Scariff has that festival feeling

Newly crowned, Clare Junior All-Ireland Camogie Champions, received a rousing reception as set dancers battered the floor to the Tulla Céilí Band bringing Scariff Harbour Festival 2023 almost to a close.
Darkening clouds and squally showers had earlier threatened the enjoyment of the festival opening on Friday night when Monica McWilliams, Co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition endeared and captivated her audience at Waterways Marina, marking the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
Signatory of that Agreement, she was accompanied on stage by the Mayor of Clare, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG), Brian Treacy, newly appointed Waterways Ireland Western Regional Manager and Mike Rodgers, Chair of Scariff Harbour Festival Committee with Jim Collins as MC.
Undeterred by any weather threat, the festival was a huge success bringing thousands into the town and on to the streets over the four-day event. Qween Tribute band led by vocalist, Brian Keville was hugely popular while northern bands including The Logues, The 4 of Us entertained open-air audiences and the hauntingly beautiful vocals of Donna Taggart filled the local Church of the Sacred Heart.
‘Scariff Festival is back to full strength,’ said a delighted, Mike Rodgers. He paid tribute to the core group of organisers and the many locals who came on board over the festival week-end to ensure a fun and safe week-end for all.
The GAA Park was alive with screams of enjoyment and laughter as hundreds of children were treated to a huge range of fun activities with Toons & Balloons organised by Karena O’Brien, while endless young fans sought selfies with RTE’s Marty Morrissey when he co-hosted a Cookery Demonstration in the Fair Green with Ciara Brennan, fresh from her stall at the Mllk Market in Limerick.
Over 800 people visited the Chipboard People Exhibition telling the story of the old Chipboard factory in Scariff through the voices of eleven people, who worked there through the different phases of its evolution including Finsa. The idea, initiated and funded by EKO Integrated Services, Eugene Keane, CEO said ‘it was our way of paying tribute to all the employees of what was once the biggest employer in the East Clare area over many years.’
Professional genealogist, Jane Halloran-Ryan spoke at Waterways Marina about east Clare families in New Haven, Washington DC, Detroit and San Francisco, American cities not best known as places where local families settled in numbers. Outside in the sunshine Waterways Boat Tours moved gently down the Scariff River towards Lough Derg and taster sessions for young kayakers brought the river to life.
Over 150 people attended outdoor mass at the historic Mass Rock in Cappabane on the Slieve Aughty uplands where mass was celebrated in secret during the period of repression of Catholic worship in the late 17th century. A guided loop walk over similar territory provided spectacular views of Lough Derg.
Craft and artist’s stalls filled the Fair Green, the duo circus act, Jim and Dr Nick thrilled the audiences young and old, buskers added to the atmosphere of summer fun, while scouting capers and art workshops gave huge enjoyment to those who participated and those who watched, ending another very good year of Scariff Harbour Festival.

Marie McInerney and Doris Scanlan at the official opening of “Chipboard People – Images & Stories of a Rural Manufacturing Industry” as part of the Scariff harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

Anne Jones, Exhibition Curator, addressing the gathering at the official opening of “Chipboard People – Images & Stories of a Rural Manufacturing Industry” as part of the Scariff harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

Niall Caffrey, EKO Chief Operating Officer, addressing the gathering at the official opening of “Chipboard People – Images & Stories of a Rural Manufacturing Industry” as part of the Scariff harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

Seamus Shinnors, Charlie O’Connor and Tom Fahy discussing times past at the official opening of “Chipboard People – Images & Stories of a Rural Manufacturing Industry” as part of the Scariff harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

Monica McWilliams, Co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, Signatory of the Good Friday Agreement and Emeritus Professor at Ulster University, arrives at the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

Monica McWilliams, Co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, Signatory of the Good Friday Agreement and Emeritus Professor at Ulster University, chattring with Mayor of Clare, Cllr Joe Cooney, at the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

Monica McWilliams, Co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, Signatory of the Good Friday Agreement and Emeritus Professor at Ulster University., is taken by Mayor of Clare, Cllr Joe Cooney to the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

MC Jim Collins speaking at the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

Mike Rodgers, Chair, Scariff Harbour Festival Committee, speaking at the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

TD Michael Mc Namara looking after his children at the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

Monica McWilliams, Co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, Signatory of the Good Friday Agreement and Emeritus Professor at Ulster University. speaking at the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Looking on are MC Jim Collins, Mayor of Clare, Cllr Joe Cooney, Brian Treacy, newly appointed Western Regional Manager, Waterways Ireland and Mike Rodgers, Chair, Scariff Harbour Festival Committee. Photograph by John Kelly

Monica McWilliams, Co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, Signatory of the Good Friday Agreement and Emeritus Professor at Ulster University. speaking at the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

Monica McWilliams, Co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, Signatory of the Good Friday Agreement and Emeritus Professor at Ulster University. speaking at the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

at the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

Monica McWilliams, Co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, Signatory of the Good Friday Agreement and Emeritus Professor at Ulster University. speaking at the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

Niamh Wiley and her daughter looking on at the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

A woman in the audience reacts at the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

Monica McWilliams, Co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, Signatory of the Good Friday Agreement and Emeritus Professor at Ulster University. signs books for Brian Treacy, newly appointed Western Regional Manager, Waterways Ireland at the official opening of Scariff Harbour Festival. Photograph by John Kelly

Fionnan, Killian and Conall Behrmann of Ballindereen tucking into some ice creams during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Lyra Power, one of triplets, in a paper craft class during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Mahon Power, one of triplets, in a paper craft class during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Wilf Power, one of triplets, in a paper craft class during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Katie Mooney of Ballina working on some 3D-Munchie-Mars-Shapes during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Lucy Whenday of the 10th Clare Scouts Mountshannon during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Ottie Vincent and Megan Hehir finding a good vantage point for the cooking demonstration, with National TV & Radio Celebrity Marty Morrissey, during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Tony Vincent of the 10th Clare Scouts Mountshannon roasting marshmallows with Alan and Ian Kelleher during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Nicky O Dwyer in her Metal And Mallet stall during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Ciara Brennan doing a cookery demonstration with a little help from RTE’s Marty Morrissey during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

RTE’s Marty Morrissey works the crowd while doing a cookery demonstration with a Ciara Brennan during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Bride to be Shonagh Martin, from Ennis, and her hen party paid a visit to the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Maia Little of Kilrush found a good vantage point in a tree for the Cooking demonstration, with National TV & Radio Celebrity Marty Morrissey, during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Ukrainian woman Eugenia Vartova from Kiev, now living in Bodyke, pictured during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

The lads look on during the Cooking demonstration with National TV & Radio Celebrity Marty Morrissey at the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Simon Langton catches up with Paddy Joe Mc Mahon during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Members of the audience taste the food cooked during a Cooking demonstration with National TV & Radio Celebrity Marty Morrissey at the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

RTE’s Marty Morrissey works the crowd while doing a cookery demonstration with a Ciara Brennan during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Anna Power of O Briensbridge with her dog Rosie during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Maria Gold of Whitegate browsing the shawls on display during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Lily Durrant of Caher got her face painted during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly

Aoibhinn Enright, Erin Downes and Aimee Ryan in the Seed Savers stall during the Scariff Harbour Festival Artisan Food and Craft Fair in the Fair Green. Photograph by John Kelly