It was big in 2011, it was big in 2012, it got bigger in 2013 and now it’s back with a thunderous roar for 2014 – The P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival in partnership with UTV 13th – 19th July.
A giant, must-attend family event in the Northern Ireland cultural diary, the 2014 line-up features sport, music and fine foods in the picturesque & historic village of Glenarm, first of the famous nine Glens of Antrim and within the Borough of Larne.
The festival will kick off in the Glenarm Castle grounds over the July bank holiday weekend ( 13th-14th July) featuring the ‘Champion of Champions Highland Games’ which sees the thunder of Scotland come to Northern Ireland. Strongman versus strongman as they battle it out for the championship title. Northern Ireland’s premiere family music event DalriadaLIVE will feature a high quality musical line up including chart topper and Dalriada Festival 2013 sell out Nathan Carter who will headline on 13th July with special guests. Plus, announcing country legend Mike Denver as the headline act for 14th July along with special guests. Across the weekend visitors will be treated to celebrity chef demos, the world’s only chic sheep fashion show, craft village, fine food, dancing and lots more.
The festival’s thunderous roar will also fill the stunning village of Glenarm and the wider community. From 15th – 19th July visitors can enjoy sporting action including Super Endurocross, a beach mounted rally, Dalriada Wipeout, Kids duathalon and a fun run. There will also be traditional entertainment, food, games and local culture at the Auld Hirin’ Fair and at the heart of the village – Hymns and Haybales. New to the community element of the festival this year is Dalriada SESSIONS featuring traditional music from Haste to the Wedding, gypsy jazz swing with a twist Manouche Swing and the award winning JP Mac’s The Johnny Cash and June Carter tribute Show. The Festival will give one final roar as its closes on Sunday 19th July with a spectacular fireworks display, street entertainment, rowing regatta, fancy dress parade, live music and lots more.
The festival’s nominated charity for 2014 is the stillbirth and neo-natal death Charity SANDS. The charity is instrumental in promoting and funding research to reduce the loss of babies’ lives, and works closely with health professionals to ensure bereaved parents and their families receive the best possible care. Nathan Carter’s manager John Farry has written and produced a beautiful song for the charity in memory of DalriadaLIVE promoter John Roger’s little grandson who sadly passed away at birth. The song called Memories of Angels will be performed during DalraidaLIVE by Collette Curry. A CD will be available to buy with proceeds going to SANDS.
Adrian Morrow, Festival Director, commented;
“ The P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival in partnership with UTV is back with a thunderous roar for 2014. What a fantastic line up we have this year at Glenarm Castle and the beautiful Glenarm Village. Across sport, music and food – we have something for all the family. From chart topping, Dalriada 2013 sell out Nathan Carter, Highland Games, crafts, celebrity chefs, sporting and music events in Glenarm Village – this truly is a giant of a cultural, family event. Every year we get bigger and better and this can only happen with the support of our sponsors – P&O, UTV, Larne Borough Council and NITB, and our many partners but also from the commitment and enthusiasm of the staff, volunteers and the local community. Thanks to all of them we can roar this loud in 2014. We are also delighted to support and work with SANDS as our official Charity for 2014 and hope that all our visitors will show support by purchasing the specially created CD Memories of Angels.”
Joanna Walsh from P&O Ferries, title sponsor of the event, said;
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”P&O Ferries is proud to be title sponsor for the 2014 Dalriada Festival. Once again the organisors have surpassed themselves and are presenting a programme packed with excitement and entertainment for the whole family. With the promise of incredible music acts, fine foods, arts and crafts it really is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever before. As operators of the shortest, fastest and most frequent crossings between Northern Ireland and Scotland P&O Ferries is very much looking forward to welcoming on board the ever growing number of visitors who travel from Scotland each summer to enjoy this spectacular event and we wish everyone involved every success.”
Michael Wilson, Managing Director, UTV added;
“UTV is delighted to join forces once again with the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival in Glenarm which promises to deliver a fabulous week for all the family this July. We look forward to capturing the essence of the activities taking place on the North Coast of Antrim on UTV for all our viewers, with regular updates online on u.tv and interviews on U105.”
Eddie Rowan, Event Manager Northern Ireland Tourist Board:
“The Northern Ireland Tourist Board is once again pleased to support the P&O Dalriada Festival. It is a pleasure to see this fantastic festival grow from strength to strength as it continues to significantly increase visitor appeal to the North Coast of Antrim. The range and quality of activity on offer will not only a generate a substantial impact on the economy but also contribute to Northern Ireland’s positive profile as an attractive destination. I wish all the participants and visitors a very memorable trip to Northern Ireland and to Glenarm for this action packed week of events.”
Admission to the community events is FREE. Gate Admission applies for the Champion of Champions Highland Games at £10 for Adults, £7.50 for Senior Citizens and £5 for Youth (12-16), children under 12 are FREE. Tickets for DalriadaLIVE, both the Nathan Carter and Mike Denver Concerts, are priced at £25 plus booking fee and available at www.dalriadafestival.co.uk or www.ticketmaster.ie
Further information on the festival visit www.dalriadafestival.co.uk.