Updated: 2011-08-23 14:52:02
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By: SligoToday.ie
The organisers of TwinFest 2011 were ecstatic as their target of 100 sets of twins to attend
the second TwinFest in the south Sligo village of Keash, near Ballymote, was surpassed.
103 sets of twins, ranging from three-and-a-weeks old to a sprightly pair of brothers now
in their ninetieth year, four sets of triplets and one set of quads basked
in glorious sunshine yesterday as crowds enjoyed a myriad of free entertainment on offer.
Families travelled form all over Ireland to enjoy the day.
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Presidential candidate Sean Gallagher spent some time with the Menigitis Trust Team Ger Mills and Lisa Slattery
Kathleen Henry and Patrick Brehony were the judges at TwinFest 2011 in Keash, Co Sligo. Patrick was declared King of last year's inaugural festival. Photo:SligoToday.ie
Lisa Slattery - Menigitis Trust, Angie Benhaffaf, Patrick Ward, and Ger Mills - Menigitis Trust
Sam and Jude O'Rourke were crowned Princes of the Festival
Logan and Keegan Doherty from Sligo
Neifion and Poppy Toolan from Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim
Sean Gallagher addresses the large audience
Presidential candidate Sean Gallagher with Pat Ward
The youngest twins on the day were 3 week old Ruadhán and Conor Leech - from Lucan - with their parents and the oldest twins Gerard and Alfie Mulligan from Leitrim who were crowned Kings of the Festival
Paula Owens and Jean Burke who were crowned Queens of the Festival
Presential Candidate Seán Gallagher with Stella and Lucielle Walsh from Mitchellstown, Co Cork
Presidential candidate Seán Gallagher, his wife Trish and the Benhaffafs
More entertainment
Sam and Jude O'Rourke proudly display their Sports medals
7 month old Conan and Ryan Doherty from Knocknarae, Co Sligo
Nadia Davitt with Elaine and Antionette Mullen from Boyle Co.Roscommon
Goretti Scanlon, Linda Scanlon and mary Perry relaxing in the August heat
Jason Maughan was in a happy mood with Martina Underood
The oldest twins Gerard and Alfie Mulligan from Leitrim with Hassan and Hussain Benhaffaf
The rodeo bull
Relaxing
10 week old Lexie and Jesse Doyle from Colooney, Co Sligo
11 week old Robert and Daniel Tiernan from Charlestown, Co Mayo
From New Jersey USA - Rory and Brian Egan
Jessica and Rebecca Killelea from Lucan, Co Dublin
Twins Elizabeth McDonagh and Bernie Finn
All cousins; Katlin Roddy, Emma Gormley, Amy Roddy and Karen Gormley
Grace and Zara Dinsmore from Ballintra, Co Donegal
Happy days
Aiden Ward and Eimer O'Boyle checking out the twin emus
Enjoying the sun
Triplets Sinead, Aisling and Caoimh from Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim
Time for a drink
Lothar Muschketat from Eagles Flying in Ballymote with Alan Scanlon from the Menigitis Trust and Khan the Steppe Eagle
David Snee from Keash entertained on the day
Cathaoirleach (Leader) of Sligo County Council, Cllr Michael Fleming with family and friends at Keash
Angie Benhaffaf oficially registers Hussain and Hassan as part of the TwinFest 2011
James and Jack in a deadly duel
Mary and George Mulligan from Dromore West, Co Sligo with their grandchildren Grace and Lewis from Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Megan and Tiegan Gibbons from Charlestown, Co Mayo
Christine Daly and Carol Daly with Clare Willis and Henrietta Daly displayed jewellery, arts and crafts on the day
Enjoying the glorious sunshine
Daniel Devine from Keash Equestrian Centre with Patch
Angie Behaffaf accepts a prestentation from Martha and George Garvey, parents of Katie Garvey who died from menigitis and is the inspiration of TwinFest
Angie Benhaffaf addresses the festival goers
WANNABE TRIPLETS: Michelle McLoughlin from Boyle, Co Roscommon with Niamh Reynolds from Geevagh, Co Sligo andEmer Hannon from Keash
Quads, Sam, Michael, Nicola and Amanda from Callan, Co Kilkenny
The oldest twins Gerard and Alfie Mulligan from Leitrim with Quads, Sam, Michael, Nicola and Amanda from Callan, Co Kilkenny
Rory and Stephen O'Connor from Strandhill, Co Sligo with elder sister Sophie
Isabel and Kate Fitzgerald
Angie Benhaffaf and children
Enjoying the Opening Ceremony
Malika and Iman Benhaffaf
The Benhaffafs with Patrick Ward
Keash Parish Priest Fr Finan gave a shower to some as he was a little liberal with the holy water at the opening of TwinFest
Lothar Muschketat from Eagles Flying in Ballymote with Khan a Steppe Eagle
Ulster Bank staff from Ballymote were on hand to entertain the children
Welcoming the Bennhaff's
Lothar Muschketat from Eagles Flying in ballymote and (L) Patrick Ward welcome the Benhaffaf's to Keash
Sophia and Gemma Ryan from Ballygawley with Minnie Mouse
Jame McGrath and Gerard Dowling from Athlone Order of Malta were on hand for any medical emergency
Chantel and Paula Collins from Letterkenny, Co Donegal pose with the Menigitis Duck
Roz and John Flashman from Dublin with 13 month old Erin and Ruby
No shortage of entertainment
Aoife and Orla Stone from Athy, Co Kildare with Capt America
Emma and Rebecca Downes from Ballymote
:Last year's youngest entrants, now 2yrs old, Jess and Belle with Grandmother Ann Monahan and parents Eddie and Cathy Daly.
Organiser and TwinFest founder Patrick Ward with some of 'the gang'
The list of sponsors of Twinfest 2011
Helen and Gerry Hopkins with daughter Ava and twins Ella and Laoise from Newtownforbes, Co Longford arriving in Keash
James and Seán Kearney from Lucan Co Dublin
The Menigitis Duck with Ger Mills (Development Officer-Menigitis Trust) and Captain America
Annette McMenemy with Sharon Reid, Mary McLoughlin and Lorraine Mulligan ready at the Registration Desk while Captain America and the menigitis Duck keep watch
First twins to arrive were Aoife and Orla Heraty (17) from Westport,Co Mayo
Dora (Louise Ward) with Mickey Mouse (Rachel Ward) and Minnie Mouse (Niamh O'Connor) ready to entertain the children
iRadio team broadcasting on the day, researcher Ruairi Quinn, presenter Lisa Brady and researcher Debbie McNally
Sharon Reid and Tom Ward in high spirits before the off
