The Strangford Lough Skiffie event starts this Saturday 22nd July at 10am
In just three days’ time, competitors from across the island of Ireland and Scotland will take to the shores of Strangford Lough for a thrilling weekend of Skiffie boat racing.
A busy schedule of more than 20 races will take place across the weekend testing the skills of the teams, including last year’s World Champions Northern Ireland’s own Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club.
Competitors of all ages and abilities will take part in skiff boats, traditionally-styled colourful rowing boats built by local communities and rowing clubs.
The two-day Strangford Lough Skiffie Festival will take place at Delamont Country Park and will include a Race Village packed with activities for children, including learning to make their own boats, traditional rope making, pedal your own milkshake, climbing wall, laser tag and a magical show with interactive storytelling and puppet show.
Other activities include stand up paddle-boarding sessions that can be booked in advance, a food village hosted by a variety of local producers and live music in the evenings.
The festival is the second of five events in the Giant Adventures summer programme, a series of family festivals run by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to showcase the region’s breath-taking mountains, coastline and mythical stories.
Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew, said: “Following the terrific success of last year’s World Championship event, we are excited to welcome back many of our local rowing teams again this year for another hectic weekend of competitive racing and festival activities at Delamont Country Park.
“Come and join us and enjoy the festival atmosphere at this stunning 200-acre rural country park and watch these talented rowers in action on Strangford Lough.”
In addition to the Strangford Lough Skiffie Festival, the Giant Adventures programme includes three further events this summer – Festival of Flight on 5th August, Wake the Giant on 26thand 27th August and City of Merchants on 30th September and 1st October – a new festival this year which reflects on and celebrates the rich maritime and industrial heritage of Newry. The first Giant Adventures event – Footsteps in the Forest – kicked off the festival season with record numbers earlier this month.
Delamont Country Park has an entrance fee of £4 per car. A minibus will be available to transport visitors from the Country Park to the shore from 9.30am until 6pm.
Further information about the events can be found at:
www.visitmournemountains.co.uk
