Launch of Lamb Festival 2011
The 4th Roscommon Lamb Festival was launched last Wednesday night to a packed JJ Harlow’s in Roscommon Town, special guest was Kevin McGarry from North Roscommon. MC for the night was Gerry Fallon treasurer, with Mr Gerry Browne chairperson of the festival- first to speak and he warmly welcomed all present. Mr Browne noted that the RLF is now a firmly established celebration of all that is best in County Roscommon, stating that it is primarily a food festival which emphasises the high quality and healthy nature of grass fed livestock. Mr Browne pointed out that these facts are a marketing advantage for our farmers. He then went on to outline the broad nature of the festival programme which embraces farm, food, heritage, ecology, arts, crafts, and more in a schedule of events which will take place not only in Roscommon town but also including St John’s Wood, Knockcroghery , Rathcroghan, Castlecoote and Four Roads. Roscommon Town is again the focal point with an attractive line up of food, culture and family orientated celebrations.
The highlight of the festival this year is a World Record Attempt to have the most knitters in one place, the brainchild of Michelle Fallon who has put her heart and soul into making this a major talking point in Co. Roscommon and also all over the country. We need 1000 knitters, knitting together for 15 minutes. Thanks to the County Board and Roscommon Gaels this attempt will be in the stand at Dr Hyde Park on Saturday 30th April at 1pm. It is a daunting task but one which Michelle and her craft committee have taken on with enthusiasm, energy and amazing creativity. Mr Browne urged everyone to contact all their relatives and friends to come to Roscommon for this event and help us to achieve a place in the Guinness Book of Records. The current world record stands at 937 and is held by a group in Portland, Oregon USA. There was a large group of knitters present on the night and they created a very relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere in the pub as they knitted and chatted.
The other events in town include the Art Exhibition and Mr Browne pointed out the importance of artists in the community and how vital it is to listen to what they are telling us, as they give us their interpretation of our lives and times.
The Farmers Market will feature the best in farm produce from the region and will include a demonstration of barbecuing techniques from the Brazilian tradition courtesy of Geraldo Marques also known as Toko. There will be a Craft Fair organised by the Enterprise Board which will be in an additional marquee on the square for the weekend, where crafts from around the county will be displayed.
The Teenage Fashion Expo will feature on Friday night and give expression to the creativity, energy and enthusiasm of our young people. This will be followed by “Friday Night at the Movies” in the marquee courtesy of Robbie Dwyer and Paul Kane of the “Roscommon Cinema Committee”. Farm and heritage walks take place throughout the festival and food samples will be available at all these events.
“Ceiliuradh Gaeilge” a range of Irish language performances by the students of Gael Scoil de hÍde will be held in the Marquee on Saturday afternoon.
The very popular Brazilian Barbeque will take place on Saturday night and Mr Browne pointed out that having used 15 full lambs last year the committee is expecting to need up to 25 lambs this year due to increased numbers of visitors to the town.
Sunday will start off with All day International Sheep Dog Trials – held in Walsh’s Field, Racecourse Road, Roscommon Town. Sunday morning will also feature a family cycling tour of 20km and a Kayaking demonstration in Portrun. We then see the Wool Craft Village in the Marquee will all aspects of wool craft being demonstrated from shearing to spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing and felt making. Meanwhile the “Family Fun Day” in the town park will be in full swing with the Army Band, Sheep Racing, Medieval Re-enactments, Bo Peep, Boy Blue Fancy Dress & Pet Lamb Competitions, Pony Rides, Old Street games for children and much more. The Global Kitchen event is back by popular demand after a hiatus in 2010. This will feature up to ten different ethnic groups offering samples of lamb based dishes as cooked in India, Middle East, Somalia, Eastern Europe, France and Brazil. It promises to be a colourful and mouth watering attraction. Sunday night will see entertainment in the Marquee and Pub Gigs all over town.
On Monday there is a guided tour of the historic town of old Elphin at 2pm. The Carers Marathon will bring the festival to a close and Mr Browne urged everyone to support this cause which is of such benefit to so many unsung heroes who look after people in need of full time care. Mr Browne also announced that the Irish Wheelchair Association is the nominated charity of the festival this year and they will be selling tickets @ €2 in the square for a car that will be raffled later in the year. Funds raised will go towards a wheelchair accessible bus which is badly needed locally in Roscommon.
Moving on to funding Mr Browne stated that the financial situation of the festival had improved since last year when the committee were faced with a €10,000 deficit. This has now been reduced to a more manageable level of €2,000 and he thanked the friends and sponsors for their support. The RIDC, Roscommon County Council, The County enterprise Board, Bord Failte, Bord Bia were all important funding agencies who supported the festival. He also warmly thanked the sheep farmers of Roscommon who had sponsored lambs and bought raffle tickets. He was delighted to note that farm prices have risen a little and looked forward to continued support this year from the farming sector. Businesses and individuals from Roscommon Town and county were also thanked for their generous support in what are difficult times for many people. Noting that the festival had the capacity to attract serious positive interest in what we have to offer tourists and visitors, Mr Browne expressed the view that the money spent on the festival was a good investment in the future of our country and its people. He finished by inviting more people to be involved on the committee and as volunteers during the festival itself. He then thanked Caitlin McConn and Brian Mugan of JJ’S for providing such a suitable venue for the launch.
Mr Browne was followed by Ms Una Quinn of Roscommon County Council and Mr. Michael Spellman chairperson of RIDC both of whom expressed their continued support for the Roscommon Lamb Festival. Mr Fallon then introduced Kevin Mc Garry as the guest speaker to officially launch the festival. Mr McGarry, a young man from North Roscommon, who suffered very serious injuries in a farm accident in New Zealand in 2007, then took the microphone. Recounting briefly how he had been involved in a motor bike accident n the farm where he was working, he became trapped under the vehicle which then went on fire. Mr McGarry said that the accident resulted in him having to face life without the use of his legs which were amputated above the knee. A prolonged recovery period followed involving skin grafts and painful rehabilitation. At first he could not even turn in the bed and so for a week had to concentrate on that simple movement. The next task was learning to sit up. He persevered with rehab taking each day and each task a little bit at a time. He does not consider himself a hero but he urged anyone who was facing difficulty in life not to tackle the seemingly huge obstacles first but to concentrate on the immediate day to day priorities which will then add up to massive achievements over time. He returned to Ireland in September 2010, 3 years after his accident. He walked through Dublin Airport on his prosthetic legs and is now leading a full life, farming and driving and making the most of every day. He regretted that he would not be around for the festival as he hoped to be cheering on The Rossies in New York that weekend. Mr McGarry then launched the festival and wished it every success. Finally, Mr. Mc Garry was presented with two pewter goblets which depict scenes from Ireland’s heroic past, namely Brian Boru at Clontarf and Queen Maeve and her famous bull at Rathcroghan. Mr Browne described Mr. McGarry as a true hero of our time and an inspirational figure whose example should be an encouragement to anyone who was in trouble of any sort.
This finished the formal proceedings and the guests then enjoyed the beautiful locally produced food on offer which included air dried lamb, sheeps’ cheese, lambs’ liver pate, lamb sausages and boxty. The committee wish to thank Sarah Browne for preparing the food and Castlemine Farm for sponsoring the sausages.
