Salmon and Whiskey Festivalorganisers say thank you!

The festival was based on the success of two products from the area on the banks of the River Bush - salmon and whiskey. The event celebrated the local culture, heritage and produce and delivered something for everyone.

The event highlighted the journey of the fish of knowledge to its final spawning ground in the Bush and over 400 years of whiskey distilling. There was traditional and world music, art events, workshops, exhibitions and tours showcasing the local culture and heritage and the impact that the industries had on local community cohesion, community life, folk lore, music and heritage as well as fun activities.

A cookery demonstration took place in the Bushmills Inn by celebrity cook Paula McIntyre and a competition based on the Great British ‘bake off’ was hosted by The Distillers Arms which brought our local food culture into play. The festival events took place at various sites throughout the village - on open stages, in church halls, the hostel, and local business premises. Sir Malcolm Macnaghten opened Dundarave for the first time for viewing.

“The Festival provided an opportunity to tell the good news story of Bushmills, improve relationships within Bushmills and beyond, it was inclusive of both local people and visitors, and built on the recent exciting Olympic torch relay event and the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations,” said Cllr Sharon McKillop, secretary of the Bushmills Traders’ Association.

“There is a future possibility to forge links with the UK City of Culture Celebrations.”

Man event organisers Cllr Sharon McKillop and Jamie Laverty along with Festival Steering Group Members (Ian Marr, Ken Parkes, Art Ward, Sgt Lorraine Connor, Codie Murray, Denise Drummond, Bob Hedley, Alan Summers (Bushmills Forum), Diane McKay, Gary Stewart and Leanne Abernessy) have expressed their thanks to the main sponsors:

Ulster Scots, National Trust, Ballyness Caravan Park, Bushmills Inn, Moyle District Council, Flash in the Pan and Bayview.

All money raised at the Masonic and Distillers Arms has been very generously donated to the The Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival Funds.

They also thanked all member traders of the Bushmills Traders’ Association and special thanks to Florence McAfee, Barbara Neill, Nichol McKeeman, Karl McKillop, Craig McKillop, Tyrone McKillop, Carol Freeman and Chris Freeman who helped raise funds for the event.

Thanks to Dunseverick Community Association, Bushmills Community Association, The Forum, Coastal Rescue team and the many other individuals who assisted with stewarding.

National Trust, Ballymoney Community Resource Centre, Dervock & District Community Association and Dunluce School for the loan of equipment and use of car park; McConaghie Refrigeration Transport and Oliver Transport, Coleraine Borough Council and Ballymoney Borough Council for their help in providing the entertainment stages/steps and transport of same; Bushmills RBL, BREF, Bushmills Community Association, St Mary’s Chapel, Bushmills Orange Lodge, Masonic, Bushmills Presbyterian Church, local organisations that held events on the day and anyone else who contributed to making the Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival the success that it was.

Apologies to anyone who may have inadvertently been omitted.