THE first Stoneybatter Festival that took place from June 23-25 has been deemed a wonderful success.
Outgoing Lord Mayor, Cllr Brendan Carr, launched the fun-filled festival on the Friday night and read out a message of support from President Michael D Higgins.
A piper from IUNVA provided music along with the Mellow Tonics Choir.
Saturday was a day of exploration with open house events and tours of landmark historical sites and buildings in Stoneybatter, culminating in a wonderful concert in St Laurence’s Church in Grangegorman.
Sunday was the festival highlight. It was the Family Fun Day and the streets were closed to traffic from 12 noon to 6 pm.
It was a marvellous day of fun, games and celebration for young and old. Mrs Doyle, (Pauline McLynn) of Fr Ted fame and Anna Nolan of the Great Irish Bake-Off judged delicious sandwiches, cakes and biscuits with Mrs Doyle’s personal hand-knitted tea-cosies for prizes!
The Woofstock competition for well-groomed dogs and their owners was a real winner. Dublin City Council provided the Green Dog Walkers pledge and poop scoops for everyone in audience! There was music everywhere and thousands of people thronged the streets all day long while children were enchanted with the range of children’s games.
The Festival ended with a huge party for senior citizens in the local parish centre where all the delicious cakes from Mrs Doyle’s tea party were consumed.
“Thanks are due to Dublin City Council, the Gardaí and Dublin Bus who worked with the organising committee to make the first Stoneybatter Festival such an outstanding success,” said Chairperson of Stoneybatter Pride of Place, Joe Costello.
