More than 2000 people attended the 13th Tullamore Irish Festival over the Easter weekend.
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The town’s population also swelled by over 400 campers from far and wide.
The Irish accent was alive and well around town all weekend!
The Festival started on Thursday evening with the opening of the Festival Art Exhibition.
It then continued on Good Friday with a twilight concert.
The large crowd was entertained brilliantly by a combination of local and international talent.
Irish dancing by kids from the Narromine based Irish dance group Spreagadh Na Rince got many a toe tapping.
Gerry Faulkner as the MC put the crowd into the Irish mood, and Peter Byrne finished the concert with his highly successful ‘Forever Diamond’ show.
Peter’s show is recognised as the very best tribute to Neil Diamond.
There was not an empty seat as he held the audience’s attention for the two hour show with the audience singing and clapping along to most of the songs.
On Saturday (the main day), it was fine and warm with the street parade starting festivities.
From a Cobb and Co coach to sheep being shorn, the street parade had it all.
Some 15 floats took part and a crowd of more than 500 clapped and cheered the participants.
MC Gerry Faulkner and singing group Saoirse got the crowd dancing on the street and the mood was high.
Once everyone arrived at the Festival Village it was a party atmosphere.
Old and new friends gathered around while Saoirse, folk duo Fil Campbell and Tom McFarland and The BordererS kept toes tapping and hands clapping.
The feature act was the return of Damien Leith and once again he did not disappoint.
He kept the crowd engaged with songs from his show The Parting Glass.
Damien ended his show with Puccinni’s Nessum Dorma and Hallelujah.
It resulted in a standing ovation!
On Easter Sunday The Tullamore Hotel hosted a Poets Breakfast and after the well-attended Ecumenical Easter service, Gerry Faulkner led a tribute to the 100 year anniversary of the Easter Uprising in Ireland where several hundred people lost their lives.
Many people then adjourned to the Tullamore Bowling Club to wind up the weekend with entertainment in a friendly casual atmosphere.
Thanks go to all the amazing sponsors and supporters, whose invaluable support continues to help the Festival thrive.
Thanks also to the talented artists, hardworking volunteers, stallholders and contractors, everyone who lent their time and talent, and most of all, to the wonderful patrons.
Thank YOU for making 2016 Tullamore Irish Music Festival one to remember!