This year’s Summer Festival will run from 5th – 23rd August and, as always, it promises to be even better than before.
We have retained many of the popular events from previous years including last year’s highly successful Horse Relay on the beach and “The Man From Strabane” Hugo Duncan will also be returning. There will be something for everyone – local history, help with new technology, thrills and spills on two wheels and four, music from Percy French to the return of the Party at the Pier – the list goes on.
All worth waiting for and get out an about and support your local festival.
The festival is brought to you by Donaghadee Community Development Association with the grateful support and funding from Ards and North Down Council.
| Throughout the Festival | Town Walking Tour
Donaghadee Tour Guides Kelly’s Steps, Harbour |
Meet at 2pm each day for a conducted tour of aspects of Donaghadee’s rich history and heritage |
| Throughout the Festival | Call the Ambulance
North Down Museum Library |
An exhibition at the Library showing how ambulance drivers became paramedics and detailing some of the highs and lows of the crews during The Troubles. |
| Saturday
5th August |
Lifeboat Day
RNLI Support Group Harbour Area |
A full day of activities and stalls on the harbour, an opportunity to visit the lifeboat and lighthouse, an RNLI exercise at 11am and the ever popular raft race at noon. |
| Saturday
5th August |
Skiff Racing
Coastal Rowing Club Slipway and Bay |
St Ayles Skiffs racing from 9.30am. |
| Saturday
5th August |
Military Display
The Army Marina Car Park |
Military displays including vehicles from 10am – 3pm |
| Saturday
5th August |
BBQ
Sailing Club |
A BBQ in the Clubhouse at 6pm to raise funds for RNLI. |
| Sunday
6th August |
Military Display
The Army Marina Car Park |
Military displays including vehicles from 10am – 3pm |
| Sunday
6th August |
Town Cup Sailing
Sailing Club |
Sailing in the bay area |
| 7.11,14 and 18 August | Nordic Walking
A&ND Borough Council The Commons |
A 4 session Nordic Walking course from 11am – noon each day. Ski poles supplied if required. 18yrs of age and above. Pre-registration essential. |
| Wednesday
9th August |
Hugo Duncan Live Outside Broadcast
Lemon’s Wharf |
Uncle Hugo returns with his show being broadcast live on the BBC from 1.30pm. |
| Wednesday
9th August |
Lets Get Digital
Go-on-NI Lemon’s Wharf |
Go-on-NI is offering free assistance for anyone wanting help with their smart phone, tablet or laptop. Simply bring it along and there will be an expert there to advise. |
| Thursday
10th August |
Classic Cars
MG & Morris Minor Car Clubs Harbour |
Sponsored by Ian Glasgow Car Sales. The MG and Morris Minor Clubs have organised a cavalcade starting from Mullaghbuoy Nursing Home at 7.30pm before driving round the town to the Harbour |
| Friday
11th August |
Cricket Challenge
Northfield |
Donaghadee Bowling Club have challenged Donaghadee Cricket Club to a game of cricket starting at 6.30pm. There will be a collection for cancer in memory of Brian Dunbar. |
| Saturday
12th August |
Children’s Fun Morning
Meadowbank SC Dorman’s Isle |
Full range of fun activities for under 11’s from 10am to 12noon |
| Saturday
12th August |
Coffee Morning and Craft Fair
Sailing Club |
Julie Maxwell has organised a coffee morning and craft fair to raise funds for the Sir Samuel Kelly Lifeboat Restoration Project. Event takes place 10,30am – 1.30pm |
| Saturday
12th August |
Military Display
The Army Marina Car Park |
Military displays including vehicles from 10am – 3pm |
| Saturday
12th August |
Fun for Kids
DCDA Lemon’s Wharf |
Punch & Judy Show, Magician, children’s disco and a range of fun activities for children starting at 12noon. |
| Saturday
12th August |
Craft Beer Festival, BBQ and Music
Grace Neills |
Activities get underway at 3pm in the new Beer Garden. |
| Saturday
12th August |
Tom Blower Memorial Swim
Irish Long Distance Swimming Association |
A swimming event in the harbour at 4pm to commemorate Tom Blower becoming the first person to swim the North Channel 70 years ago. |
| Saturday
12th August Evening |
Party at the Pier
DCDA Lemon’s Wharf |
