THOUSANDS of Euro were raised for two mid west charities at the inaugural ‘BORU BQ’ competition held on the banks of Lough Derg at the weekend.
Flanagan’s restaurant in Ballina/Killaloe hosted the barbecue competition, which attracted hundreds of people to the birthplace of Ireland’s famous High King Brian Boru.
The cooking contest was organised by Flanagan’s Restaurant in aid of Raheen Community Hospital and the Ballina/Killaloe Search and Recovery Unit.
Some 16 teams took part in the giant cook off where prizes were awarded in a number of meat and fish categories. Hundreds of people turned out to support the charity event with glorious sunshine adding to occasion
The overall BORU BQ winner was ‘Ahephelia Meats’ a team made up of local men Fergal Storan, Dave Acton, Paul Naughton, and Pat O’Brien.
Team mate John McBeth who is originally from Scotland but now living in Ballina added some colour to the occasion by wearing a traditional Scottish kilt.
The Ballina/Killaloe Search and Recovery Unit’s team ‘Scuba Dudes’ won the top prize for best pork dish while ‘IT Systems’ wooed judges with their chicken creation.
Other prizewinners on the day included; ‘The Usual Suspects’, a team made up of local gardai, ‘Marine Action Boats’, ‘Molly’s Muppets’, ‘The Flamin Galahs’ and ‘Four Fishermen and a Grill’.
“We were thrilled with the success of this year’s event and we receieved massive support from the local community,” said organiser Brian Hayes, head chef Flanagan’s.
Brian’s business partner Cathal Quinn said work is already underway for next year’s Boru BQ.
“We are delighted with the response we received to our inugural event and spaces have already been booked for next year’s competition,” said Cathal.
Judging on the day was overseen by Ken Switzer of the Irish Barbecue Association while the judging panel featured a number of well known names from local sporting and media circles, including rugby player Shaun Payne, Petula Martyn of the Limerick Leader, Sadie Scanlan from the Nenagh Guardian and Catriona Tierney of Live 95FM and the Limerick Post.
