Giant Weekend of Free Family Fun in Warrenpoint

It’s only a matter of days before Fionn mac Cumhaill, the towering centrepiece of the Wake the Giant Festival, returns to oversee festivities in Warrenpoint, County Down.

Shoreside spectators can follow Fionn on his epic journey to Warrenpoint as he crosses Carlingford Lough onboard the Carlingford Lough Ferry. The giant scale Fionn will stop off at Rostrevor, Greencastle, Greenore, Carlingford and Omeath greeting visitors along the way. Accompanying Fionn will a flotilla of 40 boats with the assistance of the Carlingford Yacht Club. The spectacle is all part of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s anticipated Giant Adventures series for 2023.

Hailed to be the largest moving and speaking giant in the UK and Ireland, Fionn will disembark his sea vessel at Warrenpoint slipway at 2pm on Saturday 19 August. Ably assisted by his helpers, Finegas the Druid` played by Keith Singleton and Rozlyn Sheridan as`Oonagh mac Cumhaill’, Fionn will then lead the giant parade around Warrenpoint town.

Starting at the Giant’s Arrival Point at Old Town Dock, the procession will turn right onto Havelock Place making its way to Osbourne Terrace before continuing to Seaview. Entertaining crowds along the route, the procession will then turn left onto Queen Street, continuing to Church Street before turning left into the Giant’s Arena (Warrenpoint Square) for an afternoon of entertainment which includes the Thunderbeat Drum Exhibition and the Cool Kids Disco.

Following the procession, the sleepy giant Fionn will take forty winks, reawakening at 8pm for the Giant Street Performance, Enchanted. Warrenpoint will see the arrival of a large Scottish Giant to try and claim these lands for the evening’s Enchanted performance. However, with the help of the cast and audience local giants will gather in the Giant’s Arena to try and free Fionn from his sleep and the spell in which he finds himself.

On Sunday 20 August, crowds will be entertained by the Yew Tree Ukes Choir before Fionn once again takes to the stage for his second Giant Street Performance ‘The Hex Factor’ at 2.30pm. The giant’s cast return to finish off the challenge set the evening before at the Enchanted show. Audiences can enjoy duelling style musical performances pitching human musicians against the Faerie’s musicians.  Inviting the assembled crowd to join in, their role is to help protect the town from the spell that will see all in it drift off into a deep sleep.  With the exciting duelling guitars, flutes, and harps visitors and locals can experience some of Ireland’s best performers as they bring the giant performance to a close with classic songs of our times.

At 4pm Fionn will start his exit from the town for another year, leading a final procession around the town. The Giant’s Procession leaves the Giant’s Arena, turns right onto Dock Street before turning left onto Havelock Place. Continuing to Osbourne Terrace then Seaview, the procession will then turn left onto Queen Street continuing to Church Street before the spectacular giant Fionn leaves Warrenpoint on the A2.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte said, “This brilliantly created and crafted event is the perfect way for families to spend their summer holidays in the Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion. 

“It has everything you could wish for — giants, stories, theatre, musical performances lots of family activities and delicious food. It will be a gigantic feast for the senses so pick your spot along the procession route and find a pitch in front of the bandstand to soak up all the wonderful things this festival has to offer.

“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is especially proud this year that the landscape underpinning our Giant Adventures is part of the recently designated Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Geopark.”

During the festival Warrenpoint Municipal Park will be transformed into The Land of Giants featuring Giant Family Activities, a Giant Craft Village, Giant Workshops, and a Giant Food Village. Visitors can also take the Poetry and Art Trail around the Park’s exterior, stopping at each gate to explore the magic and mystical world of the giants.

While at Warrenpoint Park, don’t miss the fantastic line up of musicians billed across the two days performing on the Park’s bandstand stage. Incredible music from the likes of instrumental duo String Ninjas and The Unholy Gospel band and local man Stephen Rafferty is sure to add to the festival atmosphere.

On Saturday, the Casino Dixieland Jazz Band kicks off the musical line-up with their signature popular jazz style. They are followed by Ursula Burns, whose unique style on the harp sets her apart as an original artist who breaks new ground and explores the boundaries of the artform.

During the afternoon, fans of Anna’s Number will undoubtedly enjoy their eclectic mix of songs that have been mashed together for an unexpected setlist of groove. While Newcastle native, singer/songwriter Stephen Rafferty winner of the Youth Action Northern Ireland ‘Next Big Thing’ will bring his signature guitar vibe to the park at 3.45pm.

The honour of closing this incredible line up on Saturday goes to No Oil Paintings. Hailed by Hot Press Magazine as ‘One of Northern Ireland’s most exciting bands to emerge in recent times’, this alternative-folk band from Belfast will bring a mix of folk instrumentation and four-part harmonies to create their own brand of genre-bending roots music.

It’s the bands that will be rocking the Sunday session with sounds of folk, rock, and gospel courtesy of Wookalily, The String Ninjas and The Unholy Gospel Band. Kicking the bandstand off at 11am will be Mayobridge native Sophie Lennon from Junior Eurovision and BBC School Soloist of The Year fame. Compared some of the soul greats, Ria Maguire is next on stage where her soul-filled voice and songs will leave a lasting imprint with the crowds.

The afternoon’s set will include Wookalily whose awe-inspiring four-part harmonies, low-bowed double bass, flutes, trumpet, banjo and more will leave audiences wanting more. Belfast-based instrumental duo the String Ninjas, whose sound is as a big as their personalities, will then take to the stage at 3pm, bringing their unique blend of grooving, intricate fingerstyle guitar parts intertwined with virtuoso ‘Jimi Hendrix’ styled electric violin to get the crowds on their feet. Finishing off the Sunday session on a high is the Unholy Gospel Band, whose authentic American gospel, country, and rock music is guaranteed to get feet and hands clapping.

Visitors are invited to follow the Giant Food Trail and embark on an extraordinary culinary journey that celebrates the gigantic flavours of Warrenpoint. Each stop along the trail promises a unique and exciting menu inspired by legendary giants from folklore and mythology.

With so much on offer throughout the weekend, visitors are encouraged to make a break of it and explore more of what the destination has to offer. For the full festival line-up and further information on where to stay, eat, and for even more things to do during a stay here in the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion, please go to www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/giant-adventures.