Beauty queens and thorny roses for Trim's Celtic Festival

Trim is gearing itself up for the annual Celtic Festival to celebrate St Patrick's Day and entries are now being invited for the Celtic Queen competition. The selection of the Celtic Queen is the first event of the festival and will take place on Friday 5th March in the Bounty Bar. Entry forms are available in Focus or by contacting committee chairperson, Ray Butler. The official launch of the festival takes place in Knightsbrook Hotel, on Saturday night, 13th March, when the 'Thorny Rose of Trim' will be selected. This is an 'alternative' beauty and talent competition, where the hardy men of Trim will be in drag and all proceeds from the event go to the Chernobyl Children's Trust. The Celtic Queen will be one of the judges on the night. Tickets are €15 which includes finger food, a bar extension, disco and spot prizes. Other events taking place during the Celtic Festival include the Carney School of Dance show in Trim GAA on Sunday 14th March and the Tara Shamrocks will be playing in the Bounty Bar on Tuesday 16th March. On St Patrick's Day, the Daft Raft Race is at 1.30pm, the St Patrick's Day Parade will begin at 3pm, and the Kiddies' Corner will be in the Town Hall throughout the day. Scurlogstown Olympiad is putting on a traditional Irish céilí in Trim GAA Centre that night. Apart from the Thorny Rose fundraiser, all events are free. "All events are free and they are family orientated. We want people to come out and enjoy themselves. We have been in touch with other groups in the town and there is lots more to happen during the festival," said Cllr Butler.