A great programme of events, soaring temperatures and an eagerness to be back out again were among the key ingredients of a hugely successful Muckno Mania Festival which took place over 3 days last weekend. However, it wasn’t just simply the ingredients that contributed to the positive results of the weekend but also the part played by the cooks in the form of a hard working festival Committee that have to be credited with bringing one of the biggest crowds ever witnessed to the town for the 22nd Festival.

The festival’s link, impact and integration within the Community was clearly evident from the myriad of participation and involvement throughout the weekend from individuals, local organisations, local authority and local businesses, who clearly displayed an abundance of goodwill towards the festival and the organisers.

The added attraction of having an abundance of talented street performers and artists creating their own creative and artistic spectacle also hugely added to the atmosphere, enjoyment and the festival spirit. This was matched with a number of targeted workshops on stilt walking and samba drumming supported by Monaghan County Council Arts Partnership which both contributed and impacted on the Festival Programme.

The Muckno Mania Festival organisers who comprise mostly of young volunteers wish to acknowledge the support of all the festival sponsors who through their kind generosity have once more made the festival possible.  The weekend support and sponsorship from Monaghan County Council Arts Partnership and the Municipal District of Carrickmacross/Castleblayney and their staff who helped out over the weekend is also greatly acknowledged at this time. A special thanks to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media for generous financial support.  The committee are also keen to acknowledge and thank all those who helped and assisted them over the weekend and thus made this a most memorable festival. Special mention to An Gardai, the Red Cross, 5^th Monaghan Scout Unit, Monaghan County Council outdoor staff and all those who helped out in anyway over the weekend.