Marquee in Drumlish festival continues to put Longford on the map

The hugely successful Marquee in Drumlish Festival has helped put Longford on the map and it is continuing to grow in popularity.

Spearheading the running of the event is Fr Manning Gaels GAA club. Its club is in the heart of the village and community, and they have ambitious plans to develop a swimming pool, gym, pitch and dressing rooms over the next five years.

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“The Marquee in Drumlish is a great way for the club to have a fundraiser and give the people and public some good entertainment for four nights,” said proud Fr Manning Gaels chairperson, Mike Mulleady.

He added, “All the money generated will go back into the club for everyone to use. There will be great amenities for the people.”

Fr Manning Gaels also supports every organisation within the parish, from the Men’s Shed, Women’s Shed, cemetery and Tidy Towns.

“We give donations after the Marquee. It takes a lot of volunteers to run this event and they come from all these backgrounds. We try to give something back.”

A past Marquee in Drumlish performer with ‘Brave Giant’ and current Fr Manning Gaels club member, Podge Gill, highlighted the festival’s importance.

“Playing at the Marquee was always very special to me,” he said. “We became headliners for the festival too eventually. Our first big gig was the Marquee in 2014 and ironically it was our last gig as a band in 2022, so it will always be very important to me and the lads.

“I now enjoy helping from the other side of the fence in making the festival a success. The work the committee put in each year is enormous and it has to be remembered that everyone is volunteering and putting in their own time to make the festival a success each year, and any way I can help I’m more than happy to.”

Mike Mulleady spoke of the Monster Bingo, which will be held in the ‘98 Memorial Hall. It is being run by St Vincent’s Club, which they have done the past couple of years. The bingo takes place on Sunday, August, 17, and there is €2,500 in prize money on offer, as well as a raffle and much sought after spot prizes.

“We hope people come to support it,” added Mike.

Plenty of Marquee in Drumlish hype has been building steadily throughout the past month, with billboards on display throughout the county advertising the setlist. Fr Manning Gaels club representatives, as well as the Marquee committee, were also in attendance at the recent launch night in the Mill Bar to celebrate and promote the return of the festival for 2025.

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“This event wouldn’t happen without our volunteers and commitment of the Marquee committee, Fr Manning Gaels and everyone who helps out,” concluded Mike Mulleady. “It’s been well-run over these years. Without them, we’d never have a Marquee. I’d like to thank the security and Gardaí from the Longford-Granard division to make sure everything is safe.”