THE South Union Foxhounds are holding their traditional end-of-season two-day fixture in Kinsale next weekend with amazing publicity surrounding their Best Dressed competitions ranging from a list of the great prizes on offer to advice on pre-meeting skin care treatment!

“All we need now is the weather!” said upbeat meeting secretary Aiden Kearney. “We hope to have a huge crowd over the two days and there would usually be plenty of visitors from England. All the hotels and B&Bs in the area get a lot of business out of the point-to-point.”

The two competitions will take place on Sunday with the best dressed lady winning a diamond ring from Victoria’s Antiques Cork, a Clarins beauty hamper from O’Connor’s Pharmacy Kinsale and flowers from Daisychain. A Rogue Fitness voucher worth €250 is on offer as the second prize.

The most appropriately-dressed gent will win a four-ball at the Old Head Golf Links (worth €1,200) and a Clarins hamper from O’Connors, with the second prize being another €250 Rogue Fitness voucher. There will lots of other prizes on the day including a voucher from Hattitude Kinsale for the best hat.

‘Sunday is Funday’ proclaimed Tuesday’s press release with reference to free entry and entertainment for accompanied children, including pony rides, a bouncy castle and face painting. The South Union hounds will be paraded during the afternoon and on display that day will be the winning entries from the hunt’s annual children’s colouring and art competition for pupils from local primary schools.

Racegoers will be pleased to know that there will be a full bar and a fantastic choice of food prepared by acclaimed chef Rory McDowell from the Old Head Golf Links in the new Food Hall.

And, stated the press release, “Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better… the grand finale of this year’s Kinsale point-to-point over the June Bank Holiday weekend is a concert with iconic 80s Irish rock band Bagatelle, whose hits like Summer in Dublin, Leeson Street Lady, and Second Violin won them a legion of fans around the world. Also on the bill is Cork’s acoustic power duo, The Shruggs.”

The concert starts at 6pm on Sunday. Racegoers may enjoy the entertainment for free, but entry after 4pm on Sunday costs ¤20, with tickets available on the gate or in advance at www.kinsalepointtopoint.ie.

For those more interested in the racing, Donal Lordan, clerk of the course at the Farrangalway track, reported: “The Kinsale point-to-point is popular with jockeys, trainers and owners who appreciate the work we put into ensure a safe environment. The course will be spiked on Monday and monitored carefully and watered throughout the week to guarantee optimum racing conditions over the June Bank Holiday weekend.”