Swift Festival/Stand Up Row.

Swift Festival/Stand Up Row.

To commemorate the switching of allegiance by Jonathan Swift from the Whigs to the Tories, or some such thing, Paddy Smith of The Boyne Writers' Group and Trim Swift Festival Committee, devised the Stand Up Row. A series of live debates with the emphasis on live to be held in the pubs of the town in the weeks leading up to the festival itself. This is not for the faint hearted or those who like their material prepared in advance. It is a no holds barred go on the bell, arguing against yourself for the second minute, while debating on a subject drawn from a hat, and all the while competing against another team doing the same thing. If you've watched Gladiator you get the picture, and they didn't have to hack their own arm off. Just a few lions. It will probably be referenced back to the public houses of Trim in the years to come. The winners on the night were Lenihan's of High Street who were competing against Kiely's and they now go into the final against The Steps on Thursday the 1st of July on the opening of the festival. Good luck to both teams!

Photo: Left to right, Paddy Smith, Aidan Murphy, Peter Clancy, Niall Doyle, and publican Thomas Lenihan at the back.