Despite uncertainty as to whether the event would go ahead, Wicklow’s Regatta Festival persists once again for its 139th year – and the atmosphere was no less ecstatic.
Spearheading the celebrations was our 2017 Regatta Queen, Becky Canavan, who oversaw the majority of events that our beloved seaside town had to offer over the weekend, which included musical performances by The Dublin Bluegrass Collective and Birds of Olympus; our traditional raft race, in which The Ralphs’ “Life Boat” took 1st place; the always-jovial singing pubs awards ceremony at the Gaol that saw Tá Sé’s come out on top; and many, many more events over what has been the most anticipated weekend on the Wicklow clanendar for over 100 years.
But don’t take our word for it. WicklowNews.Net were on the streets enjoying the celebrations alongside you, and that offered us the chance to get your opinion on the events as they unfolded.
Becky Canavan, Regatta Queen
Well, I didn’t expect it, but I’m glad that it all went ahead. They only had five weeks to put into it and they did a really good job. It’s been a great experience.
Shane Caroll
It’s been fantastic so far. I work over in The Mariner there. You always know it’s The Regatta because lots of people come over from Liverpool for it, a lot of people come home for it. I’ve work tomorrow, so there’s no Regatta for me, but there’s a buzz around the town for it!
Schmeichel
Birds of Olympus have definitely been a highlight.
Ciarán
The singing pubs, in general, is always great and that it’s still continuing every year and it’s great craic and everyone comes out to support it, and hopefully that continues for many, many more years.
D.J. Roach
My name’s D.J. Roach and I’m from West-Meath. I love the amtosphere around Regatta festival, it’s a very, “let’s have fun” atmosphere. I came to Wicklow a stranger, but the atmosphere among the people was just like, ‘let’s just enjoy the day together’. I’ve been very welcomed, there’s a very friendly atmosphere. I like going to festivals, and so I heard about this little small one and so I just came down here for a bit of craic.
