CORK CULCHIE COMMITTEE COAX CULCHIE CELEBRATION CORKWARDS

Irelands Original Culchie Festival founded in the west of Ireland 22 years ago makes a welcome return to Munster. It will be hosted in the heart of the rebel county to be precise; the lovely town of Cloyne.

The Culchie festival was founded in Clonbur on the shores of Lough Corrib in the heart of Joyce Country, by Paddy Rock and has for the last 22 years sought out the finest Characters that rural Ireland has held close to her bosom. From the first year of the competition the contestants continue to entertain and enthral their audience, be they at a Mart, Match or Mass. Cowboy Jack Holian from the Daffodil Ranch in Cong Co. Mayo set the standard as he led Gay Byrne on a merry dance on The Late Late Show as the Chat Show King met the Culchie King and there could only be one winner.

Since 1990 Munster has been well represented in the winner’s enclosure with Cork(1), Waterford(2), Tipperary(2), Kerry(1) and Clare(1) all having claimed the title. The 2011 Culchie Festival introduced the first Culchie Cailin Competition and this won by Cloyne’s own Sinead Wall. This result came as no surprise for Cork Culchie Supremo Mick Greaney who has been coaching and training Culchie contestants since 1999. No stranger to the festival Mick has run close to the title on a number of occasions and has been instrumental to securing the Culchie Festival for Cloyne in 2012.

Festival Organisers Paddy Rock and Brendan Morrissey recently travelled to Cloyne to meet with Mick Greaney and the Cloyne Culchie Committee and to review the facilities and amenities in the area. Brendan Morrissey commented “The area is ideally suited to hosting the Culchie Festival “as he returned to Hartys bar to sample the menu. “Cloyne and the surrounding areas have a rich history and will make a wonderful setting for the festival weekend” he said.

The Culchie Festival runs over the October Bank Holiday weekend, and is a fun filled old style festival. While the Festival program has still to be finalised, the program will include The Cork Super Gran Competition, The Bacon And Cabbage Ball, The Irish Open Egg Throwing Championships, The Great Honda 50 Run, The High Nellie Run, King of the Culchie’s, Culchie Cailin , Junior Culchie competitions. These are just a sample of the events over the weekend with night time entertainment on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night.

Paddy Rock said that he expected a strong representation from Cork, Waterford and Tipperary and surrounding counties, this year for both the Culchie king and Culchie Cailin Competitions, local qualifying heats will be run over the coming months.

Further information can be found at www.culchiefestival.com
Paddy Rock 087 2439760 Brendan Morrissey 087 7760351

Oisín Barron from Drumshambo has been elected as the Culchie King 2011. He is joined on the throne by the first ever elected Culchie Cailín Sinead Wall from Cork.

2011 Photo Gallery

The Culchie Cailin
The organisers of Irelands Original Culchie Festival are sticking to the rule that women are not allowed to compete for the title of King of the Culchies.

However after 21 years of allowing men only to attend and compete in the competition, The Culchie High Council have decided to allow women to compete for a new title which is to be known as The Culchie Cailin. The decision was taken at a hastly conveened meeting in then Culchie Capital and will allow the Culchie Women of Ireland an opportunity to showcase their skills.

Culchie ala crème King Frankie Davis speaking from his undisclosed sunshine retreat said that he was thrilled to see the Mna Na Heireann being given the opportunity to participate in this unique celebration of Culchisim. The contestants in this first ever Culchie Cailin Competition will have to prove their skills though and challenges such as round bale rolling, turf footing, potatoe picking, camel racing, and above all the 2 bucket woman challenge.

Entries have been received already from contestants from Meath, Louth, Cork, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Monaghan .Organisers are expecting quiet a few contestants from Leitrim to attempt to put the Culchie Cailin title back to back with the King of the Culchie title which was won last year by Leitrim man Shane Mc Keown If you think you have what it takes to be the Culchie Cailin we want to hear from you

Further details and entry forms from :
Paddy on 087-2439760 or Brendan on 087-087-7760351

Irish Open Egg Throwing Championships
This year is a very special year in the festival's history as it will host the first ever Irish Egg Throwing Championships on Saturday 29th October in association with the International Egg Throwing Federation which will see teams from The Netherlands, England and America compete for the Irish Open Egg Throwing Title.  The competition will be overseen by a selection of overseas judges who will travel specially to make sure that the competition will run in accordance with world  federation rules. World President Mr Andy Dunlop said “This is an exciting time for Ireland and indeed the rest of the World.  We look forward to seeing champions made and being sent to the World Championships in June next year to play for Ireland against other world class athletes from Holland, Germany, Canada, the USA and many more.” 

The Great Honda Step Thru Run
7th Annual Honda 50 Run to take place in Mohill Co Leitrim on Sunday 30th October. Registration from 10-30am - 11-45 at Cannon Donoghue Hall. Run departs Mohill at 12 Noon.Registration Fee €20

Calling all High Nelly Bike Owners to Mohill.
We are asking you to root out your High Nelly Bike and take it for a run
around Mohill on Sunday 30th of October with the Culchie King himself
Shane Mc Keown. Registration for the run will take place at the Butter
Market on the main street at 11-30pm and fee of €10 per bike will go to
help in raising for a deposit on a dog to assist a child with Autism.
Prize for best & worst turned out bike Refreshments served.

All roads lead to lovely Leitrim once again for the October Bank Holiday Weekend as
Mohill has be selected as the venue for 2011 Culchie Festival for the second year in succession.

The festival is being held in conjunction with the  7th Annual Mohill Horse Fair. The Mohill Horse Fair has rapidly established itself as one of the premier Horse Fairs in Ireland. Organisers of last years Culchie Festival were happy with the hospitality shown to them by the people of Mohill and surrounding towns and it is hoped that this will encourage all businesses in Mohill to support this event in what ever way they can.

Eggciting times for Presidential Hope full Sean Gallagher as he receives
a lesson in Egg Roulette from Dutch Champion Andy Dunlop.

Andy was in Ireland to launch the Irish Open Egg Throwing Championships
which will take place at the Culchie Festival in Mohill Co Leitrim on
Saturday 29th of October. Also in picture keeping an eye on proceedings
are The Manor Farm Chicken and Shane Mc Keown from Co Leitrim who is the
current King Of The Culchies.

About the Culchie Festival

Now seen as the male version of the Rose of Tralee. It started back in 1989 in Clonbur, County Galway. The Festival has found itself in many towns and villages throughout Ireland in it's search to find this unique Phenomenon which exists among us "The Culchie" or the Village Character as he was known years ago.

The true Culchie has the ability to entertain at will, whether on stage or TV. So whether you are a Politician (in the making), a Nuclear Scientist, a Technician, an Engineer or a Farmer - at the Culchie Festival you will always find your niche. 

Do you think you know one? If so contact us at info@culchiefestival.com