The Castlerea Rose Festival is back, with a host of exciting events taking place from July 27th to August 4th.
Saturday, July 27
The festival kicks off with a series of special Pilates classes. The classes will be ran by Sheila Rose of The Workshop Castlerea, held at her beautiful studio on St Patrick’s Street. There will be a gentle Pilates class at 10 am, and a fitness Pilates class at 11 am. Both classes are free, but advanced booking is required as spaces are limited.
The first day will wrap up with an exciting performance by Irish country singer Mike Denver, beginning at 9 pm at the local SuperValu car park (F45RK06). Admission will be free, and there will be a dance floor provided on the day, weather-permitting. This performance has been sponsored by McSharry’s Pharmacy.
Sunday, July 28
The festival’s active/sporting events will continue through to the second day, with the John Tully Hospice triathlon. The triathlon will take place from 9 am, with a starting point at Somers Park (F45YW59). Interested parties can register to take part at triathlonireland.com. Be sure to come along and support this event, which aims to raise much-needed funds for hospice care.
It’s back to the music later that evening, with another exciting free event in store, this time from 7 pm at The Square (F45KW25). This event, which has been sponsored by Mulvihill’s Bar and Tully’s Hotel, will feature wonderful performances from All-Ireland Senoir Céili champions, The Piper’s Cross Céilí Band. This brilliant night of entertainment from talented musicians, singers, and dancers is not to be missed!
Monday, July 29
Monday, July 29th will see a family movie evening take place at the Enterprise Hub (F45AC96). Tickets cost just €5 per person, with family tickets also available. Enjoy some popcorn and a popular family-friendly movie on the big screen! Children’s snacks will be provided by event sponsors Happy Feet Childcare.
Tuesday, July 30
Another exciting musical event is organised for Tuesday, July 30th, when Irish band ‘Take It To The Limit’ will perform a tribute to the music of The Eagles.
The event, which has been sponsored by Harmac Medical Products, will take place at 8 pm in Somers Park (F45YW59). Tickets are €15, and can be bought online at willwego.com, or locally from John Mulligan (F45YV27) or Paschal Fitzmaurice (F45DK79).
Wednesday, July 31
Wednesday, July 31st is another day to look forward to, with a cookery demonstration by celebrity chef and TV personality Neven Maguire.
Kicking off from 8 pm at the Enterprise Hub (F45AC96), the demonstration offers the opportunity to watch Neven, who honed his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, as he shares the passion for food and cooking tips that made him a household name. Tickets, which are available locally and at willwego.com, are priced at just €20 and are selling out fast, so be sure to secure your place now!
Thursday, August 1
Thursday, August 1st, sees the return of an event that is back by popular demand: pig-racing! Sponsored by the Doyle family/Tom Giblin (USA), the highly-anticipated event will take place from 8 pm at The Square (F45KW25).
The festival events continue in The Square that evening, with a free performance by Ireland’s leading ABBA tribute band, Abbaesque, taking place from 9.30 pm. Sponsored by Kearney’s Chemist, this event is guaranteed to have you up dancing and exclaiming ‘Thank You For The Music’!
Friday, August 2
Friday, August 2nd has a wide range of events in store, so there’s sure to be something for everyone! The day kicks off with a Children’s Treasure Hunt at 1 pm, beginning at event sponsor Robert Flynn’s shop.
This will be followed by a ‘Stay and Play’ event from 3.30 pm at the library, and a bingo event from 8 pm at the O’Rourke Centre.
That evening will also see yet another exciting musical event take place when acclaimed ‘The Smoke’ tribute band, ‘Spirit of Smoke’, deliver their performance at the Fairgreen (F45FC91). The event, which has been sponsored by Keith Revins and Castlerea Mart, will also feature special guest Parea. Gates open at 8 pm for a 9 pm start, and tickets can be purchased for just €10 locally or at willwego.com.
The day will wrap up with a magnificent fireworks display at the Fairgreen (F45FC91) at 10.30 pm, sponsored by Athlone and Castlerea Credit Union.
Saturday, August 3
Saturday, August 3rd also features a jam-packed schedule of events, beginning with the weekly 5km parkrun in the Demesne, starting across from the swimming pool entrance at 9.30 am. A car boot sale will take place at the Enterprise Hub (F45AC96) from 10 am to 2 pm.
Additionally, there will be a couple of kids’ events taking place at Trinity Arts Centre (F45AW27) on the day. This will begin with a free kids arts competition, sponsored by Bliss Health and Beauty. This ‘Lil’ Artist’ event will offer children a chance to showcase their artistic talents, and will begin at 11 am, with judging at 12 noon. Later that day, at 4 pm, there will be a Funky Kids’ Disco event at the centre with a live DJ, glow sticks, and lots of prizes – sponsored by Castlerea Community playschool. This event will cost €5 per child or €10 per family.
The last event to take place on Saturday, August 3rd, is yet another eagerly-anticipated musical performance, with The Tumbling Paddies set to deliver a brilliant, family-friendly set at the Fairgreen (F45FC91). Gates open at 8 pm for a 9 pm start, and tickets can be bought at willwego.com for €15. The event has been sponsored by Cahill’s SuperValu and there will be limited seating on the day, allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Sunday, August 4
The final day of the festival will begin with a swimming gala at Castlerea Outdoor Pool, sponsored by Webb’s Butchers. The gala will include dive, belly flop, and other events as well as the usual swimming events, and the best overall swimmer takes home the Dyar Cup.
From 2 pm, there will be a family fun day at Somers Park (F45YW59), sponsored by Tully’s Total Health Pharmacy. This will include a dinosaur show, live music, BBQ, amusements, train rides, face-painting and lots more!
Finally, the Rose Selection Evening will take place at the Trinity Arts Centre (F45AW27). With doors opening at 7 pm for a 8 pm start, the event, sponsored by Josie’s Café, will answer the question: who will be crowned this year’s Castlerea hopeful for the Rose of Tralee? Master of Ceremonies on the night will be Gerry Glennon of Midwest Radio.
There is sure to be something for everyone at this year’s jam-packed Castlerea Rose Festival, so be sure not to miss out on the many exciting events scheduled to take place from July 27th to August 4th.
For more, visit the festival’s Facebook page/Instagram, see castlerearosefestival.com, email castlerearosefestival@gmail.com, or phone 086 839 0988.
