While you’re out enjoying our coastlines this summer there’s a chance you might stumble across a seal pup resting on the shore. To keep them and yourself safe, keep these three rules in mind:
1) Keep your distance – getting too close to wild seal pups is dangerous, illegal and can scare off their mothers
2) NEVER try to pet, feed or move a seal pup. Many of the pups needing rescued by Exploris Seal Sanctuary every year would have been fine had they just been left alone.
3) Keep your dog on a leash – there is a risk of dogs attacking or injuring young seal pups
If you are concerned for the welfare of a seal pup, give Exploris Seal Sanctuary a call on this number: 028 4272 8062
What a great start to Gala Week. Thanks to everyone who came along to Burgerfest. A great afternoon of food, fun and activities was had at the Parklands. Thanks also to Johnny Reid for performing.
Happy Birthday to us. Ferry FM today celebrates its 27th birthday, having launched on 15th July 1995. Where has the time gone. Join us over Gala week for lots of fun and craic.
A number of Gala events are “Ticketed Events”. You must pre-purchase your tickets online. You will not be able to pay at the door. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite via the following:-
10 Mile Race The 10 Mile Race returns to Galafest 2022. You must pre-register before the race. You will not be able to register on the night. Please register by 14th July via the Athletics NI website:-
Portaferry Gala Week runs from Saturday 16th to Friday 22nd July. We’d like to say Happy Emerald Anniversary as this year marks the 55th Portaferry Gala.
Ferry FM will be broadcasting live across Gala Week as well as some outside broadcasts from events around the town so make sure to come along and say hello.
Ards and North Down Borough Council is delighted to announce a series of Council sponsored events taking place in Portaferry from July through to September. The collection makes the most of the town’s outstanding location, with wonderful landmarks and the beauty of the surrounding waters.
Narrows Series Regatta: 11th to 14th July
This Narrows Series Regatta welcomes over 140 boats to Strangford Lough. The Regatta launches on Monday 11 July with the Bar Buoy Race at the mouth of the lough and over the course of the event, spectators will see 13 classes of boats compete in a number of races.
Look out for Glens, Rivers, FFs, lasers, Dingeys and more! There will be other activities during the event and be sure to pop into ‘PAST’; Portaferry and Strangford Trust, which is featuring exhibitions on The Vikings on Strangford Lough and Paddle Boarding.
Visitors can enjoy sea kayaking, SUP, Rowing, Ruffian Boats competitions along with environmental talks, crafts, and demos of all things maritime.
Portaferry’s heritage will be brought to life through a variety of displays, talks and exhibitions including from the awesome Magnus Viking Experience.
The festival will showcase local food, foraging, live music, dance, Sea Shanty workshops.
This comedy event, part funded by Arts Council NI, runs across two weekends between 16 to 25 September and is held in the stunning Portico.
Kicking off the festival on Friday 16 September, is one of Ireland’s best loved comics – Neil Delamere of Blame Game fame, followed on Saturday 17 September by true life stories and poetry by the charming and raucous Owen O’Neill.
Earning over 60m fans on YouTube, Rainer Hersch’s ‘All Classical Music Explained’ show on Sunday 18 September, will be a comedic and musical spectacle for all the family!
The following weekend starts on Friday 23 September with a dazzling double bill of stand-up featuring Teresa Livingstone (The Blame Game, Soft Border Patrol, Late Licence) and Diona Doherty (The Blame Game, Derry Girls, What Happens In Ulster…).
Saturday 24 September is all dancing and all singing with the ever-fabulous Motown tribute group The Iconettes and their band The Hitzvilles.
Wrapping up the festival on the afternoon of Sunday 25 September, is a unique performance of silent movie with organ accompaniment. Leicester Square Odeon’s organist Donald Mackenzie will play an exciting live improvised score to Buster Keaton’s family friendly romantic comedy ‘The General.’
L-R: Brian Savage, Narrows Series Regatta; Dr Verity Peet, Comedy Arts Festival; Jemma Snell, Events Officer, Ards and North Down Borough Council; Patricia O’Neill, Portaferry Gala; John McAlea, Sails and Sounds
