The organisers of Mallow's Racing Home for Easter Festival are reminding businesses that the future of the event is by no means secure without their support. The 3-day event, now in its 6th year, will take place on April 4th, 5th and 6th this year, between Cork Racecourse Mallow and Mallow Castle.

Commenting on the importance of the festival to the region, festival chairperson Mary Kelly said: “The festival committee works very hard to improve and expand this event, but it’s by no mean a certainty that the festival runs each year. We run a very tight financial ship and want to keep standards as high as we can, but we rely heavily on our loyal sponsors and contributors to keep the show on the road”.

WELCOME BOOST

“A lot of background work and expense goes into a large scale 3-day event, booking and hiring amusements, a professional standard stage, event insurance, securing and servicing the castle site with toilets, not to mention promoting and publicising the event. Our mantra is that this is our big chance to promote Mallow both locally and nationally”, she continued.

Local businesses, from hotels, pubs and restaurants, are aware of the huge contribution made by the festival each Easter, it’s estimated to be worth over €750,000 to the local economy, a very welcome boost to the town’s coffers at the start of the year.

IMPORTANT FLAG DAY

“We are delighted to report that all of our long term sponsors are happy with the event and have committed to rowing in to support our efforts financially again in 2015, which we are extremely grateful for because every cent is needed to ensure this festival continues to grow. For the past 3 years we have even held flag days to raise finances to support the event, with the next on Friday, February 27th”.

TOP ATTRACTION

The addition of Mallow Castle as the venue for the Saturday family fun day and Sunday’s food and craft fair was undoubtedly the highlight of the 2014 event and Mary is thrilled to confirm that Cork County Council Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District have agreed for the venue to be used once again in 2015.

“Mallow Castle is a gorgeous site right in the middle of our town. It was simply fantastic to see families sitting in the gardens, listening to music, dancing and soaking up the sunshine and the atmosphere, not to mention what a stunning and safe venue it provided for the food and craft fair on Easter Sunday”, she said.

‘LOCAL FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR’ FINALIST

The festival committee is in buoyant mood ahead of the 2015 event, as the festival was recently shortlisted for a LAMA Local Festival of the Year award. “We may not have taken top prize”, says Mary, “but there’s no doubt that our festival makes the grade. Mallow is on people’s radar and we want to keep it that way”.

The next festival meeting will be held at the Hibernian Hotel on Thursday, February 12th and every second Thursday after that and fresh faces and ideas are always welcome.

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