The great success of the Racing Home for Easter Festival was highlighted at the County Mayor’s Awards at County Hall on Tuesday night where Festival chairperson Mary Kelly was presented with an award. The festival was held just 2 weeks ago when the sun shone favourably on Mallow, and record crowds enjoyed such activities in Mallow Castle as live music, amusements, a hugely successful food and craft fair, and 3 days of top class racing at Cork Racecourse Mallow.
Speaking after accepting the award, Mary said, “It was just such a wonderful surprise, we genuinely weren’t expecting to win, and it was a very competitive category with 13 nominees, so to hear the festival being called was a massive thrill. We were already on a high after the recent event which saw the biggest crowd attend Cork Racecourse Mallow on Easter Sunday since 2005”.
County Mayor Noel O’Connor said, “Mallow is becoming associated with Easter and the festival brings positive attention on both the town and north Cork in the lead-up to the event each year. It’s a terrific example of what can be achieved when individuals, community groups and local authorities come together, and I wish the festival committee every continued success for the future”.
Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgerald nominated the festival for the award. “The event is now in its fifth year and has grown from strength to strength. I’ve worked with the festival committee over the years and it’s great to see their hard work and efforts rewarded and acknowledged. We hope the momentum behind the festival continues to build and it’s on the way to being better than Mallow’s famous Folk Festival”.