Festivals & Events: To have your Festival or Event entered on this page contact: maria.ocallaghan@corkcoco.ie

FEBRUARY:
The Mallow AC/Kostal 10 Mile Road Race, which was deferred recently due to icy conditions , has been provisionally rescheduled for Sunday 7th. February. A final decision will be taken by the AAI County Board on Sunday 24th. January, so keep an eye on the club website www.mallowac.ie for up to date information.

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MARCH: 
ARTS ALLIANCE:
Dusty O'Callaghan
P.R.O. Arts Alliance,
Mallow. 
Phone: 086 3255323
To Whom It May Concern:
Arts Alliance Mallow meeting on Tues. March 2nd. @ 8pm in Ozanam House (St. Vincent De Paul)  New Road - next to St. Patrick's Boys National School. We are seeking new members who are interested in the Arts in Mallow. Due to the success of DAMHSAFEST last year in Mallow we aim to make it bigger, broader and more inclusive this year. Anyone with an interest in the Arts is welcome to come on board and get involved in the Arts in Mallow.

Yours truly,
Dusty O'Callaghan.

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BRAIN AWARENESS DAY:
To Whom it May Concern.
Monday 8th. to Friday 12th. March is Brain Awareness Week.
As part of this initative, Headway will have an information stand on display at the Gilbert Centre, Mallow Community Campus, Fair St. Mallow on Tuesday 9th. March.
Information on Headway, the services they provide and the impact of acquired brain injury will be made available by Headway Staff.
You are cordially invited to drop in to the Gilbert Centre between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Any enquiries, Phone Headway at 021 4871303

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ST.PATRICK'S DAY PARADE:
St Patrick's Day Parade to highlight environmental issues.
This week the St. Patrick's Parade Committee in Mallow launched their 2010 parade. This year's parade will return to the town park for assembly. People may recall last year that because of the flood relief scheme works the assembly point was between Beecher Street and West End.
Participants are asked to assemble from 1.45pm at the town park where stewards will allocate positions. This year, as in most other years, the parade will take place on St. Patrick's Day itself: leaving the park road at 2.30pm, moving to West End and then down Davis Street. The reviewing stand will be positioned outside Mallow Credit Union.
Mallow's own Thomas Davis Pipe Band will head the parade. Blarney Brass and Reed Band have also booked their place, and many youth groups have already registered with the committee. Any group not registered yet should contact the secretary, Maire Ui Bhriain, at the G.A.A. Complex in Carrigoon, or the Chairman, Noel O'Connor, at 087-2738222.
The treasurer of the parade committee is Mrs. Hanna Sheahan. This year the committe has decided on a green theme for the parade. The Killavullen Country Market Group will be bringing some fresh organic vegetables on their float in the parade. Cllr. Noel O'Connor, Chairman of the committee said "Awareness of environmental issues is important nowadays. As many of the participants and the onlookers will be young children, surely by giving this year's parade the Green Theme it will help to heighten awareness of environmental issues among the youth of Mallow. I would like to especially invite any of our businesses working in the area of reducing emissions, or producing energy saving devices to consider putting a float in our parade. Let's make this year's parade a bigger one than ever before. Let's make this year's parade Mallow's first ever green St. Patrick's Parade".

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CLEAN UP MALLOW DAY:

Clean Up Mallow Day with Mallow Tidy Towns on Saturday March 27th 2010, meeting at 10am at locations throughout the Town. Its Spring clean time and lets all help Mallow look its best for the Racing Home for Easter Festival. Meet a residents group cleaning your own estate or come out and help clean up our approach roads and public areas. Meeting points will be advertised in local press and on this website on Thursday March 25th. Further information from Vincent O’Keeffe 087 / 6562038; Paddy Whelan 087 / 6793758; Niall O’Keeffe 087 / 6359944.

