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2010 Regatta Round-Up

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2010 Regatta Queen Winner Jessica Brady (center) with proud parents Paul & Eithne. Photo: Pat Bransfield

The 2010 Cobh People’s Regatta, which took place on 13th, 14th & 15th August will definately go down as one to remember for all the right reasons. It all kicked off on Friday afternoon with the busking competition with Traditional and Rock Bands playing throughout the town followed at 7.30pm by the annual wheelbarrow race starting from Colaiste Muire which had approximately fifteen teams taking part who, on approaching the finishing line were hosed down by members of Cobh Fire Brigade. First through the finishing line were Kevin Doody & Martin Reidy followed by second placed Pat Kelly & Phil Stromsoe. Steve Stromsoe & Connie Murphy took the third place.

Wheelbarrow Race Gets Off To A Colourful Start - Photo by Kevin Ahern - ahernepix@gmail.com

Wheelbarrow Race Gets Off To A Colourful Start - Photo by Kevin Ahern - ahernepix@gmail.com

The official opening of the 2010 Regatta took place at 9.30pm and the large crowd were introduced to this years ‘Regatta Queen’ (sponsored by the Evening Echo) contestants shortly afterwards. As usual, Cobh & Harbour Chamber President Michael Martin interviewed the contestants on stage, each of whom received a rapturous applause from the ever increasing audience. The contestants themselves, from a variety of backgrounds, had no trouble responding to Michael Martin’s questions and not a single sign of stage-fright was evident. This years ‘Queen’ contestants were, Stevie Jean Byrne, Danielle Sawani, Jade White, Laura Moriarty, Aoife O’Rourke, Jessica Brady, Leona Bransfield, Niamh Jones, Lynne Harkins and Julie McCarthy.

Saturday brought with it the good weather, for the Firing Of The First Gun and the start of the Dingy Sailing programme at 1.45pm. The annual Fancy Dress Parade, from the Well House to the Promenade was once again well attended and had no shortage of people taking part in the short walk along the town to the Prom for the activities and competitions including Bouncy Castles, Clown, Face Painting, Fancy Dress Competition – Mini Queen Competition 8 to 12 yrs – Pretty Princess Competition 4 to 7 yrs – Mini King Boys 8 to 12 yrs – Handsome Prince 4 to 7 yrs. Later that evening Cobh’s ‘Big Band’ took the stage in front of another large audience and kept all entertained for a couple of hours. This particular band are steadily gaining countrywide popularity and we strongly advise those who have not yet heard them to go and make it your business to.

Sunday is usually the best day of the Regatta and this year was no different. One thing that couldn’t have been in any way better was the glorious weather condidtions, and with the temperatures steadily rising into the high twenties, local establishments, ice-cream and soft drink vendors were finding it hard to keep up with demand. An Aerobatics Display was planned for 2.30pm, however, we believe the company tasked with providing the air display ran into problems with permits and having been notified late in the day, the Regatta Committee of Eithne Burke, Hylton Richards and Paul O’Halloran, pulled out all the stops to make the air display happen, but it just wasn’t to be.

Winners of the Tug-Of-War and the Dan O'Leary Memorial Plaque for the second year running was Kelly's Bar - Photo: Cobh Edition

As usual, the Tug-Of-War attracted a large crowd and this years final was contested by teams from Gilmores and Tommy Kelly’s. The final was based on the best of three pulls with Kelly’s Bar winning the first two to ensure that the Dan O’Leary Memorial Plaque remained in Kelly’s Bar for the second year running. Musical and other entertainment took place throughout the rest of the day with many visitors to the town remaining for the evenings events including the announcement of the ‘Regatta Queen’  won by Jessica Brady, and the Fireworks Display.

Regatta Fireworks - Photo by Michael Hade - MH Event Photograpy

First Time Pirates Faced A Battering In A Long Time - Photo by Cobh Edition

Nikki Carroll, Shane Brennan and Amy Duilnan - Photo: K.Aherne

Peggy and Billy Frahill with Mary Bedford - Photo: K.Aherne

Arleen Doyle with Ben and Claire Holland - Photo: K.Aherne

Magdalena Olearczyk, Sarah and Katie Cade and dogs Bailey and Cherry - Photo: K.Aherne

Photo: Pat Bransfield

Photo by Pat Bransfield

Photo by Pat Bransfield

Photo by Pat Bransfield

Photo by Pat Bransfield

You can view over 400 photos of the Regatta on our Facebook Photo Galleries at http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000500037233 some of which were taken by Photographer Pat Bransfield and some taken by Cobh Edition

TO SURMISE: A GREAT WEEKEND

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