Festival celebrating 10 years

The harbour town of Scariff is building up to a huge ­celebratory crescendo this bank holiday weekend as it marks the 10th anniversary of the Waterways ­Ireland Scariff Harbour Festival.

 

Eminent personalities from the world of politics, literature, music and the arts have travelled to the East Clare town to be part of its vision to put Scariff, its community and navigable waterways firmly on the map.

Over its 10-year history, the festival has been marked by many highlights, among them was the opening of the inaugural event in 2003 by Mark Durkan of the SDLP and the late David Ervine of the PUP, in whose memory the Waterways Ireland Young Angler’s Trophy is presented in Scariff each year.

In 2007, Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, came to Scariff just months after the cementing of the historic agreement at Stormont Castle. The return of Edna O’Brien to Tuamgraney in 2010 was another momentous occasion for the festival, as it also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the publication of her first novel, The Country Girls. Her candid interview with UCD lecturer Declan Kiberd captivated the large crowd, who witnessed it at Scariff Library as Edna shared how much she was influenced in her writing by her native homestead. Other highlights of the past decade included the attendance of Nell McCafferty and Brian Keenan.

There were other firsts for the festival including hot-air balloons, spectacular 4,000ft skydives and many stunning performances from national and international singers including Phil Coulter, Brian Kennedy, Rebecca Storm, The Celtic Tenors and Liam Lawton, as well as the sound of Lambeg drums resonating in the East Clare hills.

It has maintained its colourful character with stilt-walkers, craft workers, circus acts, animal road shows, puppet shows and story-telling caravans, which have led to the family fun day becoming an abiding feature every year. Meanwhile, cross-border young anglers’ competitions, youth exchange programmes and currach building have also added to the memory bank.

The main stage on the Fair Green has also provided plenty of entertainment and attracted many well-known acts including Aslan, Mundy, Bagatelle, Brush Shiels, Cara Dillon and Paddy Casey. Irish traditional music has also remained prominent with acts from Northern Ireland such as Beoga and the Emerald Céilí Band, All Ireland Talent Show winners the Mulkerrin Brothers and a host of local, national and international talent all gracing the festival over the years.

The last decade has indeed been jam-packed with such a variety of events that, as the festival enters into a new decade, this year’s programme continues in the same vein as Mike Rodgers, chairman of Scariff Harbour Festival committee, outlines.  “Despite very difficult economic times, we have been able to put together a spectacular programme, which includes many of the festival staple events but this year, to mark our 10-year milestone, we welcome former rugby international Trevor Ringland, author and son of Edna O’Brien, Carlo Gebler, rock singer Jack L and we introduce the inaugural Queen of the Waterways event,” he said.

The 15 contestants for Queen of the Waterways will cruise up the Scariff river on Friday evening in advance of the festival ­opening, which will be conducted by ­Belfast-based solicitor sportsman and peace promoter Ringland.

Co-ordinator of the event and festival committee member, Karena O’Brien, explained that the Queen of the Waterways is a colourful addition to the festival programme and has received an extremely positive response.

“It is about personality, confidence and showcasing our community and it is not a talent competition,” she said.

Queen of the Waterways contestants will be introduced at the festival’s opening ceremony by master of ceremonies, Jim Collins. The candidates will have selected duties and interviews throughout the weekend before their final public interview, which will be conducted by former RTÉ presenter Ciana Campbell on the main festival stage at the Fairgreen on Sunday at 6pm. This will precede one of the festival’s main highlights – Jack L’s concert.

This year’s festival runs from Thursday August 2 to Sunday August 5.