Giant Adventures in Warrenpoint

GIANT ADVENTURES IN WARRENPOINT 20-21 AUGUST

Two school children from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council will be heading a motley crew in a Giant Adventure on 20 and 21 August in Warrenpoint to wake a sleeping Giant.

Nine year old Tegan McKibben from St Patrick’s, Newry and Matthew Murphy from St Malachy’s, Castlewellan will headline a ‘clamour’ of local children and community groups to wake a 32 foot sleeping giant in Warrenpoint Park as part of the Council’s Giant Adventure summer programme.

The school children were part of 600 strong group pupils from schools in Downpatrick, Mayobridge, Castlewellan, Hilltown, Newry, Warrenpoint and Rostrevor and Dromintee who worked with writer Declan Carville throughout June 16 to storyboard a magical adventure - based on the myth of a sleeping giant reposing on the Cooley Mountains.

The output from the children’s workshops formed the inspiration for a spectacular event which takes place over the weekend of 20 and 21 August in Warrenpoint.

On Saturday 20, visitors can enjoy live street theatre, entertainment and free children’s craft workshops to make Giant Feet and matching head pieces to wear when they take part in the ‘Glamour Clamour’ parade to wake the specially commissioned Giant snoozing in Warrenpoint Park on Sunday 21.

On Sunday 21, local groups will attempt to wake the Giant with music, loud noises and spectacular performances. The whole event will be coordinated and directed by a larger than life character - the Point Man - who will enthral and entertain the waiting crowds.

The event also gives the opportunity to highlight local food and drink at an Artisan Fayre at the promenade car park beside Bells Amusements throughout the weekend.

On both days Dock Street will be transformed in to a live music hub with the sounds of James Peake Experience, Motown Sensation, the Logues, the Professionals, the Nookes and local band The Shout, culminating with a spectacular laser show at 10.30pm.

Chairperson Cllr Gillian Fitzpatrick said: “This is a huge event to develop and we’re really excited to bring this new Festival to Warrenpoint, following many months of nurturing ‘big’ ideas. The investment in this new event will put the region on the map as an event state in a ‘gigantic’ way and draw new visitors. Once here they can experience the beauty of our water and mountain based activities, enjoy the local food and drink produce and the high standard of our hospitality providers.  

“It will give this stunning region a unique selling point - one which we can build upon annually to make Wake the Giant an unmissable weekend with significant national and international draw,” Gillian added.

Wake the Giant is a free event on 20 and 21 August delivered by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. It’s one of a series of Giant Adventures taking place over the summer including Skiffie International Rowing Event 24 August, Festival of Flight 6 August and Footsteps in the Forest, Slieve Gullion on the weekend of 26 and 27 August - during which magical creatures from across the region will gather for their annual conference and interact with visitors as they explore the forest.