24 July 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Above: The Graham Norton Walkway in Bandon, Co Cork
“Graham is not available for interview but will be available for photos”…
The words that one sees most times Graham Norton is in Co Cork, why? the son of Bandon is famous, very famous, and in fairness to him he still finds the time to take part in a quiz in the pictureesque West Cork areas of Ahakista.
Graham Norton is all set for hosting his Third Quiz Night in Ahakista next Friday (31 July 2015) and it is anticipated to be the most exciting one so far according to organisers and locals alike! Graham who has warmly spoken about this quiz in his recent autobiography “The Life and Loves of a He Devil” is a fantastic advocate for his local area and it seems the locals cannot get enough of their Local Quiz Master!
Locals report the atmosphere in the area on the night of the quiz is electric with a buzz in the air from the moment Graham strolls over from his home which is a 5 minute walk away. People began queuing for the coveted Golden Quiz Tickets at 6.30am and tickets were sold out in minutes! Once again the organisers have gone with a Hawaiian theme which may be a little ambitious given our recent weather but if they can entice a famous celebrity like Graham to hold a quiz in a marquee perhaps they can entice the sun to shine down over the weekend!
The monies raised from this event will go towards the building of a much needed activity centre in Ahakista which will be an invaluable resource to young and old alike. This activity centre will be a focal point in the community where all local groups such as Foroige, The Sea Scouts, the Ahakista Rowing Club and many more will have a safe, suitable venue to hold their activities and meetings.
This year the top prize in a raffle on the night is two tickets to attend the Graham Norton Show with a meet and greet in the green room afterwards where the winner will get to rub shoulders with Graham and his celebrity guests! You can only purchase a ticket for the raffle if you are lucky enough to be in the marquee on the night and should you be the winner you will be presented with the prize by Graham himself! Oh to be rubbing shoulders with Hollywood’s elite!!
But don’t be too disappointed if you haven’t managed to secure a ticket to the quiz there is still a whole host of activities throughout the August Bank holiday to keep everyone entertained with Road Bowling on Saturday evening and Live Music by the Water’s Edge in both of the Local Bars on Saturday night.
Sunday Regatta Day will be a fantastic day out for all the family with Coastal Gig Racing, Kayak and swimming races, craft and produce fair, bouncy castle with slide, face painting, races, carnival games, raft races swimming races and a very exciting Beat the Ahakista Cube game that is sure to test you all to your limit!
Other activities over the weekend include the annual fishing competition, and 45 progressive card drive!
This once sleepy coastal village is making sure it keeps its name well and truly on the map! Perhaps next year we will have to get up just a little bit earlier to get our hands on one of those Golden Tickets so that we might experience a little bit of Graham Norton on the Sheep’s Head Peninsula!
All activities can be found on Ahakista Regatta & Festivals facebook page