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APRIL:
4th. April 2010
RIVER RAFT RUN Takes To The Water On Easter Sunday:
The annual Fun River Raft Run from Mallow To Killavullen organised by Mallow Search and Rescue Unit will be held on Sunday 4th. April, starting from Mallow Bridge at 1pm. This is a hugely popular annual event for participants and spectators, and great crowds usually gather at Mallow Bridge to cheer the rafts as they set off, and then in Kilavullen for the finish. All entrants must have lifejackets and an entry number. Check-in time in 8.30-10.30am. and all rafts will be subject to a safety check before they set off. All rafts must be registered before Monday 29th. March and sponsorship cards and entry forms are available at the Arches Bar or tel: 087-6353850 or 087-2230920

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RACING HOME FOR EASTER FESTIVAL - 3rd - 5th. April 2010

Racing Home For Easter Festival 2010 - Welcome to Mallow's brand new Festival which is anchored around three days of great racing in the heart of the beautiful Blackwater Valley, where National Hunt racing has a long and proud tradition.
As a Hub Town we wish to promote Mallow as an important tourist destination, for more information on Mallow visit www.mallow.ie  The town itself will be in festive mood for the weekend with a range of activities and events which will cater for all interests and age groups. Among the many events -  street entertainment, a food and craft fair, a family 10K fun cycle, guided walks and heritage trails, and entertainment galore in local hostelries. Another major attraction will be a 'Blackwater Valley Music Idol' competition with a big prize for the winner.
A very special welcome to Mallow people home from abroad, to people from other parts of Ireland and to all the tourists visiting us for the first time, we really hope your stay in the Mallow area is a very enjoyable one. To the locals we say - come out and support the festival, enjoy yourselves and help establish Racing Home For Easter Festival as a permanent feature in the national calendar of events and festivals.
We hope you will marvel at the first class racing, sample the craic, meet people and come back to an even bigger and better festival next year.  Keep up to date at www.corkracecourse.ie    For Full Programme See - NEWS on left.

STREET ENTERTAINMENT ON THE FESTIVAL STAGE:

EASTER MONDAY 4TH. APRIL - BOTTOM OF O'BRIEN STREET:

4.30pm - 5.30pm -KARMA - Young band from Mallow Town I.Y.M.A. Award winner.

5.30pm - 7pm - FAILING EARTH - Rock Band from Blarney/Cork City. www.bebo.com/failingearthband   also YouTube

7pm - 10pm - 96FM STREET PARTY - Featuring Local Rap Artist "RIPPA"

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EASTER MONDAY 5TH. APRIL - STREET ENTERTAINMENT ON THE FESTIVAL STAGE, BOTTOM OF O'BRIEN STREET:

5pm - LOADED KINGS - Indie Rock Band from East Cork.

6.30pm - WINNER OF THE "BLACKWATER IDOL" COMPETITION.

7pm - THE WOODBINES - Celtic Rock Band - Blending Traditional Irish Music with Pop, Rock, Cajun & Folk Songs to create a blistering live show.

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The Racing Home For Easter Festival Committee would like to thank the following sponsors for their support.

* Failte Ireland
* Avondhu Blackwater Partnership.
* Mallow Town Council.
* Cork County Council.
* Mallow Chamber.
* Blackwater Valley Tourism.
* Irish Rail.
* Mallow Credit Union.
* Musgraves/Danos Supervalue.
* Mallow Vintners.
* Market Square Mallow.
* Mallow Arts Alliance.
* Mallow Development Partnership Ltd.
* RAPID Programme.
* Cork Racecourse Mallow.
* Sheehan Coaches.
* Dermot Casey - Tool Hire.
* Dermot Casey - Tree Care.
* Springfort Hall.
* The Hibernian Hotel.
* Beamish.
* Kostal.
* McDonalds.
* Studio Fiona, Fermoy.
* Dairy Gold.
* Mayor of Mallow, Mr. Richard Dempsey.
* The Cork Advertiser.
* ITW Hi-Cone, Mallow.
* The Medical Centre.
* The Corkman Newspaper.
* The Barry Group.
* John J Sheehan & Co.
* Little Rascals.
* Kevin O'Keeffe, Architects.
* AIB Bank Mallow.
* The Medical Centre.
* Hickey Communications.
* Mallow Print.
* Dano's Centra.

Racing Home For Easter Festival 2010 - Easter Week-end Packages.

THE HIBERNIAN HOTEL, Bank Place, Mallow.
Tel: (022) 58200
E-Mail: info@hibernianhotelmallow.com        www.hibernianhotelmallow.com
2 Nights Bed & Full Irish Breakfast and one Evening Meal & Full Use of All Leisure Facilities.
€99 Per Person Sharing.
3 Nights Bed & Full Irish Breakfast and one Evening Meal & Full Use of All Leisure Facilities.
€130 Per Person Sharing.

SPRINGFORT HALL COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL, Mallow.
Tel: (022) 21278
E-Mail: stay@springfort-hall.com               www.springfort-hall.com
1DBB Packages:
Fri. 2nd/Sat. 3rd/Sun.4th. April.
1 Night, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast - €89 Single Occupancy.
1 Night, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast - €79 Per Person Sharing.

