Hardy Irish fans beat the blues -- Koroit Irish Festival 2004

By Eve Lamb. Warrnambool Standard 3rd May 2004 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard  2004.  All rights reserved

An estimated 4000 people braved cold, wet weather to enjoy Koroit's annual Irish Festival on Saturday, pleasing organisers who had considered changing the event due to inclement weather. Festival committee president Des Noonan said they kept an eye on the early weather forecasts and had considered moving the event indoors. "We held a crisis meeting at 9.30am, but we decided to go for it and as it turns out we made the right decision," Mr Noonan said. "Obviously we are down on last year, but it's still great to see so many here which shows that we've got a loyal band of followers. "Saint Pat (patron saint of Ireland) has been just a little bit slow in clearing up the weather for us but we are happy with the crowd. "I would estimate it realistically to now be at 3000 to 4000.'' Mr Noonan said a better contingency plan was needed for bad weather, but it was an outdoor festival and the committee was not able to put up big marquees like the Port Fairy Folk Festival. As the weather switched from brilliant sunshine to drizzle, the staunch crowd adapted by huddling under shop front verandas or umbrellas when the rain came while the bands, protected by the stage covers, merely played on. The Guinness still flowed but hot coffee, beef and Guinness pie or casserole and soup were equally popular while at Mickey Bourke's Hotel patrons soaked in the sun when it was out and adjourned to the open indoor fire whenever the next shower hit. While Celtic-flavoured music flowed from the six stages about 50 stall-holders dispatched food or other goods to festival-goers. On Saturday night Gerrard Norman of Colac won the Danny Boy competition in a field of 25 entries. Yesterday a Mass at the Koroit Catholic Church featured many of the festival musicians. It was followed by a recovery session at the Commercial Hotel, lunch at Mickey Bourke's hotel and and the local Hampden football derby between Koroit and Port Fairy