Féile Chluain Dolcáin a celebration of community with ceol agus craic

CLONDALKIN Village Festival takes place this weekend (June 21-23) featuring a wide range of activities and entertainment with contributions by many local organisations and clubs.

Plans for Féile Chluain Dolcáin, the Clondalkin Village Festival, were relaunched by Cllr Francis Timmons earlier this year, the chair and founder of the new festival.

Cllr Timmons (Ind) said: “The festival is gearing up to be a celebration of community, we need volunteers to help on the day!

“Please contact me. I’m delighted to lead the committee in bringing back a summer festival and just like the St Patrick’s Day parade it will grow each year. Join us for ceol agus craic.”

Traditional Irish music takes place at 8.30pm over the three nights in Áras Chrónáin.

Friday’s schedule includes a family friendly open mic from 6pm to 7.30pm at Dolcan Cellar (registration required) and an adult open mic at the Round Tower Visitor Centre, Brú Chrónáin at 8pm.

At the launch of the Clondalkin Festival were Mayor Alan Edge, Cllr Francis Timmons, Jean Brocklebank and the school council

Other events on Friday include a Clondalkin Camera Club Photography display upstairs in Brú Chrónáin, a free village history walking tour from 7.30pm to 9pm, led by Clann Chrónáin Volunteer Tour Guides.

Meet at Civic Plaza. No booking required.

(1.5hrs, strolling and stopping at points of interest).

On Saturday, events include free guided exhibition tours in Brú Chrónáin from 10am, 11.15am,12.30pm and from 2pm-3.30pm.

No booking required. Clondalkin Garda Station host an open day from 2pm to 5pm, and a sensory slot from 1pm to 2pm.

Clondalkin Library hosts a magic show at 1pm for the whole family at Brú Chrónáin, which will be followed by balloon modelling.

Jean Brocklebank, Cllr Francis Timmons, Marie Beatty (Principal, Scoil Aine ) Monica McGill and Karen McKevitt (Deputy Principal, Scoil Aine) at the launch of the festival in Scoil Aine

Sunday’s schedule will include free monastic garden and exhibition tours in Brú Chrónáin from 10am-1pm only.

No booking required. CPM pitch and putt club will have free pitch and putt (clubs and balls provided) from 10am to 2pm.

The main event stage will feature DJ Joey Howe and entertainment from 12noon to 6pm.

Robot Wars with Peter Redmond at Caddens Car Park, a pet farm in Moyle Park College, guitar music with Clondalkin Youth Services & Clondalkin Community Music with Colin Sheehy at the Plaza Civic Office, and free tours of historic St John’s Church and graveyard.

Ongoing tours as people arrive.

No booking required.

Last tour starts 4.30pm.

The main event stage will also feature local musical organisations.

Other events around the village over the weekend include Cluichí Gaeilge at Credit Union plaza, SDCC Park Ranger stall at Credit Union Plaza, ice cream van on Main Street, toilets on Main Street and face painting at the Mill Centre. Road Closures are in place for Sunday, June 23, from 12 noon to 6pm on Main Street and Tower Road and barriers will be erected.

Clondalkin gardai advise residents that there will be no vehicle access to Tower Road Clondalkin and there will be diversions on New Road, Main Street and Convent Road