1500 celebrations set for spectacular start
PARADE AND FIREWORKS TO KICKSTART EVENTS
■ Town Clerk Padraig O'Gorman and Chairman of Enniscorthy Town Council, Cllr. Sean Doyle, launch the Enniscorthy 1500 celebrations in the Market Square with a little help from Buí Bolg's Eddie Milbourne and Thomas Redmond.
Wednesday March 03 2010
PASSERSBY were given a brief foretaste of the thrills to come at the weekend as fire eater Eddie Milbourne heated up Market Square in Enniscorthy last week.
The flame throwing entertainer from Buí Bolg was in town with colleagues Thomas Redmond and Lucy Medlycott discussing arrangements for the spectacular parade of enlightenment on Saturday evening (March 6).
When they return in full costume with 100 street performers, the fire from Eddie's hot lips will be supplemented by scintillating fireworks to mark the spectacular start of the Enniscorthy 1500 celebrations.
The Bui Bolg crew will stride through the town from the Fair Green at 7 pm., along with the Garda band, the Ballindaggin pipe band and the Wexford samba band. Recommended viewing points are at Main Street, Market Square, Castle Hill, Abbey Square and Templeshannon Quay. Once the parade has passed, the fireworks will be released from a site above the former Breen's carriage factory.
Reigning Strawberry Queen Chloe Mythen has been cast as 'River Goddess of the Slaney' for the evening. Other performers include personnel from the Martina Leacy school of dance, the FDYS, and Bui Bolg's own youth group.
RTE's 'Nationwide' programme has latched on to the Enniscorthy 1500 as a good reason to highlight the town and the cameras will roll during the parade on Saturday evening. Presenter Michael Ryan has been seen on location in the town where he will be joined by colleague Mary Kennedy at the weekend.
Reporter Helen McInerney has already been making herself busy compiling material for the show, scheduled to be screened on Monday, March 8 – the feast of Enniscorthy founder Saint Senan. Bree native Helen has been talking to author Dan Walsh, school principal Henry Goff, jewellery shop proprietor Mary Bourke and photographers Ger and Ibar Carty.
Other highlights during the year will be: March 19 – Anúna in concert at St. Aidan's cathedral; April 5 – Easter Monday celebrations; April 24 1916 Rising conference; June 21 – Vinegar Hill solstice day.
