Pictures: Castlecomer's big night out as 2025 Wellie Race proceeds handed out at Last Supper

The traditional Last Supper was held in Shortall’s Lounge in Castlecomer on Friday night.

The annual Wellie Race continues to go from strength to strength, and race number 45 was up there with the best. Treasurer Enda Healy announced that Wellie Race 2025 generated over €30,000. After expenses were deducted, a whopping €18,000 could be distributed. He had words of appreciation to all who filled sponsorship cards especially the Children and Adult Merit Awards winners. It was encouraging to see so many turn up to collect the funding which was distributed efficiently by the treasurer. 

Chairman Michael Brennan welcomed all to the distribution of funds to the chosen beneficiaries. In his wide-ranging address, he thanked all who contributed to the day's success.

Starting with the the committee who organise the race, Gardai, Order of Malta, Fire Brigade personnel, he continued to thank helpers in the hall, those who checked in runners and money, the ladies who prepared the soup and sandwiches. Stewards for marshalling the parade and race start and finish also at the watering station.

THM who supplied the barriers, TJ Dunne and Michael Keane for the lorries. Denis Buggy hospitality bus. Musicians: Barrett family and friends, Dick Preston, Mark Rothwell. MC Michael Owens who was magnificent on his debut in such an important role. 
SEE ALL THE PICTURES FROM THE 2025 WELLIE RACE HERE

Race Personality Enya Cox Dempsey, Eamon Mealy her minder, Ned Kelly her chauffeur, Sean Doheny, Shane Walsh, Martin Brennan horse and carriage. Parade participants, bands, and Major Regrets. Judges Ailish Dunne, John Gannon, George Mealy and their special advisor Michael Walsh. Marty Connolly, Paddy Phelan and the ladies who helped with the street collection.

To all involved in local media, thanks also to magazine co-ordinator Billy Moran, sponsors and contributors.  Finally, to the runners and walkers who with their cards collected a huge amount of money for distribution.

Recipients 2025: Firoda NS ; Wandesforde NS ; Moneenroe NS ; Clogh NS ; Castlecomer Boys NS ; Presentation Convent NS ; SOS Castlecomer ; O’Gorman Home, Ballyragget ; St. Vincent de Paul Society ; Social Services, Castlecomer ; North Kilkenny Wheelchair Association ; Mother of Fair Love, Kilkenny ; Family Carers, Ireland ; Cois Nore Cancer Support ; St. Patrick’s Centre, Kilkenny ; Friends of Castlecomer District Hospital ; Ballyragget Ballyouskill Lourdes Invalid Fund ; Castlecomer Parish ; Clogh Parish ; Muckalee Parish ; Conahy Parish ; Castlecomer Union of Parishes ; Workhouse Graveyard ; School of the Holy Spirit, Kilkenny ; Teach Tom ; Coon Senior Citizens ; Deerpark Shrine ; Fr. Doheny Memorial ; Community First Responders ; Coolbawn Memorial.

ADULT MERIT AWARDS 
Fabian Jacob, Michael Brennan, Mairead Tywang, Maurice Shortall, Ned Healy, Aileen McInerney. Michael Coogan, Teresa Dollard, Liam Power, Peter Doyle, Daniel Quinn, Reily Family, Julia Connolly, Terence Dunne, Joe Meagher, Seamus Walsh.

CHILDRENS MERIT AWARDS
Cillian Booth, Grace Brennan, Kyle Brennan, Lilly Comerford, Annie Comerford, Stephen Comerford, Abigail Daly, Leo Delaney, Louie Delaney, Cara Doyle, Aoibhin Dunne, Bebtinn Dunne, Diarmuid Dunne, Sadhbh Fogarty, Oisin Fogarty, Zara Holohan, Gavin Holohan, Blaithin Hurley, Daniel Martins, Fionn Meagher, Muireann Meagher,  Gráinne Meagher, Niamh Meagher, Lennon Moloney, Rohan Moloney, Amelia Mooney, Helen Mulcahy, Harry Murphy, Tom Murphy, Robyn Murphy, Kate Nolan, Anna Nolan, Darragh Nolan, Bronagh Nolan, Ben Peavoy, Alex Peavoy, Kate Roche, Lana Rothwell, Aria Rothwell, Sarah Rothwell, Oisin Stynes, Cian Stynes, Niamh Whelan.

Wellie Race Committee: Chairperson: Michael Brennan. ;  Vice Chairperson Seamus Walsh. Secretary: Billy Moran ; Treasurers: Enda Healy.

Committee: John Brennan, Tom Cody, Jimmy Harding, Michael Walsh, Paddy Phelan, Eugene Dillon, Michael Holland, Michael Owens, Tom Coogan, Martin Walsh, Pat O’Brien, Chris Grammer, Christy Cody, Tony Brennan, Marty Connolly, Betty Brennan (hon member.)