Despite cold and wet conditions over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, there was still fun and frolics at the 7th annual Racing Home for Easter Festival at Mallow Castle and Cork Racecourse Mallow. Chairperson Mary Kelly says the festival committee is heartened by the huge turnout despite the inclement weather conditions. “We would like to say a huge thank you to each and every person who put on their coat and wellies in some cases, popped the kids in the car and came to our 3 days of fun and activities. Unfortunately we can’t roof the country, so we know conditions weren’t ideal but we are so grateful for the public’s support over the weekend.”
In spite of heavy showers, events kicked off in the grounds of Mallow Castle as planned on Easter Saturday, with hundreds of families enjoying the pet show, live music, the talents of Johnny D’Juggler and Jack Wise as well as mime artist Marcel SoWhat, to take a turn on the carousel, bounce on the bungee trampoline or try to tame the rodeo bull.
The weather had a knock-on effect on some of the activities, most notably the Food and Craft Fair, as quite a large amount of stalls from Galway, Kerry, Kildare and further afield opted not to travel because of the weather forecast, but local producers were out in force. “Naturally, we were disappointed with the cancellations, but we understand that safety is paramount and all the stall holders have to make decisions before they hit the road to Mallow,” says food and craft fair organiser Sara McMahon. “They told us that they were gutted to miss what has become one of the stand-out features of the three-day festival but that they will be back to join us next Easter Sunday on April 16th, 2017, and already have it pencilled into their diaries.”
The weather definitely didn’t dampen the spirits of the stylish people attending Most Stylish Sunday at Cork Racecourse Mallow, with judge Vogue Williams proving a real hit with the crowds. The model of the moment was just back from judging Best Dressed at Chelten-ham and it seems the ladies and gents of Cork can be proud. “I think the style on show has been absolutely amazing, as good as, if not better than, Cheltenham,” said the model, looking stunning herself in monochrome with red shoes. She chose lady in red Tasha O’Connor from Templeglantine as the winner of a €2,500 gold and diamond pendant, courtesy of Michel Jewellers Cork, and dapper Daniel Milner from Dunmanway as Most Stylish Man to receive a €500 voucher for Barry’s Menswear, Mallow.
Tasha wore a dress she bought online and described it as the ultimate bargain, with a hat by MARC Millinery and shoes by Savida in Dunnes Stores, while Daniel, a twin, paired sharp tailoring from Salingers with a light tweed pattern Pitchly waistcoat to snare his prize.
This year’s festival had an added dimension as the town held an Easter Rising Commemoration Cere-mony half a century after the course held Ireland’s only 50th anniversary Easter Pageant. Almost 300 people attended the pipe band-led parade, flag raising ceremony, reading of the Proclamation and opening of an artifact and photographic exhibition at Cork Racecourse Mallow. Mary Kelly, sales and marketing manager at the racecourse, says she was pleased with the turnout over the three days of flat, national hunt and point-to-point winner action.