Tiger Roll to open Dunderry Fair

Aintree Grand National winner Tiger Roll will be a star attraction at the 15th annual Dunderry Fair Day on Sunday and will officially open the fair at 1.45pm with trainer Gordon Elliott.

Always a highly anticipated event on the summer events calendar, Dunderry Fair attracts visitors from all across the county and beyond and is a great chance to soak up the atmosphere of fair days of yesteryear, while renewing old acquaintances and making new ones.
In 2004, a 15 strong committee came up with the idea of reviving a street fair, 150 years after one was last held in the village. Little did those committee members, many of whom are still involved, realise what an incredible success the annual Dunderry Fair would become raising thousands for charity each year. That first year, 6,000 people flocked to Dunderry and since then the fair has gone from strength to strength clocking up a record 16,000 visitors in 2017.
It really is a day not to be missed for all ages, with  something for all the family. Many rare animals of yesteryear and all the crafts of bygone days will be showcased up close and personal in a street filled with the theatre and the many characters of simpler times.
Have the craic with the matchmaker along the way, but be careful it’s a serious business. Forget Tinder, Tom Feeney's skills show how match makin was done the old fashioned way.
Join in the jiving competition and win a fabulous weekend away. 
World champion Irish dancers will bounce down the street raising the heart beats as the dealers and the craftsmen ply their trade.
In this year's dedicated music arena, an array of country and westerns superstars will entertain. Robert Mizell is huge favourite of the large Dunderry attendance, not to mention local greats Matt Leavy and Nigel Connell, while the Glenside Ceili Band will provide music throughout the day for the set dancers.
Take a break from the dancing and review the vintage tractor display, they don’t make them like they used to. 
View the great display of old crafts are on show. Meet Ireland's youngest farrier, it really is a sight to behold. Bring your pooch along and enter in the dog show. Watch the eagles soar overhead in a dramatic falconry display. Enjoy the dedicated funfair area for the kids big and small.
The local branches of the ICA will have tea, coffee, sandwiches, buns and cakes on sale in their marquee in Dunderry School. And if you haven't yet sampled Dessie Coffey's Colcannon, you are in for a treat! He will be helped by the Parents' Association of Dunderry School. 
First introduced three years ago, the scarecrow competition has been a huge hit attracting dozens of entries each year. 
The winner goes forward to the national final in Durrow, Co Laois at the end of July. In fact, last year's winner in Dunderry, Sean Duffy, went on to take third prize overall nationally. You don't need to register your entry in advance, just turn up on the day.
Over the 15 years of Dunderry Fair, many charities and causes have benefited including Meath Hospice, Our Lady’s Hospital for sick Children, Temple Street Children’s Hospital, the Louth Meath Branch of Down Syndromes Ireland, St Joseph’s CNU, Trim, Muscular Dystrophy, Pieta House, Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association, Irish Heart Foundation, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. This year's main beneficiary is The Meath Branch of the Alzheimers Association.
"In this our 15th year, we must acknowledge the great work and foresight of the founding 15 committee members and every member since and of course to the people of Dunderry in maintaining this most important part of our rural heritage for all the younger generations to experience," said Gerry Comaskey, Dunderry Fair PRO.
Many of the original members are still involved including Tom Feeney,  Pat Smith, Sean McKenna, Gus Martin, Tom Byrne, Peter Coffey, Henry Callaghan, Oliver Carty, Jack and Jim Newman, Ian O'Brien and Barney Thornton.

 

Tiger Roll with Louise Dunne

Treasurer Mark Stenson thanked the Dunderry community for their co-operation. "We would like to thank the Dunderry community and the surrounding parishes for being able to keep it going. Also Gardai in Trim- Sergeant Tom Mahon has always been a great supporter. Also Meath County Council for their assistance and all the people who lend a hand in the days running up to the fair and the stewards on the day itself."
He also thanked the farmers who allow their fields to be used for parking, those who loan machines, the local national school and Parish Priest Fr Noel Horneck and Dunderry GAA and camogie for their assistance.
In advance of Sunday's fair day, 75 adults and children were out doing a clean up in the village to ensure it is looking its best on this, the biggest day of the year for the local community.
All the entertainment starts at 12 noon. Entry is €10 for adults, €5 for senior citizens and students, while children go free. 
There is ample  fee parking available on all approach roads so come along and join the fun as there’s nothing else like it.