HOTELIER Joe Mahon has declared himself the “biggest cock in Irvinestown” after winning a fight while dressed as a chicken during the Lady of the Lake Festival yesterday (Wednesday). 
The spectacle which ruffled feathers when it was first revealed earlier this month did not feature any real poultry instead Mr. Mahon and two other participants dressed in chicken costumes and fought in the main street of Irvinestown. 
Police had been called to speak to Mr. Mahon after he faced heavy criticism when he spoke of his intention to have “two cocks from the street” fighting in the town.
“No protesters turned out and the cockfighting went ahead as planned,” Mr. Mahon told The Impartial Reporter yesterday.
“We had three people dressed up as cocks; Alastair Stewart from Newtownstewart, Vincent Dungass from Cumbria and myself and we fought in the street. Despite the rain, about 1,000 people turned out to watch us. 
“I overpowered the two other cocks, there was a bit of wrestling going on and I won. I am now the biggest cock in Irvinestown,” said Mr. Mahon. 
There had been calls for the owner of Mahon’s Hotel, who once planned to throw 50 live turkeys off a clock tower as part of the community event, to be arrested and jailed. 
Mr. Mahon previously said the reaction had been “wild altogether.” 
Meanwhile, a feast of entertainment was in store in Irvinestown yesterday as the annual fair day took place offering people a trip down memory lane. 
A popular event during the festival locals and visitors to the area enjoyed everything from horse drawn transport to local musicians and bands, a traditional hiring fair, threshing, sheep shearing, a vintage tractors’ parade, dancing and other entertaining pursuits.