5 MINUTES WITH - ADRIAN HARKIN

Adrian Harkin is an inspirational figure; up at first light every morning to greet whatever the day has in store for him and his family. Living in Moville with his wife and two daughters Kayleigh and Jessica, he has just started up a new exciting business called Just Kayak. He is fully qualified to train coaches and beginners on rivers, at sea and on surf. He does a lot of cross border work with young groups who are on holiday camps. His latest team were from Shantallow and Caw in Derry. Beginners can progress to local clubs such as the Foyle Paddlers in Prehen. He also has accommodation right on the shore at Moville for up to eight people for adventure holiday fans. For more information phone Adrian on 087 2202577 or 074 9382331 (outside of R.O.I add 003535)


What music do you like?
80’s music can be good fun. I listen to the radio a lot as well. Straight to the point Gerry Ryan is a laugh on RTE, especially when he gets two people sparring against one another. He won’t interrupt until its time for the news.

What would you never throw away?
I tend to hang on to boats – even ones that people throw out. Each one tells a story and it’s amazing how the designs have changed over the years. I have an old pair of paddles made by Alistair Wilson from Scotland.

What are you reading?
I get Canoe Focus and Playak, two very good magazines. I have also been enjoying a couple of local books on the islands of Inishtahull and Inish Murry

What was your favourite childhood sport?
Swimming. I used to practice four times a day, starting at 6:30 in the morning. I swam competitively until I was 16 and took part in the Ireland, Ulster Championships and swam in Holland and America.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
Balls of Fury with Dan Fogler and Christopher Walken. It was funny enough and the children enjoyed it.

What is your idea of a good night out?
Plenty of conversation and slagging sessions in a place without loud music. Good company and good Guinness.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
I was playing a game in the swimming baths with my daughter Jessica. We call it playing sharks. It consists of me diving under the water, holding her ankles and tickling her. Unfortunately there was a young girl in the pool who was not only the same size, but had an identical swimsuit on. I grabbed hold of her from under the water and you could hear the screams and cries all the way up the Foyle. Thankfully her father understood.

Have you a favourite TV programme?
I enjoy cookery programmes, especially ones with Marco Pierre White in them. He is known for shooting his dinner.

How do you relax?
A nice glass of wine and a pint of Guinness. If I were on my own then it would be kayaking, skiing or snowboarding.

What ambition did you have as a child?
I always wanted to swim in the Olympics.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
Anywhere there are mountains. I love the openness of the landscape. I could spend my time walking, skiing, snowboarding and kayaking.

Your idea of heaven?
Standing on the top of a mountain, so high up that it makes people faint and change colour.

Your idea of hell?
Working in an office all day.

What famous person would you invite around for dinner?
The boat manufacturer Eric Jackson

Favourite animal?
The dog. We have just got a new puppy called Brandy. He is going to be a big one as he is half collie and half labrador. I have always had dogs in the family

What couldn’t you live without?
My big white van. I use it for work and play. It is so handy, you can just throw everything in the back.

Biggest thrill?
Canoeing down a fast white water rapid, full of French alpine water.

Do you have a hobby?
Not surprisingly it is kayaking.

Biggest disappointment?
I have dodgy ears that came about from an infection when I was young. It restricts me from some diving activities and I have to be very careful in the water so I wear earplugs.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
I was born in 1969 amongst the “troubles” in the Bogside in Derry before moving to Moville when I was 15. They were challenging times with strange emotions and I learnt a lot about feelings. Although this was a big learning curve for me and I am glad I experienced it I wouldn’t want my own children to go through the same.

World’s most useful invention?
The telephone. You can keep conversations short and you don’t have to see people face to face…

What do you have for breakfast?
Something simple like porridge, Weetabix, toast and marmalade, all washed down with a nice cup of tea

What is the best/worst piece of advice you have been given?
I was taking a team down the rapids on the river in Swan Park some years ago. A team member refused to do it and said, “I have someone to go home to” I realised that you can’t take risks with other people and when you have a family you look at life differently.

