In early May 1997 a committee, under the chairmanship of Patrick Mitchell decided to run an annual festival in the village of Carrigallen. It was decided that the August Bank Holiday weekend would be the ideal time to commence the celebrations. The festival is now in it's 12th year and continues to be an ongoing success with a variety of events planned for 2009.

Receiving €200 for their respective charities
(Front Row) Liam Gallogly (Carrigallen N.S.), Vincy Gray (St Patrick’s Hospital Carrick),
Kathleen McKenna (Barley Field Children’s Group), Breege Grimes (Carrigallen Day Care Centre),
Mervyn Richardson (Bredagh Old School Restoration Fund)
(Back Row) The Presidential Candidates: Seamus McKenna, Declan Grimes, Pauline Hollohan, Brendan Kiernan, Sean Reilly.

At a recent meeting of Carrigallen Summer Festival Committee it was agreed that due to the outstanding success of the “Presidential Campaign” fund raising event and also due to the fact most, if not all of the money raised was donated by the public in general, that a percentage of the funds should be shared by a number of local charities and organisations. Those who attended the meeting chose the following groups, Carrigallen Day Care Centre, Carrigallen National School, The Barley Field Children’s Group, Bredagh Old School Restoration Fund, Vincy Gray (St Patrick’s Hospital) and a representative from each group is pictured here receiving €200.

We would like to have given more but unfortunately the running costs of the festival have to be taken care of and this year it will take in the region of eight to nine thousand euro when you take into consideration the insurance, street entertainment (3 bands), prises and trophies for all the winners of events, advertising, and the list goes on. Also the same fund must pay for the up-keep and maintenance of the Christmas Lights which are put up every year and it was brought to our attention that without them last year there would not have been much Christmas atmosphere in Carrigallen as not one external Christmas tree was on display in the town. Sponsorship of course is a major ingredient in raising working funds and we say thank you to all who did sponsor the Festival, But in the present financial climate we were not surprised that this year that sponsorship that we relied on for the past number of years was down by 50%, so without the presidential campaign, the candidates who worked so hard and all who supported them, the festival would be a non runner.

People might ask the question, why bother with a festival? In answer to that, it brings a bit of atmosphere to the town, for some it’s the highlight of their summer, it brings in extra revenue and it puts Carrigallen on the map as a tourist attraction. Our committee is small but hard working, we strive to improve the festival every year and introduce new events where possible. New members with new ideas are always welcome from any walk of life, especially from the business’s of the town that benefit from the festival. We acknowledge and appreciate your sponsorship support but we need a more hands on approach as the running of the festival needs more people on the ground to work as a team. There is plenty of work to be done everyday during the festival and every week leading up to it and if we do not receive extra support, the future of the festival, I’m sorry to say, will be in jeopardy.

For the running of this years Festival, we would like to thank the presidential candidates, Declan Grimes, Seamus McKenna, Pauline Hollohan (election winner), Sean Reilly and Brendan Kiernan and also wish Pauline the very best of luck in her presidential reign. We would also like to thank the election vote counters, the traffic stewards and steward organisers, the floats and participants in the parade, the competitors in the fancy dress and the queen of the festival competitions, the fishing & football competitions, and all who supported the car treasure hunt, St Josephs for running the field day and the National School for the use of their grounds and of course, you the public for supporting everything. We hope you enjoyed it. The Festival Committee are. Chairman; Pat Masterson, Secretary: Philip McIntyre, Treasurer: Kevin McManus, P.R.O.; Ronan Ward. Committee members who regularly attend meetings, Margaret Flynn, Jim Kiernan, Noel Lyons, Eugene Finnegan, Donal Cadden, Mervyn Richardson, Pat McHugh, Paddy O’Rourke.

Presentation of €20,000 to the North West Hospice
by Sean & Mae McIntyre on behalf of The Barry McIntyre Memorial Fund.
LtoR. Cllr John McCartin (Committee), Philip McIntyre (Committee Chairman), Killian McGuiness (Cornmill Theatre), Margaret Flynn (Treasurer), Jonathan Finnegan (Secretary & Member of Slide), Mae McIntyre, Ann Fox (North West Hospice), Cormac Doonan (Slide), Sean McIntyre, Paula Kellegher (Committee), Eugene Finnegan (Committee), Dympna Kellegher (Committee), Noel Doonan (Slide and Carrigallen GAA), Kevin McManus (Slide). At front, Barry’s nephew & niece Sean and Caitlin McIntyre.

Barry McIntyre was full of life, one year ago he sang with his band “Slide” to the crowd in Carrigallen from the festival platform to great applause. This year that same crowd commemorate him. Barry had been a cancer sufferer, he had already lost a kidney but he had got through it and was back on his feet living life to the full, playing with his band “Slide”, back with the Cornmill Theatre and Carrigallen GAA Club of which he was secretary. Unfortunately last August the cancer returned. Early this year when Barry was attending The Northwest Hospice for physiotherapy sessions he expressed a wish that he and “Slide” should get together and do a charity gig for the Northwest Hospice. It was something he wanted to do, for Barry knew for a long time before that he didn’t have much time, the cancer had spread, but he didn’t tell anyone, he wanted to protect his Family from the pain of knowing. He carried the weight. Unfortunately Barry’s condition deteriorated rapidly, more rapidly than even he had expected, and at 12 noon on Friday March 6th 2009 Barry passed away surrounded by his Family and in the prayers of all who knew him.

