The Butts Family Festival is to be revived to mark the 70th year of the building of the Connolly Street and Pearse Street blocks of the Corporation housing scheme.

Residents, parents and young people have been meeting over the summer months at the Fr. McGrath Centre to organise a series of fun activities for families and children on the last Saturday (29th) in August.

A Miss Congeniality contest for children under twelve, bouncing castles, mini Olympics, novelty races and handball and soccer tournaments and novelty stalls are just some of the many events planned for the day – tea and cakes will be available and all ages are welcome to enjoy the day and view the art, film and photo exhibitions of children’s work at the Centre.

Wendy Taylor, community worker at the Fr. McGrath Family Centre in the Butts said ‘We are hoping for good weather, however, If the forecast is for a wet Saturday, as so many of the events are outdoors we are likely to postpone the festival to the following Saturday.’

Thanks to Local Sponsors and Volunteers

Wendy thanked the generosity of local businesses who had so generously responded to local volunteers in sponsoring events and putting up prizes for the many novelty events planned for children.

Children’s and teens handball and soccer events are planned for the morning. The afternoon will be packed with activities for families and children in the new four and a half acre public park at the back of Connolly Street.

The festival will mark the end of the largest summer activity programme ever held in the community. More than a hundred children and teens took part in the eight week programme that included swimming lessons,, day trips, horse riding, sports days, film making, cooking, puppet making, sleep over’s and numerous other art, I.T. training and fun activities.

This year for the first time a reading room was set up for use on a daily basis, which was a great success. The children involved will soon receive certificates in recognition of their achievements and use of the room.

Wendy and the Fr. McGrath Centre team made a special thank you to the many teenage junior leaders in the community who gave up so much of their time over the summer months to make the children’s programme possible.
She said ‘This programme would not have been possible but for the many hours junior leaders gave up over the summer to take care of younger children in the estate.
‘They are a credit to the Butts community and their positive example to younger children as role models could not be over stated. It’s fantastic to see these young people using their junior leadership training in such a positive way.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the support of the local FAS team who have supported all the activities. And Ossory Youth for the gerous youth of their bus for our children.

There is still time for anybody interested, including former residents of the area, to get involved.
A special planning meeting will be Monday 24th August, at 7.00pm at the centra and all are welcome.

We are delighted that so many local people and groups are coming together to ensure this family day will be a real celebration of the Butts community and its spirit.