OVER 27,000 people enjoyed a weekend of wide ranging activities in beautiful sunshine at the second annual Swords Summer Festival hosted by Fingal County Council.
The festival kicked off with incredible performances from the Three Tenors and Roy Taylor on Friday night (July 22) who raised the roof off the Marquee in the Town Park. This event was a fundraiser for the Swords Lions Club.
On Saturday the main street was awash with colour for the Free Family Fun Day. There were stilt walkers, bouncy castles and fun galore as children and adults alike were entertained for the afternoon.
FM104 broadcasted live from the town and added to the fantastic atmosphere. The Town Park was bustling with activity with the Magical Musical Marquee keeping the younger children entertained with performances throughout the day.
The Mobile Music School gave children the opportunity to participate in drumming workshops and the Artastic artists helped children to produce fantastic hats and masks.
Entertainment on the main stage included spectacular performances from the energetic Redhead, Sean Duffy and Identity Thief.
Chandelier Events at the Pound Pub hosted singers Alex Smith, Christopher Wilson & Band and Colm and Stephen O’Loughlin of We Were Giants among others.
The headline acts on the night were the Fingal Gospel Choir, local performer Aimee Fitzpatrick and the terrific Superfly who had the crowds dancing and singing on the street.
Fingal County Council chief executive Paul Reid said the festival was a great success.
“It was great to see so many turn out onto the main street and into the Town Park to participate, spectate and enjoy themselves in their local town,” he said.
“We look forward to building on this event for 2017.”
Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Darragh Butler said: “Swords Summer Festival is a fantastic example of businesses, residents and Fingal County Council staff coming together to make Swords the place to be in Fingal.
“A huge thank you to all involved and those who attended for another great event.”
Fingal County Council were delighted to feature the launch of the Swords Tidy Towns Youthreach Green Project at Youthreach on North Street and the launch of The Well Project at St Colmcille’s Well in the festival programme.
It would like to thank all those involved, particularly volunteers, in bringing these projects to life.
Almost 4,000 runners entered the fifth annual Fingal 10K Road Race and congratulations are due to the two winners Mick Clohisey (Raheny Shamrock Athletic Club) and Laura Graham (Mourne Runners).
Throughout the weekend the Purple Flag was flying proudly at Swords Castle, an acknowledgment of the fantastic evening and nighttime provisions in the town.
The organisers would particularly like to thank volunteers from the Fingal Volunteer Centre, St John Ambulance, Swords Order of Malta and the Fingal Emergency Management volunteers without whom the festival would not be possible.
Fingal County Council’s events unit was responsible for the creation and operation of the festival.
The organisers would also like to say a big thank you to Fingal County Council’s operations unit who maintained the streets of Swords to their usual high standards from start to finish.