TRUCKS of all shapes and sizes took to the roads around Irvinestown as part of the wildly successful Lady of the Lake Festival.

The much-anticipated event provided a fitting end to the annual spectacle in Irvinestown, with endless excitement gracing the town for a total of 10 days.

 The truck festival, which began on Friday, July 19, first saw a variety of cars, trucks, tractors and bicycles assembling at the Bawnacre Car Park, where a parade was enjoyed by onlookers.

The truck drivers then took part in a festival of lights later that evening, with a parade travelling through the town, led by the whimsical Irvinestown Community Mummers.

Prizes were awarded for the best 'lit up' trucks.

The following day, trucks arrived for the annual Lady of the Lake Truck Convoy, in aid of Marie Curie.

Other events on that day included the ever-popular World Hole Digging Champion.

The day came to a close with the 'trucker's dance' at Mahon's Hotel, with music by Paul Kelly, Boxcar Brian and Paddy Treacy Jr.

On Sunday, a major truck run proved to be an impressive spectacle and worthwhile climax to what was a highly-successful Festival.

In the early afternoon, the Trucks Memorial Trophies were presented, along with prizes, and shortly after, the trucks set off.

The route included many local landmarks, with drivers touring through Lisnarick, Ederney, Kesh, Enniskillen and Ballinamallard.

The trucks soon returned to Irvinestown, where festival-goers danced the night away for a final party in the Delany Suite at Mahon's Hotel.

Another evergreen feature of the Festival was the 'Irvinestown Best Kept Garden Awards 2024', organised and sponsored by Irvinestown Fairs and Markets Trustees, with highly-experienced Irvinestown gardener Trevor Robinson having judged the event earlier this month.

Gerry McNulty, Secretary of Irvinestown Fairs and Markets Trustees, announced the prizewinners during the Fair Day at Castle Irvine, with this year’s Lady of the Lake, Nicola Johnston, presenting prizes to the winners.

The winners were as follows.

Highly Commended Gardens (in no particular order): Mrs. Rita Maguire, No. 20 Hillcrest Drive; Mrs. Veronica McCarron, No. 10 Cherry Hill; Mr. Geoff Hunter, Castle Street.

Small Garden Awards: 1, Mr. and Mrs. Cassidy, No. 56 Sallyswood; 2, Mrs. Greta Rooney, No. 5 Castle Street; 3, Miss Linda McDonagh, No. 37 Forthill Park (joint) and Mr. Jimmy Matthews, Bridge Street (joint); and 4, Mr. Mark Spratt, No. 15 Brownhill Meadows.

Medium/Large Garden Awards: 1, Mr. and Mrs. Seamus Doris, No. 32 Kesh Road; 2, Reverend and Mrs. Thompson, No. 4 Ardlougher Road; 3, Mr. Mrs. McArt, No. 44 Lack Road; and 4, Mrs. Smith, Kesh Road.

Business in Bloom Awards: 1, Mahon’s Hotel, Mill Street; 2, TT Montague Solicitors, Main Street; and 3, Pure Skin Clinic, Fairgreen Street.

Best Kept Development/Estate in Irvinestown Award: Millstone Drive, Scallen Road, Irvinestown.

Overall Winner of the Garden Competition: Mr. and Mrs. Cassidy, No. 56 Sallyswood.