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Background and rationale
Launched in 2003, the annual Scariff Harbour Festival is an open-air, street-based event showcasing the many attractions and amenities accessible from Scariff. Its aim is to promote the leisure and pleasure potential of Lough Derg, the inland waterways and the East Clare countryside both among local people and visitors from further afield. The three-day festival, which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend, offers a varied programme of activities, arts, music and entertainment inspired by the “lake” theme.
Scariff Harbour, the festival’s focus, has recently been redeveloped and expanded by Waterways Ireland, a North/South implementation body set up under the Good Friday Agreement. Scariff now boasts a top-class marina facility for pleasure boats, anglers, sailing people and other water recreation enthusiasts. During the festival in 2006, the new Waterways Ireland regional office overlooking the harbour was officially opened by Minister Síle de Valera.
The festival seeks to highlight Scariff’s role as the “southern gateway” to the inland navigable waterways by forging a special relationship with corresponding towns in Northern Ireland to which Scariff is now linked through the waterways system and by promoting cross-border exchanges at the political, cultural and community levels.
As it enters its fifth year, the festival continues to develop and to attract ever-growing numbers of people.The festival offers a range of activities, events and entertainment highlighting the many attractions of the area and catering to all ages and tastes.
Boat tours of the Scariff River and Lough Derg have proved perennially popular in previous years with a seemingly never-ending demand by the public to get a chance to experience the river and lake firsthand. Canoeing and kayaking are also on hand for the more actively inclined. Angling displays and events, including a cross-border young anglers’ competition, highlight the angling potential of the lake and waterways. Walks are organized in cooperation with East Clare Way from the centre of Scariff, offering lake views and a chance to learn more about the history, culture and natural environment of East Clare. Local arts and crafts also figure prominently, with a chance this year to see displays of traditional craft-making.
The Scariff Harbour Festival prides itself on being a family-focused event. With this in mind, a new feature, the Family Fun Day, has been added to the programme in 2007. It will include Conor Lambert Puppet Shows, bouncy castles, bungee rodeo bull, twister game, kiddies sumo wrestling, costumed characters, airdancer clown, novelty races, nail and face painting rounded off with plenty of food and drink.
A festival is not complete without music, and once again the programme will feature a mix of genres from jazz and folk to traditional music.
Most of the concerts are free of charge and held on the Fair Green in the centre of Scariff. As each year, in recognition of Scariff’s special connection with the North, the programme will include a number of acts from Northern Ireland, including the Aughakillymaude Community Mummers from County Fermanagh and Belfast folk singer Cara Dillon. Full details of this years festival are now available by clicking on the picture below.
Scariff Harbour Festival 2007 Programme. Click on picture below for details
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