That’s right, it’s finally here! Cork and Portlaoise get ready – the Street Performance World Championships are about to take you by storm!

As if sword-swallowing, acrobatics, chainsaw and fire-juggling weren’t enough the SPWC gang are pitching Cork and Portlaoise against Dublin to break the world record for the most Wallys in one place at one time. It’s open to everyone to get involved, just buy or make your costume and turn up at the SPWC on Sunday afternoon (this Sunday the 12th in Cork & Portlaoise and in Dublin on Sunday 18th) and follow the Wallys!

Some useful links to help you find what you need to know for the Cork, Portlaoise and Dublin festivals:

 
Buying Where’s Wally costumes - http://spwc.ie/index_wally.html

Live updates and answers any of your questions get us on Facebook and Twitter.

Timetables for Cork performances - http://spwc.ie/city_cork_timetables.html

Timetables for Portlaoise performances - http://spwc.ie/city_portlaoise_timetables.html

Timetables for Dublin performances - http://spwc.ie/city_dublin_timetables.html

For maps, info on the performers and more check out the new SPWC website - http://spwc.ie/

See you there!

Our 2010 winner first

Jack Wise

Second Place

Sam Wills

Third Place

Les Vitaminés – no Facebook but they do have a website.

And everyone else (and only if they are on Facebook):

Dado is here.

Doktor Kaboom is here.

FireGuy is here.

Franky J. Kabaam! is here.

Johan Wellton is here.

Pedro Tochas is here.

Pete Dobbing is here.

Quick Change are here.

Rex Boyd is here.

Seamus McJuggler is one half of a duo called Lords of Strut and they can be found here.

Sharon Mahoney is here.

The Collector and Savage Amusements are both members of The Daredevil Chicken Club and they have a Facebook group right here.

Thom Sellectomy is here.

Victor Rubilar is here.

Happy Facebooking

This is what it looked like in our original artist’s impression

In reality, it looked a bit more like this (well done to the artist, almost exactly spot on!):

AND you all made it to the front of today’s Irish Times, celebrating afterwards and looking like this:

Thanks to everyone who participated – we certainly couldn’t have done it without you!

He was presented with his prize by Lord Mayor Emer Costello at Merrion Square tonight.

In second place was Sam Wills and third was Les Vitamines.

Massive congratulations to Jack and to all of the performers at the event – and especially to those of you who took the time to vote for your favourite act

The Street Performance World Championship will take place at Merrion Square in Dublin from Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th June from 12pm until 8pm. * Over 150,000 people are expected to attend and delays are possible around the Square.

Restrictions will be in place around Merrion Square over the four days as there will be a large amount of pedestrians.

* The following roads will be closed during the periods as stated:

• On Fri 18th June, Merrion Square West will be closed from 9pm until 10pm on Sun 20th June.
• Then from 7am, Sat 19th Merrion Square East, South and Merrion St Upper will be closed until 9:30pm on Sun 20th June.
• Mount St Upper will be closed from 2pm, Sat 19th June until 6pm on Sun 20th June.

* During the period of closure the following diversion routes will apply: Traffic from Clare Street / Merrion Street Lower will be diverted via Merrion Square North / Mount St Lower / Warrington Place / Herbert Place / Baggot Street Lower. Traffic from Merrion Row and Fitzwilliam Street Lower will be diverted via Baggot Street Lower / Herbert Place / Warrington St / Mount Street Lower.

Full pedestrian access and local vehicular access will be maintained at all times.

Yep, our very own Les Vitaminés had them all fooled

The volunteers and sponsors are the people who have made all of this possible. Without them there would be no festival at all.

Volunteers have given up their time to be here, to make sure that the performers know where they are going, that they have what they need and that you know what’s going on and where and when. Yay for our volunteers!!

We have some regional sponsors in each city, Cork and Dublin, and then some super dooper sponsors who cover both.

In CORK:

UCC and Mardyke Sports Ground – a big thank you to these guys for allowing us to use this lovely area to bring this lovely festival to the people of Cork. We hugely appreciate all your work and support for the festival…thanks a million.

Cork Midsummer Festival - Cork City is so lucky to have a fantastic event such as Cork Midsummer on their doorstep every year. Midsummer have taken us under their wing and done so much to make the AIB Street Performance World Championship a success here. Nice one Midsummer and keep entertaining Cork, you are doing an amazing job.

Cork’s 96FM – Cork’s 96FM jumped right on board with the Championship right from the get go. We love having Cork’s biggest radio station as a sponsor as they really are a rocking supporter of the AIB Street Performance World Championship. Hats off to everyone at Cork’s 96FM, thank you all so much.

Cork City Council – the whole event would not have taken place here if it wasn’t for these guys. Thanks a million!

In DUBLIN:

Dublin City Council - Did you know that we are part of a bigger event programme, Dublin City Council’s Summer in Dublin? Thank you so, so, so, so much everyone in Dublin City Council’s Events Unit. You really are all amazing and we would not be here without you. Check out www.dublincity.ie/events to stay entertained all summer.

Metro Herald - Metro Herald have always gone above and beyond the call of duty in supporting this free festival. Metro Herald promotes the event to its absolute maximum year after year. Having devoted so much time and resources to us, we cannot possibly thank them enough, but we will try…thanks a gazillion Metro Herald.

FM104 - Dublin’s Hit Music Station has been with us since day one. They can most certainly take their fair portion of the credit in making the Championship a success. They are a cracking radio station and a rocking supporter of the Championship. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

SUPER DOOPER CORK AND DUBLIN SPONSORS

Fáilte Ireland – if it were not for Fáilte Ireland the AIB Street Performance World Championship would never have been hosted here in Ireland. We truly owe everyone in Fáilte a huge debt of gratitude. Thanks for helping to make Ireland the brilliant and exciting place it is.

Bravo – Bravo Outdoor Advertising have partnered up with us advertising the event on all those amazing billboards and buses that you see all around Ireland. The SPWC would not be as big without Bravo so once again thank you so, so much, you have outdone yourselves.

The Ticket - we are over the moon to have the Irish Times back on board with us this year. The Ticket is the ‘creme de la creme’ for finding the best entertainment in Ireland and we are flattered to have them as our sponsor. If you like events such as this, do check out The Ticket every Friday in the Irish Times.

And the Supreme Sponsor of them all…

AIB – this free family festival would not be possible without our title sponsor, AIB. Their commitment to providing something for everyone has brought some of the best entertainment in the world to Ireland’s doorstep. We couldn’t ask for a better sponsor…AIB, you’re brilliant, thank you so much.

In case you can’t access our website or pick up a programme at one of our information kiosks in Merrion Square

Enjoy!

If you normally rely on any of these streets to get to Merrion Square, please make alternative arrangements and allow yourself extra time to get here – we wouldn’t want you to miss a thing

Please drive your unicycle carefully.

It started with a swim in the sea

Followed by a game of hurling – careful boys!

I guess no one told the ladies about camogie…

A trip to the scenic and wonderful Glendalough

Of course no summer day trip could be complete without an ice cream

And a well deserved snooze on the bus home

I’m sure they all had a lovely day thanks to Wild Wicklow Tours – good job