It’s all systems go for next week’s inaugural Rooskey Heritage Festival.
An array of different events will be included in the extravaganza, which will run from Friday, July 24, to Sunday, July 26. The festival was launched recently in Rooskey Community Centre, where a large crowd of residents, community activists and local politicians gathered to lend their support to the festival.
As Geraldine Moran, the assistant secretary of the organising committee, told the attendance, Rooskey is one of many villages that has been affected very adversely by the recession. While it was once a thriving village, she said, the past decade or so has seen a lot of negative developments, such as the closure of a local hotel and factory, and Dublin-Sligo bypass being developed.
Yet this festival is a positive initiative, she said, designed to showcase the village to locals and tourists. Numerous water activities, music, heritage, food and craft events will be held over the course of the weekend.
Local Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice, speaking at the launch, said that such events were crucial in keeping rural Ireland afloat. “We have to try to keep rural Ireland alive,” he said. “If we come together as a community, we can achieve an awful lot. “Show off your area. We have a lot to show in rural Ireland for tourism. Smile and be friendly on the weekend. That is very important.”
The cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr. Paddy Kilduff, emphasised the positive aspects of Rooskey. “This is a very picturesque village,” he said. “You are lucky at the moment that you have a garda station, hairdresser, barber, shops and pubs. “Many villages haven’t that. This is a very active village.”
Great programme of events lined up for Rooskey Heritage Festival
Rooskey Heritage Festival will be held in four venues in the village: water activities at the Harbour; music in the Big Red Barn marquee; food and craft events in the school car park; and heritage events beside the local post office.
The extravaganza will get under way on the Friday night, with the Raheen Pipe Band performing down at the Harbour, while White Chalk and supporting acts will perform in the Big Red Barn from 9 pm.
Saturday and Sunday’s programme is jam-packed, with a dog show, bouncing castles, water-based activities, a boat trip to Pigeon Island, a food and craft village and an art exhibition, to name but a selection.
A heritage exhibition will be held during the entire weekend. The performance of Patrick Feeney, support by Aidan Quinn, on Saturday night, is sure to prove very popular. Tickets, priced at €15, are available from www.rooskeyheritage.com Fourteen local acts will perform on Sunday night. Admission is free. There will be amusements on a daily basis.
For further information, check of ‘Rooskey Heritage Festival’ on Facebook.
