The Countdown is on for this year’s P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival at Glenarm Castle, 13th July – 20th July. The team at Glenarm Castle and village are busy putting together final preparations for the anticipated arrival of thousands of visitors to the estate and surrounding area over the festival week.
The Festival will kick off with a two day spectacular, 13-14th July, featuring the Highland Games and Dalriada Live. The estate will come alive with the sound of Northern Ireland and Scottish strongmen battling it out during the Highland Games. Over two days courage, passion and pride will take centre stage as the sounds of heavy hammer throwing, putting of the Causeway Stone (28lb) and a tug-o-war fill the air. The clash of the strongmen kicks off on Saturday morning with Lord Antrim opening the event at 11am.
The sound of top class music will also fill the air! As visitors will be treated to world class musical acts including the sensational Irish music and dance spectacular – Celtic Dreams (13th July) and rising country music sensation Nathan Carter (14th July) plus special supporting acts including Lisa McHugh, Hugo Duncan, Crawford Bell and Saffyre. Tickets are still available for Nathan Carter at www.ticketmaster.ie
Also, across the two days, visitors will be treated to top class food demonstrations courtesy of NI Good Food with celebrity chefs Paul Rankin, Paula McIntyre and Ian Orr. Also on the menu is the World’s ONLY Sheep Chic Fashion Show – if you think you’ve a fashionable sheep then get their glad rags on and bring them along!
Getting ready for festival Adrian Morrow, Glenarm Castle Estates Managing Director, said:
“The excitement is building at Glenarm Estate and Village for the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to what is guaranteed to be one of our best festivals yet. Whatever the weather, we will ensure that we give our visitors the best possible experience. Whether you are a foodie, a music lover or indeed a sports fan – you can be sure we will have something to keep you entertained.”
Visitors will also be treated to music and dancing, in association with the Ulster Scots agency which will include; The Willie Drennan Ulster Scots Band, Broken Strings Bluegrass Band, Scottish Highland Dancing, Highland Dancing and Glenarna School of Irish Dancing, Solo Piping and Drumming and St.Patrick’s Youth Pipe Band. For something on the vintage side Swingabella and Malojian will take visitors back to a by-gone era over a fantastic cream tea at the Punjana Tea Party in the walled Garden. Plus lots more fun and activities!
Arthur Murphy of P&O Ferries, said:
“There’s a lot to excite visitors to this year’s Festival. With the promise of fine food, music, some great sporting action and no doubt a lot of fun it’s no surprise that this event draws bigger and bigger crowds each year.
“As operators of the shortest, fastest and most frequent crossings between Ireland and Scotland, P&O Ferries has some spectacular discounts available for the summer and we’re looking forward to bringing many many visitors over from Scotland to enjoy the event and the country of its home – Northern Ireland. We wish the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival 2013 every success.”
Eddie Rowan, from NITB, said:
“We are delighted to once again support the P&O Dalriada Festival.
With a large numbers of spectators expected to attend across the week, events such as the Dalriada Festival bring domestic and international spectators to spend time in Northern Ireland. The financial benefit that these visitors bring is important for stimulating growth and delivering economic value to many sectors of the local economy.
On behalf of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board I would like to wish all visitors and participants a very enjoyable trip to Northern Ireland and to Glenarm Castle for this action packed week of events.”
Michael Wilson, Managing Director, UTV said:
“UTV has been part of the local community here for more than 50 years and is proud to join forces once again with the P&O Dalriada Festival to celebrate all that is good about culture in Northern Ireland with special emphasis on music, food and sport and of course our strong links with Scotland. We look forward to capturing the essence of these festival activities on TV and online for all our viewers.”
The week-long festival also includes Glenarm Village Auld Hirin’ Fair (15th July) Super Endurocross and hymns and haybales (19th July). In addition, the week includes a rowing regatta, horse hunt chase, triathlon and much, much more. With a spectacular finale including Teddy Bears’ Picnic featuring Build-A-Bear Workshop prizes and a Fireworks Display.
Visitors to the Highland Games can pay at the gate Adults £10, Snr £7.50, children (12-16) £5 and children under 12 FREE. GATES 09:30am-late. Tickets for Nathan Carter are available at www.ticketmaster.ie. Discount available on Highland Games entrance fee on production of a Nathan Carter ticket. Further information on the festival can be found at www.dalriadafestival.co.uk.