It was a pleasant summer day for everyone gathered in Sandymount Green for the annual community day on Sunday 29th June.

The event organised by the Sandymount and Merrion Residents Association, SAMRA, and supported by Dublin City Council began the previous day with a number of artists exhibiting their work for sale on the railings of the Green.

There were balloon shapes blown for the children while St. James’s brass band played and as the 29th was also the day of the European Cup final between Spain and Germany, some Spanish students (left) had their team colours in balloons on their heads to show who they supported.

There were a number of children’s races in different age groups, the sprint, the bean bag– that’s running with a bean bag on their heads– and the sack race, which is an attempt to run with one’s legs in a sack. Medals were awarded to the various winners and runners-up.

Joan McArthur of SAMRA said that the raffle was a great success, with much thanks to the contributors of the prizes, especially the help of the Butler’s Pantry who came across to the Green with cookies, biscuits and cakes a number of times to ensure anyone with a ticket was at least fed.

She said that the day was a success, even though it clashed with other public events in Docklands and another art exhibit on in St. Stephen’s Green. Joan asked that a special note of thanks be said to Ulla Callahan and also to Billy Ralph for getting the bunting up, Garda Derek Dempsey was mentioned as well for being a great help.

Picture: Gabriella, Kiko the Clown and Sofia from Santander in Spain.