Ardmore gears up for annual summer Pattern Festival

The seaside village of Ardmore in Co Waterford will be the place to be this week as the annual summer Pattern Festival gets under way.

Having grown from humble beginnings in 2007, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the festival.

The ethos of the festival hasn’t changed over the years and remains “family free fun”, according to member of the organising committee Rosie Mansfield, who said people can expect a “truly high-octane affair”.

Running until Sunday next, the festival promises a jam-packed week of events. Saturday will see wildlife and guided castle walks, pottery demonstrations, farmers’ markets, Lego workshops and balloon modelling events take place, while Sunday will host the Ardmore GAA Olympics and a Wipeout Obstacle Course and Track Zorbing.

“Over 90 events jam-packed into our programme means that festival-goers will be spoilt for choice.

“Ardmore Pattern Festival is first and foremost geared for family fun. We bring world-class arts, culture, craft, heritage and live music events to our seaside Irish stage.

“Added to that is a tonne of kids’ educational and fun workshops, all free of charge,” Ms Mansfield said.

“The whole village of Ardmore plays host to events especially including our natural locations such as the cliff walk, boat cove and beach. Favourite events annually include fireworks over Ardmore Bay, art and pottery demonstrations, live music trail, animal exhibits and mind and body events,” she added.

The Ardmore Pattern Festival is no stranger to national and international star guests and this year will see singer Mary Black, Olympian Ronnie Delany, Aslan and comedienne Deirdre O’Kane attend.

www.ardmorepatternfestival.ie