When Old Moore, he of the Almanac, was a young Moore, the Christmas fair day in Woodford, Co Galway, was already an institution.
It was one of the few such events held in the country during the winter solstice and it was a magnet for pedlars, musicians, wren boys and mummers.
When the marts came along, the fairs died a death but in Woodford, an energetic group of people decided to retain one bit of the tradition. Thirty years ago, a St Stephen's Day mummers' festival was instituted. That first event was held outdoors, with a mass pageant of mumming bands rollicking through the village.
The winners, from Tynagh, dominated the competition for many years thereafter but pagans from many other parts were inveigled to Woodford by a holy man, Father Cathal Stanley. Troupes from Ballinakill, Kilconnell, Killimor, Drim, Ballinasloe, Tulla, O'Callaghan's Mills, Moyglass, Kilkishen, Athenry, Galway city, Mountbellew, Listowel, Scarriff, Loughgraney, and Woodford itself became regular participants. In 1988, the oneday festival was expanded to two.
This year, as ever, the programme promises to be a "lively fair" and groups from Tipperary, Clare and Galway have already booked their 30-minute shows, according to the secretary, Ms Marie McMahon. The challenge is to perform in six pubs through the village, beginning at 4 p.m. on December 26th. The competition is hot, given that the prizes range from £100 to £600.
At least eight groups have entered for the set competitions in Tommy Larkin's Hall on December 27th, beginning at 3 p.m. The Sean Donnellan Memorial Trophy will be presented to the best newly-composed song and there will also be trophies for step dancing, the best Galway half set, and for the funniest clown and the most regal king.
Master of ceremonies will be Seamus O Riain, a longstanding member of the Woodford festival committee, who will fulfil his duties with "great panache and efficiency", according to Ms McMahon.