8’s and under 10’s in Duneske Saturday morning 10th from 10.30am-12 noon
In Pub Entertainment all weekend
Cahir go Léir Festival gets off to a good start...
Mick Martin, former Republic of Ireland international footballer, officially opened the festival on the stage in the square on Friday evening. Johnny B and the Boogie Men then kicked off the music for the weekend with an enthusiastic crowd braving the 'slightly damp' weather.
Go Léir means 'all' or 'altogether' and signifies the whole town pulling together to create a successful event.
Cahir Go Léir - Day Two
Gerry Duffy interviews Mick Martin at the opeining of the festival
Right. The first lady home, though not the winner - due to the staggered start, seems pleased with her performance...
...Correction she actually seems 'delighted' with her performance (below).
Cahir Go Léir - Day Three
The results are announced and the winner, representing the Bell pub, is Niamh Delahunty (with cup). In second place is Bernadette Doverman (centre), representing the Heritage shop, and in third place is Sinead Phelan (on right) representing the Cahiir Development Association.
Cahir House Hotel were the main sponsor of the 'Queens' event with individual queens sponsored by the pubs, shops and organisations they each represented.
Below - Gerry talks to Mary Ellen Flynn, the festival queen from 2003 when the festival was last held. Mary Ellen crowned her successor and handed over the trophy.
Below - Gerry congratulates some of the ladies from the Cahir Community Bingo who won best float.
Below right - The Abbey Tavern team won the best fancy dressed float
See the SPONSORS page HERE