Avast, me Hearties: There's a Pirate Day in Bantry on Saturday!

Avast, me hearties. Are ye ready for a bit of piratin' and carousin'? Well, the shores of Bantry Bay are lookin' most inviting this weeken', for the town of Bantry be having a Pirate Day on July 28th, with plenty for pirates of all ages and sizes to do! The more the merrier, they say, so all's we need to do is plot our course through what they're off'rin'! Pirates, Ahoy! A Pirate Flotilla will assemble at Abbey Point from 11 am with all types of craft flying the Jolly Roger before they visit themselves on the town. Crew, all dressed in pirate gear, will make their plan of attack, before sailing into the harbour, under the command of Captain Bantry, aka Whitebeard Seanie O Leary. The treacherous fleet will depart Abbey Point at 12 noon sharp and head for Bantry Town to be met by a water arc as they enter the Harbour View area. The flotilla may be in for a surprise, so the landlubbers say, as local children put up a fight to defend their town against invasion. Pirates Beware! By 1pm, (despite the children's best efforts!) there'll be real-life Pirates on Wolfe Tone Square, swashbuckling and terrorising the natives with balloons, juggling,and whatnot. If you're fit to handle a bit of pirate mayhem, Bantry's the only place to be this weekend. Learn to be a Pirate For anyone new to the pirating lark, there are plenty of chances to learn the ropes,with sword fighting displays taking place on the town side of the square. An Eye for Treasure If it's riches you're after, there'll be gold panning in the boules area at the bottom of the square (€1), where gold nuggets can be traded for pirate treats. Counting our Pirate Haul To help us break an Irish record, we'll be counting the pirates larking around the town on Pirate Day. Make sure you visit the Pirate Stand where every pirate attending will have their name added to the dishonourable roll of Atlantic Challenge Bantry Pirates. To qualify, you'll need to be dressed as a pirate with a hat,bandana or eypatch, and pirate vest/jacket/ shirt (DIY outfits count). Each official pirate will receive a "Bantry Pirate Brand" to show they have been counted Best Pirates: All Ages! Open to all, young or old, small or tall! Judging will take place on Wolfe Tone Square plaza between 2 and 3pm, and our roving judges will be keeping an eye out for the most swashbuckling and dashing pirates that happen past during that time. No pirate likes to be under the eyes of the law like that, but there's booty to be had, and the finest pirates will be delighted with their haul. And More ... There'll be a magician, face painters, balloon artists, a chocolate fountain, a snow globe, and water-zorbing, as well as free live music with contemporary Irish Folk band Shavers Only. The music will go on into the night, for every pirate that loves revelry and carousing, so make sure you're there! Don't miss out on Pirate Day! Bantry's the only place to put down anchor on July 28th. Pirate Day is part of the Atlantic Challenge Fringe Festival, so, for more details, follow the Atlantic Challenge Facebook page.

Food Fair

The Atlantic Challenge is in Bantry this week! 16 Crews, 320 crew, pirates, parties and FOOD!! The Bantry Bay Festival of Food takes place in the square on Sunday July 29th from 11 am to 5 pm. An Extravaganza of Food Featuring: Cookery Demonstrations Food Stalls Spit-Roast Pig Fresh Seafood Local Chefs As the Atlantic Challenge contest draws to a close, and after the pirates have had their revelry on the 28th, it will be high time to relax and enjoy the finer things in life. On Sunday 29th July, the Bantry Festival of Food, sponsored by Bord Bia, is bringing together foodies, chefs and food producers on the shores of Bantry Bay to enjoy the best of the great food West Cork has to offer. As you watch the curraghs, windsurfers and wooden boats in Bantry Bay, you’ll get to pick up tips from local chefs, and sample your way through stalls that showcase the best of Irish food. The festival features Cookery Demonstrations by Local Chefs Local chefs Pat Kiely from O’Connor’s Seafood Resturant, Henry Hegarty from Wokabout, Rachel Dare from Organico, Benoit from Lorge Chocolates and Caroline Moore from The Seaside Kitchen will share their ideas and expertise with you, and you’ll get to taste some great food too at their free demonstrations! Food Stalls by the Harbour You’ll have to choose between Dexter beefburgers, Thai tastes from Wokabout, pizza by Pizza Base, cheesy delights from Manning’s Emporium, Organico’s salads, The Real Olive Stall’s olives, fresh seafood and more! There’ll even be a spit-roast pig cooking over a smokepit barbecue courtesy of Barbecue Joe’s Pause for incredible artisan coffee from Cafe Mezzo, savour Mella’s amazing Fudge, or try fresh juices and smoothies from Hyacinth in Mallow. Did we mention Lorge chocolates, puddings from The Seaside Kitchen, and gluten-free snacks from Oasis Baking. You won’t go home hungry, and if you decide not to go home at all, you’ll get to enjoy the fireworks at 11:30pm, closing a fantastic 10 days spent celebrating all that’s great about West Cork.

ATLANTIC CHALLENGE PHOTOS

DAY 1 of COMPETITION PRESIDENTIAL VISIT & OPENING CERMONY preCompetition training

Atlantic Challenge Bantry2012 Presidential

 

Crews in Pre competition Training

Lightcraft is GO!

On Saturday Night the Lightcraft was officially switched on and will
continue to light up the inner harbour for the duration of the Atlantic Challenge.

Ruairi Deane of the victorious Bantry U-21 team started the count down
and Louise O'Donnell flicked the switch cheered on by spectators from the quayside.
Thanks to Ian Vickery for the fantastic photos.

Atlantic Challenge 2012 Event Descriptions

 

               

programme of Events Atlantic Challenge Bantry 2012

Full Programme of events

AC IRELAND: Atlantic Challenge 2012

AC IRELAND: Atlantic Challenge 2012

Bantry2012 Atlantic Challenge Programme of Events

national events guide tv3

CLICK TO SEE TEAM IRELAND IN TRAININGtu.be

TEAM IRELAND - CREW UNITE 7TH JULY 2012

Team Ireland "Crew ÚNITE" tRAINING

TEAM IRELAND CREW "ÚNITE" PRACTICE IN THE UPPER HARBOUR WITH THE SPECIALLY CONSTRUCTED FOR BANTRY2012 "LIGHTCRAFT" IN THE BACKGROUND

Programme of Events and Fringe Festival

programme_of_events_

ATLANTIC CHALLENGE EVENT SITES

View Bantry 2012 in a larger map

It started as a thought, a little bit of imagination was added

   -  the young school kids of the Bantry Bay area were asked to assist

lots of milk was drunk. milk containers were emptied, washed out and brought to school.

The response was fantastic with excess containers collected.

The army of milk bottle contractors met up with the man with imagination and from the first thought the "LIGHTCRAFT" was created

 Next Step: Call in the Electricians & Light it up