Thousands give special festival ten out of ten
RAIN FAILS TO KEEP CROWDS AWAY FROM ROSS
HIGH EXPECTATIONS surrounded last weekend's JFK Dunbrody Festival and, for the thousands of festival goers who descended on New Ross for the tenth annual festival, it was deemed the best yet.
The weather, which got progressively worse as the weekend continued, failed to keep the thousands away from the Town Park to enjoy some of the biggest names in the music industry.
Festival organisers pulled out all the stops this year to ensure that the festival would be the most professional and most enjoyable one yet.
'We are thrilled,' enthused Minister Sean Connick, festival organiser. ' We have received a lot of compliments right around,' he added.
Friday night set a great tone for the weekend, with firm favourite Brendan Bowyer and his daughter Aisling kicking off the festival, followed by top Irish entertainers The Bards. Internet sensation Crystal Swing pulled in a great crowd on the night, with thousands bopping to ' The Hucklebuck' and 'He Drinks Tequila' as well as many classic covers.
No one could have expected the level of excitement which took over the town on Saturday as Jedward rolled in. The hair-raising duo were met by over 15,000 screaming fans, who travelled from all over the country and beyond to see them.
However, before the Grimes twins took to the stage, The Coronas, thrilled the crowds with their latest hits and some new material.
The night was topped off with rapper Vanilla Ice, with a piece of history created on the night as he was joined on stage for the first time ever by Jedward.
With the downpours of rain, Sunday night was badly affected by the weather, however, the thousand or so who gathered in the park were treated to what could only be regarded as an intimate performance by Battle of the Bands finalist, Flash Harry and Michael Jackson Tribute 'Man in the Mirror', which arrived in New Ross after a very successful run in Dublin's O2.
Aside from the music, youngsters and the young at heart enjoyed McFadden's Funfair on the Quay, while the grounds of New Ross Rugby Club were awash with action as they hosted the Dunbrody Invitational 7's.
Unfortunately Sunday's weather didn't allow for the hugely popular South Street alfresco dining experience but visitors did gather in their numbers to enjoy the Cafe Orchestra, Beatles Lebowski and the Wobbly Circus.
The Brandon House Hotel was well in on the action too with award winning singer and songwriter Brian Kennedy performing on Friday night and one of Ireland's best loved comedians and star of the hit series 'Naked Camera' PJ Gallagher ensuring everyone was in the stitches laughing on Sunday night.
Other events over the weekend included the Barrow and Wexford Cot Regatta on Sunday, the Galley's jazz breakfast brunch, the official launch of New Ross Boat Hire on Sunday, the Pubs Music Trail with live jazz, folk, rock and roll, and late night entertainment.
Vintage vehicles of all makes and models from the Hillside, Shamrock, Tullogher and Rosbercon classic and vintage clubs made for a great sight on Sunday as they travelled in fine style from the Irishtown to the Town Park.
- ELAINE FURLONG
