Lead singer Shep wins Rex Factor

Rodney Edwards • Published 29 Jul 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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FERMANAGH'S most famous pooch has romped home to victory in The Rex Factor final with a howler of a performance at the Lady of the Lake Festival.

Shep the dog set tails wagging last Thursday night with his barking mad cover of children's classic, 'Doggy in the Window'.

He was, of course, the bookies' favourite to take home the fur-tastic trophy in Ireland's first all singing dog show in Irvinestown.

His proud owner and organiser, Joe Mahon says his dog hasn't stopped barking all weekend after winning the hotly anticipated contest.

"Shep was always a cert. Sure, I told you that at the start. The other contestants didn't do too much, did they? One of them sat there. Another one ran away. They were scared of Shep. They couldn't match up to him. Pickles the dog was in an Arsenal top, so he was easily just a sub. I had Shep dressed up too. He was wearing a cape, because he's super dog, but it came off on the way over here," he frowned.

Possibly one of the Lady of the Lake Festival's most popular attractions, The Rex Factor final attracted dozens of furry participants.

Some could hold a note, others could barely... hold it in. But the talents of Shep the dog shone through. Just ask Joe Mahon.

"Oh aye, he's a talented dog. He is, boy. I taught him everything he knows. Shep loves nothing more than singing so to win The Rex Factor has been a joy come true. I'd usually walk him around Castle Archdale but I might take him to Rossnowlagh some weekend to celebrate this," he said.

The theme of this year's Lady of the Lake Festival was 'Super Heroes', chosen by the pupils of Irvinestown Primary School and St. Paul's Primary School.

With a whole range of floats taking to the streets, including one with a working pub, characters from the movie Grease and a couple of scarecrows, the mood was certainly, magical.

Dozens of kids and adults took part in the fancy dress costume too, with everyone from Batman to Sonic the Hedgehog wandering around Irvinestown's main street!

There was massive shock on Thursday night when local man Francie Ward, who has won the fancy dress competition every year for 30 years, lost out to a couple impersonating 'How clean is your house' stars, Kim and Aggie. Sources say Mr. Ward, who was dressed as a giant baby, is "bitterly disappointed" at losing his crown to two pretend cleaners.

With music by pipe bands from Ardess, Kilskeery and Enniskillen, plus country band, The Originals, the annual festival made plenty of noise at it went into its final days.

On Friday, there was a fun day where organisers sold a staggering 1,800 burgers. There was also a horse and trap parade and a vintage parade up Irvinestown's main street, with over 260 vehicles taking part. Plus a space hopper race involving all the town traders and a Garth Brooks tribute act.

Later that night there was a spectacular light show, where dozens of trucks piled into the town's main street when it got dark and turned on all their lights.

"Blackpool Illuminations wouldn't have a look in," said one happy spectator.

On Saturday, the lorries taking part in the annual truck convoy make their way into Irvinestown. This was followed by rides on the fire engine, clay pigeon shooting, a tractor handling competition and Children's Got Talent. There was also a Tug of War competition in the Bawnacre Car Park and a Truckers' Dance and Barbecue with radio star, Hugo Duncan.

Then on Sunday, the festival ended in fine fashion as 449 trucks made their way around Fermanagh in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Research, raising £36,000 and counting for the charity.Joe Mahon and the other organisers are in agreement that this year's event was bigger than ever before, and they're probably right Attracting thousands of people from around the country, making thousands of pounds for charity and bringing the entire community of Fermanagh together through a mixture of madcap and family fun events, the Lady of the Lake Festival is, as ever, a credit and a testament to the people of Irvinestown. Here's to 2011!

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 29 Jul 10

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