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Sligo Bay RNLI to host Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival

Lifeboats News Release

The Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival hosted by Sligo Bay RNLI, returns from 19 - 21 June, sailing into its 16th year and bringing three days of music, entertainment and community celebration to
the heart of the local area.

RNLI/Aisling Gillen

Pirates Ahoy
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Organised by lifeboat volunteers, the festival celebrates maritime heritage and community spirit through traditional sea shanties and brings live
performances, family activities and cultural events across a range of venues.

Throughout the weekend, performances will take place in Harry’s Bar, Austie’s Bar, Fish and Bean, The Driftwood, MJ Ward’s, the Church of Ireland and at pop-up performances throughout the village streets, creating a lively festival atmosphere for visitors and locals alike.
Alongside the music, this year’s festival will feature arts and crafts activities for
children on Saturday, as well as educational talks, walks and discussions taking place around the village, celebrating local history and maritime tradition.

Sunday’s events will include the Blessing of the Boats and a commemoration
ceremony remembering those lost at sea from the village followed by the much-loved Pirate Parade — one of the festival’s biggest family attractions — where children and adults alike dress in pirate costume and join the colourful parade through the village. Weather permitting, a number of water-based races will also take place in the channel across the weekend.

Mark Ballantine, the festival organiser said the event continues to grow as a unique celebration of music, heritage and family fun along the Wild Atlantic coast: 'The Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival is all about bringing people together through
music, tradition and community spirit. We are hugely grateful to our performers,
venues, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who help make the festival possible
each year.'

The festival is expected to attract visitors from across Ireland and beyond, offering a welcoming weekend of entertainment for all ages while showcasing the area’s strong maritime and musical traditions.
For festival updates and programme information, follow the Wild Atlantic Shanty
Festival on social media.

Ends
Shanty group singing

RNLI/Aisling Gillen

Shanty Singers
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Children making Pirate outfits

RNLI/Aisling Gillen

Kids Arts & Craft Session
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RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Aisling Gillen, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Ireland, [email protected]

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Ireland, 087 648 3547, [email protected]

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Ireland, 087 125 4124, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Aisling Gillen
Lifeboat Press Officer, Sligo Lifeboat Station

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