The AGM of Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival took place recently and whilst there was a lot of positive feedback from last years event, going forward the issue of manpower will be a huge factor as to whether or not a Festival is held this coming August.

For the past number of years the core Committee has been made up of approximately a dozen people, and whilst groups and individuals did contribute through fundraising or volunteering, this is simply not enough to run and man all the events that have come to be expected during the Festival Week.  The existing Committee are very dedicated and committed to continuing the Festival tradition and each have pledged to volunteer once again for 2010; the Secretary, PRO, Treasurer, Parade Co-ordinator, their assistants and all those who give their time from March to August every year have their job descriptions and are enthusiastic about seeing their list of tasks through.  However, a Co-ordinator is required to oversee the Festival - somebody with good leadership, communication and organisational skills to lead this group of keen volunteers and ensure that the 2010 Festival is a reality.  New input is needed to ensure the continued vibrancy of the celebrations and as ever, more people are always needed on the ground to run errands and the Committee welcomes, even just a few hours of your time.    

Last year’s extremely generous financial support from local sponsors was gratefully acknowledged at the AGM, as were the donations raised from fundraisers and grant aid, but the reality of the forthcoming year is that with the financial constraints being faced by individuals and businesses, raising the funds necessary is going to be hugely challenging.  However on the other hand, statistics have proved that the Festival does see an increase in footfall from both visitors and locals and should Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival not go ahead it would have a negative economic knock-on effect in the town. 

Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival cost approximately €60,000 to run last year.  Of this, the three most significant expenses were the Festival Parade which cost in the region of €15,000, the Fireworks Display c. €5,000, the Donkey Derby and Gig Rig c. €3,500, Visual Arts c. €4,000, whilst the insurance costs for the week were almost €3,000 (not to mention Marketing, Advertising, Printing, Postage, Street Theatre, Workshops, Performance Fees and general expenses).  This figure of €60,000 in 2009 was greatly scaled back from the previous year and trying to reduce that even further could result in a massive curtailment of events that have become synonymous with the Festival.

It is sincerely hoped that the 42^nd Annual Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival will take place in August, however this will depend entirely on the response which the Committee receive.  If you would like to get involved, or would like to discuss this further please contact Emma Nee Haslam on (086) 6024432 or Janine Wilson on (087) 2071258.

Thanks to our Media Partner Midlands 103; to Tesco Ireland, Birr Chamber of Commerce, Birr Lions Club and Birr Stage Guild and each and every local business sponsor for their generous financial contribution to fuel the Festival. 
The Festival Committee would also like to thank all the clubs, societies and venues who hosted the numerous events throughout the Week.  Thank you to Birr Garda Siochana, Birr Fire Brigade, Central Fire Station (Tullamore), Civil Defence, Order of Malta, FCA, Birr and District Motor Club and St Brendan’s Environmental Group and all groups and individuals for their vital volunteering spirit and enthusiasm both before and during the Festival.

The importance of sponsorship, organisation and manpower has greatly increased in recent years. Local support and wide participation is the key to the continued success of our Festival.  The Organising Committee wish to express sincere thanks to, The Arts Council, Offaly County Council Arts Office, Birr Town Council, Offaly Local Development Committee and Shannon Development for Festival funding, to our Media Partner Midlands 103; to Tesco Ireland, Birr Chamber of Commerce, Birr Lions Club and Birr Stage Guild and each and every local business sponsor for their generous financial contribution to fuel the Festival.  This year’s Sponsors were: Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon; Butler’s Pharmacy; Buckley’s Super-Valu; Birr Castle Demesne & Courtyard Café; County Arms Hotel; Dooly’s Hotel; Emma’s Café Deli; Grant Engineering; Haverty’s Pub; Kelly’s Bar; Smirnoff; Kabelo; The Chestnut; The Fighting Cocks; The Sunrise Inn; Mid-Ireland Tourism; AIB; Birr Chamber of Commerce; Axis Communications; Birr Antique & Fine Art Fair; Birr Credit Union; Denis & Stephanie, Birr RFC; Antoinette & Eddie Enright; Emporium at the Stables; Cavanagh Foundry; Sean Glennon & Sons Ltd; Haines of Birr; Hoctor Smyth Architecture & Engineering; Cllr Michael Loughnane, Centra; Midland Filling Station; Midland Tribune; Milne Foods Ltd.;Lord & Lady Rosse; Sinead Ryan, Accountant; Dr. John Sazenski; The Swan; The Thatch; Whelahan’s; Whitten Road Haulage; The Archaeology Company; Alpha Fashion; Birr Garden Centre; Paul Boyd Butcher; Joe Brophy; Gerry Browne; Bank of Ireland, Birr; Catherine Barry; The Beauty Parlour; R.J. Barber & Sons; Brambles; W.R. Brittas Construction Ltd; The Band Stand Music Store; Celtic Invoice Discounting; Central Tool Hire; The Cherry Tree; Corbett Insurance; Corrib Oil Spar; Craughwell’s Bar; Cut’n’Curl; Derek Coulter Architectural Services; Cullinane’s Butcher’s; DNG Purcell; Devitt, Doorley & McNamara Solicitors; Oliver Douglas Hardware; Eclipse Fashion Accessories; Olwyn Enright TD & Joe McHugh TD; T.W. Enright Solicitors; Erin Peat Horticulture Ltd.; Fox’s Pharmacy; Fayles Hardware; Frawley’s Superstore; Guinan’s Footwear; The Granary; R & H Hall Ltd.; Hanlon’s Butchers; Hedgerows; Horan’s Service Station; D.A. Houlihan & Son, Solicitor; House of Beauty; Hip Hop; Brendan Hoolan Financial Services; Hennessy’s Pharmacy;

