A Fermanagh hotelier introduced the first sheep dung-spitting competition to the annual Lady of the Lake festival, this weekend, in an effort to draw more tourists to the area.
County Fermanagh hotel owner Joe Mahan was inspired to introduce the competition to the 37th festival at Irvinestown having been inspired by an emu dung-spitting completion in South Africa.
As you’d expect the competition involved participants putting sheep dung in their mouths and attempting to spit the feces further than their opponents. Amazingly the competition in Fermanagh had 44 entrants. According to a post on Facebook the winner received a $155 prize.
Mahon told the Sunday World “I had the idea after a couple of Smithwicks."
He continued “I didn't know an awful lot about sheep dung but I had to go and collect the poo from a loval farmer and then I left it in the boot of the car.
“My wife took the car out shopping and when she opened the boot she was nearly knocked out by the smell.”
He said his wife threatened to divorce him.
“@RickyWason good for tourism? first ever Sheep Dung Spitting contest in Co. Fermanagh http://t.co/JVTYmNHnDk pic.twitter.com/Kh6kR8rL0a”
— Mary Leonardo (@maryb935) July 17, 2015
It was Joe’s father who organized the first festival 37 years ago and the local celebrations are no stranger to strange events. In the past they’ve included a turkey walk and the World Championship Wolf Whistling competition.
Mahon added “I've just tried to follow that tradition on, although I'd have to say my dad was a good bit more sensible than me.”
Apart from Mahon’s competition the festival included other normal summer festival features including a young woman being crowned the “Lady of the Lake.”
Thank you to this years lady of the lake Eimear. A great ambassador for Irvinestown
Posted by The Lady of the Lake Festival on Tuesday, July 21, 2015
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