Ireland's Best Beard & Moustache Championship
Saturday, May 2. St. Patrick's Hall. 7 pm registration.
Corofin, County Clare,Ireland.
The Festival of Finn, originally run back in the 1980s, was based on the idea of Finn Mac Cumhal and the Fianna. Many illustrations of them had the warrior lads sporting manly beards. As the festival was being resurrected as an event for The Gathering in 2013, ideas were being sought. We discovered that while there is a World Beard and Moustache Championship and several national championships there was no similar event in Ireland.
Our logo for the Festival of Finn is a fantastic bearded character, our very own fierce Finn McCool, so we felt the Beard and Moustache Championship was something we could be build on over a number of years, especially with the rising popularity of beards, moustaches, and good grooming. If we could get sufficient sponsorship and interest, our ambition was to have our national champion compete in the World Finals annually, and to perhaps host a world event. Last year, we had three times as many competitors as the in 2013, so we feel we're on our way. We recorded entries from all parts of Ireland in 2014 with travelers from as far afield as Belfast to Belmullet, from Dundalk to Dingle, and from Donegal to Dungarvan, as well as overseas challengers from the UK, Belgium, Spain, France, Canada and South Africa.
Last year we also attempted a Guinness World Record for most Beards & Moustaches at a gathering to give Town of 1000 Beards of Ballymoe, Mayo a little friendly competition. It was intended to generate more interest in what is one of the two big events of the festival. While we had a great turnout in desperate weather, we fell short of the record, so we will leave a record attempt for another year.
Ireland's Best Beard & Moustache Championship is heading to the world stage. It will take a number of years, but we're a dedicated bunch of community volunteers who happen to love our village. Having the Beard/Moustache Championship as part of our Festival of Finn provides a great deal of entertainment for our hirsute visitors, as well as locals and tourists to Clare.
We will have both the former 2013 champion, John McNally from Cork, and our very own Clare born 2014 Reigning Champion Brian De Mairis, returning to defend their various titles, and to fight to regain the crown, along with ALL our category winners from 2014.
Along with our Beard/Moustache Championship, we also have the World Stone Throwing Championship, one of those mad, quirky, and literally off the wall events that Clare and Corofin is known for. In its 16
th year, the World Stone-throwing Championship attracts a huge crowd of new visitors, and those who return yearly to re-experience the truly mad glory of the event, of another win if their aim is good and true, and their names on the Trophy and the Wall of Champions.
Everyone who participates in this year's Festival of Finn, including our beardy guys, is encouraged to participate in our Festival & Fancy Dress Parade to be held on Monday, May 4 at 12:30. We love a good parade here, in Corofin, and we put on a good one. It will be one of the highlights of the long May Holiday Weekend.
Other events over the weekend include entertainment each night in one of our five pubs, and these events:
Facebook: Festival of Finn
www.festivaloffinn.com
THURSDAY 30th April
9.00pm: OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL AT TEACH CEOIL. P.J.Curtis, celebrated local author will give a talk about his work, including the showing of a short film Road of Souls, based on his book. Cheese & Wine reception kindly sponsored by Minihane’s Centra. All are welcome to this free event.
FRIDAY 1st MAY
6.15pm: THE GREAT MULLAGHMORE RUN a four mile run or trek through the wonderful scenery of the Burren. Starting at Kilnaboy School. Entry fee applies. Contact Gus Connors 086 3216239.
8.30pm: – LOCAL HISTORY LECTURE on The Archaeology of Corofin from Christine Grant local archeologist & historian at St Patrick’s Hall. Free Event.
10.00pm: PUB ENTERTAINMENT
SATURDAY 2nd MAY
10.00 am: PIKE ANGLING COMPETITION at Lake Inchiquin. Some boats will be provided but bring one if you have your own. Buoyancy aids must be worn by all competitors and u-18’s must be accompanied by an adult. Prize-giving afterward at Bofey Quinns. Entry fee applies.
10.00am: COROFIN FARMERS MARKET - Market Day in Corofin village with a variety of stalls and entertainment outside St Patrick’s Hall.
10.15am: BURREN GUIDED WALKING TOUR. Join Marie McGauran for a guided walk in the Burren National Park. Meet at St. Patrick’s Hall at 10.00am. Wear suitable clothing and footwear. Booking advisable on 086 8219441 or email marieburren@hotmail.com Cost €10
10.30 am: MYTHS & LEGENDS BUS TOUR - an informal tour of some local sites associated with myths, legends and local historical characters. Includes a stop for tea & scones at Dysart O Dea Castle: Booking advisable 086-2646767 corofinica@gmail.com Charge €14
1.00pm: SET DANCING DISPLAY ~ at the Farmers Market outside St Patrick’s Hall.
