Kells Heritage Festival starts next Thursday
The official launch of the Kells Heritage Festival took place on Friday 11th June at the Town Hall in Kells. Local celebrity comedian Fred Cooke was joined by Kells Chamber of Commerce president, Jess Olohan; festival chairperson, Eileen Mangan, and the cathaoirleach of Kells Town Council, Cllr Brian Curran, for the occasion. Details of the festival, which will run from Thursday 1st July to Sunday 4th July, were announced and one of the highlights this year will be the Kells Market Day, which will take place on the Sunday. Among the attractions of the festival will be a performance of the John B Keane play, 'Sive', comedy with Fred Cooke and Ardal O'Hanlon, music by Colm 'Stride' O'Brien, an antiques and collectables fair, country market, flower show, a garden barbecue and street entertainment for children. There will be a children's pavement art competition, a dog show, an aquaton (a combined swimming and running competition), a dog show, an arts and photographic trail and the Festival Summer School's master class in drums. A traditional market day will be held on Sunday 4th July as the local community 'reclaims the streets' following the opening of the M3 motorway. The market will include large number of arts, crafts and artisan food stalls, as well as a farmers' market, family fun, street entertainment and livestock displays. Farrell Street, Cross Street, Market Street, Newmarket Street and Church Street will be closed off to facilitate the event, which will recreate an old market day in Kells like those that continued in the town until the 1960s. There will also be home-baking, vegetable stalls and other attractions and the market will also include three separate entertainment areas - there will be traditional song and dance, modern music and the Kells Musical and Dramatic Society is planning to stage a pageant during the fair. The organisers are hoping to attract thousands of visitors to the town for the colourful market. They are currently looking for artists, craftspeople and artisan food producers to take part in the market. Anyone interested can contact Jess Olohan at (087) 903 4792.