Fire Brigade pipe band officially open Tallafest
By Mary Dennehy
THE Dublin Fire Brigade pipe band will march through Tallaght Village on June 30 to mark the opening of the sixth Tallafest celebration and to honour one of their colleagues and a community stalwart who passed away last year.
The countdown to community celebration Tallafest has started, with the cultural festival pitching tent in the village this June 30.
Tallafest will be staged in the village on June 30 and (left) the late Maurice McConnell who spent decades of his life volunteering in Tallaght
Organised by Tallaght Community Council (TCC), the festival celebrates Tallaght’s urban and rural heritage, and will see a free day of family fun hosted in the village, with activities on offer for all ages.
This year, the Dublin Fire Brigade pipe band will officially open the sixth Tallafest in honour of their colleague Maurice McConnell who, passing away last August, also spent decades of his life volunteering with the Old Bawn Residents’ Association and Tallaght Community Council.
According to Gerry Stockil, voluntary chair of TCC: “It is a huge honour that we have the impressive Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band not only grace our festival but also help officially open the 6th Tallafest.
“It is fitting that they are here to pay tribute to their former colleague and our voluntary committee colleague, the late Maurice McConnell.
“Maurice was with us at Tallafest last June – he was the first to show up on the morning and always one of the last to leave.
Thankful to Dublin Fire Brigade
“This is a fantastic way to remember Maurice this year – we are hugely thankful to DFB for making this possible.
“We look forward to having the festival opened with such pageantry.”
Traditionally, the Tallafest opening ceremony involved a balloon release however, as part of TCC’s LoveTallaghtOutdoors initiative, they have decided to replace this with an alternative activity this year.
Suggestions for a vibrant, inclusive activity for the opening ceremony are currently being accepted, with members of the community invited to contact TCC with ideas.
Performers, craft stall holders, community groups and local businesses who would like to get involved, can also register online at www.tallafest.ie
