The first Irishman to climb Mount Everest Dawson Stelfox is among the amazing adventurers set to enthral audiences as the biggest celebration of Ireland’s coastal communities’ is set to kick off next month in Connemara.
Among Ireland’s longest running festivals, Connemara Sea Week 2018 celebrates Ireland’s coastal communities and their wonderful marine heritage while serving up a jam packed programme full to the brim with superb entertainment.
Kicking off on October 21, this eclectic, multi disciplinary festival celebrates the sea and will host a series of engaging, insightful talks on the future of the country’s coastal communities. The festival’s one day conference will explore the theme of sustainability, with a fantastic line-up of speakers hosting an insightful panel discussion. Dawson Stelfox became the first Irish man to climb Mount Everest over 25 years ago.
As the festival explores the theme of the quest for adventure, he will share his incredible experiences with visitors as part of a series of invigorating talks sure to inspire both young and old.
Joining Dawson Stelfox will be Galway man Damian Brown. Continuing with the theme of the quest for adventure, he will share tales from his trip rowing across the Atlantic. The two adventurers will be speaking in the National Park on Saturday October 27 at 2.30pm. Another leading expert on our ocean who will be talking at this year’s Sea Week is Simon Berrow who has travelled the world’s oceans studying albatrosses, seals, penguins, sharks, and more.
A passionate scientist and lover of Ireland’s natural heritage, he founded the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and the Irish Basking Shark Study Group. Simon will talk about the effect our ocean is having on whales, and in turn what they are telling us about the future of the ocean.This week-long cultural extravaganza will see a wide range of family friendly events taking place within the stunning surroundings of Connemara.
Visitors will be enthralled by the sensational visual spectacle of the mini boat regatta. Not to mention the spectacular ‘After the light’ parade; an unforgettable night of myth, magic and amazing creativity as visitors enjoy fabulous costumes, brilliant installations and magnificent fire sculptures.The annual schools programme runs throughout local schools for the duration of the festival.
Students get the unique opportunity to learn first-hand about Ireland’s marine history as marine biologist Dave McGrath, ecologist Gordon Darcy and director of the National Aquarium Noirín Burke share their all-important expertise.The festival will celebrate the very best of Irish traditional music with a stellar line up of some of Ireland’s most respected and celebrated folk artists.
The festival will bring together all of the country’s top traditional musicians, with the biggest names in Irish folk music offering up the very best the Irish traditional music scene has to offer. Among the music legends set to enthral audiences are John Spillane, Luka Bloom and Máirtín O’Connor.
Celebrating the magnificent artistic talents of the local community, the small works exhibition will see western based artists explore the mysteries of the sea with a superb showcase of original works of art. All work is presented anonymously and sold at bargain prices.
Connemara Sea week takes place from 21st-29th October within the breath-taking surroundings of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic way.
