The Spinning Wheel in Castletownroche is the venue for a major Gathering event this bank holiday weekend.

The weekend programme of festivities kicks off on Friday night with a reunion of participants, both songwriters and singers in the very successful TP Keenan Songwriters Song Contest. Spinning Wheel proprietor Norrie Quinlan says they’re delighted with the response they’ve got to the idea of a reunion from both songwriters and singers and so are expecting a big crowd to attend the reunion. Grand-nephews of the late Castletownroche composer from Galway and Dublin are also planning to attend the event. C103 FM’s Sean Donnellan will act as compere for the night.

A mini-market is planned for Saturday to showcase small local businesses – primarily ones from the area who work from home. “We want to show what’s available on our doorstep,” Norrie explained.

They’ve scored something of a coup with their entertainment for Saturday night, managing to entice the top New York jazz band ‘The Hilltop 5’ away from the Jazz Festival in Cork to play at the pub. They’re expected to draw a large crowd so people are advised to get there early.

The village’s children haven’t been forgotten either, there’s a kids afternoon planned for Sunday from 3 to 5pm offering tricks and treats. Lillian’s Roadshow from Cork city will provide the entertainment at the pub on Sunday night when people are also invited to wear the craziest headwear they can get their hands on for a Mad Hatters Tea Party.

There really is something for everyone over the weekend and that’s demonstrated by the fact that a fortune teller has been lined up for Monday afternoon from 4 to 10pm. Word of this particular fortune teller’s abilities has spread and she’s already heavily booked. Anyone who’d like to avail of the remaining appointments can book by ringing the pub on 022-26557.

A Happy Hour and Karoake session from 7.30 pm is set to bring the proceedings to a lively and entertaining end on the bank holiday Monday.