2BB1D Packages:
Fri. 2nd/Sat. 3rd./Sun. 4th. April.
2 Night Bed & Breakfast, 1 Dinner - €130 Single Occupancy.
2 Night Bed & Breakfast, 1 Dinner - €115 Per Person Sharing.

B&B Rates:
Fri. 2nd/Sat.3rd./Sun. 4th. April.
€65 Single Occupancy.
€50 Per Person Sharing.

CHARLEVILLE PARK HOTEL & LEISURE CLUB:
Tel: (063) 33700
E-Mail: info@charlevilleparkhotel.com         www.charlevilleparkhotel.com
Charleville Park Hotel & Cork Racecourse Mallow Racing Package.
Enjoy 2 nights Bed & Breakfast & 1 Evening Meal at the 4 star Charleville Park Hotel which includes full use of all Leisure Club including 25m pool @ €99 Per Person Sharing. (€89 pps without dinner)
Racecourse tickets can be pre-bought at the hotel.
Superb location only 25 minutes from Mallow.

 ESSINK RESTAURANT & CATERING BUSINESS:

As a restaurant and catering business in the town Essink will be offering the following among more offers to locals and visitors to the festival.
In the Restaurant: 3 Course Meal €19.95 (All day and night every day)
Complimentary tea, coffee and scones for all those participating in the guided walks on the three days of the festival.
Free breakfast for kids - when eating with their parents.

In Catering:
(For those in rented accommodation or B&Bs)
Full Irish for €7.95
Hot meals from €7.95 delivered to your accommodation.
Picnic packs from €5.95 pp

BALLYHASS LAKES:
To support the Racing home for Easter Festival 2010 and the Ballyhoura/North Cork adventure hub Easter campaign, Ballyhass Lakes are providing family sessions at the lakes for a special introductory price of only €10 per participant. Each session will include two activities from the extensive range available at Ballyhass. These include Low Ropes, Archery, Rock Climbing, High Ropes, Abseiling, Aeroball, Kayaking, Raft Building, Bouldering on an indoor climbing wall. Each session will last approx three hours. All equipment supplied. Minimum age 8 years - no maximum.
Over the Easter Period these introductory sessions will be held on:
Wednesday March 31st. - 2p.m.
Easter Saturday April 3rd. - 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Easter Sunday April 4th. - 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Easter Monday April 5th. - 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Wednesday April 7th. - 2 p.m.
Groups can be accommodated by arrangement outside of these times. Places can be reserved by calling (022) 27773 or E-Mail: info@ballyhasslakes.ie      www.ballyhasslakes.ie

IRISH RAIL:
Irish Rail are offering a special fare of only €10 to Mallow from anywhere in the country, and only €5 from Cork. This is indeed a fantastic opportunity to visit Mallow.

MALLOW LIBRARY:
To celebrate Mallow's Racing Home For Easter Festival, Mallow Library offers children an Easter Bonnet decorating workshop on Holy Thursday, 1st. April.
Bring along your hat, learn to decorate it and wear it to the parade on Easter Monday.
Places Limited: Names to library staff (022) 21821

BINGO IS BACK AT MALLOW COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTRE:

Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services are putting Bingo back in Mallow Community Youth Centre.

The funds raised will not only help with the maintenance and running of Mallow Community Youth Centre but will also help CDYS with their youth projects.

We are planning that each month a local charity would also be named where funds raised from raffle tickets will also be donated.

St Vincent de Paul ran Bingo here in Mallow many years ago and it was a huge community event and well supported.  We plan to make it a very enjoyable evening for all who attend, with some great prizes on offer and hoping that all ages will attend.

We feel it’s a win win situation for all involved and that Mallow as a community will definitely receive the benefit.

We would appreciate it, if people could support this very worthwhile cause and promise that they will have a great evening.

Our first nights bingo is being supported by the local businesses & individuals in Mallow who so far have generously donated towards the event.

Bingo will be run every Sunday night at the Youth Centre from the 11th of April.
Doors open at 7.30 starts at 8pm.

All Welcome!   If you require any further information contact Miriam Nyhan (022) 53526 Ext 1.

