The Town of Tipperary will be celebrating 100 years of the iconic song “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” with a Festival packed full of nostalgia, music, art and heritage from 5th to 15th July 2012.
The Tipperary Co-op It’s a Long Way to Tipperary Festival, will be focusing on activities for families and for people with an interest in what Ireland was like at the beginning of the last century and how the country has progressed through the years.Throughout the festival there will be lots of free family friendly street entertainment, a photographic exhibition spanning the last 100 years, a fun fair and an exhibition of historical World War I memorabilia which will culminate in a massive street party featuring a fantastic fireworks display that will light up the sky for miles and miles.
The festival starts on Thursday 5th July with the Tipperary International Peace Award which this year will be presented jointly to former President of Ireland, Professor Mary McAleese and Senator Martin McAleese. This opening weekend also features the Grand Finale of the Tipperary International Song of Peace Concert with finalists from the USA, Canada, UK and Ireland.
Highlights of the following week include a Food Fair on Friday 13th July, showcasing a wealth of local food producers. That evening there will be a free street concert and entertainment including Milk Churn races, a hotly-contested and popular sight 100 years ago. Saturday will see the people of Tipperary take to the streets with the Tipperary Tea Party with everyone dressed in Vintage Dress, with Vintage Transport on the streets.
Festival Organiser and Tipperary Chamber President, Elaine Fitzpatrick stated “Visitors will be transported back to an Ireland of 100 years ago. We will have 10 bands from all over Ireland meet at the Bandstand and parade to the centre of town, local sporting clubs will also parade and there will be a collective rendition of this timeless song with everyone joining in to sing.”
Ted O’Connor, GM of Tipperary Co-op, the Festival Sponsor’s stated “It is very important for us in Tipperary Co-op to play a major part in the Festival. Our organisation was just four years old when “It’s a long way to Tipperary” was penned by Jack Judge in 1912. Tipperary and Tipperary Co-op have come a long way since then. Just like the song is known far and wide, Tipperary Co-op is now one of the largest Irish cheese exporters – supporting the local community and the local and Irish economy.”
Ted added “We are particularly delighted to see a focus on our local food producers and hope that this festival will throw the spotlight on all our local businesses and celebrate the wealth of indigenous Tipperary industries – big and small, creating employment and wonderful products.”
Elaine added “Having such a strong and community focussed sponsor in Tipperary Co-op has made all the difference to the festival. But this is just the start; we want to grow the festival so that it becomes one great big reason for everyone to experience a fun packed annual festival – enjoyed by the local community – as well as being another strong reason for holiday makers to take the road to Tipperary. We also have the support of Tipperary Town Council, the Tipperary/IRD Chamber of Commerce and all local clubs and organisations, but more support is needed in establishing the festival as one of the best family based festivals in the country.”
For full details on all the events and activities follow the festival on facebook or visit www.tipperarytown.ie