Muckno Mania

Festival

Origins

The Muckno Mania Festival was introduced by Castleblayney Community Enterprise as a one day event back in 1999. Following its success that year the Festival was then extended to a three day event.

The Muckno Mania Festival is now in its 13th year and continues to include a varied programme which is designed to provide family entertainment and also to enhance public awareness and appreciation of the Arts.

Aims

The aims of the Festival are to promote & stimulate community interest in art, culture & sports so as to enhance cultural, social & economic development within the community. The organisers of the Festival are always keen to broaden participation in the events and therefore the Festival Programme includes a variety of activities aimed at all sections of the community.

Festival Name

The title of the Festival which includes the word Muckno is in reference to the scenic lake Muckno and the parish of Muckno. The lake took its name from a story which tells how a Saint Maeldoid tried to build a Monastery on one side of the lake but had to change his plans when a Black Pig emerged from the lake to knock down the walls each night. The lake was then called Muc Snàmh which is the English for the swimming pig. However poor English pronunciation back the years translated it to Muckno.

Wilbert the Pig

In 2007 the Committee decided to create a corporate logo for the Festival which would make it synonymous with the event. Eventually they identified and adopted an image of a pig in a bathing suit holding a micro-phone which represents both the legend of the lake and depicts the Festival Programme of Entertainment. In a school competition Erin Brady named the pig Wilbert and he is now widely used in all Festival promotional material.

Wilbert the Pig Competition

Committee Make-up

The Muckno Mania Committee is made up of:

5 Castleblayney Community Enterprise Board Members

18 Local People from different ages and backgrounds

Over 50 volunteers help out on the weekend.

Art Content

The entire Muckno Festival Programme deliberately combines popular fare with serious artistic content which is designed not alone to enhance public awareness & appreciation in the Arts but also to provide a diverse programme whereby more & more people experience the arts. There is a very varied Art content throughout the entire Muckno Mania Programme.

Key Items

Festival Queen

Guinness World Records

Cultural Fair

Triathlon

Soap Box / Float Your Soap Box

Stars in Your Eyes

Fun Day Sunday

New Creative Activities

Festival Queen Competition

Festival Queen 2012

Smurfs –

Guinness World Record 2008

The Flintstones –

Guinness World Record 2010

Hulk –Guinness World Record

2012

Cultural Fair

Triathlon

Festival Finances Grant Aid

Arts Council

Monaghan County Council

Castleblayney Town Council

LEADER

Festival Fees

Sponsorship Local Businesses

Pub Sponsorship

Chamber of Ireland Access Award

REHAB Award

REHAB Award

Chamber of Commerce

Impacts

Local Involvement

Community Spirit

Town Promotion

Tourism Promotion

Economic Benefit to local Community

Harnesses Good Will

Festival Strengths

Varied Programme

Track Record (13th Year)

Good Will

Dedicated Committee

Castleblayney Community Enterprise

Castleblayney Festival

Network

In 2010

Conscious that there were groups within Community running events and activities that were very similar in nature and using similar resources

Member Groups

Castleblayney Drama Festival

Pipe Band Competition

Castleblayney Chamber of

Commerce – May Day Parade

Muckno Mania Festival

Castleblayney Show

Bog Snorkelling

Possible Benefits

Joint marketing and promotion

Joint fundraising

Central administration office

Sharing of resources e.g. equipment

Idea sharing and assisting each event to become more successful

Funding applications

Group Undertakings

Met Stakeholders

Bookmarkers

FÁS Job Placement

Variety Concert

Application To LEADER

Half Page Ad

Programme Books & Fliers

Calendar

Pop Up Stands

Aluminium Stand

Barriers

Cones

Corporate Flags, Street

Banners, P/A

LEADER Funding at 75% 6½ Pages in Northern Standard €6,300

6 x 7 Day Advert on Northern Sound €3,654

Programme Book and fliers €6,218

2011 Annual Calendar €3,993

Seven Pop up Stands with graphics €4,840

6 Aluminium road sign stands €1,975

36 (8ft x 4ft) Road Signs €1,990

40 control barriers €1,920

100 Cones €1,983

24 (10ft x 2ft) Street Banners €1,430

20 Corporate Flags €1,600

1 Outdoor PA System €1,940 €37,843

Financial Details

LEADER Funding 1st Phase €11,296

LEADER Funding 2nd Phase €17,074

LEADER Total €28,370

Matching Funds 25% €9,455

Overall Total €37,825

Weaknesses

Need for a lead partner

Additional workload

Weak groups in consortium

Buy in poor

Benefits to Date

Increased awareness of events

Increased numbers attending events

Professional approach to promotion

Greater synergies amongst groups

Members supporting each others event