We kick off the night early with an intimate concert “Songs for the lifeboat” at the Church of Ireland Rosses Point. The concert features groups from at home and abroad – Friends of Folk, Buoys of Ballisodare, The Last Watch & Yesterday’s Men with Gerry Ffrench. Shanty tonsils will be limbering up for an 8pm start and all proceeds from the tickets (€10) go to the RNLI.

From 930pm onwards  the Local Bars have a full programme, where you can see shanties and sea songs from international and local shanty groups. This will be from 930 – 11pm in Harry’s Bar, Austies Bar and The Driftwood. Open mic starts in each venue from 11pm till late!

The Buoys of Ballisodare will liven up the Johnsons Court Shopping Centre from 1130am on.

Things take a literary twist at 1230 in the Marquee with the “Spoken Word”. Growing each year in popularity you can join local and other writers for prose and poetry on sea & “The Recitation”.

From 2pm to 5pm there will be music outside Austies/Harrys/The Driftwood and throughout the village weather permitting.

From 9 to 11pm Interntaional and local Shanty and music Groups will sing in Austies, The Driftwood and Harry’s. There will also be an opportunity for open mic afterwards in each. Don’t miss the craic as the village echoes to the sound of shanties!

At 3pm on Saturday, we are holding a festival workshop on “Singing Shanties” in the festival marquee. Come and learn a little bit about shanties and help us sing a song or two!

This is a traditional Rosses Point festival event which can be traced back to the mid 1800s. It’s a free-style dance open competition with a cake as prize. In association with the Cos Cos Dancers.

Kicking off the water events is the Channel Cup Swim. This swim sees swimmers start at Sligo Yacht Club and swim to January Perch which is located opposite the promenade before Tommy’s Island.

This race is truly unique and has something for everyone. It puts a team of a runner and a rower together in an epic race. Firstly, runners will start opposite what was Hackett’s bar on the promenade where they will sprint to the pier to the awaiting boats. There, the rower comes into their own as they row their runner to Oyster Island where the runner will then run around the lighthouse and back. Once onshore again at the pier in Rosses Point, the runner runs right up the pier where at the top they turn left for Beach Road then left on the Beach Road and down onto The Scenic Walk before coming through the finish line back at the pier once more. This year the GAYP Cup is in honour of the McGowan family which makes it an even more coveted event.

This race is held by Sligo Yacht Club which has a proud tradition of harbouring magnificent sailing talent. The race is from the Yacht Club around Oyster Island with a finish back at the Yacht Club. GP14s, Mirror dinghies, Lasers, Picos and other craft will take part in the race which sees young and old on the water enjoying the wonderful pastime of sailing.

A simple yet moving wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the memory of those seafarers who lost their lives from Rosses Point.

Sligo Bay Lifeboat Station has its open day where you can come and meet the crew see the station and hear of the work of the RNLI. They will also be offering free advice on sea safety.

Sligo Bay Lifeboat Station has its open day where you can come and meet the crew see the station and hear of the work of the RNLI. They will also be offering free advice on sea safety.

From 2 until 5pm there will be a selection of local and international shanty singers playing throughout the village. Come and join the fun

Pirate Invasion starts at Lifeboat Station, parades to village, stopping at Austies, Driftwood, Harry’s for skirmishes and disruption. Landing at Pirates Den, beside the marquee for fun and games. Dress in costume and join in! Fun for all the family!

Come and meet Jim Corr to learn about life and work on board a tall ship. Jim is a tall ship sailor of many years experience and talents.

Games and novelty events will take place in the main festival Marquee. Hunt the Pirate, Fortune Telling, The Stockade, face painting and more, all at the Pirates Den, beside the main Marquee. Come and check it out with your family!

There will be a short children’s drama taking place in the village centre Marquee which tells the tale of the “Pirates Last Stand” by “Time Travel Theatre” group at the Pirates Den.

This race sees two rowers working in tandem from the pier to January Perch and back again as they use teamwork and skill to navigate the channel.

An entertaining motor boat race, the Maugherow Cup is hotly contested each year. The rules are simple – any boat under 10 horse power can take part. Boats are handicapped in accordance with their engine size and speed. The course is from the pier, round January Perch and then the Metal Man twice. There is a sub category for boats that are four horse power and under.

Quack pot fun from the pier to Harry’s! This is one for the kids but also something which the adults will enjoy. Buy a duck and see it race down the channel and all for a good cause – the RNLI. Ducks will set off on their journey from the Lifeboat Station at the Rosses Point Pier and finish outside of Harry’s.

Well its the prize giving and finish of the official festival. Join us with all the International Groups for a final sing along of shanties to finish in traditional fashion with “Leave Her Johnny”.
As in other years the fun will no doubt continue until late in the night.