The Castlecomer Wellington Race
Everything in place for the Wellington Race 2001

Andy Comerford is Celebrity 2001

Joseph Coogan Lord Mayor of Castlecomer

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The New Plaque recently erected at the bottom of Chatsworth St. to mark Wellie Race 2000

The Famous Wellington

Winning Float 2001- Firoda Book Shop

Jim O' Brien - Toronto (formerly - Skehana) 
Winner 2001

Eilis Hayes -Ballyhale
1st. Lady 2001

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Castlecomer Wellington Race. This is the only officially run race where the footwear companies of Reebok, Adidas and Nike don't get a look in. The humble "Wellington Boot" gets place of honour on New Years Day in Castlecomer Co. Kilkenny, Rep of Ireland. For the past 18 years this race has been run, giving great entertainment to thousands of people and raising thousands of pounds for local charities
The race itself is a 6km-road race run over a hilly circuit. Participants must run in standard wellington boots. It is a handicap race with the old and creaky limbed getting off early. What better way to start the New Year.
    The race is preceded by a magnificent and most unusual fancy dress parade. Entries include large Team Floats, smaller Group entries and Individual entries. Local events and current affairs generally provide the inspiration for the floats and the more outlandish the entry the better. Thousands of people turn out to see the crack. There is great competition and secrecy beforehand between the various entrants. Castlecomer on wellington day is no place for people without a sense of humour as you could very easily be the butt of some wise crack on a float. The parade starts at the Big Bridge and moves up the town, turning the corner and finishing at the Church. The runners for the race line up at the church where the race begins. Generally there is a great "dash to impress" start by the runners but by the time they get to the corner many are already gasping for breadth, with three grueling miles ahead of them at that stage.
    So competitive is the race that the organizers are seriously considering contacting the Sydney Olympic organizers to see if they will put a Wellington Race on the programme for Sydney 2000.
The Wellington Race had a most unusual beginning in 1978 when a bunch of festive weary revelers commonly known as the Powley Men (from an area quite close to Firoda School where a crystal clear stream called "The Powley" flows ) decided to work of the excess of Christmas celebrations by running a "Race" on St Stephen's Day. The race was run through the fields and as such wellingtons were essential. An aluminium silver cup was made -to be filled in every pub after the race- The race of course was a fix as the leader of the Powley men -The King- had to win so that he could be carried shoulder high through the streets and into the pubs. Several young and undeserving upstarts tried to win the race but their efforts were thwarted by various types of ambush and traps and of course by changing direction signs. Thus began the now World famous event 21 years ago this year.   

    In 1981 the event was brought to Castlecomer as a fund raising exercise for local charities and it was an outstanding success and has gone from strength to strength ever since.
Each year a different personality is chosen to start the race,
Celebrities have included:

Following the race a "Wellington Ball" is held in the local community hall. In the early years this was a great event as it was "Fancy dress" and patrons were not allowed in without wellingtons. People really got into the spirit of things and almost all arrived in fancy dress. However, in recent years the fancy dress has disappeared as have the wellies - people found them hard to dance in but the crowds are still turning out for the "ball of them all" the "Wellie Ball"
If information is required on any aspect of the race contact : Paul Brophy (056) 41240 or Ger Brennan (056) 41793.

Or email this Website at:

mfogarty@iol.ie