ELLESMERE PICNIC 2014

Year four of the street Picnic was the busiest yet . Estimates from our community Garda Ailbhe who joined us on the day  put the numbers at well over a thousand ,give or take a few hundred!!!   It was wonderful to see so many new faces and  humbling to see the effort so many people went to in  preparation for the day . 

While this years picnic was later than other years  the sun  obliged and shone on us favourably for the day .  The children, some as young as 4 weeks, arrived early and the bouncing castle was occupied non stop .  The kids drew street murals and played skittles and  a few games of basketball were played too.

Throughout the day people  came and went  and there was a noticeable lull for the clashing All Ireland final .Despite this competition   the numbers grew as the evening wore on.  We were delighted to see so many of the  tenant residents  ,who have made Ellesmere and Adj Avenues  their home, join in in the fun . It was a great  opportunity to mingle and many new friendships and acquaintances were made .  Someone commented that it was good to be finally able to put a name to the faces they'd  so often passed on the avenue.

On the day I met people from every corner of the world: Malaysian, English, Thai, Libyan, Indian, Romanian Cameroonian, Cote D'Ivorian,Polish ,Slovenian,Tanzanian,Nepalese,  French and Corkonian to name but a few . What an eclectic  group

 

For the foodies among us there was pulled pork, pulled brisket  and red slaw, Lucy and Lolas Barb q sauce ,  Nepalese treats by Primila and David , Prettys beautiful stir fry  , Colleen and her sisters wings, Sorchas competing lovely wings, Carina  and  Diarmuids great baked treats , Stephanie and Toms amazing  Chilli and even more amazing tortilla bowls , The  two Thai Ladies Kazon and her friend amazing green curry  , The Libyan couples  lovely treats , Salads and breads by Fiona and Robert, Owen and Lynn  treats.  and Jacintas goodies

All these were washed down by drinks. From wine to fresh lemonade and all the regular minerals.

 A veritable feast.

A s we ate drank and  were merry 70s  song s filled the early day   and Atan and his brother helped us chill out  and relax to reggae tunes. Who knew what talent we had on the avenue 

Unfortunately the day had to come to an end but thankfully children left tired and adults left Happy.

Thank you to Dara O Connor for helping with the Flyer.  At short notice she  came up trumps.

Thank you Stephanie Conroy for all the printing and Aoife for helping in delivering them.

Thanks to John ,Cormac, Tony,Tom,  Luke,  Ely and Oisin and their lovely au pair whos name I cant remember for helping set up the day .
Thank you to Brian Bailey for transporting the chairs.

Thank you to  Stephen ,Robert, Tony, and Cormac and others for helping dismantle everything 

Thank you to Atan and His brother for the music.
Thank you to Prussia Street  Parish Centre for their help

Thank you to everyone who brought food and drinks and attended makeing it a wonderful day .

The residents of Doon Avenue for   the loan of the Avenue for the day.
To anyone I may have forgotten My apologies

TO JOE O CONNOR FOR HIS PRESENCE AND DANCING : STAY BEAUTIFUL

If any one has any more thoughts or photos please email them to me at diarmuido@gmail.com