This article is from page 18 of the 2006-08-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
LANDLUBBERS, water sprites and high-flyers will all have their tastes catered for in this year’s line-up for the Scariff Harbour Festival.
Locals and visitors will converge on the East Clare town over this coming August Bank Holiday weekend to sample a varied assortment of land, water and air spectacles.
For those who like to keep their feet firmly on dry land, there’s a 12mile guided walk of the Cappabane section of the East Clare Way or strollers can opt for the less-strenuous six mile guided walk, with prizes for identifying wild flowers along the way. Drawn tours of Scariff Harbour will be provided by a pair of beautiful Clydesdales or visitors can browse the arts and crafts and organic food stalls.
For those who want to run away and join the circus, the Galway Circus Project will conduct circus-skills workshops for youngsters participants aged 8-11 and for spectators of all ages.
Or children can explore their artistic talents under the expert guidance of Killanena-based artist, illustrator and teacher Julie Douglas.
Frank Moynihan, the Kerry-based author, broadcaster and chef instructor, will prepare tasty edibles that can be sampled on the day.
The water theme will be very much to the fore this year. According to Harry O’Meara, Chairman of the Festival Committee, “the lake and the river amenities are central to the weekend activities and are an important part of our community celebrations.”
On the opening evening of the Festival, five East Clare Communities will come together in a spectacular torch-lit, water-borne parade Riverside Park. Hourly waterbus tours of the Scariff River and Lough Derg are offered free of charge by Waterways Ireland.
High-flyers will have a chance to take to the air with Alpin-copters for a bird’s-eye view of the East Clare countryside, Lough Derg and Holy Island, weather permitting. Flights cost €50 but there’s also a raffle for a free flight.
Rebecca Storm is one of the music highlights, while there will be free concerts on the main stage on the Fair Green with Brush Shiels, Jazz Lite, the Fire Kings, Meat Loaf Tribute Band, Eoin O’Neill and Friends, Omagh Community Choir and the Emerald Céili Band.
The festival kicks off on Friday evening.