Write a commentMayor 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."
