The Final Furlong in Ballybrittas should be hopping all this weekend as they host their May Pole Festival, starting on Friday night.
With music over three days, a marquee and a promise of a cracking atmosphere, it should make for a great weekend.
“The May Pole festival was a big local event in the late 50s and early 60s,” says Trish O’Halloran, owner of the Final Furlong and who is running the event along with her husband Alan. “There was one in Jamestown, one in Emo and one in Monasterevin and the older people in the area talk very fondly about it. I always said if I was to organise something like this I’d called it the ‘May Pole’ festival.
The Pioneers Trad Group get the show underway on Friday night (after Cathaoirleach Tom Mulhall officially opens proceedings) while Cash Returns, a Johnny Cash tribute band, are the star attraction on Saturday night along with Graham Delaney and Friends.
The show gets underway early on Sunday with DJ Michael between 4 and 6pm while Geraldine and Kinfolk come on at 7pm and Stephen Smyth and his band finish it out, coming on at 10pm.
“I don’t want a huge festival but I want something really good for about 300 or 400 people in the local community. We’re launching it on Friday night and we have a number of local people for the official launch – the likes of Billy Murphy, Tommy Donoher, Dan Connell, Hubert Deegan and Rich Connor (who actually played music at it) – who would have attended the May Pole many years ago.
“We’ve been planning it for the last couple of months and there is a lot of work behind the scenes. Cash Returns and Stephen Smyth are both huge and Stephen Smyth has been on the circuit with the likes of Nathan Carter but he hasn’t played in the midlands in two years and he’s really looking forward to it.”
Tickets are already nearly sold out and can’t be guaranteed on the night. The few remaining can be got in the Final Furlong or by contacting Trish (087 7662802) or Alan O’Halloran (086 8034112). Weekend tickets are €20 or €10 for one of the days.
And as well as quality music and a great buzz, there will also be a barbeque and a Monster Raffle with some really top prizes including a keg of beer, a drinks hamper, a meal for two and a Super Valu.
The May Pole Festival runs this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 2-4, in the Final Furlong in Ballybrittas
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