Some of the events we’ve covered in our last bulletin are continuing this week, like the Sailing
31st July–9th August – Calves Week, Schull Harbour Sailing Club. Calves Week sees the normally quiet west Cork village of Schull explode with excitement as over a thousand sailors and friends descend on the area for the annual Calves Week festival of sailing
30th July–4th August – Ahakista Regatta, Ahakista, Bantry, Co. Cork (Ahakista is situated on the Sheeps Head Way between Kilcrohane and Durrus villages). Weekend of events for all ages, with the Regatta on August 2nd. Tel: +353 (0)87 6447190, email: [email protected]
30th July–9th August – Kinsale Regatta, Kinsale, Co. Cork. Ireland’s oldest regatta, Kinsale is one of Ireland’s most spectacular harbours and the regatta includes the traditional sailing programme as well as a range of land-based event. Many of the events are aimed at families and children, while the programme also includes outdoor concerts and a re-union for emigrants
1st–3rd August – Squib Nationals, Quoile Yacht Club
1st–3rd August – Wicklow Sailing Club Regatta, Wicklow Sailing Club
2nd–7th August – Mermaid National Championship, Sligo Yacht Club
3rd August – Rathmullan Regatta, Lough Swilly Yacht Club
Waterskiing
8th August – Barefoot Wakeboard Festival, Newferry WSC, Co Down
Canoeing
9th August – ICU One Day River Trip, from ICU Training Centre at the Strawberry Beds, Chapelizod. Suitable for those who have completed a Level 2 Kayak Skills training course and who wish to gain more on-the-water experience. Includes instruction on river running and safety and rescue skills and operate under the guidance of qualified ICU Instructors. Sundays from 10am until 4pm. Booking essential
Rowing
3rd August – Baltimore Regatta, Irish Coastal Rowing Federation
3rd August – Castletownbere Regatta, Irish Coastal Rowing Federation
3rd August – Valentia Regatta, Irish Coastal Rowing Federation
3rd August – Wicklow Regatta, Irish Coastal Rowing Federation
5th August – Closing Date and time (11:58pm) for Receipt of Entries for All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships, Irish Coastal Rowing Federation
8th August – Courtmacsherry Regatta, Irish Coastal Rowing Federation
8th August – 11am, All Ireland Draws, Irish Coastal Rowing Federation
9th August – Cobh Regatta, Irish Coastal Rowing Federation
9th August – Ferrycarrig Regatta, Irish Coastal Rowing Federation
9th August – Over the Water Regatta, Irish Coastal Rowing Federation
9th August – Schull Regatta, Irish Coastal Rowing Federation
Wavesailing
5th–6th August – WindWise Watersports Wavesailing Competition, Keel, Achil, Co. Mayo. IWA competition taking place on Achill Island
Swimming – Long Distance
8th August – Cleggan to Inishbofin, Co. Galway
Angling
3rd–7th August – Parklake Junior Angling Summer School, Moy Road, Dungannon BT61 6DY, N. Ireland. For budding anglers, a week-long learn to fly fish course. Open to beginners and improvers alike over the age of eleven. Email: [email protected], tel: 028 8772 8690, fax: 028 8772 9169
8th August – Cahirsiveen (SWRFB). Contact Mark Corps at 087 672 9174
5th August – Crosshaven, 1900–2300, Summer League
7th August – Corrane, Clew Bay, 35th Junior Festival Open Boat, Angling Council of Ireland
8th August – Corrane, Clew Bay, Open Boat, Angling Council of Ireland
8th August – Crosshaven, 1200–1600, Munster Juvenile Boat, Angling Council of Ireland
9th August – Anglesea, Crosshaven, 1100–1800, Confined, Angling Council of Ireland
9th August – Corrane, Clew Bay, Final Leg Pat O’Hara, Angling Council of Ireland
Other
26th July–3rd August – Dunfanaghy August Fair, Arnolds Hotel, Dunfanaghy, Donegal. Family fun event, action packed with entertainment for children and adults
26th July–3rd August – Belturbet Festival of The Erne. A ten-day action-packed festival with fun for all the family
31st July–3rd August – Carrigallen Summer Festival, Carrigallen, Leitrium. Now in it’s 12th year, there’s a variety of events planned for the 2009 Festival. Tel: +353 (0)87 4130468