7.00pm-9.30pm: IRELAND’S BEST BEARD & MOUSTACHE CHAMPIONSHIP For those with pride in their facial hair. Do you have what it takes to be a beard and moustache category participant or ultimately be crowned Ireland’s Best Beard? Six championship competition categories of Beard & Moustache with Over All Ireland Champion winner crowned in Corofin.
10.00pm: PUB ENTERTAINMENT- Check out the Saturday night action in the local pubs.
SUNDAY 3rd MAY
12.30pm: FAMILY CAR TREASURE HUNT - a popular fun event for all the family. Starting from St Patrick’s Hall at 4.00pm. Allow two hours to complete. Entry €5 per car. Sponsored by Shannon Trophies.
4.00pm WORLD STONE-THROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS - Corofin hosts the 16th world series at Campbell’s Yard Inchiquin Inn. World titles’ for both men’s and ladies’ to be contested so make sure to have a go. €5 entry per contestant. ReEntry allowed and encouraged !
8.00pm: SUPER TRAD CONCERT AT TEACH CEOIL ~ with Boffin To Burren ( Dessie O’ Halloran, Kieran Hanrahan, Seamus’ Donnell, Caitlin NicGabhann, Ronan Flaherty, Johnny O’ Halloran, Padraic O’Reilly, Damien O’Reilly) Tickets €20. Contact 086 6070941.
10.00pm PUB ENTERTAINMENT—the craic continues in all of the local pubs
10.30 ~ 12.30pm FESTIVAL DANCE ~ Celebrate the reopening of St Patrick’s Hall by dancing the night away with The Kadillacs 5 Piece Show Band. Tickets €10 at the door. A CHAF promotion.
MONDAY 4th MAY
12.30pm FESTIVAL & FANCY DRESS PARADE – The Parade Theme this year is LETS GO TO THE MOVIES!! Starting at St Patrick’s Hall, Great prizes for most original Fancy Dress and Festival Float !! Entry €2 for Fancy Dress Competition / Floats Go Free !.
2.00pm: LARK AT THE LAKE -Continuing the family day out and winding up our festival in style. Open-air Music, Boat Trips, Barbeque, Dog Show, Games and Bouncy Castle, Stalls and Fun and Games. Singers & musicians welcome. Bring your rug and picnic. (Please note that this event is weather dependent.)
The Festival of Finn, originally run back in the 1980s, was based on the idea of Finn Mac Cumhal and the Fianna. Many illustrations of them had the warrior lads sporting manly beards. As the festival was being resurrected as an event for The Gathering in 2013, ideas were being sought. We discovered that while there is a World Beard and Moustache Championship and several national championships there was no similar event in Ireland.
Our logo for the Festival of Finn is a fantastic bearded character, our very own fierce Finn McCool, so we felt the Beard and Moustache Championship was something we could be build on over a number of years, especially with the rising popularity of beards, moustaches, and good grooming. If we could get sufficient sponsorship and interest, our ambition was to have our national champion compete in the World Finals annually, and to perhaps host a world event. Last year, we had three times as many competitors as the in 2013, so we feel we're on our way. We recorded entries from all parts of Ireland in 2014 with travelers from as far afield as Belfast to Belmullet, from Dundalk to Dingle, and from Donegal to Dungarvan, as well as overseas challengers from the UK, Belgium, Spain, France, Canada and South Africa.
Last year we also attempted a Guinness World Record for most Beards & Moustaches at a gathering to give Town of 1000 Beards of Ballymoe, Mayo a little friendly competition. It was intended to generate more interest in what is one of the two big events of the festival. While we had a great turnout in desperate weather, we fell short of the record, so we will leave a record attempt for another year.
Ireland's Best Beard & Moustache Championship is heading to the world stage. It will take a number of years, but we're a dedicated bunch of community volunteers who happen to love our village. Having the Beard/Moustache Championship as part of our Festival of Finn provides a great deal of entertainment for our hirsute visitors, as well as locals and tourists to Clare.
We will have both the former 2013 champion, John McNally from Cork, and our very own Clare born 2014 Reigning Champion Brian De Mairis, returning to defend their various titles, and to fight to regain the crown, along with ALL our category winners from 2014.
Along with our Beard/Moustache Championship, we also have the World Stone Throwing Championship, one of those mad, quirky, and literally off the wall events that Clare and Corofin is known for. In its 16th year, the World Stone-throwing Championship attracts a huge crowd of new visitors, and those who return yearly to re-experience the truly mad glory of the event, of another win if their aim is good and true, and their names on the Trophy and the Wall of Champions.
