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RATHLIN SOUND MARITIME FESTIVAL 2015 - FRI 29 MAY

Shipwreck exhibition
11am to 3pm. Pop in to the Richard Branson Centre and enjoy a remarkable display of shipwreck artefacts salvaged from the waters around Rathlin Island. This popular exhibition is testimony to the rich maritime history of the area and a moving reminder of the ever present risk to a life on the sea.

Taste of Rathlin Island
12noon, assemble at Rathlin Harbour. Meet the McFaul family who produce and distribute organic kelp. Join us for a guided tour and learn how the product is harvested and prepared for export. We recommend you contact Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd 028 207 69299 to arrange ferry travel and that sensible footwear is advised. Pre-booking is required, 028 2075 2100 or email tierna@ccght.org Hosted by Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust.

Traditional boat racing and demonstrations
Seafront / Church Bay. The festival really starts to come alive as the traditional boats take to the water to compete and showcase the crews’ skills. Later in the evening a hoard of Vikings in their longship will arrive, most likely causing chaos in their wake.

“Wallace Clark. The Seafarer and the Wild Goose” Film Screening
2pm (not 8pm as previously advertised) Parochial Hall. A newly extended version of the short film about the renowned sailor and writer Wallace Clark (1926-2011) – who was a frequent sailing visitor to Rathlin Island – presented by his son Bruce. Wallace was the author of – among others – “Sailing Round Ireland”, “Rathlin. Its Island Story”, “Donegal Islands” and his last, posthumously published book “The Call of the Running Tide", and was a pioneer from the 1940s onwards of sailing around and writing about the Irish and Scottish coasts. With a wealth of contributions from family and friends and with wonderful archive footage and photographs, this newly-extended documentary will delight those who knew Wallace as well as those who didn’t, and remembers well this charismatic and ground-breaking author and sailor.

RNLI Fundraising BBQ and Naming Ceremony
Seafront / Church Bay. Come along and help support the people who risk their lives at sea to keep everyone safe. As more and more visiting boats arrive at the marina food will be available at the seafront in the lead up to the naming ceremony of the Rathlin Drontheim.

Full 2015 programme available here.

With thanks to Tourism NI Tourism Events Sponsorship Programme for their support for 2015.

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