Large crowds anticipated at annual Dunderry Fair

It is seven years since the first old-time fair was held in Dunderry, and the event has since gone on to capture the imagination of the public as it marks the beginning of the summer season. This year's Old Dunderry Fair takes place this coming Sunday, 9th May, from around noon, with the official opening ceremony taking place at 2pm. It will be carried out by Slane man Eddie Downey, the national deputy president of the IFA. Special guest will be the newly crowned Rose of Dunderry, Geraldine Ward. Charities to benefit from the 2010 event are Muscular Dystrophy Ireland and Down's Syndrome Ireland, as well as local groups in the area. Once again, large crowds are expected to pack the village for the popular annual event. Activities and events on the schedule for Sunday include a bonny baby competition, Mr and Mrs competition, Little Miss Dunderry, a country market with spuds, cabbage and concannon, and pig roasting. There will also be chainsaw carving, sheep shearing, horse shoeing, best turned-out animal, boxing display, vintage display, numerous side shows and stalls, a potato-picking competition, street tug o' war, fun fair, bouncy castles, paintball, go-karting, a poultry fair and show, dog show and funfair, as well as the traditional favourite, matchmaking. Animals will be on sale on the day, with cattle and horses by invitation only. There will be music all day on two separate stages by various artists including Matt Leavy, The Lone Ranger, Cois Tine, Charlie Arkins and Old Stagecoach, as well as dancing for all, with Irish, sean nós, old-time waltzing, set dancing and an open air ceili. The Lone Ranger kicks off at noon, with country and western music from Cois Tine at 2pm. From 4pm, Matt Leavy, Charlie Arkins and Old Stagecoach will perform, while Nuala Woods will sing the 'Dunderry Fair Song'. The dancing begins at the other end of the village at 1pm, with set dancing and sean nós dancing for children and adults, and from 2pm, Danny Webster from Kilkenny and the Galmoy Set Dancers. From 4pm, the Glenside Ceili Band will perform, with set dancing until 6.30pm. Fear an tí, Frank Keenan, will call the sets. There will be special appearances from Dunderry's 'Wilma and Lucky' while a local version of 'Dragon's Den' will also be staged. Parking and admission for children is free. See www.dunderryfair.ie for full details. To get the mood going, there will be a special night in Horan's pub on Friday night, with Eddie Caffrey and his LMFM Green Scene show, and the Dunderry Set Dancers.