Forty scarecrow mammies on the march to beloved Laois festival
The Durrow Scarecrow Festival could be very scary indeed this year, if you have been a bold boy or girl.
No less than 40 Scarecrow Mammies will be surprising visitors walking around every corner, plenty of them with cross faces or even worse... the disappointed stare!
The 40 mammies are just one part of the displays planned. They have been made with the help of a group of Ukrainian women staying in Laois.
Using old duvets, the talented women sewed intricate old-fashioned housecoats.
Among the Ukrainian participants is Irena, who, along with her daughter Kcusia, dreams of returning to their village near Borodyanka in Ukraine.
Irena works as a housekeeper and dishwasher at Durrow Castle and finds solace in the festival's creative process. Her sentiments are echoed by other volunteers, who appreciate the friendliness of the Irish people and the opportunity to connect with fellow Ukrainians in Durrow.
Evelyn Clancy is Chairperson of Durrow Development Forum & Festival Organiser.
“Despite the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Durrow Scarecrow Festival perseveres, thanks to the ongoing commitment of its volunteers, including fantastic support from the local Ukrainian community.
"Not only does their participation contribute to the festival's success, but it also provides them with an opportunity to learn English, integrate into the community, and showcase their remarkable craftsmanship," she said.
However the number of volunteers working on the festival is at its lowest ever this year, Evelyn said.
"We’re looking for as many people as possible to sign up to support the preparations and running of this year’s installations and events,” she said.
Each year, hundreds of scarecrows are made and erected around the town to compete for the prestigious title of All-Ireland Champion.
From comical entries featuring personalities like Donald Trump and the 3 Tenors to a vibrant Scarecrow Village boasting bouncy castles, face painting, craft workshops, live entertainment, and a local food and crafts market, the festival offers something for everyone.
At the heart of the Durrow Scarecrow Festival are the dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure its success. The festival relies solely on their time and effort, with the community coming together to make it an unforgettable experience.
They gather at the ICA Hall in Durrow, where they look after various festival tasks such as painting, assembling scarecrows, and organising the event.
Their hard work is the foundation of the beloved community driven festival which, over the years, and thanks to all the hard work by countless volunteers, has received significant national coverage and raised money for the community.
“Every penny earned from the festival is reinvested into its future. Currently, the festival aims to secure €400,000 in match funding to transform the Civil Defence and ICA Hall into a state-of-the-art community hall, providing a lasting legacy for the village of Durrow,” Ms Clancy said.