Personal philosophy?
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

CULDAFF AND GLENEELY EDITORIAL 08

Culdaff beach

QUOTES

“Letting the jackdaws loose in the class was a real giggle, although Ms O’kane, the teacher, didn’t think so at the time” Patsie McLaughlin from Gleneely reminiscing about his school days


“Everyone in Culdaff is delighted to see the Blue Flag return to the beach” Sean Beattie- author and historian

IN A NUTSHELL

Gleneely and Culdaff are both attractions in Inishowen but for different reasons. The picturesque and lively village of Culdaff is a place where tourists and locals flock to on a sunny day. There is nothing like soaking up the rays on the fabulous Blue Flag beach and making good use of the local shops, restaurants and bars. Gleneely is more inland so people who visit go for the hill walking and the fascinating array of old standing stones and areas of national historical importance. The beautiful areas surrounding Culdaff and Gleneely are also perfect for fishing, both in the rivers and sea.


FAMOUS FOLK

Charles Macklin was a man who left his troubled native land of Inishowen to make his name abroad. He found fame as actor, author and theatre manager. Through his long and turbulent career he retained a great love for his homeland. Some of his works include: King Henry VII (1746) (also called The Popish Imposter), The True Born Irishman and The Man of the World.

Brian Bonner. Author who’s books include: Our Inis Eoghain Heritage, Where Aileach Guards and That Audacious Traitor.

Sean Beattie. Writer, historian and in charge of the Donegal annual There are over 500 articles on Donegal history in Donegal Annual a superb source for Donegal Research. journal first published in 1947. His excellent books include: Book of Inistrahull Ancient Monuments of Inishowen Thomas d'Arcy McGee Commemoratio

Bernard McGuinness- The Fine Gael Councellor was recently elected chairperson of Inishowen Electoral Area Committee. He was the first local councillor to speak out against the proposed reduction of services at Malin Head Coast Guard station.



ST BUADAN
The area around Gleneely and Culdaff is steeped in ancient history, from Stone Age tombs to standing stone circles and early Christian Crosses. It is indeed, a place apart which captivates the imagination.
St. Buadan, a native of Inis Eoghain, came up the river from Gleneely to Culdaff to seek a place of solitude and peace. Here he founded a monastery, which became a centre of culture and missionary activity between Inishowen and Scotland.

When Buadan came to Culdaff it was completely wooded and the river was at certain places much wider. On the top of the height now known as Ardmore he cleared the trees and shrubs, and a crude form of shelter was built. Later a church and other buildings appeared. A distinctive feature was the two fords located so closely together. The people who lived around had noted this and gave the place the name, which it still bears, Cuil da Ath-the corner of the two fords.

A holy well (turas) dedicated to St. Buadan existed until recently, and carved steps still remain at the river bank. On the other side of the bridge on the Bunagee Road a curious curragh shaped rock lies in the river. This freestanding rock, called St. Buadan's Boat, was the means of conveyance used by Buadan after being expelled from Iona (in Scotland). The rock upon which he stood, so the legend goes, fell into the water and miraculously floated transporting him safely back to Culdaff.

WHATS ON IN CULDAFF AND GLENEELY

Charles Macklin festival - On the 10th –12th of October the Charles Macklin School in Culdaff are holding workshops, plays, poetry, readings and exhibitions. The actor John Nee and renound musician Cara Dill will also be giving a concert. The event has been running for 18 years and to mark its success a book has just been published, called Mac Poems. One Sunday there will be lectures on the importance of the Doherty clan in Inishowen and commemorating the 400 years since Cahir O’Doherty rebelled against Derry in 1608

Scoil Mhuire school reunion in Gleneely - The school held its first ever school reunion dinner dance last Friday. Past pupils from all over Ireland and as far afield as England, Scotland and the United States turned up for the exciting event. They are also gathering photographs and memories from past pupils and members of staff for publication in a commemorative magazine. Anyone with school photos from before 1990 is encouraged to contact the committee



Climbfest is held every spring in Culdaff. There are several hundred single pitch climbing routes, mainly in the middle grades all local to Culdaff and Gleneely, at Dunmore Head, Dunowen, Kinnego Bay, Galavoir, Warm Bay Point, Malin Head and Port a Doris. Walking is also very popular around the area. Free camping is available at Bunagee for the Climbfest.

Water- Up until the 1950’s, the whole of the Gleneely residents had to collect their water out of one well At a place called Greens Field.

Surfing. The Blue Flag beach at Culdaff is one of the best places in Ireland to catch the waves and there is professional tuition for the novice.

