IN PICTURES: Fairy Thorn Festival, a weekend filled with sunshine, fun and entertainment.
The summer festival took place last weekend in Kilrea
‘The wee one 2025’ Fairy Thorn Festival in Kilrea was a weekend filled with sunshine, fun and entertainment. Kicking off with the Portna Summer Sessions on August 15 local musicians Conor Larkin and Fergal Smith got the weekend off to a flying start.
Saturday saw a fabulous Family Fun Day, Colour Run and Beat the Bell races keep everyone happy, followed by music in Kilrea Gold Club (Causeway Shantymen, Tiernan Heffron and Sean Quinn), plus Cillian Calvert rounding off the night in the Manor.
Sunday morning meant a Big Breakfast in the Marian Hall (thanks to Kilrea Camogie Club and Arbutus Catering). Then it was time for the toddlers to head to the Town Hall for two play sessions from Happy Days.
The weekend culminated in the senior 5-a-side soccer tournament at Craiglea pitch - winners were Chang’s All Stars. Earlier in the week Wednesday evening saw the primary 5-a-sides won by Ballerin Ballers, with teen team FC 67 emerging victorious on the Thursday night.
Andrew Hickey, Chair of Kilrea Community & Fairy Thorn Association said: ‘What a great weekend from start to finish. We were delighted to bring a short programme of events for everyone to the town - with old favourites and a couple of new ones added to the mix. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us - and we’ll see you in 2026 when our main biannual festival will run.
I’d also like to thank Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council for our funding award which we supplemented with donations from local business and fundraising events in the lead-up to August. A great effort from all involved.’