Biggest and best Dalriada Festival coming to Glenarm Castle this summer
Last updated 27th Apr 2018
Building on the foundations of a ten year history of entertaining tens of thousands of families, the Dalriada Festival at Glenarm Castle has this year attracted a new headline sponsor and, with Purple Bricks support, the festival organisers are promising that this year’s Dalriada Festival will be the biggest and best yet!
On 14 and 15 July the stunning surrounds of Glenarm Castle will be transformed to showcase a newly designed festival, the likes of which previous Dalriada Festival visitors will not have seen before. As well as being able to participate in a range of fun activities, there will be music, children’s entertainment and fine food to enjoy.
A first for Dalriada Festival - tickets entitle visitors to access all areas of the festival throughout the weekend. And this week only festival goers can avail of a spectacular discount if buying tickets before midnight on 1 May.
Fitness fans will be treated to the first fitness racing championships to take place at Glenarm Castle while last year’s highly competitive wife carrying championships returns. Straight from Disney Junior, the official PJ Masks, Catboy and Owlette, will be making appearances on both days of the festival as will the official Tractor Ted, who will be bringing his Real Life Farm to the event. The Co Antrim pipe band championships will provide the musical entertainment in the afternoon before a host of globally recognised artists take to the 3,500 seater main stage as dusk settles.
Performers include an eclectic mix of homegrown and international talent; Alabama 3, Hermitage Green, Matt Cardle, General Fiasco, Gareth Dunlop, The Electric Swing Circus, Runabay, Dana Masters, Ben Glover and Ryan McMullan – fresh from touring with Ed Sheeran!
Adrian Morrow, Managing Director, Glenarm Castle, said: “The Dalriada Festival is a firm fixture in the summer festival calendar and while we welcome more than 30,000 visitors to Glenarm Castle during Dalriada weekend every year, this year we wanted to make the Dalriada Festival more accessible to all and that’s why we’ve introduced one ticket that permits entrance to all the attractions including our ‘big top’ music stage. We are grateful to Purple Bricks and all our partners who have assisted in our vision to completely redevelop the festival and make it relevant for 2018.”
Stephen Duncan of Purplebricks said: “Synonymous with summer, the magnificent Dalriada Festival’s commitment to the local community and its economy is the perfect fit for Purple bricks ethos of giving back to and fully supporting local community events. We are proud and delighted to be involved with this fantastic festival.”
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Paul Reid, said: “The Dalriada Festival has grown to be a truly world-class event, drawing thousands of visitors to our Borough.
“This year’s festival promises to be the best yet, with an incredible entertainment offering for all ages to enjoy.
“Our top priorities in Mid and East Antrim are growing tourism and the economy, and Council is delighted to support what will be a superb weekend of activities in Glenarm for all the family.
"Huge congratulations to all of those behind the Dalriada Festival. Their hard work and dedication is to be commended.”
Tickets for Dalriada Festival are now available from here.
Dalriada Festival continues in Glenarm from 16 to 21 July with fun filled activities for the community to participate in every evening; sporting events from a 5km challenge to a triathlon and a grand finale raft race, BBQ and fireworks display.
There is also a free to attend concert with Lisa McHugh and guests at Glenarm Marina.