The town of Skibbereen in West Cork is taking the advice of Marie Antoinette this Budget Day with a unique “Let them Eat Cake” event. The feel good day is an attempt to banish all thoughts of the gloomy budget with a host of free special talks taking place in the Town Hall from 3pm. Local café and restaurant owners will also take to the streets to hand out free cakes to shoppers while more than 20 businesses will offer 10% discounts on all purchases between 3pm and 6pm. Many bars will also have live music to ensure a long night of revelry!
The idea for the event came to local acupuncturist Anne Crossey of The White Door Clinic after hearing many of her clients speak so fearfully of the impending budget. Anne set in to motion the special Town Hall event while Skibbereen Business Association got behind the idea and encouraged all businesses in the town to offer special deals from 3-6pm to banish the negativity which will be transmitted to screens and radio waves all over the country during that time.
The town hall event will open with a special address from Councillor Frank Fahy, Mayor of Skibbereen followed by free talks on a range of inspirational and feelgood topics by Anne Crossey (acupuncturist) , Micheál Hurley (West Cork Employability Service), Brendan Leahy (local councillor and paramedic), Rob Heyland (actor, writer and activist) and Matt Mills (WCDP, Sheep's Head Co-Op, Transition Ireland). The event will finish at 6pm with a performance from West Cork Pipes and Drums.
Speaking of the event, Sean Murray, Chairperson of Skibbereen Business Association said “This year’s budget will be a memorable one for all the right reasons in Skibbereen thanks to this positive event. It is too easy to be negative about what is going on around us but events like this can and will bring businesses and locals together. Undoubtedly there are more tough times ahead but if we work together then we have the power to change things for the better and that’s what this event will be about. I would also like to thank Skibbereen Town Council for the use of the Town Hall for the event and for their support”.
Also speaking of the “Let them Eat Cake” event, Anne Crossey said “West Cork is full of kind, generous and imaginative people. If we can pull together as a country in the way that the people of Skibbereen have pulled together to make this event happen then we can do anything. This is a day for everyone to come into town, have a piece of cake, listen to some new ideas, get a few bargains in the shops and for one day forget the economy, forget the budget, and forget the politicians. “Let Them Eat Cake” is about family, community and fun. It's been great fun to organise and it's going to be a great fun day”.
More than 20 businesses are also offering 10% discounts to shoppers between 3pm and 6pm as well as lunch deals in cafes while the local Youth Café will also give free cake to all who attend the special Town Hall talks. Kalbo’s Café, North St. will also offer customer a special €5 lunch deal on the day.
Elves from Winter Wonderland Skibbereen will also take to the streets at intervals from this Thursday December 1st up until December 24th to reward shoppers in the town with gifts and vouchers from local shops and businesses "Random Acts of Christmas Kindness" in the town.
Town Hall Events
3pm – Mayor of Skibbereen, Councillor Frank Fahy
3.30pm – Anne Crossey – The Case for Happiness
4.00pm – Micheal Hurley and Stephanie Hayes – The Employability Service, West Cork
4.30pm - Brendan Leahy – A Day in the Life of a West Cork Paramedic
5.00pm – Rob Heyland – Why the Economic Crisis is a Good Thing
5.30pm – Matt Mills – Co-Operate to Regenerate
6.00pm – West Cork Pipes and Drums
Participating Businesses include (look out for posters in windows):
Fiona’s Fashions, Sean Murray Fashions, Wish Gift Shop, Cleary’s Pharmacy, Horgan’s Pharmacy, The Chop Shop Barbers, Hourihane Sports, Kids2Teens, Riverside Café, Caring Hands Therapies, The Beauty Spot Beauticians, Sassy Fashions, Designs Gift Shop, Kalbo’s Café, Annie Mays Bar and Restaurant, O’Sullivan’s Toy Shop, Field’s SuperValu, Seymour Jewellers, Roycroft Cycles, Baby Hannah’s Pub, Newman Signs, West Cork Hotel and Apple Betty’s Café.