Official Opening of Black Pig Festival

Address by Cathaoirleach Councillor Gerry Murray

Chairperson of Enniscrone Events Committee, Sharon Kenny,
Special Guests,
Elected Members,
Friends from the Local Community,

I want to thank you for the kind invitation to join you today for the official opening of the Black Pig Festival. At the outset can I thank Sharon and her colleagues on her committee for their tremendous work in organising the festival, and the scale and variety of the festival programme is a credit to all concerned. You have arranged a range of attractions to cater to every possible interest, from entertainment for young and old, to a heritage walk guided by local historians.

Enniscrone is one of Sligo’s  most popular and scenic towns, and I know the many visitors here today will enjoy a genuine and warm welcome from the local population. Enniscrone people have always been generous and decent hosts, and this explains why visitors decide to come here year after year. I never cease to be amazed at the energy and enthusiasm of our volunteers. A few committed people can energise and motivate a whole community, and many, many people made a contribution to the hosting of the festival. There is a vibrant community spirit in Enniscrone, a determination and vigour to get things done, and this is reflected in the quality of the festival programme. If anyone asks me to explain about the ‘black pig’, I will tell them it is a mixture of foklore, legend, history and myth. but I would also advise them to come to Enniscrone and discover the magic of the black pig for themselves.

Thank you and enjoy the festival.