Ballykeeran gears up for annual Duck Race fun

July and August thus far may have been perfect weather for ducks - but the people of Ballykeeran are looking for some respite from the dismal summer for all the fun of the 4th annual Duck Race on Saturday, August 29 next at 4pm. As usual, it takes place on the Breensford river and people can congregate in the local camp site to watch the action, and more importantly to see if their duck is a winner! This year there will be a €5 race, a monster €20 race and a €2 kiddies race. All races are kindly sponsored by local businesses. Apart from the main attraction on the night, the organisers are also incorporating additional activities this year including fun sack races, horseshoe throwing, golf putting, so there will be plenty of fun for all the family. Ticket sellers will be travelling around locally shortly and the tickets will also on sale in The Dog and Duck. "We'd really welcome support from the public again this year," Secretary of Ballykeeran Residents' Association Aileen Moloney told the Westmeath Independent. " We will use some of the proceeds on a project to improve the village and we also intend making a donation to a local charity as well," she added. This is the fourth year of the Ballykeeran Duck Race and it has gone from strength to strength raising much needed funds for the improvement of the area. A village plan was completed some years ago sponsored by the LEADER Programme and, arising from that, each year the Ballykeeran Residents' Association undertake a project incorporating ideas from the plan to enhance the appearance of the area using the proceeds of the race. This year, LEADER under the umbrella of Westmeath Community Forum, again provided sponsorship and helped fund a major landscaping project on the High Road, a fabulous sight on the approach in to the village. The work was completed by local firm Fern Hill Garden Centre.