Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon has today (Friday) welcomed the launch of the Newbridge Grassroots Festival which is set to become an annual feature in the Newbridge social and economic calendar. The festival launched by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the Curragh today is a follow up to the successful Newbridge 200 bicentenary celebrations held last year.

“I am delighted that the Taoiseach accepted my invitation to launch this new festival at the Curragh.  The annual festival will honour all that is good in Kildare with future events set to feature the Year of the Horse in 2015 and the Year of the Soldier in 2016 to coincide with the anniversary of the 1916 rising.”

“This year’s festival in the year of the Gathering will encourage local residents and businesses to invite friends and relations home for the festival in September of this year.  It is a great way for all of us to support local business while enjoying the many benefits our locality has to offer.”

“We have a huge array of natural amenities, facilities and services on our doorstep in the Newbridge area and I am delighted that we will now have an annual festival that can promote them to a wider audience as well as ensuring they are enjoyed by more locals in the area.”