Traditional Knockcroghery Fair events kick off this weekend

The traditional September Knockcroghery Fair swings into action this Thursday with a host of events planned for the South Roscommon village over the weekend. Highlights include a table quiz on Thursday evening, helicopter rides over the area on Sunday, the annual Horse and Sheep Fair on Saturday, a traditional concert on Friday and live music on the streets. The festival of fun culminates on Sunday evening at 5.30pm with a village parade. The fair, a traditional part of the calendar in Roscommon in years gone by was revived in recent years and begins with a table quiz in Murray's Bar in the picturesque village on Thursday evening. On Friday, events scheduled include a ladies football game between St Dominic's and Roscommon Gaels, while at 8.30 pm, there will be a traditional concert in Culleen Hall. On Saturday, the action kicks off at 11am where the U-8 Ultan Feeley Cup will be up for grabs at the football field before buyers take to the streets for the annual Horse Fair at 12noon. Competition for the Fr Killian Cup for U-10s begins at 2pm, while at the same time the High Gate Jump competition run by Roscommon Hunt promises to be an exciting spectacle for local audiences. The village will be a real hive of activity on Sunday beginning at 12 noon with Blast from the Past, a display of Irish folklore, U8 hurling matches at the GAA field and the annual dog show at 1pm and helicopter rides taking off from the village later in the afternoon. At 3pm there will be a Teddy Bears Picnic for children followed by a puppet show, face painting and a Bonny Baby competition. A fun Cow Pat competition begins at 5pm before the festival culminates with a colourful Village Parade and music in the heart of picturesque South Roscommon.