Best foot forward in Roscrea
Knock Dancing at the Crossroads
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There was a great turnout for the event. Photos: PJ WrightImage 2 of 5
Local winners of the Junior Men Sheaf Throwing organised by John Carroll: Oliver Ryan, first; Sean Russell, second, John Carroll, third.Image 3 of 5
Winners of the Ladies Sheaf Throwing Competition: Orla McDonald, Rachel Ryan, Leanne Dunne.Image 4 of 5
Organisers of Dancing at the Crossroads committee with Nora Russell and Gary Carey: Mairéad Delaney, Áine Bourke, Gary Carey, Christine Bergin, Pamela Aitken, Catherine Flannery.Image 5 of 5
The Russell family: Sean, Caitlin, John, Seamus and Nora.Roscrea Heritage Society would like to congratulate the committee who organised ‘Knock Dancing at the Crossroads’ for putting on a fantastic day to close out heritage week.
From music to dancing, stalls to sheaf throwing and a soccer blitz to name a few, there really was something for everyone on the day. The sheaf throwing was a hugely popular event with competitors travelling down from all over Ireland including Co Mayo and Co Donegal! Having been nearly 30 years since a sheaf was thrown in Knock Village; the inaugural John Russell Sheaf Throwing competition caused great excitement leading up to the event.
John Russell was a proud Knock man and was well known for his sheaf throwing nationwide. He started sheaf throwing over 40 years ago and would travel all over Ireland every Sunday to take part in competitions, bringing back trophies regularly. John won the All-Ireland Sheaf Throwing Competition in the 1980s with a result of an unreal 14lb sheaf throw of 58ft high! On the day there were three competitions, ladies, men’s junior and men’s senior. The perpetual cup which was sponsored by the Russell family was presented by guest of honour, Nora Russell, to Gary Carey, winner of the Senior Men’s Competition.
Huge thanks to all who came together to make the whole event possible, a great day was had by all!
poem
Below is a poem written about the fantastic sheaf throwers John Russell, Pat Hennessy and Jack Dwyer (RIP):
When the fourteenth day of this July, o’er the Kerry hills shall dawn,
The All Ireland Sheaf Throwing Championship will be held in the Lyreacrompane.
From the fertile fields of Limerick; the plains of old Kildare, from Cork,
Tipperary, Antrim, they’ll be there.
The best sheaf throwers within our shores will be in Lyre that day.
We’ll have Pat Hennessy from Leix, and John Russell from Roscrea.
From historic Toomevara, we’ll have mighty Jack Dwyer.
And, Donovan from Banna Strand, to victory will aspire.
So we extend a hearty welcome, from the heart of Lyreacrompane.
To all who come competing here, in Meehan’s flowery lawn.
- Poetry Credit - JJ Sheehy, Clahane, Banemore, Listowel.
The society would like to thank the OPW for providing three OPW heritage cards to distribute during National Heritage Week. The winners were Angela Butler, Ella Carey and Olivia Tierney.
Thanks also to the OPW who provided two full days of free guided tours of Roscrea Castle Complex and held two great storytelling sessions in the Damer House Annexe. It was great to see so many people/groups come together and create events to showcase all aspects of our heritage during National Heritage Week!