McGrorys for live music. Irelands most northerly live music venue in the Back Room Bar. You don’t have to travel far for a holiday…

Blue flag beach at Culdaff. It’s back again…

School facts- The current Scoil Mhuire building in Gleneely dates from 1961 and it amalgamated with the old Ballyharry School in 1968. However, the old school in Gleneely dates back to the 1840s when, according to Brian Bonner’s history of Inishowen, there were 335 students on the rolls. Today, it’s a smaller school with some 69 pupils,


MY GLENEELY



Patsie McLaughlin

I was born and reared in Gleneely and went to the Old School just before Scoil Mhuire was built, in fact I remember carrying our desks and chairs over to the new building. We lived in the farm in the village and Eamon McLaughlin and myself would nip home every lunchtime with a tin to get some fresh milk – for the teachers, the pupils never got any… Miss Okane (we called her Pepper duster) liked to take some home with her and we would leave a tin next to her car. We would intentionally leave it under the wheel and she usually ran over it forgetting it was there. We looked on behind the wall laughing.

Local man, John Duffy was cleaning his chimney one day and two jackdaws came down, so Eamon and I tied string to their legs and walked to the school with them. As we got to the classroom we let them go. There was a real commotion as Pepper Duster got covered in soot as she tried in vain to catch them.

There have been a lot of changes in the village since the 1940’s. It used to be a thriving place with loads of facilities. There was the bottle store, 3 shops, three pubs and a general merchant called Dennis Faulkner. Then there was the blacksmith and John the butcher, who used to slaughter animals for the farmers. I also remember Frank Griffin the barber, he would work with the bowl on the top of your head. There was also an oil store next to the Orchard Bar, a bakers, Garda barracks and an undertaker, so as you see we were short of nothing. There are still good thing happening in the village. Just recently the new sports centre opened. Loads of money was raised locally to make it happen.


VISIT THESE…

Cloncha Cross – Culdaff. This stone cross stands three metres tall. There are four main panels. The lowest panel consists of two animal figures both of which have their heads at the end of the looped ribbon design. Tails are also shown. The animals appear to have broad snouts and pointed ears. The two centre panels have a fretwork pattern and uneven double-ribbon design. The top panel has a scene from the New Testament, the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes.

Decorated Grave Slab, Cloncha Church – Culdaff. This decorated grave slab has very attractive and elaborate carvings - is situated at the old church within the graveyard. A number of decorations are clearly visible; sword, foliage, cross, hurley and ball. The stone is of local origin and the Scots-Gaelic inscription reads: Fergus Mac Allan made this stone.

Bocan Stone Circle- Culdaff. Bocan Stone Circle, when seen from afar appears insignificant, lost almost, behind trees and dwarfed by more modern structures, but it is only when viewed up close that its full glory comes to life. Situated on good pastureland on the hill of Bocan, Sliabh Snaght to Trawbrega Bay right to Glengad is visible.

This magnificent view with Culdaff and Bocan chapel just below is impressive especially if seen at sunrise or sunset. . The stone circle also had an astronomical function and was used to decide when one season began and another ended. When the sun shone directly on certain stones, early farmers knew that one season had ended and another was about to begin.

Temple of Deen: Culdaff. Just across the main road from Bocan Stone Circle is the “Temple of Deen.” A wedge-tomb, it appears to have been covered with a cairn of small boulders, which means that the structure remaining would have been only the centre chamber of a huge monument.

Cloncha – Culdaff. Situated just below the Hill of Deen, Cloncha is the site of one of the most important foundations in the development of Christianity in Inishowen. It was a significant centre from the sixth century onwards, favoured by bishops as a final resting place. The glory of Cloncha is surely the striking high cross in the field just beside the church standing four metres tall. Only one cross now stands upright, another lies fallen, in the same field.

Hero Sandwich

I like eating sandwiches, so when I had one from Hero's Submarine Sandwich Shop, I was understandably excited. The thing that separates these heroes from others is that they have bread and meat, and then some other stuff like onions and junk. It's one of those places where you buy a sandwich and go immediately to an extended metal windowsill that is supposed to function as a table with no chairs or stools, then unwrap your sandwich and eat it while reflecting on your favorite sports team or the hand drawn city map of questionable accuracy hanging on the wall. More often though, you'll just want to take your food and head out, then sit on the grassy field across the street. You'll then think about why you didn't want to buy a soda or a bag of Vitner's as you watch your friend complain about too much ice in the drink, which you completely agree about, reader. After discussing band music during the meal (I'd give it about twenty minutes (ten per each half (I'm assuming you ordered one whole) of the sandwich)), you may wonder about the party store in the distance, but then realize you've had enough silly business for today and head off for the liquor store.