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MAY:

Dawn & Evening Chorus Walks at Longueville House May 2010
Take sound ornithology expertise set it in an elegant country house estate and what do you get: our second series of dawn chorus events with professional bird watching guide Michael Cobley on the magnificent grounds of Longueville House! Michael (chair of the West Cork branch of Bird Watch Ireland) has years of experience guiding groups of various experience levels including newcomers. He is an absolute mine of information and has an uncanny ability to identify birds by their call alone and will be on hand to help with the birds, their songs and calls, and also information on their habits and habitats. Michael has experience gained from birding in most European countries and will be available not only leading the chorus walk but also afterwards over a cup of coffee where we can wind down after our early start with a questions and answers session. Discussion is enthusiastically encouraged and opportunity given to reflect on the chorus and other birding topics.

Dates Dawn Chorus Walks in May:
Saturday 08th, Sunday 16th (National Dawn Chorus Day), Saturday 22nd & Saturday 29th Time 4.00am.

Dates Evening Chorus Walk in May:
Saturday15th (Eve of Dawn Chorus Walk). Time: 7.00pm.

Equipment:
Warm outdoor clothing with hiking books or wellies depending on the weather. Also pack some waterproof hats and over coats and umbrellas due to our inclement weather; even a pair of sunglasses may come in handy; binoculars if you readily have them but not essential.

House rules:
Absolutely no mobile phones or gadgetry! “Quiet” children welcome & sadly no dogs on this occasion!

4.00am Dawn Chorus/ 7.00pm Evening Chorus
Participants meet at Longueville House Hotel.

4.30am Dawn Chorus/ 7.15pm Evening Chorus
A brief orientation & maps distributed of various sites on estate. Participants set off on tour with Michael.

6.30/7.00am Dawn Chorus/ 9.15pm Evening Chorus
Group returns to Hotel to clean up & enjoy our legendary country house breakfast/ light supper for evening participants. Questions & answers session in the drawing room after breakfast/ supper.

Cost:
€55 per adult & €25 per child (under 13yrs) to include: Guided Dawn Chorus, Buffet Breakfast plus post breakfast discussion.
€55 per adult & €25 per child (under 14 yrs) to include Guided Evening Chorus, Tea/Coffee & Sandwiches plus post supper discussion.

Overnight Deals:
Special overnight room rates available to dawn chorus & evening chorus participants of €80 per person sharing B&B, subject to availability. Quote “Dawn Chorus” at time of booking.

Booking & Cancellation Policy:
Advance booking & payment is essential by credit card or cheque as numbers taken for this very special event is limited. Confirmation of booking will be guaranteed on receipt of these payment details. Cancellation is required within 48 hours of the event to avoid penalty of payment in full. Cancellations before this time will be refunded payment minus 20% handling fee. Book soon as spaces are limited!
Contact Details: Longueville House, Mallow, Co. Cork Tel: 022 47156 Fax: 022 47459 Email: info@longuevillehouse.ie Website: www.longuevillehouse.ie 
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Dancing at the Crossroads at Laharn Cross - Every Sunday  From 30th. May 2010:

Laharn Community Action LTD which is a voluntary organisation has successfully revived the old tradition of open air cross roads dancing. Situated in the heart of North Cork, Laharn Cross is the location where people gather each and every Sunday night throughout the summer months to enjoy live traditional music. People, both young and old dance the evening away on the specially erected timber platform.

Laharn Crossroads has a proud tradition of cross roads dancing with evidence of this tradition taking place in this very location as far back as the early 1900’s. At that time, local musicians would play for scores of people who either walked or cycled to gather at Laharn Cross and enjoy the music & dancing and also as some have described it; a little bit of match making!

Just like then, waltzes, quicksteps, foxtrots, not to mention polkas, shoe the donkey and the Siege of Ennis remain the order of the evening for the hundreds of enthusiastic dancers who gather for two hours (8-10pm) to dance the night at this historic crossroads whose name is rapidly becoming a household word throughout Munster.

Laharn Community Action LTD is looking forward to celebrating the company’s 12th year in existence this coming season which resumes on Sunday 30th May 2010. We hope you can join us at Laharn Cross at some stage over the summer months where the cross roads’ dancing continues each and every Sunday night from 30th May 2010 for a full 15 weeks in succession finishing up for the year on the 5th September 2010. Bus tours are also very welcome if you intend to bring a large group.

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JUNE:

Tidy Garden, Estates & Commercial Floral Display Competition.

€7000 in Prizes.

Mallow Town Council in association with The RAPID Programme and Mallow Tidy Town Association.

Competition Entry Forms available from The Town Hall. 

