By Christy Parker | Photos by: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Rebecca Gallogley looking for the Easter Egg

Youghal Visual Arts Festival’s committee first Easter Eggs Hunt was in danger of meltdown when double the number of anticipated children arrived for the chase. The Easter Monday egg-stravaganza at the College Gardens attracted over 200 chocolate-hungry youngsters, aged from 10 years downwards and necessitated emergency supplies being commandeered.

The children were given four tickets bearing shapes either as a leaf, car, flower or heart. They then searched for hidden punch machines to match and punch out the shapes. This secured them an egg. A fifth, snowflake, shape was more difficult to match and location of this entered them for draws for a larger egg in a basket and an Aura Leisure Centre voucher.

The challenge was met faster than the eggs could be supplied. Thus were grown-ups driven to rifle the town’s stockpile of eggs, with reduced-price raids on Brooke’s Supervalu and Tesco. When even this proved insufficient to feed the hunters, a gang of rabbits was dispatched to hold up Crowley’s garage and leave no cream egg un-poached. Eventually, all young taste buds were placated.

One might have expected anarchy, with much milk shed during this tense interlude but “the children were exceptionally cool and patient,” says Amanda (Tibet take note). Peace was facilitated by the distractions of face painter Clair Keaty of the local Wobbly Circus and a variety of games, including one where a rat (fake!) dropped through a drainpipe had to be hit with a hurley on emergence. “It’s extremely difficult but they didn’t know that,” laughs Amanda, whose address is in the phone book, kids.

As an added attraction, Andrea from Paws and Claws pet shop brought along some animals and invited the children to ‘rub a rabbit’, though not with a hurley. A colouring competition also helped to stifle mutiny while the eggs were being collected.

Amongst the day’s particularly Happy Bunnies, Egg Hunt Special Draw winners: Lee McElroy and Ella Moriarty. Under-5 Colouring Competition winner: Sarah-Jane Cashell; U-10 Colouring Competition winner: Megan Brophy; Guess-the-eggs-in-the-jar winner: Sheilann Hodnett, who estimated just two short of the 202 total.

The Visual Arts Festival committee wish to thank Brookes Supervalu, Youghal Town Council, Frank Keane, Aspels Centra on the Strand, Tesco, Green Barn, Gillian McKechnie, Paws and Claws, Crowley’s, Tweenies, Aura Leisure Centre, all helpers and God for keeping the rain away until a minute after the crisis was resolved.

Those wishing to join the Youghal Visual Arts Festival Committee or seeking details of upcoming events, call 087-4126213

Easter Eggs Hunt Gallery

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