[Hero Sandwich]

The Silly Business

Today I was feeling a little emotionally depressed, but when I saw all the emails from you guys, I felt a lot better! Also, I went shopping today - I absolutely need to have Moo-fuel; no other drink will cut it for me when eating foods.

The Bro, Brah, and Bru Business is somewhat famous around the Fjord for their activities. Since I just received my chef jacket, I took up their offer they made of me. I could not turn down a deal that included free belts. I began working on doing cooking demonstrations shows, and during that, some other people that I had gotten used to seeing suddenly disappeared and I never saw them again, but I guess that’s just the way things are. I’m fine with people suddenly deciding to never let anyone see them ever again. I’m not some kind of jerk that will start trying to snoop into their lives. Things started looking up for me though when I was offered to go on a trip to the beach! So exciting!

~ The beach was pretty great. I headed out at night since that’s when anything cool that might happen will definitely happen. There was none of that icky green plant goo growing on the water and no pieces of shells or weird objects that might be crap on the sand, so it was okay to just walk along without paying attention. Well, except for this nice soufflé I found just sitting on the ground. I was absolutely sure no one was around, so I totally ate the soufflé. I would say that that was the highlight of the vacation.~

I got back to Bro, Brah, and Bru, I sensed something was amiss. Bru approached me. “We know you have secret plans, but you may want to reconsider after seeing this picture of legally inappropriate behaviour.” He then presented a secret hand drawn picture of me eating the soufflé while on vacation, all done in oil pastels! I was shocked! These things seriously baffle me, I can’t figure out how they work. Within the same box, some of them are like working with chalk, and others are so smudgy they pretty much melt right onto the paper. “So don’t even think about telling Chompowitz about our shady dealings, it will cause you a lot of emotional conflict!” Luckily, I snorkeled away to Soufflé Islet and now everything is fine.

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 25

The Paradox of Letting Go

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need.

These are feminine paradoxes.

By yielding, I endure.
The empty space is filled.
When I give of myself, I become more.
When I feel most destroyed, I am about to grow.
When I desire nothing, a great deal comes to me.

Have you ever struggled to get work or love and finally given up and found both love and work were suddenly there?

When I give up trying to impress, I become impressive.
When I am trying to make myself look good, others notice and don’t like it.
My best work is done when I forget my own point of view.
The less I make of myself, the more I am.
When I yield to the wishes of the other, I encounter no resistance.

This is the wisdom of the feminine: let go in order to achieve.

From the Tao Te Ching

GARDENING EDITORIAL - JULY 08

QUOTES

“Your garden is home to an astonishing variety of creatures that spend 24 hours a day eating plants and each other, mostly without ever being noticed.”

“We supply up to 10 different types of finishes, including quartz, sandstone, granite, limestone and slate” John Ward- Dolmen Stone.

“We have a fantastic sale with big discounts on both shrubs and perennials. There has never been a better time to plant.” John McDermott – Macs Garden Centre.

“For all round practicality it has to be the Eco Quad Diesel 400 - in stock now.” Leonard from ATV sales.

“Hard landscaping gives you all year round access to the garden” Gary McCluskey



IN A NUTSHELL

Everything in your garden depends on everything else, through a web of interactions. The greenfly sucking the sap from the soft parts of your petunias are food for a hoverfly, which is in turn attacked by a wasp. When a spider eats this, it could become food for a fledgling blue tit, which is eventually eaten by a sparrow hawk.

All things are linked together in the garden in one form or another, and that goes for the plants and hard landscaping too.


HARD LANDSCAPING IN THE GARDEN

What is hard landscaping?

Hard landscaping is all of the features in the garden that do not grow or have roots. The patio, fencing, driveway, walls, raised beds and structures all fall into this category. For a good all year garden, a balance of hard landscaping and soft planting is needed.

Hard landscaping enables access to parts of the garden that would be a no go area for most of the year. Simple tasks like putting up the washing, emptying waste vegetables into the compost bin and putting out the food for the birds in winter are made much easier with a hard surface to walk on.

