Welcome to the Portstewart Community Association Red Sails Festival 2012

 Sun 22rd July to Sat 28th  July Inclusive 

The Red Sails Festival takes place in the picturesque seaside town of Portstewart, Northern Ireland, approximately twenty miles from the world famous tourist attractions of the Giants Causeway and Bushmills distillery.

In early January each year the volunteer members of the Portstwart Community Association start planning for the week long community festival, which always ends on the last Saturday of July. In planning the festival the P.C.A aims to book entertainment and organize competitions/ workshops, which takes into consideration the interests of all sections of the local, province wide and overseas communities. Most of the entertainment and competitions are free, and most take place outside at the Crescent area of Portstewart. The P.C.A relies on donations/ sponsorship from local traders and the general public, as well as a grant from Coleraine Borough Council.

Jimmy Kennedy, whose song Red Sails In The Sunset has been an inspiration for the title for the festival, has recently become the subject of a biographical book entitled The Man Who Wrote The Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Published in November 2011 and written by his ex journalist younger son J.J.Kennedy the book is sure to become a work of reference for anyone studying the popular music art form of the twentieth century.

The committee would like to offer special thanks to Deirdre Gregg for her kind permission in allowing the Red Sails Festival to make good use of her wonderful photographs.

Community participation is an essential part of the festival. In addition to performances from local dance groups Rio Salsa and Irish dancers The Banshees, we have included various competitions and workshops. These include Junior Fishing, Fancy Dress, Sandcastle, Pavement Art, Battle of the Bands, It's a Knockout and Red Sails Got Talent competitions. Plus a Printmaking and African drum workshops.

This year we are planning to include a Health Roadshow on the last day of the festival. We are currently at the early stages for planning this. The Red Sails festival is now in it's thirtenth year and has developed a reputation as an excellent family event, providing a positive experience for both the local community and visitors alike. 

The P.C.A. would like to thank Coleraine Borough Council for their continued support, including the funding and organisation of the Spectacular Fireworks Display which brings our festival to a close, as well as the additional funding secured from D.C.A.L's Community Festival Fund. We would also like to thank all those who contribute to our many fund raising activities and make it all possible.

Project Manager, Red Sails Festival
Chairman, Portstewart Community Association