Lady Well celebrated in Slane

Thousands of people attended the third annual Lady Well Fete, which took place in brilliant sunshine at Slane Castle on Sunday. Huge crowds travelled to the Lady Well in the woodland of the Slane Castle Demesne from early morning and thousands attended the fete, which was organised by Lord Alex Mountcharles and the local community as a fundraising venture for village projects. The 15th August has been celebrated for centuries in Slane as the day that the water of the Lady Well, which rises in an opening in the woodland of the Slane Castle Demesne, is deemed to be holy and this year thousands made the journey to drink from the well. Even more enjoyed the fun at the fete, which included a senior past masters football clash between Rathkenny and Slane and junior GAA and soccer games. There were up to 50 artisan and country market stalls as well as a race car track, a magician, jugglers, face-painting, a Punch and Judy show, coconut shy, vintage cars, gun-dog and fly-fishing demonstrations, hot air balloons and tours of the castle. Hundreds of children took part in the many races and novelty events. Local woman Joanne Macken won a ride in a hot air balloon, while the winner of the duck derby was Slane man, Karl Reilly.