This article is from page 28 of the 2007-08-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
THIS year’s Scariff Harbour Festival has been declared a massive success. The programme for the weekend, particularly the family day, proved to be a huge attraction for visitors.
It was also an occasion to celebrate the links between Ireland north and south, via the country’s waterways, as Martin McGuinness arrived to of- ficially open the festival.
Michael Rodgers expressed his de- light that the deputy first minister had accepted the invitation to come to Scariff. “Over the years, the aim of the festival committee has been to develop a special relationship with the people of Northern Ireland at po-
litical, cultural and community lev- els, and each year we are delighted to welcome guests and acts from Northern Ireland. We are especially pleased that the deputy first minister is one of this year’s distinguished cuests,” he said.
Jeanette Ervine has also accepted an invitation by the festival commit- tee to come to Clare following David Ervine’s untimely death in January of this year.
The widow of David Ervine, late leader of the Northern Ireland Pro- gressive Unionist Party, will present a trophy named in his memory to the Young Angler of the Festival. The church concert this year featured multi-platinum singer/composer
Liam Lawton on Friday.
The star of the open air concert on Sunday was Derry folk singer, Cara Dillon who has recorded three successful albums with fellow band member, Sam Lakeman.
Saturday was Family Fun Day in the GAA Park and the younger fam- ily members were particularly happy being entertained with bouncy cas- tles, the Conor Lambert puppet show, a bungee rodeo bull, twister game, kiddies sumo wrestling, costumed characters, an airdancer clown, nov- elty races, nail and face painting.
There was music in the air too and the programme for the weekend fea- tured a mix with everything from jazz and folk to traditional music.
Everyone who turned out agreed that it was wonderful that most of the entertainment was free.
Sam and Pat Hyland, who hail from Athlone, came down the river on a cruiser with their two children to en- joy the fun.
“We came last year and moored up at the harbour,” said Pat. “We had such a good time that we made sure this year to organise our holiday so we could come here. There’s plenty for everyone to do and particularly for the children,’ she said.