AFTER a busy bank holiday weekend, festival organisers could do with their own holiday break.
Thousands of people enjoyed the Laois fleadh, Rose of Tralee regional finals, Gordon Bennett rally and AllIreland Sheep Shearing Championship in glorious sunshine.
There was a Rose bloom in Portlaoise over the weekend and Rathdowney’s Bernadette Ryan became the first Laois Rose to make it to the Rose of Tralee finals in five years.
Over 100 talented young musicians competed in the Laois fleadh in Mountmellick.
Those who did not make it into the arts and community hall were treated to impromptu street performances by competitors.
The Gordon Bennett Vintage Car Run once again proved a popular draw, with the convoy traversing the county.
“It could not have gone any better.” That was the verdict of cllr Martin Phelan, a member of the organising committee of the All-Ireland and International Sheep Shearing Championship.
While crowds on Saturday were respectable, the masses turned out in force on Sunday as top shearers sheared over 2,000 sheep. The event boasted over 200 local volunteers, who sold tickets, manned gates and co-ordinated parking.
Ballinakill’s Tom Moore took home the Laois shearing title. Tom, who has been competing at the international and AllIreland championship for the last 15 years, said every time he competed he learned something new.
“It was bit nerve-racking, but it went well. Laois wouldn’t be as big a sheep county as, say, Donegal and Wicklow and with the talent that is around, you’re always learning,” he said.