The Festival ‘officially’ opens at 7pm on Friday evening, when a lone piper will play on the Dorn Rock (in front of the flagpole, in the middle of the harbour, visible from any harbourside pub).

Back again for 2009 is our Friday Ceilidh in the Village Hall, kindly sponsored by 'Scottish Wind Energy'; 'Life O'Reilly' and "Belfast Folklore" will keep people of all ages dancing 'till they drop. A bar will be available during the Ceilidh.

This year’s Concert, in the Village hall on Saturday evening, features top Irish performers ‘Grada’. The band began playing together in 2001 and draw from a wide range of influences, which has seen them working with Dave Hingerty (ex Frames / Josh Ritter); Vyviene Long (Damien Rice); and, as a producer, Trevor Hutchinson (Lúnasa, Sharon Shannon, The Waterboys). Their sound is deeply rooted in the Irish tradition, but also layered with jazzy tones and strong rhythmic grooves. Think Irish music that‘s off the beaten track, blended with Americana, jazz, roots, and a diverse range of influences that, in the words of the Irish Times, “come together as if they were lifelong bedfellows.” Gráda are: Nicola Joyce (vocals, bodhrán), Gerry Paul (guitar, banjo, vocals), Andrew Laking (double bass, vocals, guitar), David Doocey (fiddle, concertina, whistle) & Stephen Doherty (flute, whistle, melodeon, piano, bodhrán). 

The band plays around 150 concerts annually in over 20 different countries - mainly in Europe and North America, but also in Pacific countries souch as Australia, New Zealand and Japan. They have just been nominated for "Best Young Irish Traditional Act" in this years Ireland's Music Awards. Gráda have released three critically acclaimed CDs to date and are recording their fourth in Nashville at the moment with bluegrass Grammy Award winning icon and producer Tim O’Brien. Festival organiser Harry Harbottle said "We are really thrilled to be able to bring Gráda to the Portpatrick stage. They are tremendous musicians, and are guaranteed to make the Saturday Concert a night to remember." For more information about Gráda, and to hear the music, visit their website at www.gradamusic.com. Grada will be supported by the band 'Venue I', and another act to be confirmed. 'Venue I' is an up and coming traditional band based in Belfast. The band comprises four talented musicians who came together in June of 2007 with a shared passion for traditional Irish music. The unique partnership of melody between Joe Murray (fiddle) and Austin Donnelly (tin whistle), and with the backing of Stephen Rooney(guitar) and Niall Quinn (Bodhran) who both are All Ireland champions, created a driving pace to the band's music, and a unique sound which is euphoric to the ear. Over the last year the band has begun to find its feet, and is evolving into a well known and enjoyed act. Venue I have played all over Ireland and have awed audiences with their energy, skill and enthusiasm for music. They are an act not to be missed. Tickets for the Saturday concert are priced at £8 adults / £4 Children / £FREE children under 5. A Bar service will be available during intervals. A bar will serve before the concert and during intervals.

Tickets for the Ceilidh and Concert can be reserved by email or telephone.

Evening gigs at the  Downshire Arms are late starts: 9.30pm Friday and Saturday.

Festival office: This year we have a portable office, just to confuse you. Look out for the traditional Gypsy caravan parked on the seafront between the Waterfront Hotel and the Putting green, or if we get bored maybe we will just move it a little? Tel: 07724 618855

Festival Special - We can now offer you our exclusively designed Festival Eco-Friendly, Re-useable Bags, made from quality calico and printed in two colours with the Festival logo,  at the special Festival price of just £3.00  - available from festival office or most village outlets, please ask.

Friday 4th September

7.00pm - Official opening of the Festival, piper Scott McCaig on the Dorn Rock

7.00pm ‘till Late - Sessions as dining tables are cleared.

7.10pm - late - Friday Ceilidh with ‘Life O'Reilly & Belfast Folklore'.

9.30pm ‘Failte’ - Crown Hotel - Free gig

Saturday 5th September

Afternoon - sessions inside and out, weather permitting

2.00 - 5.00pm - Free, Sessions with a view, Mount Stewart Hotel

7.00 - 10.00pm - Evening Concert, Village Hall ‘Grada’ plus support

‘Venue i’ and Exciting local talent 'Robyn Stapleton: with guests'.

8.00pm onwards - evening sessions start as dining tables are cleared

9.30pm - ‘Failte’ - Crown Hotel - Free gig

Sunday 6th September

7.30 am - brisk swim in the harbour followed by kipper breakfast, massage by person of your choice

11.30 am - wake up

Lunchtime to evening - sessions - as and when.

