Arches Festival 2022

Saturday 11th June

Gykhana – Dunmore Park – 10AM

Trophies and/or cups are available for all classes and we are extremely grateful for all existing and new sponsors.

Tophies donated by – O’Connor, Kennedy, Turtle Chartered Surveyors, Northern Bank, Hugh McManus & Sons, McGroggan Ice Cream, Connell Hill Riding Centre, R.J. Cunningham, Flo Gas, E.D. Ingram, Samuel Getty, Mulholland Motors, IB Freight, McKeown Jewellers, Paul & Avril Glass, William Burns, Brian Kerr, Top of the Town Bar, Stewarts Property Sales, Sam McAteer, McCavana Timer Frame Homes, Sharon Graham Opticians, McKenzie Removals, Old Bleach, Mountview Equestrian Centre, Ross Lodge Saddlery, R.Colvin & Sons, Robin Rainey & Sons, H.H. Graham & Sons (Bellaghy)

Dog Show – Dunmore Park – 12noon

We are grateful to Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary as they continue to host our festival Dog Show. There will be many categories to enter, all for fun, with all proceeds from entries going to the Animal Sanctuary. Entries will be taken on the day.

Entries: £4.00 per category.

 

Friday 17th June

Family Ramble – Grand Entrance, Shanes Castle Estate – 7PM

After the resounding success from last year’s ramble, we are delighted to run the Family Ramble again. Get your walking shoes on and enjoy the wonderful setting and great scenery of Shanes Castle Estate during an energetic ramble through the grounds.

Please wear sensible footwear and appropriate clothing depending on weather conditions.

Admission: Free

Meet at Grand Entrance, Shanes Castle Estate. **NO DOGS PLEASE**

Kindly organised by Graham Seymour & volunteers from Maine Rambling Club.

 

Monday 20th June

Walking Treasure Hunt – Scout Hall – 6:30PM

The Scout Group is again organising this popular event which will take you around the town following a list of clues, some easy, some not so easy. A great fun event!

Charge: Adults £3.00 Secondary School Children £2.00 Primary School Age Children £1.00

Light refreshments and presentation of prizes afterwards in the Scout Hall.

 

Tuesday 21st June

Senior’s Afternoon Tea Dance- John Street Car Park – 2PM

Due to the risks involved with Covid, we are staying a little closer to home this year.

We invite you to enjoy an afternoon with us in large marquee in John Street Car Park complete with entertainment, dancing and afternoon tea.

Tickets will be on sale from the start of June at McManus Hardware and Randalstown Pharmacy.

Tickets – £10.00 non-refundable

STRICTLY – AGED 60 & OVER. By Ticket Only.

Hopefully we will be on the road again next year!

Family Fun Cycle – Grand Entrance, Shanes Castle Estate – 7PM

This popular event is suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities as all can ride at their own pace. The ride will start from within the Grand Entrance and will follow a designated route through Shanes Castle Estate.

This year, there is also optional fancy dress with prizes up for grabs:

Best Dressed Family – Meal voucher for 4 and entry tickets to local attraction

Best Dressed Adult – £50

Best Dressed Child – £50

Please have your bikes checked / serviced well before the event!

NB: – We regret that due to conditions on certain sections of the route, it is not suitable for children’s bicycles with stabilisers. We encourage the wearing of cycle helmets for this event and advise caution when riding on the public highway. Parents/guardians are responsible for children taking part in this event.

 

Wednesday 22nd June

Duck Race- Weir to Viaduct Bridge – 7PM

The Duck Race is a major source of income for the Festival that enables us to provide the week’s festivities at a minimum cost to the community of Randalstown and district. Please give us your support by purchasing a duck (or more!!!) from participating retailers. Ducks cost £1 and will be on sale in the town from the beginning of June.

Look out for the posters!! Please note that ducks will not be on sale on the night.

Duck Race Prizes

1st – £75, 2nd – £50, 3rd – £30, 4th – £25, 5th – £20. Also 5 spot prizes of £10

Celtic Thistle Solo Bagpipe Championship – John Street Car Park – 6:45PM

The Celtic Thistle Solo Piping Championship offers young, talented solo pipers the opportunity to gather some useful competitive experience and at the same time the chance to explore some of the festival highlights.

Playing requirements for the Championship:

Group C – The Ground and Singling or variation of an own choice Piobaireachd plus a Freestyle Medley, own choice; not exceeding 12 minutes maximum.

Novice Group – Four parts of 2/4 March (or 2×2 part March)

Market, Games & Concert – John Street Car Park – 7PM

Come along and visit our market featuring food, gifts, homewares, art and crafts made locally by local people! There will be a festive and community atmosphere with a variety of traders.

There will also be plenty of amusements and rides, face painting, hula hooping, walkaround acts and many more exciting things to see and do. We are pleased to welcome back McMullan’s Mobile Farm who will introduce you to some cuddly and interesting animals.

The outdoor concert will showcase a variety of talent from the staff and students at The Music Rooms.

Admission FREE

Fiddle & Five Strings – Randalstown Bowling Club – 7PM

Enjoy an evening of entertainment featuring local legend Geoff Murray and if his busy schedule permits, we will have a guest spot from the man with the golden trumpet Billy McFarland.

Entry on the door £2.50

Proceeds: Alzheimer’s Society

Thursday 23rd June

Denis Sweeney Memorial Music Session – O’Kanes Bar – 9PM

The Traditional Music Night will be held in memory of the late Denis Sweeney.
All musicians are welcome to come along and play.

Friday 24th June

Open Clay Pigeon Shoot – Connaught/Ballylurgan Road, BT41 2NX – From 3:30pm – last entries at 9PM

A 30 Bird Sporting Shoot will be held on Friday, 24th June, near the crossroads of Connaught Road & Ballylurgan Road (signposted); BT41 2NR.
Prizes for High Gun, Runners-Up and Pool Trap plus a raffle.
Fibre wad cartridges only.
Hot food will be available on site.
All proceeds raised will go to “Air Ambulance Northern Ireland”
Supported by “Country Sports Ireland”.
Kindly organised by Randalstown & District Game Conservation Society.
For further information contact:
07718 272013 or 07841233892