The 5^th annual Cappoquin Cornerstone Carnival took place at the weekend and was an outstanding success.  With a little help from Cappoquin’s fabulous Marching Band, our very own Mayor of County Waterford, Nora Flynn, along with Carnival Chairperson Christine Collender and a blessing from Fr. Kiely PP opened the weekend at 6.15pm on Friday, at the Day Centre’s beautiful Art & Craft Exhibition.   Kelleher’s Supervalu and Dairygold are owed great appreciation for their sponsorship of the Cheese & Wine Reception.

This was followed by the demonstration at the Fire Station which was a new addition to the carnival line up and was enjoyed by many. 
The Dromana 5 was another huge success this year and was won by Ravis Zakis
Noel O’Donoghue’s art exhitibion was opened at 8.15pm which showcased Noel’s fantastic talent at capturing ‘Faces & Places’ and hopefully we’ll see more of Noel’s work in the future.

 
Winnie’s Trad Group entertained a large crowd in the Square until the spectacular fireworks rocketed into the skies over the Blackwater at 11.00pm.  These fireworks again were kindly sponsored by Arthur Maderson & family and we cannot thank them enough for the last five years of oohs and aahs!
On Saturday, the Food Producers’ Market was very well attended and the weather was the icing on the cake for the fantastic afternoon of the Recession Olympics.  All ages enjoyed this event which featured marbles, skipping, hop skotch, horse shoe throwing, cow milking, pin the tail on the donkey, elastics and a host of fun races such as the egg & spoon race, three legged race etc.  It was a magical afternoon that we hope can be repeated again (and of course the weather to do its magic as well). 

Following the ‘olympics’ was the Battle of the Bars, which involved a lot of people getting wet even though it was a relay race…..   This was a thoroughly enjoyable event made even more so with our commentator John O’Connor (Jonners) who kept the crowds entertained with help from Ned Heffernan, Michael O’Rourke, Tony Hickey and Kathleen Mullally.  This race was won by Button’s Bar (A) who beat Button’s Bar (B) in the final of this side splitting act.  A great thank you to Joanne Looby (Diageo) who sponsored a keg for the winning pub and all the fabulous Guinness fleeces and jackets.  The free Barbecue on the Square was devoured by the hungry crowd all afternoon and thanks to Mike & David for their cheffing skills on the day.  Thank you to Paul Ormond, The Cornerstone Restaurant and Alan O’Donoghue for sponsorship of this event and Karol Uniacke for the use of the monster barbecue.  Also, a special thank you to the residents of Green Street for their co-operation and participation on the day.Saturday night finished with a talk on Valentine Greatrakes by Willie Fraher (Curator of Waterford County Museum) and all present enjoyed this indepth look into the life & history of Greatrakes. 
On Sunday, there was a great crowd at the Juvenile GAA Blitz at the Hurling Field and Brendan Kiely’s Historic Walk was another lovely walk down memory lane.
The Tug of War entertained the crowds with professionals, amateurs and kids pulling for a place in the final and the winners of the men’s competition were Harps from Aghern who defeated Cappoquin A.  Two teams entered the ladies event and Cappoquin A came out the winners over Cappoquin B.  Button’s Bar sponsored a slab of beer for the winners.
The weather turned a little wet before the start of the Dog Show and Small Dog Novelty Races but it did not dampen any spirits and the many people that brought their gorgeous dogs has ensured that both these events will feature again.  Thanks to Feericks, Scruffy Pups and Kristin Jameson for sponsorship of this wonderful event and to Eamonn Uniacke for the use of the equipment.  Also, James & Vincent Coffey are commended for the building of the traps which hopefully will be used next year and many years after. 
Dog Show results (judged by Billy Twomey, assisted by Kristin Jameson)
Best Groomed
1^st    Eleanor Ryan’s Bailey (Golden Retriever) 2^nd   Andrea Gates’ Ella (Siberian Husky) 3^rd  Claire Povey’s Tilly (Wheaten Terrier) Highly commended – Aisling Cunningham’s Jess (King Charles) 

Small Dog Category 1^st Michelle Daly’s Tiny (Terrier) 2^nd   Jade Fraher’s Milly (Yorkshire Terrier) 3^rd  Pat Manahan’s Colleen (Jack Russell) Highly commended – Hazel Moore’s Squiggle (Miniature Yorkshire Terrier)

