VOLUNTEERS are the backbone of any organisation, and one organisation that has relied on its volunteers over the years is the Lady of the Lake Festival.

Volunteers will once again give their all for a fun event, with one such volunteer at this year’s mini festival – the 42nd such Lady of the Lake – being Liam Leonard, who has been involved with organising the festival for the past 25 years.

Liam enjoys volunteering and helping to make the festival happen. He said: "It is good fun trying to get the thing organised – it is a leading festival, after all."

Liam got involved after being recruited by fellow festival committee member, Joe Mahon.

Liam spoke about the "buzz" that the annual festival gives to the community in Irvinestown. He said: "It brings a good crowd to the town; it helps the town; it is good publicity for the town, and keeps people coming to the town.

“It’s good for all of the people who come to enjoy it. People come from near and far for the festival.”

Liam has a particular fondness for the Fair Day, which he helps to organise, which this year will be held at Necarne Estate on Tuesday, from 11am to 4pm. He described the fair day as "a good oul day”.

Liam also expressed a great love for the popular Donkey Derby, which will not run this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and other events which had to be scaled back or cancelled.

However, although celebrations are pared back this year due to the pandemic, Liam is already looking forward to next year’s celebrations, too.