Build to last

If you are thinking of putting in a patio, or any type of hard landscaping from driveways to walls, call the fully registered contractors advertised on these pages. They can give you advice and detailed ideas for your own garden. All of the companies source the best materials, from around the world and locally to give you the best possible choice for your garden, and, very importantly, they will value your ideas.


SHRUB PLANTING IN SUMMER

Without the plants, hard landscaping could become too angular and stark. Shrubs are great for softening the edges of concrete or stone. A lot of shrubs have lavish displays of flowers and colourful foliage too. In the small garden they can even take the place of trees and not take up too much room, as they can be hard pruned back every year

Plant now
Pot grown shrubs can be planted all the year round. When you snap up a bargain from John McDermott’s Garden Centre sale, keep an eye on the plant and water every day if the weather is dry. In Inishowen we can grow a large range of quality shrubs and if you are in any doubt about how and where to plant, John and the staff will be only too pleased to give you the help and advice you need to make them flourish.

Why shrubs?
Shrubs are planted in the garden for a variety of reasons other that softening the edges. They give form and structure to a design and can beautify a garden because of their shape, scent, colourful flowers, fruits and attractive foliage.



DESIGN TIP

Take advantage of the sunny weather when you are sitting out in the garden. Have a pencil and a piece of paper handy to write down what you would most like to see in the garden. Draw in the new driveway, flowerbeds and borders or walls. If you have an idea in your mind what you want in the garden, then it will make the visit from the experts listed on these pages a more enjoyable experience. You can then talk over your plans and find the best possible solutions for your needs.



POWER UP

Of course it isn’t all sitting around in the sun and eating burnt burgers from the barbeque in the garden. Occasionally you will have to get out the machinery. ATV sales in Manorcunningham stock a wide range of top quality, motorised equipment, from hedge cutters to quad bikes, to make our lives that little bit easier.




DID YOU KNOW?

Some common plants have hidden messages…giving someone these plants could mean...
Crocus - cheerfulness, mirth, youthful gladness.
Daisies - innocence.
Red rose - love, desire, I love you.
White rose - regard, I am worthy of you.
Lemon verbena -You have bewitched me.


GARDEN FACT

Why do trees change colour?
The green colour of leaves comes from chlorophyll, the substance that helps trees to convert light, water and carbon dioxide into food. As trees prepare for winter dormancy, they stop producing chlorophyll, which lets other leaf colours come through. In other words, the bright golds, oranges and reds of autumn are there in the leaves all the time…

MUFF SUMMER FESTIVAL - EDITORIAL 2008

Three Muff Foyle Roses

Over the August Bank Holiday weekend this year Muff will be a mass of colour and bursting at the seams with holidaymakers and locals taking part in their annual festival. This will be the 27th Muff Festival and this year there will be even more events to take part in or attend. The festival is ideally situated to attract large numbers of people from both sides of the border. The annual extravaganza hosts a veritable galaxy of daft competitions, street partying and parades, guaranteed to leave you reeling and giggling for a long time after the strains of the final fiddle die away.

IN THE BEGINNING

Muff Festival all started over lively discussions in a bar back in 1981. Following a recent stretch of bright sunny weather at the time, a small group of entrepreneurs in a dark corner of a local hostelry came up with the idea to turn the weekend into an event. The festival was up and running three weeks later after the group in the pub sobered up.


QUOTES

“This is a tremendous exercise in our district relations and has undoubtedly helped promote the feeling of a closely knit community which should always be a characteristic of a small village like Muff.” An organiser from the first festival.


“This festival is too bizarre, too fun, too ridiculous to miss out on. If you need a spot of cheering up, then it really is a must!” Newspaper journalist, overwhelmed at the event.

“The idea to hold the first Muff Festival was hatched, flourished and was successfully carried out within four weeks, a very short space of time,” said Ian McIvor, organiser of the first Festival, adding: “We were very pleased with the way things turned out.”



CHANGING TIMES

When the event began, Muff was a relatively small local village and people mostly earned their living by farming. Travel was a luxury and holidays had to be enjoyed at home. In fact the annual Muff Summer Festival provided a rare opportunity for time-off from daily chores and for a bit of fun for all the family. In the present economic climate with oil prices soaring and the cost of travel getting very expensive, local festivals such as this are getting to be a more and more important as we find fun and games in our own communities


WHAT’S ON

The list for things to do at the festival is long and there will be plenty to entertain all ages. Treasure hunts are planned for the youngsters and as usual there are lots of sports events to burn off those calories, unless you are just watching, then you could add a few pounds with the local cafes and restaurants promising to cater for everyone’s tastebuds. This year we will also see Fancy Dress and Bonny Baby competitions and of course the beautiful young women of Muff will be entering the Muff Rose. Keep an eye out for the Mayoral Campaign results and gardeners might be interested in who has won this year’s best Festival Garden.