Entry Fee - €3.00 for Garden Competition & €5.00 for Estate & Commercial Competitions.

FRONT GARDEN COMPETITION:
Category 1 - Confined to Mallow Town Council Estates.
Category 2 - Best Front Garden in Private Estate.
Category 3 - Best Floral Display Without a Lawn.

ESTATE COMPETITION:
Category 4 - Confined to Town Council Estates of any no. of houses.
Category 5 - Large Estate Open Competition all Estates of over 75 houses.
Category 6 - Small Estate Open Competition all Estates of less than 75 houses.

COMMERCIAL COMPETITION:
Category 7 - Best Commercial Floral Display in Mallow. Open to all business premises.
Category 8 - Confined to private businesses.

PRIZES FOR ALL CATEGORIES:
First Prize - €400.00
Second Prize - €275.00
Third Prize - €200.00

TOTAL PRIZE FUND - €7,000

Completed entry forms to be returned to Mallow Town Council, Town Hall, Mallow before Friday 4th. June 2010.

Mallow Town Council wishes to thank you for your support and co-operation in keeping Mallow tidy.

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Mallow Youth Arts Festival

The Mallow Youth Arts Festival is a unique and hugely successful one day event organised each June to showcase local youth talent in a range of arts including drama, visual arts, music, song and dance.

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JULY:
DAMHSAFEST FRIDAY JULY 23RD. 2010
MALLOW.

Workshops will take place at 3 p.m. in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow.
Open Air Concert, Market Sq. at 7 p.m.
There are three visiting groups from Brittany, Greece and Begium.
There will also be many local performers.

COME OUT AND ENJOY AN EVENING OF FREE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT.
 

ASTOUR: 
 

The group “ASTOUR” works for the development of the heritage of the historic Brittany by creation of innovative shows staging the everyday life of the Bretons today.  “ASTOUR” has the will to make known the Breton culture and to promote it.  The group represents the City of Rennes in Brittany but plays an ambassador’s role in Breton culture all over the world.  Dancers are accompanied by the musical ensemble “ZIKDASTOUR”.  They play an alive and innovative music inspired by the Breton traditional repertoire.  Breton dance & music:  Since the dawn of time farmers and the rural community met to celebrate events by dancing.  They danced to compact the soil at planting time, at the harvest time and at family parties such as weddings.  For the past fifty years the cultural associations including the Celtic Circle of Rennes provided training courses to preserve these traditions.  Breton Dance continues to evolve under the influence of new music.  Today Breton music is a live music.       

NAOUSSA PAROS:

 

The exciting colourful Greek folk dance group, ‘Naoussa Paros’ comes from the town of Naoussa on the island of Paros, one of the many Greek Islands.  ‘Naoussa Paros’ was founded in 1988 to preserve their traditional music and dances.  The Group aims at preserving and circulating the dances, the music and the songs, the habits and the customs of the Paros.  At the same time it, organises groups to record the folklore elements of the island and has contributed greatly to the cultural upgrade of their island.  It is a member of C.I.O.F.F. of Greece (Unesco-B), the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts. 

Naoussa Paros collaborates with other institutions of the island, their own country and abroad, aiming at cultural growth and collaboration.  Owenabue Valley Traditional Group, the hosting group of Damhsafest, met ‘Naoussa Paros’ in Poland at the Kasztelania 2006 international folk and dance festival.  The “Naoussa Paros” group’s performances are always accompanied by live music of violin, touberleki and song and also tsabouna and toubaki.

DIE SPELEWEI – FLANDERS IN BELGIUM:

Since their foundation in 1956 members of Die Spelewei have studied and cultivated the Flemish folklore.  Beginning as young as 6 years of age, these youngsters can progress on to the group’s Youth section and then at the age of 18 join their Adult Group.

Some of the group also organise the International Folklore Festival of Westerlo, similar to Damhsafest Die Spelewei regularly take part at other festivals at home and have performed at international folklore festivals in nearly every other European country, where they exchange traditional music and dances.

Die Spelewei bring the Flemish traditional folklore to life with a mixture of older and newer dances using wooden shoes, sword, a May-tree, a sailor dance and “de Trawantel” and their traditional stick dance from Westerlo. 

www.damhsafest.ie

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Mallow Food Festival 

Mallow's Food Festival takes place each August and is a wonderful family and community occasion. Organised by a number of local businesses, the main street is closed off for the event allowing visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy great food in a wonderful, pedestrianised setting.