31st July–3rd August – The Beast of Ballyhoura Adventure Weekend, Kilfinnane, Co Limerick. Featuring the Beast of Ballyhoura Adventure Race, a uniquely Irish 36 hour non-stop race across the ancient and magical surroundings of counties Cork, Limerick and Tipperary. Mixed teams of four mountain run, bike, kayak, abseil, orienteer and shoot, navigating the best route to win. Prepare to meet your demons during this event designed to push each team to their limit
31st July–3rd August – Féile an Dóilín, Connemara (Carraroe). Féile an Dóilín is the west of Ireland’s premier maritime festival, taking place annually on the shores of Galway Bay, in the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking region) village of An Cheathrú Rua, Connemara (Carraroe). Celebrating this unique region’s rich maritime history, the festival has something to offer to everyone, young and old. The festival revolves around the ancient and beautiful Galway Hooker boat. From Paráid na bhFathach (Paraid of the Giant) to the Parade of Sail, lectures on maritime history and boat-making exhibitions, there really is no better place in Ireland to spend the August Bank Holiday Weekend. Tel: +353 (0)87 225 3197, email [email protected]
31st July–3rd August – Cnoc Fola Traditional Festival, Letterkenny, Donegal. A celebration and a re-enactment of all aspects of Cnoc Fola’s traditional lifestyle past including creel making, straw rope making, corn trashing, butter making, sheep shearing and carding. Traditional music and dancing, fireside story telling and traditional seafood is available over the weekend
31st July–3rd August – Carrigallen Summer Festival, Carrigallen, Leitrim. Now in it’s 12th year, it continues to be an ongoing success with a variety of events planned for 2009
31st July–10th August – Courtmacsherry Harbour Festival, Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork. A friendly family festival which contains something for all the family. With activities based around the sea, there is something there to suit all ages. Tel: +353 (0)23 46328/mobile: +353 (0)87 944 1694, email: [email protected]
1st–3rd August – Féile Lios Póil, Lispole, Dingle Peninsula. Tel: +353 (0)66 9157213
1st–3rd August – Scariff Harbour Festival, Scariff, Co. Clare. An open-air street based, three day event, with dual aims of highlighting the attractions and amenities of Lough Derg, the inland waterways, Scariff Harbour, Scariff Town, and the East Clare countryside and of promoting local, community based arts, crafts, and music ranging from traditional to jazz and cross border cultural exchanges with Nothern Ireland. This festival is family friendly, with lots of interesting things to keep children happy too. Tel: 061 921028, fax: 061 921754, email: [email protected]
1st–9th August – Heart of the Glens Festival, Cushendall, Co. Antrim. Full 9 day programme of entertainment to suit all ages, from toddlers to grandparents. Some of the more popular events include the Lurig Run, the Vintage Family Fun Day, Dallywood’Theme night and Lark in the Park. The week also hosts a Food Festival, Fireworks, Treasure Hunts, craft sessions and various walks. Email: [email protected], tel: 028 2076 2024
2nd–3rd August – Ballydavid Regatta (Féile Regatta Baile na nGall), Ballydavid, Co. Kerry. Ballydavid is a picturesque fishing village in the Kerry Gaeltacht. The regatta festival is an event for all the family. Tel: +353 (0)87 9049165/+353 (0)66 9155300
2nd–3rd August – Stradbally National Steam Rally, Stradbally, Co. Laois. Approximately 30 steam engines will give working demonstrations at the rally and numerous family events will be held including a carnival, demonstrations from birds of prey, sheep dog demonstrations and a loco engine which will be giving rides through the woodlands of the Cosby estate. Steam threshing, stone crushing and sawing timber will also be part of the fun. Tel: +353 (0)86 3890184, or email: [email protected]
2nd–7th August – Rose of Clare Festival, Cooraclare. Fun and entertainment for everyone centered around the Rose competition. Activities include a fancy dress parade, sports day, table quiz, race night, adult and kiddies discos and ceili