Pet show
The Annual Pet Show will get into full swing on Saturday August 2nd at 2:00pm sharp in the Village Green. All pets are welcome with owners - cats, dogs, snakes, hamsters, elephants etc - this is promising to be a really fun event and if anyone has a camcorder I would recommend taking it along, just in case one of the rodents escape. There are also prizes for look-alikes (animals, I think but owners might qualify)! Another prize is for the prettiest pet in the show.

Soapbox Derby
Soapbox Derby’s are always good for a laugh and this year the organisers have decided to add this to the list of events. It will take place in Wheatfield Development in Muff on Saturday August 2nd at 6:00pm. So, what is a soapbox?. Well imagine getting hold of a lot of a lot of scrap, then hammering it together onto a set of wheels and careering down a steep hill as fast as possible. That’s a soapbox Derby. Of course there are some that will take things very seriously and will get the welding torches out and put air in the tyres. There will be strict safety measures in place though and only one cart will be allowed down the hill at any one time. This will make it easier to pick up the bits off of the road as they disintegrate in an effort to win the race. Get the Camcorder out… To enter in advance for this wacky event, or if you need any additional information please contact Emma at 086-2106201

It’s a Knockout
At the first festival back in 1982 the organiser set up an “Its a Knockout” event and it has run every year since. The teams that will have to endure challenging physical tests will consist of 6 people, both male and female. There will be two categories of under 12's and over 12. The knockout starts on Saturday August 2nd at 12:00pm so get your team ready. You can get practicing by throwing cold water over yourselves and rolling around on sheets of plastic then smearing yourselves with mud…

Home made goodies
One attraction that will get the taste buds tingling will be the Country Fayre on Saturday August 2nd. There will be locally produced veggies along with home baked goodies for you to either eat there or take home with you.

Get those photo’s in
The Photo Competition is sure to be a huge success this year and all photos will be on display in the field on Saturday. Judging will take place on Sunday August 3rd. The categories are under 16's and Open. You can submit an entry in person to Euro Style hair salon in Muff Village, or, alternatively you can email a copy of your photo to mailto:tommydoherty@mufffestival.com?subject=Photo%20Competition.


In the bars
The evenings will be warm and cosy in the bars. The Carmen’s Inn, The Squealin’ Pig, The Rock Lounge and the Ture Inn will all be hosting live music. Check out the Events list for more details.


DID YOU KNOW?


Well-known Muff resident Phyllis McKenna organised the out-door ceili for the first-ever Muff Festival and many years later she is still running the popular event, held in the car park.

1982, saw the first competition for Muff Festival Queen that was held in the Ture Inn and aroused a lot of interest. Open to “any female wishing to take part” the Festival Queen entrants were always accompanied by a young man well-turned out in white shirt, bow-tie and cummerbund and the winning Queen reigned for the year. Her first duty was to start the Muff mini-marathon on Saturday. Winning prizes and a bunch of fresh roses, the winning Queen of 1982 was crowned at the presentation dance at which the group ‘Caviar’ provided the music. Admission was £2.50 including supper!


THOSE WERE THE DAYS

The first Festival opened with a marching band procession. This was followed by a waltzing and jive competition. Things got even more heated when the Glamorous Granny contest started later in the day.

One festival event that hasn’t stood the test of time of the past is “Catching the greased piglet” We are not sure about the complexities of the event but we think it has something to do with getting a pig and covering it with grease. I am sure there was much laughter and diving in the mud as the local men tried to catch it (I can’t imagine a woman choosing to enter this competition, but if you know better…) For some unknown reason this is no longer considered an acceptable form of entertainment…or maybe you just can’t get the pigs anymore.

On one occasion, the then Parish Priest quietly queried whether young ladies entering the Lovely Legs Competition should be showing off their legs below the knee

The men’s Knobbly Knees Competition provided a good laugh for all on-lookers.

Another past event was the Mr and Mrs competition with the winning couple winning the grand prize of a meal for two.