Tag Archives: Portaferry

Event Registration

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Bonnie Babies & Cute Kiddies
Sherlock’s Youth Challenge
Little Star Of The County Down
Kids Got Talent
Dog Show
Crazy Hair
Gardening Competition

Registration for the above events closes at 8pom on Friday 15th July. You can register via the Gala website:

https://www.portaferrygala.com/registration-2022


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:-

Burgerfest
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/burger-fest-burgers-games-kids-activities-live-music-and-lots-more-tickets-369034641547

Taste Your Town
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/taste-your-town-bespoke-guided-walking-tour-of-food-drink-hospitality-tickets-367520211847

Wine Tasting (SOLD OUT)
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wine-tasting-supper-the-narrows-tickets-346313712637

Bingo Loco (Additional Tickets on release Friday 15th July)
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bingo-loco-the-portaferry-gala-fest-22-tickets-346327453737


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:-

https://athleticsni.org/Fixtures/Portaferry-10-Mile-Road-Race-and-Relay

Information on attending Gala Events

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A message from the Portaferry Gala Team.

All Gala events advertised as a Ticketed event; Tickets for these events must be purchased online via Eventbrite prior to the start of the event.

* This years policy is strictly No Ticket No Admission

* Please do not arrive and expect to pay at the gate. If you don’t have a ticket on the day then you will be required to purchase ticket(s) via a digital device on the day. To avoid disappointment please purchase your ticket(s) in advance.

* Next year we will be working towards all charged admission events becoming ticket only

The Reason for this are:

1. Reducing cash handling for all the Gala team
2. Volunteers (limited)
3. Stats & records of attendance for funders, our records and insurance provider
4. Some events have a catering element and numbers are required in advance of event
5. Capacity numbers and event managing
6. Covid (reducing risk)

REMEMBER NO TICKET! NO ADMISSION!

All Events that are advertised with Admission price and ticketed and as with all tickets must be purchased online (which is universal). The Ticket Service Provider WILL ADD a processing fee. We apologise for an inconvenience and appreciate your support and understanding in moving forward with the Gala in modern times.

Sizzling Summer of Events in Portaferry

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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.

Website: http://www.strangfordloughregattas.co.uk/documents/PSC22%2814%29.pdf

Portaferry Gala: 16th to 22nd July

Portaferry Gala Festival celebrates its Emerald Anniversary this year, running for 55 years.

This 7-day programme has events including the brand-new Bingo Loco, Burger Fest, Taste your Town and Farming Community Day.

New this year will be ‘Talk of the Walk’, following a map trail around the streets of Portaferry and discovering some street entertainment on the way!

Website: www.portaferrygala.com

Sails and Sounds Festival: 4th to 7th August

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.

Website: www.portaferrysailsandsounds.com

Comedy Arts Festival: 16th to 25th September

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.’

Website: www.porticoards.com

For information on all local events: visitardsandnorthdown.com

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

Covid-19 New NI Lockdown

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Northern Ireland will go into a six week Lockdown on Boxing Day. NI Executive Ministers met on Thursday amid growing concern about the rise of coronavirus cases in Northern Ireland. The Health minister said the restrictions will come into effect from midnight on Christmas Day, taking effect on the 26th.

Robin Swann said: “The Executive has probably taken its hardest decision, its most deep decision, in regards to how we have had to combat Covid-19 collectively. “We will be looking to a six week lock down where the message will be work from home, stay at home.

The agreed measures include:

Non-essential retail will close, including garden centres, click and collect services, and homeware

All hospitality will close, except deliveries and takeaway (Hotels will be able to remain open until 28th December to accommodate Christmas bookings)

Close contact services eg. hairdressers, beauticians etc will close

All essential businesses that will be allowed to open must close at 8pm for the first week of lockdown

No household mixing, except in an emergency

People will be asked to stay at home from 8pm – 6am for the first week of the lockdown

No changes have made to the Christmas bubbling system, which runs from the 23rd to the 27th of December.

No outdoor mixing with other households

Outdoor exercise will only be permitted alone or with members of your household

Elite sport will be cancelled during the first week of lockdown

Religious services can continue depending on a risk assessment

Number at funerals and weddings limited to 25. Receptions are not allowed

Christmas bubbling arrangements are still permitted, however people are being asked to limit their contact with others.


Full News Story can be read at UTV News

Full details of Coronavirus Rules in Northern Ireland at NI Direct


Please stay safe and follow Coronavirus and Social Distancing Rules. Ferry FM also broadcasts Coronavirus information.




Portaferry Men’s Shed

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Portaferry Mens Shed exists to address social isolation, promote physical and mental health and wellbeing, and, in our own small way, try to redress some of the social determinants of health.

If you, or someone you know or care about, is looking for an open and safe place to come meet people, participate in arts, crafts, hobbies and community projects, or just shoot the breeze and enjoy some craic and camaraderie, why not pop along?

We are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am – 2pm, and 7pm – 9pm at Portaferry Presbyterian Church Hall, opposite Portico. (Free parking available)