Danny Boy Festival programme finalised

The Festival kicks off on Thursday with the Western Education and Library Board Schools' Concert at 7.30pm in Limavady High School. Pupils from St Mary's, Limavady Grammar and the High School are participating along with the WELB Junior String Orchestra.

Later at 8.30pm, the Folk and Culture Night will take place in the Alexander Arms with traditional music, dancing and a few surprises!

On Friday local bands Basement Harmonix, Bleeding Saints, Bettylee and the Blonde, We Are Burke's Lounge and Silver Theory will battle it out for first place in the Danny Boy Rox competition, taking place at The Lair, Limavady Football Club. FURLO and last year's winners Stonecrow will also be performing at the event which starts at 9pm. Entry is 5 at the door.

Saturday is a busy day with the Festival Gala Day taking place. At 12.30pm the Childrens' Fancy Dress Competition will be judged with prizes for the Funniest Costume, Best Homemade Costume and Best Character from a Film. At 1pm Classic Cars, Floats and Danny Boy Premium Irish Whiskey's DeLorean will follow a circuit around the town and end up in the Council Car Park where prizes will be awarded to both the Floats and the Fancy Dress participants. There will also be balloon modelling, face painting and a bouncy castle for the youngsters to enjoy.

That evening the Country and Western Evening is taking place in the Drummond Hotel, Ballykelly. You can remember all your old favourites in the company of Gene Fitzpatrick and friends. Music will be provided by Borderline with acts Billy McFarland, Kenny Archer and the Clinton Sisters. Tickets priced at 7.50.

Sunday, the final day of the festival, begins with a 5k fun run for all ages and abilities on Benone Beach. It starts at 1.30pm and registration is at the beach entrance.

The fun continues at the Green Lane Museum between 2pm and 4pm with an afternoon of Traditional Music, Song and Verse. Helen Mark from BBC NI will also be there to launch Mary Hayward's new book 'From Glen to Glen'.

The whole festival is rounded off by the Danny Boy Premium Irish Whiskey Festival Finale. The Furey Brothers and Davey Arthur will be performing at the Radisson Roe Park Hotel with support from Eilidh Patterson. Fans of the band range from the neighbours they grew up with in Ballyfermot to top sports people and politicians of the world. The evening starts at 8.30pm and should include memorable hits like 'When you were Sweet Sixteen' and 'The Green Fields of France'. Tickets priced at 10.

Further details and information are available on www.dannyboyfestival.com or by contacting the Culture, Arts and Tourism Department on 02877760304. All tickets are available from the Tourist Information Centre.

Details correct at time of going to press. Events may be subject to change, cancellation or amendment due to unforeseen circumstances.