See photos as Manor Kilbride community celebrates annual Field Day

Held at the Kilbride GAA pitch, it had dog trials, a pet show, a fencing demo with Lee and the Blessington Fencing Club and a dance demo from the Sinead O’Brien Dance School in Blessington.

Adding to the entertainment, the enormous crowds in attendance were enthralled by a novelty tug-of-war match, a 30-minute juvenile GAA match, athletics, fun races and a bumper raffle.

Featuring a brand new mobile phone, a voucher for Blessington Lakes Garden Centre, a free gas boiler service from WD Plumbing & Heating and a leg of Manor Kilbride lamb from Mick Ruttle, the massive raffle raised a whopping €1,700.

This year’s Field Day also had a section for arts and crafts micro businesses, who displayed their wares, while there were the usual fun games and stalls including, pony rides, sumo games, goldfish, face painting, the duck game, golf and hanging man (who can hang the longest).

Thanks to local engineer Paul Murphy, a dunk tank with a few special guests as targets proved hugely popular, while the club’s Barista Coffee Shop, Golden Hill Ice Cream, a cake sale and BBQ fed many a hungry visitor.

Kilbride GAA Chair Diarmuid Haughian said: “Thank you to all who made this Field Day our biggest yet. It’s not possible without the help and support from incredible volunteers and donors – as always, it is hugely appreciated and directly makes a positive impact on so many.

“The standout attraction was, without doubt, the dunk tank, and serious credit goes out to Paul Murphy, who engineered it from start to finish — well done, Paul.

“The day was incredible, by all accounts, and we also raised significant funds that are going directly to the clubhouse construction. We are short roughly €70,000 and yesterday really helped eat into our shortfall.

“Again, sincere thanks to all who helped make yesterday such a memorable day.”