About
Fri 13 – Sun 15 September 2024
Three days jam-packed with activities and events celebrating the abundant built, cultural and natural heritage of Portaferry.
Spread your wings and join us on Windmill Hill where Professor Alastair Ruffle will be using live video to present a 'Bird's eye view of the formation of Strangford Lough', showing how the ice ages created this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
'Drones, Stones and Ancient Bones' with archaeologists Liam McQullan and Lisa White is a presentation exploring the 5000 year old megalithic tomb at Millin Bay, just outside Portaferry. By using modern scientific research techniques we can get new clues about this puzzling monument, where these ancestors came from, how they died and even what they may have looked like! You can visit the cairn afterwards, where the archaeologists will be on site.
Theatrical recreations of 'The McCooey's' will be screened at Portico, celebrating the cultural heritage of Portaferry's famed Joseph Tomelty. His granddaughter Hannah will be in conversation afterwards to discuss his legacy and local historian Allison Murphy will lead a walk and talk special tour of remembrance, from where Joseph lived to where he now rests.
Maritime heritage abounds with boat tours on offer plus free rowing sessions available for anyone over the age of 12 to have a go at rowing in the locally-made skiffs. The RNLI station will be open and exhibitions across the town will tell the tales of 'Shipwrecks & Saviours on the Lough' and 'The Men that made Portaferry'. Or take a trip on the oldest recorded ferry route in Ireland, crossing the Narrows for over 400 years.
Slimy or crispy? Find out everything there is to know about the historic and futuristic uses of seaweed at Queen's Marine Laboratory or have a go at finding it and eating it with 'Foraging' sessions along the shore. Or visit Exploris and enjoy the new 'Under The Sea' experience.
Local arts collective 'The Loft Artists' will be displaying their paintings, prints and weavings of the natural landscape at Portico Arts and Heritage Centre, a beautiful piece of heritage it its own right with grade A listed architecture, fascinating local heritage displays and artefacts as well as a restored organ designed for everyone to 'have a go' on.
There's musical heritage, too. 'Sean Donnelly' is known as the 'real folk voice of Northern Ireland' and he'll be telling stories through song on Friday. 'Spring Break' will be rocking up to deliver 1980s musical heritage on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon sees a stomping celebration of Irish traditional music with 'The KIlkennys'.
Lots of Portaferry's heritage buildings will be open including the 16th century Castle and 17th century Templecranny. On Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm the 'Artisan Market' will be open in the restored Square, with demonstrations of heritage crafts like soda bread making and weaving as well as an enticing array of local produce to whet your appetite.
The Upper Ards Historical Society is providing a guided walking tour to find out more about the town's heritage buildings and the social history of Portaferry and there's something for the little ones with their very own Heritage Treasure Hunt.
With over 25 great events to enjoy, lots of activities to have a go at and the warmest of welcomes awaiting you, come to the tip of the Ards peninsula to explore our buildings, our boats, our beats and our banter – you'll be amazed at this wonderful place called Portaferry!
Check out all that's on offer and book your places for a fabulous weekend at porticoards.com/portaferry-heritage-fest."
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Free |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
