THE GOREY Craft and Design Festival took place throughout the town across the Bank Holiday Weekend with the grand opening taking place on Thursday night in Gorey Library.

To open the Festival, many of those involved gathered at Civic Square to view the exhibitions on show in the Library, the Courthouse and Gorey Shopping Centre, while also anticipating a number of attractions across the weekend including Boutique Boulevard, live music from Kiera Byrne, Sharon Shannon and the High Kings, and countless displays, seminars, demonstrations and exhibitions.

Speaking at the official opening on Thursday night was Cllr. Bernard Crosbie, Leas Cathaoirleach of Gorey Town Council, who described Gorey’s “proud tradition” in the Arts and described the town as “aMecca” for art, craft and design.

“It is a fantastic free weekend of entertainment for all the family,” he said.

Larry White from AIB Gorey welcomed the guests to the Press Photographers Association of Ireland (PPAI) exhibition which was on display in the library, saying he was “delighted” the exhibition was back, and pointed out that while there were 120 photographs on display, this year’s Awards had received over 2,000 entries. Garry O’Neill from the PPAI was extremely impressed with the exhibition space, saying “looking at your facilities – it’s the envy of us in Wicklow. Gorey and Wexford County Council have to be congratulated.”

Seamus Cassidy, who along with Robert O’Connor was displaying an exhibition of Woodturning called “Spindle and Bowl” said he and Robert “have talked about having an exhibition for years” and that he was delighted to finally be given the opportunity, thanking the Town Council and in particular, Town Clerk David Minogue for the opportunity.

Ann Leacy, curator of the Made in Wexford Exhibition in the Courthouse also thanked the council “for giving crafts people and artists the opportunity” and especially thanked “David Minogue for his unstinting drive and work” and added that she wished him to remain as Town Clerk in Gorey for a long time to come.

Thanks and praise was also given to former Town Clerk Ger Mackey for all of his help and support with the Festival, and also to Gorey Men’s Shed for helping make the exhibition spaces and putting together the runway for Friday night’s fashion show.

Hazel Percival at Gorey Library and James Kinsella and Dick White at Gorey Chamber were also thanked for their efforts