Pattern Festival August 2010

THE final preparations for one of the country’s best and oldest Summer festivals are well underway.

The annual and much celebrated Ballylanders Pattern Festival dates back to the late 17th century. Traditionally, it celebrated the saving of the crops just before the local children from the south east Limerick community returned to school.

In latter years the festival has been promoted predominately by the local GAA Club and is one of the social highlights of the calendar year in the surrounding areas.

This year’s festival from August 6 – 15 promises to be one of the finest organised yet with events and activities catered for all ages and families.

The highlight of the festival will be a performance by the well known and hugely popular, ‘High Kings’ at a specially erected marquee on August 12. The following day, Leanne Moore of RTE fame will be the special guest at a fashion and entertainment show in the same venue.

On August 14, an underage ground hurling and football blitz will be held for children at Ballylanders GAA pitch.

August 15 marks ‘Pattern Day’ and is the highlight of the festival.

Activities thoughout the day include the laying of a foundation stone at the village park site and in a throw-back to older times, the country’s finest blacksmiths will perform a rare demonstration.

Street entertainment takes place throughout the day along with a baby show and Live 95FM will be broadcasting from the village during the afternoon.

A senior football tournament final begins at 4pm and a fancy dress parade led by the Liam Lynch Pipe Band takes place in the evening. There will be entertainment at various locations that night including a disco in the marquee.

Also on the festival’s schedule are underage soccer tournaments, a poker competition and a 45 drive, a 10km fun run, a traditional Irish music night, a children’s disco and many more events each day.

The festival is traditionally a time that family and friends who live overseas return home for their holidays. All visitors to Ballylanders are guaranteed a special welcome and excellent hospitality from their hosts this August.

Pattern Festival Launch-9th July 2010

Our junior footballers will play in the south junior A league final this Thursday night against Bruree in Hospital. The juniors have had a good run of form in this league with only one defeat against this Bruree team. Throw in is at 8pm and all support is welcome.

The lotto will be held in The Premier Bar this Saturday night. The Jackpot now stands at €6700 . Envelopes are on sale off sellers locally and most of the local buisnesses.

The Lotto was held last Saturday night in the Kingdom Bar. There was no winner of the €6300 jackpot. Nos drawn were 6,22,25,27. Lucky dip winners were Tom Elliott c/o Kingdom, Sinead Murphy c/o Jean Fox, Frieda Fox c/o Jean Fox, DJ Hinchy c/o PO, Roddy Thompson c/o Jean Fox. The next lotto will be held Saturday 29th of May in Gallahues Bar. Thanks to Kindom Bar for use of facilities. Envelopes are on sale for lotto off sellers locally or from most of the local buisnesses.