2.00 - 5.00pm - Free, Sessions with a view, Mount Stewart Hotel

Sessions:

As always, we welcome visiting musicians and ask them to join in the usual lively sessions. 

Many of our local hotels rely for their trade on serving family meals; therefore Sessions are likely to  start late in dining areas, please be patient!

Surprisingly, many of our Hotels also rely on selling beers, wines, spirits etc. to people using their bars – please respect this purely local custom and occasionally purchase a beverage during your session.

The Village Hall will act as a meeting place all weekend if the weather is less than perfect, and we are hoping to have an Open Stage on both the Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

The band began playing together in 2001 and draw from a wide range of influences, which has seen them working with Dave Hingerty (ex Frames / Josh Ritter); Vyviene Long (Damien Rice); and, as a producer, Trevor Hutchinson (Lúnasa, Sharon Shannon, The Waterboys). Their sound is deeply rooted in the Irish tradition, but also layered with jazzy tones and strong rhythmic grooves. Think Irish music that‘s off the beaten track, blended with Americana, jazz, roots, and a diverse range of influences that, in the words of the Irish Times, “come together as if they were lifelong bedfellows.” Gráda are: Nicola Joyce (vocals, bodhrán), Gerry Paul (guitar, banjo, vocals), Andrew Laking (double bass, vocals, guitar), David Doocey (fiddle, concertina, whistle) & Stephen Doherty (flute, whistle, melodeon, piano, bodhrán). 

The band plays around 150 concerts annually in over 20 different countries - mainly in Europe and North America, but also in Pacific countries souch as Australia, New Zealand and Japan. They have just been nominated for "Best Young Irish Traditional Act" in this years Ireland's Music Awards. Gráda have released three critically acclaimed CDs to date and are recording their fourth in Nashville at the moment with bluegrass Grammy Award winning icon and producer Tim O’Brien. Festival organiser Harry Harbottle said "We are really thrilled to be able to bring Gráda to the Portpatrick stage. They are tremendous musicians, and are guaranteed to make the Saturday Concert a night to remember." For more information about Gráda, and to hear the music, visit their website at www.gradamusic.com. Grada will be supported by the band 'Venue I', and another act to be confirmed. 'Venue I' is an up and coming traditional band based in Belfast. The band comprises four talented musicians who came together in June of 2007 with a shared passion for traditional Irish music. The unique partnership of melody between Joe Murray (fiddle) and Austin Donnelly (tin whistle), and with the backing of Stephen Rooney(guitar) and Niall Quinn (Bodhran) who both are All Ireland champions, created a driving pace to the band's music, and a unique sound which is euphoric to the ear. Over the last year the band has begun to find its feet, and is evolving into a well known and enjoyed act. Venue I have played all over Ireland and have awed audiences with their energy, skill and enthusiasm for music. They are an act not to be missed. Tickets for the Saturday concert are priced at £8 adults / £4 cchildren / £FREE children under 5. A Bar service will be available during intervals..

Life O’ Reilly continually delight audiences with their eclectic mix of the traditional and modern; from Burns to Beach Boys, from Ceilidh to Concert, from Norway to Southend.

Virtuoso musicians each, the sum is greater than the parts.

The band are:

Mandy Green - Guitar / Bodhran / Vocals; 

Colin Modrate - Whistles / Pipes / Guitar / Vocals; 

Alan Brown - Guitar / vocals / witty comments; 

Matt Hose - Fiddle.

Some or all of the following Friends are hoping to appear for at least part of the gig, and Alan might buy them a Pint (pigs might fly): 

Steve Dowling - Guitar / Bass / Vocals;  Gary 'Breagle' Martin - Keyboards / Vocals; Harry Harbottle - Percussion.

Robyn Stapleton. A talented local singer who made her debut at the age of nine for the Burns Federation where she received her first local award.

She was a regular winner of the Wigtownshire Festival’s Scots Song Trophy before moving on to Glasgow to study voice and piano with the Youth Academy of the RSAMD.  Robyn has been singing with the National Youth Choir of Scotland for 3 years now, celebrating their 10th Anniversary in London at the Royal Albert Hall.

Failte will be with us again this year, their fifth in succession, playing to a dedicated and enthusiastic audience at the Crown Hotel. Having toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe they are bound to delight with their lively mix of Jigs, Reels and Songs. The band play on both Friday and Saturday nights in the Crown Restaurant area from 9.30pm (non-diners welcome), and will also be taking part in sessions around the village – look out for and welcome them.