GALLERY: Great fun was had at the Wellie Race in Kilkenny (2024)

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Not even the elements could dampen the spirits of the spectators, runners, walkers who turned out in great numbers for the 44th annual Castlecomer Wellington Race. Over 500 people braved the 4km Kiltown course.

For the second successive year the first man home was Mick Coyle from Newbridge, the winner for a record seventh time.

Local pride was restored with Breda Mulcahy crossing the line in the women’s section for the second year in a row.

In the veterans event Tom Walsh, Knocktopher took the laurels while Bridget Rochford, Marymount was first in the senior women’s category.

Race Personality Brian Redmond took to the event like a duck to water, with chaperone Eamon Mealy organising a traditional baptism of fire for the Dancing with the Stars courtesy of the Major Regrets. His next port of call was the District Hospital with Mary Kelly deputising as chauffeur.

He was an instant hit with both patients and staff with Christy Ryan, Chairman of the Friends of Castlecomer District Hospital sorting the itinerary.

The Wellie Race winners were: Men - 1 Mick Coyle, 2 Kalem Buggy, 3 Pa O’Reilly, 4 John Barron, 5 Neil Murtagh, 6 Liam Power, 7 Alex Daly, 8 Philip Fennelly, 9 Michael Comerford, 10 Harry Roche.

Women - 1 Breda Mulcahy, 2 Eilís Bollard, 3 Abigail Daly, 4 Ciara Byrne, 5 Caoimhe Fennelly, 6 Ruby Roche, 7 Aoibhinn Malone, 8 Sarah Whittaker, 9 Miriam Dillon, 10 Amy McDonald.

Senior Men - 1 Tom Walsh, 2 Kieran Hynes, 3 PJ Doyle.

Senior Women - 1 Bridget Rochford, 2 Julianne O’Donovan, 3 Sue Murtagh.

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FANCY DRESS
The Fancy Dress and Float Parade 2024 was up there with the best leaving the judges George F. Mealy, Bridget Forristal, Michael Brennan and Sarah Brennan with difficult decisions.

Experienced judging advisor Michael Walsh was again a terrific sounding board. Water, Uisce Eireann was the dominant theme, followed by dancing with the stars and Barbie.

The bath man in a hot tub, Fr Jack, Dougal and Ted with Mrs Doyle for good measure all added to the entertainment.

Parade 2024 got off to a near perfect start led once again by the Killeshin Pipe Band who this year celebrate their 60th Anniversary.

The band, which has provided the music on New Year's Day for the past 38 years, was backed up by dependable duo the Ballycallan Pipe Band and the hilarious Major Regrets with drum major Sean Byrne calling the shots.

Fancy Dress & Float Parade results: Children Individual - 1 Jack in the Box (Seanie O’Mahoney), 2 ATM at Large (Taunya Mayo), 3 Katie Taylor (Grace Mayo).

Children Groups - 1 Erin’s Own Ladies Football Club. (Colette Comerford), 2 Railyard GFC, 3 Barbie & Ken (Zara and Gavin Holohan).

Adult Individual - 1 The Bath Man (Paul Palmer), 2 JP McManus (Martin Walsh).

Group (two to five) - 1 Pulling Together to Save Lives (Pat Comerford and Pat Sweeney), 2 Wind in the Weigh. (John O’Mahony), 3 Vikings (Kilkenny War Memorial Group) (John Joe Cullen, Donal Croughan).

Floats - 1 Craggy Island Creamery (Conahy Vintage Club, Tony Whelan), 2 Dancing with the Stars (Edel Healy), 3 Avalon House Hotel Uisce Eireann (Jimmy Comerford), 4 Barbie Comer Alive (Gaelic4Mothers, Georgina Smyth, 5 Uisce Powley (Michael Brennan).

WELLIE SNIPPETS
Spectators were spoiled for music, live on stage were the Barrett family with guests Mark Rothwell, Lisa Wallace, and Dick Preston. In the Community Hall DJ Josie took over.

Thanks went Kilkenny Co Council, main sponsor Joe Coogan and to the many local sponsors without whom the event would not be possible.