Everyone who participates in this year's Festival of Finn, including our beardy guys, is encouraged to participate in our Festival & Fancy Dress Parade to be held on Monday, May 4 at 12:30. We love a good parade here, in Corofin, and we put on a good one. It will be one of the highlights of the long May Holiday Weekend.
Other events over the weekend include entertainment each night in one of our five pubs, and these events:
Facebook: Festival of Finn
www.festivaloffinn.com
THURSDAY 30th April
9.00pm: OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL AT TEACH CEOIL. P.J.Curtis, celebrated local author will give a talk about his work, including the showing of a short film Road of Souls, based on his book. Cheese & Wine reception kindly sponsored by Minihane’s Centra. All are welcome to this free event.
FRIDAY 1st MAY
6.15pm: THE GREAT MULLAGHMORE RUN a four mile run or trek through the wonderful scenery of the Burren. Starting at Kilnaboy School. Entry fee applies. Contact Gus Connors 086 3216239.
8.30pm: – LOCAL HISTORY LECTURE on The Archaeology of Corofin from Christine Grant local archeologist & historian at St Patrick’s Hall. Free Event.
10.00pm: PUB ENTERTAINMENT
SATURDAY 2nd MAY
10.00 am: PIKE ANGLING COMPETITION at Lake Inchiquin. Some boats will be provided but bring one if you have your own. Buoyancy aids must be worn by all competitors and u-18’s must be accompanied by an adult. Prize-giving afterward at Bofey Quinns. Entry fee applies.
10.00am: COROFIN FARMERS MARKET - Market Day in Corofin village with a variety of stalls and entertainment outside St Patrick’s Hall.
10.15am: BURREN GUIDED WALKING TOUR. Join Marie McGauran for a guided walk in the Burren National Park. Meet at St. Patrick’s Hall at 10.00am. Wear suitable clothing and footwear. Booking advisable on 086 8219441 or email marieburren@hotmail.com Cost €10
10.30 am: MYTHS & LEGENDS BUS TOUR - an informal tour of some local sites associated with myths, legends and local historical characters. Includes a stop for tea & scones at Dysart O Dea Castle: Booking advisable 086-2646767 corofinica@gmail.com Charge €14
1.00pm: SET DANCING DISPLAY ~ at the Farmers Market outside St Patrick’s Hall.
7.00pm-9.30pm: IRELAND’S BEST BEARD & MOUSTACHE CHAMPIONSHIP For those with pride in their facial hair. Do you have what it takes to be a beard and moustache category participant or ultimately be crowned Ireland’s Best Beard? Six championship competition categories of Beard & Moustache with Over All Ireland Champion winner crowned in Corofin.
10.00pm: PUB ENTERTAINMENT- Check out the Saturday night action in the local pubs.
SUNDAY 3rd MAY
12.30pm: FAMILY CAR TREASURE HUNT - a popular fun event for all the family. Starting from St Patrick’s Hall at 4.00pm. Allow two hours to complete. Entry €5 per car. Sponsored by Shannon Trophies.
4.00pm WORLD STONE-THROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS - Corofin hosts the 16th world series at Campbell’s Yard Inchiquin Inn. World titles’ for both men’s and ladies’ to be contested so make sure to have a go. €5 entry per contestant. ReEntry allowed and encouraged !
8.00pm: SUPER TRAD CONCERT AT TEACH CEOIL ~ with Boffin To Burren ( Dessie O’ Halloran, Kieran Hanrahan, Seamus’ Donnell, Caitlin NicGabhann, Ronan Flaherty, Johnny O’ Halloran, Padraic O’Reilly, Damien O’Reilly) Tickets €20. Contact 086 6070941.
10.00pm PUB ENTERTAINMENT—the craic continues in all of the local pubs
10.30 ~ 12.30pm FESTIVAL DANCE ~ Celebrate the reopening of St Patrick’s Hall by dancing the night away with The Kadillacs 5 Piece Show Band. Tickets €10 at the door. A CHAF promotion.
MONDAY 4th MAY
12.30pm FESTIVAL & FANCY DRESS PARADE – The Parade Theme this year is LETS GO TO THE MOVIES!! Starting at St Patrick’s Hall, Great prizes for most original Fancy Dress and Festival Float !! Entry €2 for Fancy Dress Competition / Floats Go Free !.
2.00pm: LARK AT THE LAKE -Continuing the family day out and winding up our festival in style. Open-air Music, Boat Trips, Barbeque, Dog Show, Games and Bouncy Castle, Stalls and Fun and Games. Singers & musicians welcome. Bring your rug and picnic. (Please note that this event is weather dependent.)