Lucan festival set for next weekend

PREPARATIONS for Lucan Festival (September 8-11) are in full swing this week – organisers are still actively looking for volunteer’s to ensure the event’s success.

Italian Ambassador Giovanni Adorni Braccesi Chiassi, whose private residence is Lucan House, has given permission for visitors to walk the grounds.

The regal surroundings of the Italian Ambassador’s residence will be open to the public on Saturday, September 10 between 1.30pm and 5pm – tickets cost €5 with all proceeds going towards funding of the festival.

Lucan House grounds are the last remains of what was once a 5,000 acre manor held by the Sarsfields, and their descendants the Veseys and Colthursts-Veseys from the 1500’s to the 1920’s when the house was finally sold.

Lucan Festival will feature and array of family fun entertainment with live music, races, historical walks and treasure hunts in the mix for visitors.

The historical walk through the village takes place on September 8 at 10.30am – starting at Topaz garage, it will last approximately two hours.

On Saturday, September 10, Lucan Harriers will host a fun athletics morning and the Lucan Festival Mile for the Tom Byrne Memorial Cup at Lucan Harriers athletics track, Newcastle Road – opposite Supervalu.

The club are teaming up with Team James – 10-year-old James Casserly and Mark Lacey who are raising funds for Barretstown.

The warm up for the event starts at 11am, and it is free, but donations received will be split evenly between the Lucan Harriers Track resurfacing project for a new track and Team James.

The festival moves to the village on Sunday, September 11, with two stages for music and entertainment from local acts and bands.

Spots are still available for entertainers who can apply to the stage manager at daramaccraith at hotmail dot com.

A few places are still available for food stalls – for more details visit the Lucan Festival Ireland Facebook page.

Tickets will be on sale every Saturday in Supervalu besides Kays Kitchen from 12noon to 2.30pm. Adults are €5 and children U-12 are free.