Date/Time
Date(s) - 23/04/2013
12:00 am

Location
Glenarm Castle
2 Castle Demesne
Glenarm

BT44 0BQ

United Kingdom

It was a case of let the games begin as Glenarm Castle officially launched their world famous Highland Games at Glenarm Castle today, Thursday 23rd May.

The games will take place on 13th – 14th July 2013 and will officially open Northern Ireland’s Premier Cultural event, the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival in partnership with UTV, 13th-20th July 2013.

Now in its 15th year, the Highland Games will see teams from Ireland and Scotland have their strength, passion and pride tested to the extreme! Visitors will watch in awe as the teams battle to take home the coveted title of Highland Games champions 2013.

Northern Ireland’s own UK strongman Glenn Ross will help lead the McDonnell clan into action against their returning Scottish opponents which will, this year, include representatives from the famous Campbell Clan in a heated Tug-o-War competition.

 Visitors to the Highland Games will not only have the opportunity to watch strongmen battle it out but, over the two days, enjoy fine food, watch celebrity chef’s –  Paul Rankin, Paula McIntrye and Ian Orr, be entertained by Irish music and dance sensation Celtic Dream plus check out the world’s only sheep fashion show, chic sheep. Also, Sunday 14th July will see country ‘strongman’ Nathan Carter take to the stage with an incredible support line-up.

Looking forward to this year’s festival Adrian Morrow, Glenarm Castle Estates Managing Director, said;

“ We are delighted to officially launch the Highland Games, as part of the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival, today at Glenarm Castle and we look forward to welcoming back all our Scottish friends in what is guaranteed to be an exhilarating two-day event.  We will also have lots of other activities for all the family including fine foods, music, dancing, kids activities and crafts, and due to public demand, our famous sheep fashion show will return following its huge success last year. We look forward to welcoming visitors old and new – whatever the weather. We fully appreciate the support of our key sponsors P&O, UTV and NITB as without their support the Festival wouldn’t be what it is today.”

Glenarm village also has a role to play in the Festival with events including the Glenarm Village Auld Hirin’ Fair on 15th July, Dalriada Wipeout on Tuesday 16th July and the Super Endurocross at Old Glenarm Quarry on 18th July – to name but a few! If this isn’t enough the festival will close in spectacular fashion on Saturday 20th July with a colourful fireworks finale and activities including a teddy bear’s picnic and rowing regatta.

Arthur Murphy from P&O Ferries, said:

“P&O Ferries is proud to continue its support for the Dalriada Festival with its unique celebration of the shared cultural and historical links between Ireland and Scotland.  Each year the line-up surpasses all expectations with its exciting mix of sporting entertainment, musical headline acts, culinary household names and community fun!”

“P&O Ferries has been bringing the nations of Ireland and Scotland together for many many decades and as operators of the shortest, fastest and most frequent crossings between them we look forward to welcoming on board the many visitors coming to the Festival this summer.”   

Michael Wilson, Managing Director, UTV said:

“UTV has been part of the local community here for more than 50 years and is proud to join forces once again with the P&O Dalriada Festival to celebrate all that is good about culture in Northern Ireland with special emphasis on music, food and sport and of course our strong links with Scotland. We look forward to capturing the essence of these festival activities on TV and online for all our viewers.

Eddie Rowan, from NITB, said:

“We are delighted to once again support the P&O Dalriada Festival.With a large numbers of spectators expected to attend across the week, events such as the Dalriada Festival bring domestic and international spectators to spend time in Northern Ireland.  The financial benefit that these visitors bring is important for stimulating growth and delivering economic value to many sectors of the local economy.

On behalf of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board I would like to wish all visitors and participants a very enjoyable trip to Northern Ireland and to Glenarm Castle for this action packed week of events.”

Visitors to the Highland Games can pay at the gate Adults £10, Snr £7.50, children (12-16) £5 and children under 12 FREE. Tickets for Nathan Carter are available at www.ticketmaster.ie. Further information on the festival can be found at www.dalriadafestival.co.uk.