Ballykeeran Duck Race a quacking success!

It"s been great weather for ducks in recent weeks with the heavy rain but Ballykeeran bucked the trend on Saturday last, as the area enjoyed great sunshine for the annual Duck Race at the village campsite on the Breensford River. A large crowd turned out for the fun races along with the newer activities for all the family including the sack races, horseshoe throwing and face painting. Special duck race t-shirts were also on sale on the day with many local people sporting what has become a sought-after souvenir of the day. 'It was a great success. We ended up with twelve €5 races and three kids races, a monster race and a sponsors race. There was a huge crowd, the kids had a great time with the ice-cream van and the face painting and the horseshoe throwing went down a treat, as did the guess the how many turf in the wheelbarrow competition' according to Aileen Moloney of Ballykeeran Residents Association. All money raised from the event goes towards improvements in the village over the next twelve months in a bid to enhance the appearance of the area. A village enhancement plan was completed in 2006 and it"s hoped many of the actions contained in the document will be put in place over the next couple of years. 'Last year we used the money for improvements to the pedestrian bridge, putting up the pergolas and getting the anchor mounted at the entrance to the village and filling the boat with flowers. This year we intend to put more pergolas and shrubs at the anchor as you are coming in and buy equipment like a lawnmower to maintain the area. We"re hoping that will be done shortly,' Ms Moloney added. A donation from the Duck Race proceeds will also be given to a local charity. Ballykeeran Residents Assocation want to thank everyone who supported the successful event especially the large number of local sponsors including Portaneena Boat Sales, Charlie Connaughton, Wineport Resaurant, Concannon"s Pharmacy, Martin Finnucane, Brian Connaughton, Music World, Russell, Brennan and Keane, McBride Butchers, Lynsett Kennels, The Dog and the Duck, Coosan District Anglers, Hodson Bay Boat Suppliers, Pat Connor Construction, Michael Sullivan, Michael Lucitt, FTB Development, Jimmy Flanagan Construction and Domac.