Hitting the high note for holiday weekend

A carnival atmosphere grips a number of coastal towns and villages in south-west Cork this bank holiday weekend as summer time officially kicks in.

President Michael D Higgins visits Clonakilty and lifeboat village Courtmacsherry on a weekend where the near neighbours look to the past in their programmes of celebration.

In Kinsale, thousands of sports lovers return for the annual international rugby sevens while a global influence is also pivotal as Ballydehob presents its jazz festival.

In Cork City, meanwhile, the international choral festival continues until Monday as up to 5,000 competitors take part in one of the foremost choral festivals for amateur choirs. Transatlantic competitors compete with choirs from all over Europe with the big prize, the Fleischmann international trophy, at stake.

In West Cork, Mr Higgins joins with the people of Clonakilty on Sunday as the town commemorates 400 years of a charter which set up the Borough of Cloghnykyltye. A town council has long replaced the burgesses and corporation which have governed the town since 1613.

Activities commence in Emmet Square from 2pm with musicians, entertainers, and locals attired in costumes representing various periods and historical events associated with the last four centuries. A market will also be held in Spiller’s Lane.

The presidential party is due in Courtmacsherry around 4pm where he will visit the lifeboat station that has continued links with the RNLI since the 1800s.

The parish’s ‘Gathering weekend’ takes a nostalgic step back in time with local researchers having compiled a history of the village and families associated with the town.

In addition to a ‘Walkthrough Exhibition of Courtmacsherry of Old’, a series of events which commence today include exhibition zones, guided tours, historical and wildlife talks, and a commemorative service.

In Kinsale, a prize fund of €30,000 is on offer in the Heineken rugby sevens, with organisers expecting more than 10,000 visitors for the 25th annual event.

A total of 86 teams have registered, including players from the US, Canada, France, Britain, and throughout Ireland.

Among the entrants for the men’s elite competition are the Red Pandas (UK), Wooden Spoon (UK), a Munster team, and a mystery Cork-based team. Teams in the men’s open and social competitions include the Blackheath Bandits, the Lightning Bolts, Rennes 2, and the Globetrotters.

The women’s tournament is even bigger this year, with over 25 teams in elite, open, and social competitions including the French Navy, Cleveland Women’s Rugby from the US, Newfie Streels from Canada, Wooden Spoon Women from the UK, an IRFU development team, and the Tommy Bohs from UL.

In Ballydehob, meanwhile, organisers present an outstanding programme of live jazz performances and complimentary fringe events over the holiday weekend.

The Neil Cowley Trio are in the headline slot for Sunday. The band was recently named UK jazz artist of the year.

Swingin‘ Bluecats are likely to bring the house down tomorrow for a night of swing dance revival. Festivalgoers have a chance to take the swing taster class earlier in the day by Swing Out Cork dancers and patrons are encouraged to turn up on the night in ’40s style dress and enter the swing dance competition.

The late-night festival club will be bopping with electro-swing duo Kitten and the Hip, while the pub trail is undeniably the heart and soul of the festival.

Meanwhile, in Kerry, extra gardaí will be on duty as Killarney hosts the 34th Rally of the Lakes this weekend.

In previous years, activities of boy racers came in for criticism in the tourist town during the rally and gardaí have warned of a crackdown on public order and traffic offences.

Road closures will also be in place to facilitate rally stages, on Saturday and Sunday, and large volumes of traffic are expected, with motorists advised to expect delays on roads leading into the town.

In Dingle, Féile na Bealtaine, an arts and music festival, got under way yesterday and will run until Monday. The programme includes concerts, poetry readings, exhibitions, street theatre, and children’s activities. There will also be a 120km cycle, the Dingle Peninsula Challenge.