The 41^st Annual Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival drew to a very successful conclusion last Friday night in Dooly’s Hotel with the Vintage Ball rounding off the Festival Ball.  A large crowd danced the night away to the music of Legend and all who attended deemed it to be a fantastic way to close the Week.   

The winners of the Singing and Swinging Pubs were announced with The Thatch being victorious in the Singing Pubs, with Pilkingtons as Runners Up.  The Swinging Pubs prizes were awarded to Haverty’s in

and The Swan as Runners Up.  A number of other competitions took place throughout the Week with the following results.  The Final of the Charades was a tense affair with Haverty’s emerging as winners over the team from Nolans.  All the pubs that participated in these competitions are to be commended for the huge effort that they put into getting involved in this years Festival. 

The winners of the Children’s Pavement Art Competition which took place last Thursday were Clodagh Lennon, Ruairi Mooney, Lyn Hehir, Liam Talbot, Dylan Hanniffy, Caoilinn Duignan, Emerson Jones, Laoise Murray, Michael Hand, Emma Mulrooney, Clodagh Hanniffy, Ava Whelahan, Shauna Byrne, Emily O’Brien and Rosie Cunniffe, with a special prize awarded to Stephen Guilfoyle for his vintage picture of Pete Mathews on his penny farthing. 

The 41^st Annual Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival was officially launched last Sunday with huge crowds lining the streets of the town to enjoy the Festival Parade and the street entertainment which followed.  Recent years have seen the Parade grow in size and this year was no exception.  From bands to street theatre to vintage cars and machinery there was something for everybody with all the spectators agreeing that this was a highly enjoyable and entertaining family day out.  It was a spectacular display of both the vintage and the modern bringing its own special brand of atmosphere and colour to the town.  Many local children got involved in the street theatre groups and they made an impressive sight wending their way through the town in their fantastic costumes.  The Festival Organisers were delighted that the weather conditions were so favourable for the day which undoubtedly added to the enthusiastic turnout.  The Parade Category Prize Winners were:   Community Float Category: Birr Community Nursing UnitVintage Car Category: Eugene King in his 1952 Hillman Minx ConvertibleChildren’s Category: Ann Turpin with her collection of doll’s prams and an old tricycle.Vintage Category: Declan & Camilla Cleare with their horses and carriage. 

Olde Time Traditional Fair.Last Saturday,

was the venue for the Olde Time Traditional Fair.  A wide range of curios, bric-a-brac, books, crafts and food were on offer were eagerly snapped up by visitors to the Street.  A Children’s Vintage Costume Competition took place with a great number of entrants.  The Category winners were:
U-5 Age Group:  Alysha Williams, Annabel Haslam and Sebastian Lagace.6-9 Age Group: Aideen O’Halloran and Aoife Dermody.
10 & over: Rachel Dermody and Clodagh O’Carroll. Â
Busking Competition: Michael (Dom) Egan Memorial Cup.The streets of the town were alive with the sound of music and song on Saturday afternoon in the ever popular Michael (Dom) Egan Memorial Cup.  First prize went to Ciarán Cooney, second prize to Alan Guinan and whilst third prize was awarded to Reef Stained.    