The Party at the Pier returns this year with local bands hitting the stage at Lemons Wharf. From Jazz Swing with the DEE Buskateers to some rock classics from FOREIGN AFFAIR. Starting at 7pm why not dance the night away on the shore front before the Fireworks Display at 10pm. |
| Saturday
12th August |
Fireworks Display
DCDA Harbour |
The evening closes at 10pm with a spectacular fireworks display on the North Pier. Viewing will be available all along the Shorefront. |
| Sunday
13th August |
Military Display
The Army Marina Car Park |
Military displays including vehicles from 10am – 3pm |
| Sunday
13th August |
Fun for Kids
DCDA Lemon’s Wharf |
Bouncy Castles and other fun attractions for children. From 12noon to 5pm. |
| Monday
14th August |
Rhythm and Rhyme
Library |
Rhymes, songs and stories from 10.30am – 11am for the under 4’s. (accompanied by an adult please) |
| Monday
14th August |
E-books, E-mags and audio books
Go-on-NI Library |
Go-on-NI is offering free assistance for anyone wanting to know more about these topics. Pre-registration at the Library essential. |
| Monday
14th August |
Video Games
Shore St Pres. Church Lemon’s Wharf |
Video Games for up to 16 children at a time on a specially built bus. Intended for children aged 8yrs of age and older. From 2pm – 4pm. |
| Monday
14th August |
Video Games
Shore St Pres. Church Church Halls |
Video games including a car drive game for older children and teenagers. From 7pm – 9.30pm |
| Tuesday
15th August |
Introduction to the IPAD
Go-on-NI Library |
Go-on-NI has organised a free 2 hour sessions from 10.30am for anyone wanting to know more about their IPAD. Pre-registration at the Library essential. |
| Tuesday
15th August |
Walking Treasure Hunt and BBQ
Rotary Club Sailing Club |
A fun night for all the family with a walking treasure hunt around the town (should last an hour) followed by a BBQ. Commences at 6.30pm. Tickets £2. |
| Wednesday 16th August | Autotest
Ulster Automobile Club Marina Car Park |
Sponsored by Lifestyle Homes a timed autotest featuring some of Ulster’s best drivers competing in a timed event in their custom built and prepared cars. Starts 7pm |
| 17th-19th August | The Streets of Donaghadee
Historical Society Methodist Church Hall |
A trip down memory lane exploring businesses and characters from the past, Help also available for researching your family tree. Open 11am – 6pm daily |
| Thursday 17th August | Aquathon
Peninsula Triathlon Club Sailing Club |
Sponsored by Harbour & Co. A 750m swim across the harbour and a 5k run. Register at the Sailing Club from 6pm. Wetsuits compulsory. |
| Thursday 17th August. | An Evening with Percy French
Heritage Preservation Co. Sailing Club |
The Percy French Quartet celebrate the songs and writings of Percy French. Event starts at 7.30pm Tickets £5. |
| Friday
18th August
|
Motorbike Trials
J Hagan Youth Trials Academy Lemon’s Wharf |
Sponsored by The Captain’s Table Young riders aged from 6 years of age to 19 demonstrate their skills as they take their motorbike over a range fo obstacles. Event starts at 7.30pm. |
| Saturday
19th August |
Ulster Scots
Community Partnership Lemon’s Wharf |
The programme includes Ulster-Scots music, historical reenactors, traditional craft demonstrations, Irish Dancing and children’s inflatables (free of charge). Children will also be able to make their own “bandstick” as used by the drum major in traditional flute bands. |
| Saturday
19th August |
Horse Relay
Gransha Equestrian Foreshore |
Sponsored by Pier 36. A horse relay race on the beach as teams take their horses over a series of jumps. Starts 3pm. |
| Sunday
20th August |
Artisan’s Market
DCDA Lemon’s Wharf |
Taking place from 10am – 5pm, the market features a wide range of local food producers |
| Monday
21st August |
Motorcycle Run
Marina Car Park |
Motorcycles old and new will assemble at the Marina Car Park from 6.30pm for a run round the Ards Peninsula before returning to the Car Park for supper. Entry £5 in aid of the Sir Samuel Kelly Lifeboat Restoration Project |
| Wednesday 23rd August | Dine at the Dee
Open House Town Centre |
A gastronomic tour round the Dee with courses at Slice of Heaven, Grace Neills, Harbour & Co and Pier 36. Tickets £55. Over 18’s only. |
