The May Day event this year fell on a glorious early Summer’s day. Mams, dads, kids and revellers simply out to have fun in the sun, gathered at the community centre in Ringsend for the May bank holiday. The theme this year was sustainability and getting back to basics.
May Day has traditionally been a day of celebration for millennia in Ireland and Britain, with the earliest recorded mention of ‘Beltane’ appearing in the 10th-century text, Sanas Cormaic. While the event in those far-off days no doubt featured druids, bonfires long into the night, and prayers to pagan gods, for us in Ringsend, our celebrants were treated to a party in full swing by 2pm at the centre. A 70s theme was the order of the day, with the sounds of Led Zeppelin blasting from the speakers as I was greeted by our fearless editor at NewsFour, Louise, decked out in full 70s regalia.
While the little ones were kept busy with shenanigans out the back, the Finglas Concert Marching Band were warming up to lead the May Day parade and were soon joined by the rest of the procession, which included members of the Boxing Club, the Clareville Baton Twirlers, members of the Ringsend and Irishtown Tidy Towns & Environment group, the Taekwondo Aikido Society, Titanium Dance School, local rowing crews of Stella Maris and the St Patrick’s Clubs, RICCYS Bus and Youth Club, Cambridge FC, The Ringers BC and volunteers of Pieta House who were spreading awareness of the Darkness into Light mental health initiative. Dozens of locals soon joined the rear of the parade, which was kept on the march by a strong samba beat in addition to the Finglas marching band, which added a carnival spirit to the atmosphere as we wound around Ringsend and Irishtown.
Back at the centre, a peaceful transition of power occurred as the outgoing Lord Mayor, Derek Buckley, who has been involved in the last fifteen May Day celebrations and has given years of selfless service to the community, handed over the Mayor’s medallion to his successor. The new Lord Mayor, Darragh Barry, is known in the community for his dedication to youth services, particularly youth sports and for his participation in competitive martial arts. He is expected to continue in this vein and serve his community to the hilt going forward. A great day was had by all as we all look forward to a fantastic summer in Ringsend and Irishtown.
Here’s a few photos of the day captured by NewsFour’s Ian Davis and Louise Whelan.
