There was an international flavour to the opening of the 51st Strawberry Fair Street Rhythms and Roots Festival by the attendance of Richard Andrews, Australia Ambassador to Ireland, in Market Square, on Friday evening.

The three-day festival of music and exhibitions, strawberries and cream, and lots of fun for all the family, was officially declared open by well-known novelist and television personality, Carmel Harrington.

The opening ceremony was preceded by a reception in Enniscorthy Castle where the attendance included Chairman of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Keith Doyle, and Cllrs Barbara-Anne Murphy and Johnny Mythen, Minister Paul Kehoe T.D., and James Browne T.D., and Maree Lyng, President of Enniscorthy & District Chamber.

Also to the fore were the 10 princesses in the Strawberry Queen competition and the reigning Strawberry Fair Queen, Megan O’Shea.

Music was provided by Conor Kenny and Serena Casey from Enniscorthy Vocational College.

EnniscorthyRe-Enactment Group provided a colourful guard of honour as guests arrived for the reception.

The Army No. 1 Band will play in Market Square at 5 pm on Saturday evening, the Garda Band will play on Sunday at 2 pm (not the earlier time to that advertised) and the 2018 Strawberry Queen will be crowned at 8 pm on Sunday evening.

There is bungee jumps on the Promenade, a children’s Art Competition and Fairytales in the Castle, Enniscorthy Camera Club’s annual exhibition of photographs can be viewed at the Church Institute on Castle Street.

There is a full programme of events throughout the town over the three days of this renowned festival, and, of course…strawberries and cream will be high on everybody’s menu!