Write a commentDon’t miss the Carlingford Lough Maritime Festival with events taking place in Kilkeel, Warrenpoint, Newry, Carlingford and Greenore from Monday 24th to Monday 31st May 2010.
Celebrating the areas outstanding natural beauty around the Lough, the festival will bring together a range of heritage, sporting and cultural events not to be missed! The waterways will be a buzz of activity with visiting ships Artemis / Johanna Lucretia / Ruth and Phoenix which will be open to the public, giving visitors the chance to experience first hand what life on the ocean waves is like.
Along with the stunning ships the festival promises to be an array of colour including music, street entertainment, tastes of delicious French cuisine, water activities, heritage talks and exhibitions and historical re-enactments.
Mayor, Cllr John Feehan said he was delighted to welcome the Tall Ships back to Newry and he was looking forward to visiting all the events which will be taking place over this unique week of Maritime activities in Newry & Mourne and Carlingford Lough.
Cllr. Jim D’arcy, Louth County Council congratulated the committee on the organisation of the Cross Border Maritime Festival which would be a wonderful start to the Summer Festival season and felt that the activities on the Lough would provide an excellent programme to the food and music based events that were taking place right around the Lough from Carlingford and Greenore to Newry, Warrenpoint and Kilkeel.
Dr Gerard O'Hare of The Quays said ‘For far too long the Maritime history of this area has been marginalized. Yet there is a noble tradition of seafaring and shipping for centuries in Carlingford Lough and the Harbour of Newry. For centuries, this Lough has literally overseen the comings and goings of those leaving these shores for work; those who sailed the seas for trade; those who went to war and those who migrated to seek better lives. And yes it has also witnessed our visitors coming and going too –some by invasion and most by invitation. This Festival affords us the opportunity to re-connect with our maritime history and to enjoy, savour and partake in a range of fun activities that will bring out the richness of that history to life. This Lough, it marinas, our river, and our canal are the best of what man and nature can co-produce to enhance our environment. Our waterways should be features to be proud of and the unique traditions of being a coastal people should not be lost on future generations. I am pleased to play a small part in the renaissance of our maritime heritage by sponsoring this Festival.’
Heather McKee of the Community Safety Partnership said The Newry and Mourne Community Safety Partnership are working hard to ensure that visitors to our towns to work, shop and socialise are safe to do so. The Partnership is encouraging everyone to enjoy themselves at the Festival and to be responsible. Thinking about your safety and that of your belongings will ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and safe time at the Maritime Festival.
Festival Highlights include:
Newry
“Albert Basin Maritime Fest” Friday 28th & Saturday 29th May 2010 at the Quayside, Albert Basin The Tall Ship Experience: JOHNANNA LUCRETIA, RUTH & PHOENIX The French Market of Ireland & Continental Bathtub Race on Newry Canal Water Activities by East Coast Adventures & Newry & Mourne Sub Aqua Club Historical Talks at Bagenal’s Castle Gourmet Evening by local City Restaurateur Community Safety Partnership Be Safe - Get Home Safe Scheme Live Music and outside Broadcasts / Street Theatre & Children’s Entertainment For further information please contact: Newry City Centre Management – TEL: 028 3025 0303
Kilkeel
“Mourne Maritime Festival” Saturday 29th May 2010 at the Nautilus Centre, Kilkeel Harbour Ships ahoy at the Mourne Maritime Festival which is being held in Northern Ireland’s largest fishing port. Join the fishy fun with Live Music, Craft & Novelty Stalls, Seafood Tasting, Car Boot Sale, Children’s entertainment, RNLI BBQ & Stall with special appearance of the Ardglass Viking Boats and lots more. Also you can visit the Mourne Maritime Visitors Centre now opened Monday – Saturday 9.00am – 5.00pm For further information please contact: Kilkeel Tourist Information Centre - TEL: 028 4176 2525
Warrenpoint
“The Tall Ship Experience aboard Artemis” Sunday 30th May 2010 @ 12.30pm at Warrenpoint Docks Public sailings aboard the Tall Ship “ARTEMIS” around Carlingford Lough For further information please contact: Mr Gerry Brennan – TEL: 07968 992 647 “12th Annual International Guinness Blues on the Bay Festival” Thursday 27th – Monday 31st May 2010 www.bluesonthebay.com
Carlingford
“A Taste of Carlingford” Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th May 2010 at Carlingford Village A wonderful weekend of culinary capers by all local Restaurants, Bars & Cafes The Tall Ship Experience The French Market of Ireland & Continental Street Entertainment: Samba Music, Carlingford Pipe Band, Pretty Pets Competition, Children’s Cookery Competition & much more...... For further information please visit: www.carlingford.ie
Greenore
“An Emigration Re-Enactment” Sunday 30th May 2010 @ 2.00pm – 3.00pm at Greenore Killowen Historical Society and Greenore Historical Association will host an Emigration Re-Enactment including music, singing, poetry and storytelling For further information please contact: Mrs Finola Sloan, Killowen Historical Society TEL: 028 4173 8849 Fabulous Fun for the Whole Family!
For more information on all of the events please visit www.newry.com or pick up a copy of festival brochure in many of the outlets throughout the district.
The Event is sponsored by The Quays Shopping & Leisure Centre / Newry & Mourne District Council / Newry City Centre Management / Newry and Mourne Community Safety Partnership / Safer Newry Forum / Challenge of Change / Louth Local Authorities / Warrenpoint Harbour Authority.
More information from Mrs Donna McConnell Office Manager 43-45 Hill Street Newry BT34 1AF Tel: 028 3025 0303 Email: donna@newry.com
Mayor Councillor John Feehan spoke at the Official Launch of the 2010 Newry & Carlingford Lough Maritime Festival
"Councillors, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here today for the official launch of the 2010 Newry & Carlingford Lough Maritime Festival. This promises to be an exciting week of events which involves the entire Carlingford Lough Community in a spectacular celebration of all things maritime."
"From the 24th – 30th May at various locations around the shores of Carlingford Lough there will be an extravaganza of food, music and sea faring activities, with the festival bringing together events on both shores of Carlingford Lough. From Kilkeel, Warrenpoint and Newry on the northern shore to Greenore and Carlingford on the southern shore there will be markets, historical re-enactments, sea-food tasting, music of all types and of course the opportunity to see what life was like on a tall ship."
"This festival is also a wonderful opportunity for us to acknowledge and celebrate the natural beauty that surrounds us. We are privileged to live in an area such as this and by encouraging visitors from across the island of Ireland to celebrate with us and attend our festival we are also helping to support our local economies."
" I am thrilled to be launching this, the first event on this scale in this area. I know that it is only possible through the hard work of many local groups, many of whom are represented here today. I would like to thank you for taking the time to make this festival possible. I hope that this experience can be built on and developed for the future."
"I would like to congratulate Mr Gerry Brennan for his passion and enthusiasm in driving this initiative, Newry & Mourne District Council / Newry City Centre Management for joint co-ordination of the event. Newry & Mourne Sub Aqua Club for their speculator water display, Anne Murphy, Purple Inc. Design & Advertising for the vibrant artwork which is on display."
" The event has sponsorship from many different organisations, the Councils of Newry and Mourne and Louth, the Quays and Warrenpoint Harbour Authority representing the business sector, Peace III, Newry City Centre Management and the Community Safety Partnership, all of whom see the potential in this festival and the relationships that can be built and have already been built through its planning. In conclusion, I would like to encourage the people of the Carlingford Lough Community and the rest of the island of Ireland to come and enjoy what the area has to offer. To celebrate with us and to get home safe. Thank you."
