New Year’s Day in Castlecomer was a throwback to the good old days. A record crowd thronged the streets for the 46th Annual Wellie Race & Float Parade. A carnival atmosphere ignited when special guests the Timahoe Male Voice Choir took to the reviewing stand. The warmup was provided by the excellent Barrett family and friends and soon the square was rocking to the strains of the Laois Choir under the baton of Damien Bowe. It was apparent from the early increase in registration that the numbers participating in the race would be very healthy. A whopping 674 walkers, trotters and runners braved the 4km Kiltown Circuit.

First man home was Pa O’Reilly of Crettyard, who is a member of St. Abbans A.C. and also plays football with Crettyard and wait for it sings with Timahoe MVC. Ciara Byrne from Jenkintown a midwife in St. Lukes Hospital built on her success last year with back-to-back victories. In the veterans’ section victory went to John Fennell of Portlaoise who is married to Miriam Holland formerly of the Clogh Road. For the senior lady’s winner, the net was spread much larger with Margaret Purcell all the way from Glenmore, Co. Louth crossing the line in first place. Here again there is a local connection: Margaret is married to Tony Purcell, Clogh.

Race Personality Edward Hayden was in scintillating form, from smooching with the Major Regrets, to lifting the spirits of both patients and staff at Castlecomer District Hospital to a superb display of camaraderie and empathy with both runners and parade participants. “One of the best” enthused Wellie Chairman as the Graiguenamanagh native was given a Powley perspective on cooking, baking and exercising. Edward put up this lovely post after the event.

“Just home from having the tremendous honour of being the personality/grande Marshall at the 46th Castlecomer Wellie Race today in Castlecomer. I am completely and utterly overwhelmed by the whole experience. The kindness and warmth of everyone I met today will richen my heart for many a day to come.

Thanks to the entire committee for the very kind invitation, special mention to Chubby Brennan who was my liaison, to the driver the wonderful Ned Kelly (who brought me to Castlecomer by Rolls Royce) and my guide for the day Eamonn Mealy.

The sincerity of the endeavour today is evidence if needed of all that is good in the community, and the people of the Castlecomer parish were certainly not found wanting in supporting an event which helps so many charities… Massive well done. I’m humbled, grateful, overwhelmed, heartened, charmed and ready to reflect greatly on today.”

Joint MC’S were Emmett Kennedy articulate to the last on the reviewing stand while Michael Owens had the roving task on the street and managed to go close to the bone with some well-chosen one-liners. Winners in a competitive Float Parade was the Powley Health and Fitness Centre, with the Ballyhemmon boys coming out on top to the Group 2-5 section getting plenty of birdie’s courtesy of Rory McIllroy and Shane Lowry.

The Adult Individual competition featured the evergreen Willie Joe Meally whose entry the Tea Chest impressed the judges George Mealy, Joe Coogan and Aileen Lynch and deservedly took first place. The Parade was up to the usual ingenious standard led by the Killeshin Pipe Band, Ballycallan Flute and Pipe Band and the Major Regrets with drum major Rodney Sheil forced to blow the whistle on numerous occasions to keep the motley crew in tow.

Courtesy Service for Pensioners was available with complimentary viewing opposite the viewing stand, courtesy of Denis Buggy.

The O’Mahony brothers from Knockmajor set the scene for yet another fabulous fancy dress and float parade, as part of the 46th Annual Wellie Race on New Years Day. Tom was Sick 7, this was a sick 7 not a 67. Seanie was a telegram boy from the 1950’s who had an urgent message for Michael Owens to read out. The Holohans from Gurteen were next: Gavin is six and Zara is seven and together they were “six seven”. The first Castlecomer Bake Off arrived from Byrnesgrove with Farrells and Codys to the fore. Fresh from the pot arrived a Mudpie and a selection of Hay Krispie Buns all caught on live TV. Ned the Master ‘s house in Coolcullen hosted an exhibition organised by the Brown Mountain Organization earlier in the year.

Ned the Master was himself a Brennan and Eimear Malone provided a plethora of the nicknames associated with that famous clan. Rory McIlroy Gives in Wellie Ballyhemmon style with Pat O’Brien the main man. Rory comes from Hollywood in County Down to check out the golf in Comer town. Rory and Shane were top of their game at the Masters. But after golfing around the wellie, they might need a few plasters. Conahy Vintage spun their way through Jenkinstown, Ballycomey, the Railway Garage and Coolbawn on a wild adventure leaving plenty of laughter and a few confused faces with Around the World in 80 days well done Leslie Byrne and company.

Always topical Martin Walsh was an impressive double for Edward Hayden with his Cookery School. Here we had a little bit of this and a little bit of that all available on 1800 80 80 80. Willie Joe Meally was the last one of his family to be reared in the Tea Chest which came all the way from Kenya. A very useful commodity in houses long ago right up to the 1960’s often used a safe playpen for children. Christy Cody and Eugene Maher were bride and groom on a tandem bike closely followed on a common bike by the best man and groomsman to the strains of a bicycle made for two. Erins Own GAA and Camogie Club are going up in the world on a creation made by Declan Buggy.

On the top was St. Patrick (Eoghan Moore) with the U21 Roinn B Hurling Cup complimented with an impressive array of trophies won by the Camogie Club including Junior B Champions ; U -16 B & F League Champions ; U- 14 A Champions ; U – 13 League Champions and U – 12 League Champions. To date the Club has raised in excess £370K for various charities trekking Croagh Patrick. This year’s climb is on February 7th. Sister Act Reborn were heading for St. Hayden’s Church for quiet prayer and a bit of “Follow me up Father” before being joined by Muckalee Ladies in a sea of colour to celebrate a famous All Ireland Junior Football win. Top scorer on that historic day was Katie Nolan who recalled how tough that battle was especially the game against Raheny in Dublin.

Kilkenny Re-Enactment Group John Joe Cullen, Donal Croghan, Phil Cody, Gerry Cody, Declan Cooke, PJ Norton, Stan Cody and Marianne Kelly always enjoy the craic and banter associated with the day. Their entry was Dame Alice who was transported in a DIY cell flanked by her jailers. The Avalon House Hotel was a House of Guinness on the day. Jimmy Comerford proclaimed there is no stout without coal. It’s the war of the blackstuff as the miners break into the brewery to reclaim the famous barrels.

Cox’s flock had flour absolutely everywhere in the Grand Auld Bake off. On your marks get set, bake but caution kneaded at the hot surface. The Knocknadogue crew were wannabe bakers who pushed their ovens to the limit. Pride of place went to the Powley Health and Fitness Centre to help heavyweights to become lightweights and lightweights become heavyweights. Here we had the bold John Brennan strip to the nip and cool down in the ice bath. If you are eating from the pan to swell out your inners, then Dr. Belly Popper was on hand with a jab of Ozempic for immediate deflation. Well done to all involved in what was a terrific parade.

Chairperson: Michael Brennan
Vice Chairperson: Seamus Walsh
Secretary: Maurice Shortall
Treasurer: Enda Healy
P.R.O’s: Gerard (Chubby) Brennan and Maurice Shortall
Committee Members: John Brennan, Tom Cody, Jimmy Harding, Michael Walsh, Paddy Phelan, Eugene Dillon, Michael Holland, Michael Owens, Tom Coogan, Martin Walsh, Pat O’Brien, Chris Grammer, Christy Cody, Tony Brennan, Marty Connolly, Billy Moran, Betty Brennan (Hon. Member)

Photos courtesy of Alf Harvey.