As Chairman of the Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District of Cork County Council, I would like to invite you all to Mallow this Easter weekend. The town is set to become a hive of activity over the next few days with the annual Racing Home For Easter Festival taking place. The three day festival which commences tomorrow right through to Easter Monday (4th – 6th April) encompasses numerous activities for the entire weekend ranging from sporting, fashion, leisure, family fun, food and craft and cultural events to name a few. Now in its sixth successful year, the whole rationale from the outset of the festival has always been to attract people who have left the North Cork area to return to Mallow for Easter – hence the Festival name “Racing Home for Easter”.
The Festival is ably led by Chairperson, Mary Kelly and a strong committee of volunteers whose ultimate goal is to put Mallow and North Cork on the map as one of the largest festivals annually in the North Cork region. The Festival generates a direct economic benefit for the town of Mallow and its hinterlands in the region of €700,000 over the weekend with the focus centred on the traditional three day Easter Festival race meeting at Cork Racecourse, Mallow. If I was a betting man, which I am from time to time, the one tip I would give you is that if you come to Mallow this weekend, you are a certainty to enjoy yourself!
I believe a huge asset to the Festival in recent years has been the use of Mallow Castle as part of the weekend’s events. The Castle, now in public ownership and belong to the people of Mallow, the Castle is a place where we should all visit and cherish the wonderful structure that it is and its surroundings. The Castle will again feature heavily in this year’s festival with it being the place of action on Easter Saturday & Sunday. There will again be a number of amusements for the children to enjoy around the grounds of Mallow Castle and Street Theatre Ireland will host a number of shows over the weekend in the Castle and Cork Racecourse, so if juggling knifes and scissors is your fancy, be there to see all the action at first hand. There will also be a dog show in the front garden of Mallow Castle on Easter Saturday at midday which is a show not to miss. The afternoon will be jammed packed with entertainment with a series of live bands taking to the specially erected stage at the front of the Castle depicting the range of musical talent we have in North Cork.
Mallow Town will be open for business all weekend with the added benefit of free parking in all public car parks for the weekend. In co-operation with Mallow Chamber, shops will be offering special Easter Promotions so a bargain is sure to be got in Mallow this weekend. After your day’s shopping in the town or enjoying the festival activities or the day at the races, why not head to one of Mallow’s fine restaurants for a meal and visit one of the many hostelries in the town for refreshments and enjoy the range of entertainment and nightlife on offer over the entire weekend.
Easter Sunday is all about Food & Craft with over 60 stalls conversing on Mallow Castle from 9am in the morning offering you the insight into local food produce, culture and craftsmanship. The Food & Craft Fair was the most wonderful scene for me during last year’s Festival where the aromas from the locally produced foods and the setting of Mallow Castle was only amazing to see East Sunday at Cork Racecourse hosts the very popular Best Dressed Lady & Gent Competition amongst a feast of National Hunt Racing. All eyes will be on TV3’s Glenda Gilson who has the unenvious task of picking this year’s winners.
East Monday focuses on the Family Fun 10K cycle which commences from Mallow GAA Complex at 11am. All the family is encourage to take part in this year’s cycle which the people of Mallow will be out in force to support I’m sure. A host of Point To Point Winners will be showcased at third day of racing at Cork Racecourse, Mallow where the next Cheltenham winner could be seen. Mallow’s greatest unique selling point is value for money which the Festival has developed through linking with accommodation providers, Cork Racecourse Mallow & Irish Rail which allows Mallow to offer great value packages to all potential visitors. This weekend, we will see people in Mallow from all part of Cork, Ireland, Europe and as far away as Australia so I would encourage you all to come and enjoy the feast of entertainment that is on offer and also the beautiful surrounds that the town of Mallow provides.
On behalf of the members, executive and staff of the Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District of Cork Council, I want to wish you all a very happy & fun filled Easter and I look forward to seeing you over the weekend.
