The Castlemaine Fair Day was such a success last year that the Castlemaine Events Committee has decided to make it an annual event.

Set for this Sunday (October 16), the fair will remember local man John O’Donoghue and raise funds for the Kerry Hospice and Palliative Care Unit at University Hospital Kerry.

John O’Donoghue died in January 2020 after a battle with cancer. He was well known in the area and had a lifetime love of attending fairs and being an integral part of the farming community.

John, who resided in the heart of Castlemaine Village was born on January 21, 1965 which ironically happened to coincide with a staging of the old Castlemaine Fair Day.

The Castlemaine Events Committee felt it appropriate to remember John by bringing back the old fair day in his honour.

“The fair day was an annual event in Castlemaine, but it died out in the 1990s. This event is very important as it keeps my father’s memory alive as we approach his third anniversary in January 2023,” said his daughter Cathy.

“John was known by many, particularly for his work ethic, humour, and honesty. When people mention any dealings they had with him, it is always with a smile on their face, and they will all tell you that it was always a good deal they had with him," she said.

The custom of attending the fairs was passed onto John from his father Denis.

The fair will get underway at 10am in Griffin’s car park. Last year the event raised €40,000 and the committee hope to exceed that with an animal auction on the day.

“Almost everyone has been affected by cancer in some way or another and are familiar with the Kerry Hospice in UHK. The care and support provided from the palliative care team was so amazing that it feels very right to give something back and I hope that we can raise as much money as possible on the day for such a wonderful service here in the heart of Kerry,” added Cathy.

“The support from the farming and local community is truly heart-warming and the community spirit is magnificent.”