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.