Bar Man’s Race.The annual Bar Man’s Race took place last Saturday evening with a number of local pubs taking part.  The Fighting Cocks, represented by David Hoctor won this event and there was a great deal of hilarity along the streets as the public followed the bar men over its course. 

For further information on any of the events taking place during the Festival Week, please contact (087) 9226961 or check out www.birrvintageweek.com.

Excitement is mounting as the start of the 41^st Annual Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival looms ever closer.  Programmes are widely available through local businesses and tourist offices and there is a great buzz about the wide and varied programme of events on offer this year.  The Organising Committee are hoping that these vintage and modern events will encourage everyone to come out and participate in this years Festival and to soak up Birr’s impressive history and contemporary culture.  The Organising Committee would also like to encourage all groups, societies and organisations to take part in the Vintage Parade on the Opening Sunday to showcase all that is best about the town.  For further information on upcoming events check out birrvintageweek.com, call the Festival Information Line on (087) 9226961 or call into the Festival Office situated in

. 

A very successful fundraising night for the 41^st Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival took place in The Thatch, Crinkill on Friday 10th July.  The Organising Committee would like to express their sincere thanks to Des Connole of the Thatch and Aidan Maher from Diageo for organising such an entertaining event. 

A highly successful Sponsored Walk took place last Sunday 19^th July.  Over 40 people of all ages turned out despite the inclement weather.  The Committee would like to say a big Thank You to all the participants and sponsors and to Clodagh Fay of The Chestnut for organising this event and for laying on a fantastic BBQ upon return back to Birr.  The Official Launch of the 41^st Annual Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival Programme of Events will take place this Friday 24^th July at Birr Technology Centre and all our Sponsors, Advertisers, Artists, Festival Event Hosts and Festival Volunteers are invited to attend.  The Programme will then be distributed to all local businesses across the midlands and to Tourist Offices nationwide over the following week.  A number of Festival fundraisers are taking place over the coming weekend.  A Table Quiz in aid of the Festival takes place in The Swan Bar this Friday evening at 9pm.  Tables of 4 are €20 and a great night’s entertainment is guaranteed.  On Saturday July 25^th The Sunrise Inn is holding a Mr. & Mrs. Competition with fantastic prizes on offer, including a special prize for the couple in the best novelty dress.  There will be an auction for a keg (88 pints) of stout/ale/lager of your choice served at The Sunrise Inn.  A raffle will also take place on the night with great prizes up for grabs.  Live music will be provided by TRADS (Kevin Spain) and the fun begins at 10pm.  All funds raised from these events will go towards the many free and subsidised events held during the Festival.  For further information on upcoming fundraisers and the Festival itself please contact info@birrvintageweek.com or check out www.birrvintageweek.com. 

Tickets for the Festival Ball on Friday 21st August are NOW AVAILABLE and selling quickly!! Music on the night will be provided by ‘Legend’, champagne reception at 7.30pm and a fabulous 5 course meal all for only €55 per person.. Call Gillian 086 3672628 or Laura 087 6446593 for tickets now…

Check local press for details on the various fundraisers that will be happening over the next few weeks to ensure that the festival can be as big as possible!

Fundraisers include a Cocktail Night in the Thatch on the 10th July, Bag Packing in both Super Valu (3rd July) and Tesco (17th July), a sponsored 10k walk organised by The Chestnut on Sunday 19th July, ‘Pub’ Gate Collection on Saturday night the 18th July, a Table Quiz on the 26th July in The Swan and maybe a few more.

If you have any ideas for fundraisers or would just like to help out with the festival please drop us a line or send a quick email!

Check BVW out on bebo, facebook and twitter:

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See out the festival in style this year at the 41st Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival Ball…

Taking place in Dooly’s Hotel, Birr on Friday 21st August, the final night of this year’s festival.

Champagne reception from 7.30pm followed by a fabulous 5 course meal. Music on the night will be provided by the local group ‘Legend’.

Tickets are only €55 and are AVAILABLE NOW from Gillian 086 3672628 or Laura 087 6446593

So why not get a group of friends together for the night… Any excuse to dress up eh ladies??

Black Tie/ Vintage Costume

Download the poster here