After Barry’s funeral the remaining members of “Slide” decided that the charity gig should be done in his honour and with his Family’s blessing the wheels were put in motion to invite all the groups that Barry was involved in to take part. Soon a full weekend schedule was filled, an official committee was formed and a special bank account was opened for the fund.
This series of charity events took place in Carrigallen on the June Bank Holiday weekend last and raised the amazing sum of €20,000. Barry’s Parents, Mae and Sean & Family would like to thank all who organised and took part in the charity events and to those who gave so generously. You helped to fulfil his wish beyond expectation. Thank you.

Queen of the Festival 2009
Lee Finnegan receives her crown from her grandmother and Festival Committee member Margaret Finnegan

Friday 31st July
7:00pm Marieta String Puppet Show
7:30pm Presidential Parade lead by Letterbreen Silver Band.
8:00pm Official Opening of the 2009 Festival by the Presidential Candidates
Followed by live candidate interviews! MC: Brian O'Reilly
9:30pm Live music on the Gig Rig - Here By Accident
9:00pm-11:30pm Teen Busters Youth Disco in Kilbrackan Arms Hotel
12 Midnight Kilbrackan Arms Hotel: Randy Roxx & Billy Connolly Tribute

Saturday 1st August
12:00pm Fishing Competition
2:00pm-5:00pm Kayaking Sessions at Town Lake with qualified instructors for adults and children aged 8+
Prior booking advisable; Phone (087) 2905752 or (086) 2660686 Email: info@cavancanoeing.com www.cavancanoeing.com
8:00pm Queen of the Festival & Fancy Dress competition (€500.00 in prize money)
Followed by a charity presentation to The North West Hospice from the Barry McIntyre Memorial Fund.
9:00pm Live Music on the Gig Rig - Slide
12 Midnight Kilbrackan Arms Hotel: Devildabit

Sunday 2nd August
12.30pm U-12 Leitrim Ladies V Kildare Ladies in GAA Grounds
2:30pm Field Day in assocation with by St Josephs GAA Club. (Bouncing castles, mouse racing, sumo, bungee run.)
4:00pm President Election Count
6:00pm President Election 1st Count Results
8:00pm Live on the Gig Rig - Local Talent (Music, Song & dance) followed by announcement of Presidential Election winner.
9:00pm Live Music on the Gig Rig - Garth Brooks Tribute Band
12 Midnight Kilbrackan Arms Hotel: Playboys

Monday 3rd August
11:00am U-10 & U-14 Football in GAA Grounds
2:30pm Car Treasure Hunt (Last car at 3:30pm)
6:00pm BBQ & Skittles Competition at Kilbrackan Arms Hotel

Wednesday 5th & Thursday 6th August
Beezneez Theatre Company present a comedy 'Awake in the West' by Michael McGinnelly at 8:30pm. Booking (049) 4339612.

Margaret of New Orleans Exhibition is on display in Carrigallen Library until Wednesday 5th August. Adm: Free

Fun Fair in School Field all weekend

Carrigallen Summer Festival 2009 - Francy Dress
The night Michael Jackson came to town or maybe it's young impersonator Ryan Finnegan!

Vote in Carrigallen's Presidential Race. 5 Candidates. 1 Position. Who wins? You decided. Ballot Papers available from local outlets. Entry Fee: €2. Vote 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in order of your preference.

First count Sunday 2nd AUG at 4:00pm. Official Results Sunday 2nd AUG at 8:00pm. Official count supervised by independent officers & Local County Councillors. Coverage on Shannonside Radio. Committees decision is final.

RUNNING FOR THE PAT MASTERSON PARTY
Declan Grimes
Declan runs for the Pat Masterson Party with the assurance of one vote - one free drink policy. So ladies make Declan your number one and let the good times/Grimes begin!

RUNNING FOR THE DONAL CADDEN PARTY
Pauline Holahan
Our First Lady, Pauline has not yet come down from the heights of engagement to Brian and is looking forward to getting your votes and/or your orders in at the Kilbrackan Arms Hotel.

RUNNING FOR THE JOHN MITCHELL PARTY
Brendan Kiernan
Community man Brendan is keen to capture your vote and hopes to deliver Carrigallen it’s first President since Richard Nixon. With John’s backing he promises a great session not a recession.

RUNNING FOR THE CATHAL FARRELLY PARTY
Sean ‘Coby’ Reilly
Sean is proud to be running for election and insists he won’t be distracted about talk of running for Leitrim County Council or Europe in five years time. Rest assured he won’t ROCK the vote!

RUNNING FOR THE PATRICK MITCHELL PARTY
Seamie McKenna
When he’s not delivering you to your doorstep, Seamie will be on hand to collect you and/or your vote. So deliver your number one to Seamie and he’ll get you there!