The last few days of August are ahead of us and signs are on that September is approaching, a display of all the local uniforms takes up a full window in O’Shea’s fashions at the West End.  There is a slight autumnal coolness to the air and hedges on our walk to town this morning were dripping with juicy blackberries.  It has been an eventful Summer in Newmarket, the festival in July was it’s usual best.  Turbetts fun fair was buzzing every evening, and there were some great events – the children’s day at the Island Wood was magical, with story book corners, arts and crafts, face painting, a mini pet farm, a duck race and pirates and fairies wandering around the place.  Plenty music in the local bars, a 4th of July American Tea Party in the CYMS, a family sports day, and there were many people spotted around town scratching their heads with the walkabout quiz in their hands.  The ten days came to a close with a fireworks display at the West End; young and old gazed upwards watching the breathtaking colourful explosions over the ‘merries’.  Well done to the committee who each year put in so much work and we would encourage all of you to support their fundraising events during the year.  For photos and more information you can find them at http://www.newmarketfestival.com/

The Newmarket and District Agricultural show was held on Sunday the 13th of July in The Green Glens Arena – another great day out for old and young alike.  A huge amount of exhibitions, stalls – something for everyone.

The Street Museum ran for it’s second year from the 9th to the 16th of August.  There were even more windows this year and the standard was extremely high.  The Duhallow Ancestry group won the vote for best window with their display on the Aldworth Family.  They are putting together an exhibition in the IRD which is scheduled for October.  We, the development association, had a stall selling old photos, cards and calendars; we also got people to add their handprints to a new mural on the fence where the old library was on Scarteen Street.  The event was a huge success again this year, thanks to the huge effort that people put into displays.  There were many newspaper clippings and old photos, Mary Stack did a selection of her Newmarket Notes Column from the Corkman, Scully’s window celebrated 40 years of the Monday night sessions, Raymond O’Sullivan had a huge display of all the musicians and groups that are connected to Newmarket, Tadhg Ryan had a selection of old items in his windows, there are too many to mention.

This year the Street Museum ran in conjunction with Scully’s Fest which ran for three days over the weekend of the 9th starting on Saturday with a mini concert: the extremely talented Damien Mullane playing the concertina; the Sunday night the Monks of the Screw played, with Bernard O’Donoghue reciting some of his beautiful, moving poems.  Each concert was followed by a session and a full session Monday night – the pub was packed with musicians both local and visiting from as far as Germany and beyond.  It was  hugely successful and well done to the organisers.  Following on from this weekend the Scully’s music classes will be starting again in September.  They are run by local musician Eoin O’Sullivan, for multiple instruments: fiddle, banjo, mandolin, whistle, flute and uileann pipes.  It will be the third year of classes and has seen a huge revival in traditional music in town.  Classes are available for both adults and children and you can contact Eoin on 087 – 910 0087.

The last night of the Street museum was the 16th of August and an official launch of the CYMS was held that evening.  A tea dance with activities for children as well, and the hall was beautifully decorated by event organisers and local business Celebrate. A huge congratulations to the CYMS committee who have done huge work revamping the hall.  It looks amazing.

Yet to come on the 31st of August will be the launch of the Astro Turf pitch up in the GAA grounds. An enormous amount of work has been put in by the Sports and Leisure comittee to build this state of the art facility.  To celebrate the event they will be holding a Barbecue/Family Fun day, face painting for children and an afternoon of sports and fun is guaranteed. There will be an u13 BOYS v u15 GIRLS fun match and Penalty Shoot out for u8s, 10s, 12s, 14s BOYS AND GIRLS.  Tony Buckley and Maura Walsh of the IRD Duhallow will perform the official opening of the new facility followed by a blessing by Fr Herlihy.  Admission is free and families, individuals, local businesses and organizations are all invited.

A busy time is ahead for our committee, planning for Christmas is starting next week!  The Christmas Fair is on November 16th and we’re going to throw a Xmas Ball on the 13th of December in the CYMS.   There are plenty more events coming up and we’ll keep you posted here.