Trim's new pub gameshow opens ahead of Swift festival

The first round of an unusual new pub gameshow gets underway in Trim tonight (Wednesday) with the launch of Standup Row, a fun debating contest being run in conjunction with the Trim Swift Festival. "It's absolutely unique to Trim," said festival director Barbara Nestor, "because it has been specially devised for the Trim Swift Festival." It's a fun thing, according to Rodney Leonard of The Malt House, Trim, who is on the Swift Festival organising committee. "You certainly won't sprain your brain trying to follow it, I can guarantee. The only injury you might suffer is from laughing at it." The gameshow was devised by Paddy Smith, another member of the Trim Swift Festival Committee. It was inspired by the fact that it is exactly 300 years ago this year that Jonathan Swift caused consternation in English politics by switching his allegiance from the Whigs to the Tories. The competition takes place every Wednesday and Thursday night throughout the month of June in the eight competing Trim pubs. Each pub is represented by a team of three people. "I've called this the Standup Row, because contestants have a row with themselves by changing sides in the middle of an argument - just like Swift did all those years ago," said organiser Paddy Smith. "Each contestant picks a subject from the hat, then they have two minutes for discussion with their two teammates before they're on - spending one minute speaking passionately in favour of the subject, then a second minute speaking equally as passionately against it." Contestants will not be judged on their ability to build up a coherent argument. "It's entertainment," said Paddy. "We expect a lot of spoofing to go on - but quality spoofing, of course!" The home-and-away knockout competition opens tonight in Lynch's of Emmet Street, who are at home to Kiely's of Emmet Street, and in The Malt House of Athboy Gate, who are at home to Marcie's, Newtown. Tomorrow (Thursday) the competition continues in the Judge & Jury, Market Street, who are at home to Lenihan's, High Street, and in Darren Fay's of Emmet Street, who are at home to The Steps, Emmet Street. All matches begin at 9.30pm. The final will be held at a neutral venue on Thursday 1st July, the opening night of the Trim Swift Festival. Next Wednesday 9th June: Judge & Jury away to Lenihan's; Darren Fay's away to The Steps. Thursday 10th June: Lynch's away to Kiely's; Malt House away to Marcie's. More details from Paddy Smith on (086) 157 7526 or Rodney Leonard (086) 811 4636, or from the Trim Swift Festival website at www.trimswiftfestival.com