Latest News from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

The annual Durrus Fête is the biggest family event in West Cork, and the largest fête to take place outside the city of Dublin. Held every year in the garden of the Rectory of the Church of Ireland in Durrus, the Fête is one of the highlights of the West Cork summer.

And it is on this Wednesday, 14th August at Durrus Rectory.  A hard-working team has the tents up and the scene is set – ready for all weathers!  The fête starts at 12 Noon.

Some of the hard-working volunteers who have been getting the rectory garden ready for this year’s Durrus Fete

Thanks to a hard-working team, and massive community support, this event has grown in popularity over the last decade, and visitor numbers attending have now reached no fewer than 1,250 adults and 700 children on the day of the fête. In its unique way, the Durrus Fête is today one of the major West Cork Festivals.

The fête is unique in being a hugely successful community event that relies entirely on a willing team of volunteers, local men and women who erect the marquees, bake for the cake stall, fund-rise to assist with costs, and who then staff the stalls during the fête, before dismantling everything the following day.

Stalls include three food areas with lunch, a barbecue and the legendary afternoon tea! There is an amazing children’s play area with five inflatable games. Admission to the play area is €5 for the day. There is live music on two stages and a range of other stalls including cakes and country produce, plants, bric à brac, books and a range of others too.

The rector, Canon Paul Willoughby, says:

No other fête so clearly demonstrates community spirit which is echoed by the support not just of locals who attend, but also by the many visitors and tourists from afar who come along to sample the vivacious spirit of the fête. Queues form of regular visitors who return year after year, eager to enjoy the quintessential example of a community at play, and at work.