3rd–7th August – Nevsail Watersports Summer Camp, The Promenade, Kilkee, Co. Clare. Training courses in sailing, sail boarding, windsurfing, powerboating, kayaking and canoeing, children and adults, beginners to experienced. Tel: Dave 086 330 8236 or email: [email protected]
5th August – Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford City, Waterford. The Christ Church Choir of Men and Girls (USA). These Michigan based choristers perform regularly with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and have appeared at the United States Air Force Academy Chapel, Carnegie Hall, and Washington National Cathedral. In Europe, members have participated in concerts in St. Paul’s, London; Westminster Abbey; St. Patrick’s, Dublin; the Sistine Chapel; St. Peter’s, Rome; Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris; as well as major concert halls and cathedrals in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark
5th–9th August – Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show 2009. Ah, the smell of the equines, the press of the people... nothing quite like a Horse Show at the RDS. It’s not just horses either: there’s antiques, toys, food, and lots of other goodies
6th August – Tour de Bog Cycle. The Annual 25km fun charity cycle for all ages through the majestic beauty of Connemara
6th August – Galway Cathedral Recital, 8pm, Ansgar Wallenhorst (Germany), organ
6th–9th August – The Harbour Hooley, . Attractions include The Mackerel Massacre (small boat fishing competition), table quiz, treasure hunt, raft race, seafood buffets, oyster eating competition, coastal tours, fairground attractions, lifeboat and fire/rescue displays, dancing displays and much more. Contact: Simon Todd, The Harbour Inn, tel. 028 4376 8678, email: [email protected]
7th–9th August – Marine Days, Coastal Zone, Portrush, 8 Bath Road, Portrush, Co. Antrim BT56 8AP, N. Ireland. A celebration of the Coastal Environment. Take part in whale, dolphin and porpoise watch or birdwatching and a craft workshop with a sea-shore theme. Promoting the wider heritage and protection work of the NIEA. Tel: 028 7082 3600
8th–9th August – Belfast Rat Race, Belfast City Hall. Taking adventure sports out of the wilderness and putting them onto the streets of the World’s coolest cities, the Rat Race is a totally unique adventure challenge in which teams race in a multi-sport test of endurance, skills and guts on a course that is only revealed hours before the event begins. Email: [email protected]
9th August – Connemara Watersports Day. Annual Fundraiser for ISPCC and Childline beginning at 1pm. Activities include scuba-diving, kayaking, boat rides, raft race, etc. Sounds like fun!
7th–9th August – Bagenalstown Festival. A celebration of the town, the river Barrow and the local area
7th–9th – Annagassan Viking Festival, Annagassan, Co. Louth. Showcasing Irish and Viking cultures including Music, Dance, daily living, crafts, foods and fighting. We have a free shuttle bus service running from The Castle Hotel in Castlebellingham to Annagassan from 11am to 6:30pm on Sunday 9th August
7th–16th August – Rosscarbery Family Festival, Rosscarbery, Co. Cork. Community run family festival with everything from duck and mouse races, a sandcastle competition, pavement art, fancy dress open air children’s discos, traditional Irish music, children’s sports, donkey races and much more!
8th–9th August – Inisbiggle Island Festival, Cashel, Achill, Co Mayo. A yawl race, a mini fun marathon, a welly-throwing competition... hold on: welly throwing? Yes, and angling, curragh racing, etc. See for yourself...
9th August – Horizon Summer Camp, Westport, Co. Mayo. Five half days of surfing; one full day and five half days of multi-activity, suitable for: 10–13 and 13–16 years. Available at Horizon’s Westport Summer Camp and the Pad! €515 per person per week. Lots of other venues, courses and activities
9th–16th August – Ballinamore Family Festival, Stradermot, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim. This week-long family festival has events to appeal to everyone from small children to the senior citizen