 Large Dog Category 1^st    Gillian Wright’s Roxy (Golden Labrador) 2^nd  Niamh Moore’s Oscar (Burmese Mountain Dog) 3^rd   Kalen Budden’s Berry (English Setter) Highly commended – Shane Barry’s Chance (Golden Retriever)

 Winners of Dog Race 1^st     Brian O’Connor’s Cara 2^nd    Vivienne Sharpe’s Simba 3^rd     Michelle Daly’s Tiny

 The Car Treasure Hunt kept 18 cars out on the highways and byways of Cappoquin and its surrounds for over 2 hours and the genius that is Christine & Angela Collender ensured that many heads were wrecked by the time this event was over.  The overall winner was Gina Dunne & carload, second was Pat Coffey Jnr and third was Vincent Coffey.  Thanks to Pat Coffey Garage, Paddy Lehane and Barry’s Garage for the prizes for this event.  There was also €180 in prize money. 

 The Window Competition sponsored by Cappoquin Civic Link Heritage Group with independent adjudication by Eugene Burke from Dungarvan was entered by eight homes and businesses – the effort that went into all window displays has to be commended but Eugene could only pick one winner which was the household of Collender/Coffey on Main Street.  The perpetual trophy was awarded to Christine at the closing ceremony in the Parochial Hall. 

 The Carnival Raffle prize winners were as follows:

O&A Hair Salon                       Linda Casselton

Guinness Stores                       Sr. Carmel, Mercy Convent

Lunch for 2 – Sportsmans       Noel Lonergan

Lunch for 2 – Sportsmans       Emily McCarthy

Hely’s Pharmacy                      Biddy Noonan

Tilezone                                   Nathan O’Mahony

Dinner for 2 – Toby Jug           Oisin Coffey

Glanbia                                    Grace Power

Marguerites Hair Salon           Mary Murray

Dinner for 2 – Richmond         Socks McGrath

Karen’s Beauty Salon              Niall O’Connor

Guinness Polo-shirts               K. McLaughlin               

                                                Virginia Dransfield

                                                Justina Walsh     

                                                Jack & Allanah O’Connor

                                                Mary Fives

Guinness Jacket                      Thomas McGrath

Guinness Fleece                      Aine McGrath

The Gala Concert which ended the Carnival on a high was a wonderful evening of musical entertainment and showbiz pzazz and standing ovations were the order of the night!!  The Cappoquin Lourdes Invalid Fund was the main beneficiary of the night.  John & Tina O’Flynn are to be congratulated for a night to remember in our beautiful town and hopefully we can see more of such high quality entertainment.  More on this event later. 

The Committee acknowledges and profoundly thanks the local enterprises and individuals who made the Carnival possible by their generous sponsorship:
BARRONS BAKERY, BUTTONS BAR, CENTRAL BAR, CIL PRECISION LTD, CON BARRY GARAGE, PATCOFFEY'S GARAGE, CORNERSTONE RESTAURANT, DAIRYGOLD, DIAGEO, EUROBOND, FEERICKS, FLYNNS HARDWARE, GLANBIA, HELY’S PHARMACY, ITS-KD.COM, JACINTA UNIACKE, JIMMY CAHILL PLANT HIRE, KAREN’S BEAUTY SALON, KELLEHER’S SUPERVALU, LISMORE & CAPPOQUIN CREDIT UNION, MCGRATH'S HOME MADE JAMS, MARGUERITE’S HAIR SALON, MARKET HOUSE, MARY COUGHLAN, MARY MURRAY, MICHAEL MURPHY MEAT CENTRE, NOEL CUMMINS, O&A HAIR DESIGNS, O’DONOGHUE MEATS, PAUL ORMONDE, PADDY LEHANE, RAILWAY BAR, RICHMOND HOUSE, RIVERVIEW GUEST HOUSE,"SCRUFFY PUPS" DOG GROOMING, SHEAR CUTS, SOUTHERN CAMPERS, SPORTSMANS BAR, TAVERN BAR, TILEZONE, TITELINES, TOBY JUG BAR & RESTAURANT, WALSH’S HOTEL, WATERFORD COUNTY COUNCIL