BY DAN WALSH IN ENNISCORTHY

It is 20 degrees in Enniscorthy tonight as the town prepares for the 4th annual Rockin Food Festival which is expected to entice thousands of visitors to the area on Saturday and Sunday.
There is already a carnival atmosphere as the huge Ferris Wheel and fairground attractions located beside Rafter Bridge are already taking customers skywards in perfect weather conditions.
The Harvest Banquet, which is described as “a celebration of Lughnasa, the beginning of the harvest season!” is taking place at Enniscorthy Castle where 75 people have gathered for a feast of roast lamb and locally produced gin.
A traffic plan has been put in place for the town centre as numerous white tents begin to mushroom in Market Square, Rafter Street, Castle Street, and for the first time this year, in Church Street.
Earlier in the evening, Cllr Willie Kavanagh, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, launched the inaugural Enniscorthy Arts Trail (EAT) as a fringe event for the Rockin Food Festival.
“It is great to see on our wonderful streetscape the vacant and existing shop units and cultural buildings transformed into art spaces within a unique setting, providing accessible art for all, “ said Cllr Kavanagh, and he added; “I believe that this is only the start of the exciting EAT initiative and I wish everyone a great weekend with a wonderful opportunity to engage as a community with art for all in Enniscorthy.”

Cllr Willie Kavanagh, Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, launching the Enniscorthy Arts Trail at the Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, this evening.

Tributes were paid to the Curator of EAT, Nadia Corridan, and Lisa Byrne of the Presentation Centre, where the launch took place, both of whom addressed the opening reception.
There was praise also for Liz Burns, County Arts Officer, and Liz Hore, Enniscorthy District Manager, Mary O’Leary of Sherry Fitzgerald O’Leary Property, John Kavanagh, and Rev. Nicola Halford, Rector St Mary’s Parish, for their assistance with venues for the event.
Enniscorthy Arts Trail takes in different locations from disused properties at Slaney Street and Castle Street to St. Mary’s Church and the Presentation Centre at Nunnery Road.
Eight professional artists will showcase their talent; the participating artists include Oonagh Latchford, Seven Victor, Lisa Byrne, Larry Dunne, Emma Howe, Martina Furlong, Kate Tyrrell and Nadia Corridan, and local musician Noel Quaid who is playing an acoustic gig in St. Mary’s Church on Saturday at 1 pm.
It’s all happening Slaneyside this weekend. And it’s already started!