WATCH: MacCurtain St traders take part in annual pancake race

TRADERS from the VQ area of Cork city took to MacCurtain Street yesterday morning for the Metropole Hotel’s annual pancake race.

James Healy, of the Shelbourne Bar, beat off stiff competition to claim the winning title. He had previously won two years ago but was beaten last year by Oisín Barrett of 5 Points.

The pancake race was a Shrove Tuesday tradition dating back to 1826, when Thompsons Bakery was open on the street.

The Metropole Hotel has been organising the event since 2018.

Team members from the Metropole Hotel joined representatives from businesses including Nathan Trust, Acet Active Centre for English Training, and the Shelbourne Bar, as they ran along the newly refurbished MacCurtain St while flipping pancakes.

Flipping good fun today at our annual MacCurtain Street Pancake Race 🥞 always a great laugh with our neighbours and colleagues across the @The_VQ_Cork ✨

Congratulations to James from @Shelbournebar on taking back his crown as race winner 🥇 pic.twitter.com/ovOGqnBdnZ

— The Metropole Hotel Cork (@MetropoleCork) February 12, 2024

The general manager at the Metropole Hotel, Roger Russell, explained: “The pancake race is a very old tradition that we resurrected, and it’s been going from strength to strength.

“It means an awful lot to the local community as it brings us all together for a bit of banter and a bit of fun.”

He added: “We’re all friends on the street, but ultimately we’re all very competitive and the bragging rights are fantastic.

“The VQ is a very close knit community and we are more than happy to organise anything that can help to support and promote the area.”

Speaking about his win, James Healy said: “I was really looking forward to today as I won the race two years ago, so I wanted to reclaim the title.

“It was all down to luck on the day though and I’m delighted to have the crown back.”