Song’s centenary celebrated

Written 100 years ago and famous around the world, It’s a Long Way to Tipperary will be celebrated this week at a festival promising more than a taste of nostalgia and heritage.

Tipperary Town will celebrate the centenary of the song with a festival, running from Thursday to Jul 15, which will focus on what Ireland was like a century ago.

Tipperary Co-Op’s It’s a Long Way to Tipperary Festival will look at how Ireland has changed since the song was written by English-born Jack Judge, who was of Tipperary and Mayo stock.

It became a favourite of troops serving overseas in the First World War. The festival will feature an exhibition of memorabilia from that conflict.

There will be street entertainment, a photo exhibition covering the past 100 years, a funfair, and a street party.

Opening the festival will be the presentation of the Tipperary International Peace Award to former president of Ireland Mary McAleese and her husband Martin.

Highlights include a food fair on Jul 13, and, that night, a free street concert and entertainment including milk churn races, which would have been popular 100 years ago.

The following day will see people take to the streets for the Tipperary Tea Party, featuring vintage dress and vintage transport.

* www.tipperarytown.ie