Belcoo Sports and Festival celebrated its 75th anniversary over the last week with the glorious weather holding out for the most part.

It all got under way last Thursday as the U-12 Fifa gaming competition and Table Quiz were held.

The Boylan family coming out on top followed by Colin and Edel Donnelly and Raymond and Adele Ferguson in second.

Then on Friday, hundreds filled the marquee as The Tumbling Paddies entertained into the early hours.

The sunshine brought perfect conditions on Saturday with a U-13 GAA blitz taking place.

After some excellent footballing skills on display, it was Aodh Rua, Ballyshannon, who emerged victorious.

In the Children’s Fishing Competition, Cameron Graham came first, Malachi Keaney was second, with Daniel Wininski third.

There was plenty of activity around the Cottage Meadow on Saturday afternoon with the Party Bees’ fun and games, and this was followed by the Family Colour Run.

Running and walking around the meadow, young and old alike were a kaleidoscope of colours by the time they passed the finish line as volunteers made sure no one got past them without being doused in coloured powder.

There was a good turnout on Saturday evening as an array of tractors took off from Belcoo and went on a circuit through Blacklion, Letterbreen and back into the village before Trad and Folk music wrapped up the evening in the bandstand.

On Sunday, as clouds gathered above, the children were back in the Cottage Meadow for a Treasure Hunt before the Ballagh Choir of Ages hit the right chords in the afternoon.

Bingo, won by Paul McGrath, and more traditional music was on offer before the Car Treasure Hunt got under way in the evening as rain, thunder and lightning began.

Con Boylan and crew were winners of the hunt.

The big day was Monday, August 15, and Sports Day. A Fancy Dress Parade got things under way as kids paraded through the village on floats, cars and tractors down to the Cottage Meadow.

As ever, there was plenty to do for those in attendance, from bouncy castles, swing boats and petting farms to an eagle display and music all day.

There was also a bit for the competitive ones in attendance, with the Run the Meadow for Oisín, the Joe Nolan Mile, the Freekick competition, the dog show and the Scarecrow competition.

In the Boys’ category in ‘Run the Meadow for Oisín’, Sean McCollum led the way, followed by Mark Hazlett and James Kelly.

In the Girls’ section, Kate Kelly was first, Orlagh Kelly was second and third place went to Catherine Boylan.

In the dog show, Julianna Tsaruk, with Uki, won the Small Dog category, with David Power and Pipen in second, and Sharon Maguire with Baily in third.

In the Large Dog category, Grace Keavney and Benji were the winners, with Roseanne Kelly and Lucy in second place, and Charmian Goodall and Bob in third.

The festival came to a close on Tuesday in a relaxing fashion with parents/children’s yoga at the Cottage Meadow, followed by the Duck Race at the bridge which was won by Patricia Boylan.

Looking back at the Festival, one of the organisers, Paddy Keaney, was delighted with how it went.

“It was a very successful festival, with big crowds at all events – our best in recent times.

“It was great to see so many people home for the festival and the weather was fantastic and everyone seemed very happy with the events.”