Ballydehob jazz festival to feature New Orleans-style funeral

A New Orleans funeral parade with a multi-coloured coffin, a 20-piece brass band, and a 10ft “widow” puppet complete with trailing black veil is among the eye-catching attractions planned for the 10th anniversary of the renowned Ballydehob Jazz festival.

The renowned West Cork sense of humour has already come into play — organisers have received several applications for the post of coffin occupant, according to artistic director Joseph O’Leary.

During what will be a traditional-style New Orleans funeral parade, the brightly painted coffin, heaped with flowers, will be shouldered through Ballydehob main street by several burly pall-bearers, followed in turn by the deceased’s 10ft “widow”, a large funeral band playing a mix of upbeat tunes and funereal dirges and a crowd of parasol-twirling children with their faces painted.