Town immortalised by song to stage festival

A town made famous by a Percy French song was chosen to host the 2009 National Culchie Festival.

Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan featured in the 1912 song, 'Come Back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff', written about a popular local man who emigrated.

The 20th annual Culchie Festival from October 23-25 is expected to attract tourists as well as locals and inject much-needed revenue into the town’s economy.

The event will also feature an annual parade of Honda motorbikes, the Honda Step-Thru Run, which has raised more than €100,000 to date for various charities throughout the country.

An Irish record of a total of 481 bikes was set in Kilnaleck, Co Cavan last October.

National entries will also be sought at the Culchie Festival for a Super Gran competition for grandmothers.