RACING gets under way at Cork Racecourse today for their three-day meeting and tomorrow they will mark the centenary of the rebellion of Easter 1916 with an extensive programme of activities.

At 11:15am - a parade led by a colour party of the Reserve Defence Forces and the Thomas Davis Pipe Band will march through Mallow to the parade ring in Cork Racecourse. Seventy-one local community groups in Mallow and North Cork Region will also take part in the parade.

12:05pm - when the parade reaches Cork Racecourse Mallow’s parade ring, there will be a reading of the Proclamation by Jane Walsh a student at St Mary’s Secondary School. Gabrielle Fasuji a student of Davis College will also read the proclamation in Irish.

Eoghan Kenny a student of the Patrician Academy will read the oration given by Padraig Pearse at the Graveside of Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa.

The Defence Forces colour party will then raise the two flags that hung over the GPO in 1916 followed by a performance of Amhran Na Bhfiann by the Thomas Davis Pipe Band.

12.25pm - an exhibition of photos and artefacts from 1916 and ‘The Handing On the Torch’ event which took place at Cork Racecourse Mallow in 1966, attended by Éamon de Valera, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be opened by local historian Tim Sheehan.

12:40pm - Donal O’Regan of the Defence Forces with lead a full battle re-enactment at the racecourse.

1:05pm - musicians from the under 18 All-Ireland Champions Crossfields Ceili band will perform in the parade ring and will then continue on the first floor of the grandstand throughout racing.

Bang up to date enjoyment includes Vogue Williams judging the most stylish lady and man, with the most stylist lady winning a beautiful €2,500 yellow and white gold diamond pendant while Barry’s Menswear in Mallow will give away a €500 voucher for the most dapper gent.

Not forgetting the little ones, there’s plenty of FREE entertainment laid on for all children including an Easter egg hunt, face painting & lots more.

The meeting kicks off at 1.50pm.

Karaoke night

SALLY Ann Grassick has been in touch with news of a charity karaoke night in Newmarket in aid of cancer research and racing welfare. It’s on the eve of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale, Sunday, April 10th and the venue is the Yard Pub Newmarket starting from 8pm. Profits are in aid of Walking the Courses, Spot prizes on offer. Contact Sally Ann Grassick: +33 (0) 619063905 or sagrassick@hotmail.com