Chairman's Address

A warm welcome to the 27th Kildare Derby Festival. The Festival happens because a small group of dedicated people put almost a year of voluntary work into the organising of the event. The Committee, who have their own jobs, families and are part of other organisations in the town, have a pride in their town and want to see it progress like any town that has major events. The only reward needed is, appreciation from the business people and organisations who might benefit from the festival. And in order for the festival to continue, we need support from these people. I would like to thank all the advertisers in this programme, this is one of our main fundraising areas and I ask people who buy the book to support our advertisers, also we appreciate the people who gave us articles and patronage for the programme. In the absence of C.E. scheme participants for most of this year it was harder to put the programme together. Vice Chairperson Mary Kavanagh with the help of Doreen Delaney gave their time to compile the advertising and were right on schedule, a job well done. I would also like to welcome Vivian Oby Okeze to our Festival Office. There were lots of other areas we needed help so I will take this opportunity to thank some people, Peader Byrne and Kevin Lott C.Y.M.S. Margie Sheridan Parish Centre, Evan Arkwright and Trish Byrne, Curragh Racecourse, Jim Murphy R.A.C.E. Ciara Nolan, Kildangan Stud, Lt Col Eamon Cullagh Defence Forces. Our main sponsors BUDWEISER, Kildare Town Publicans, Kildare Co. Council, Kildare Failte, Dunmurray Springs Golf Club, the sponsors of each Festival Queen and Liam O'Keeffe for the Pub Quiz. A new event this year, is the French Market, which has been a huge success in other towns. I would like to extend a warm welcome to our French friends and I am sure Kildare Town people will give them every support. Finally I would like to thank the hard working committee, who have put a lot of time and effort into getting this Festival together and hope our endeavours are rewarded. Ollie Kearns Chairman, Kildare Derby Festival