A summary of events for 2024 is outlined below – the soccer competitions will begin earlier in the week and Kilrea Library is running a number of Fairy Thorn-inspired events from Tuesday onwards.
For details on locations keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages where we’ll be providing updates until the day itself.
Tues 13 August
| 2.30 – 3.30pm | Fairytale of Kilrea Bunting Craft – Kilrea Library |
Wed 14 August
| Starts 6pm | 5-a-side Soccer Competition – Craiglea Gardens P7 in June 2024 and under – free to enter To register text Sean 07471 688 160 |
Thurs 15 August
| 10.30-11am 11am – 12pm 2.30-3.30pm | Kilrea Library Magical Rhythm & Rhyme with Fairytale dress-up Knit & Natter with Fairycakes Fairytale of Kilrea Bunting Craft |
| Starts 6pm | 5-a-side Soccer Competition – Craiglea Gardens U15 – free to enter To register text Sean 07471 688 160 |
Fri 16 August
| During day | Shop window competition judging |
| 4.30-6pm | Live Music – The Diamond |
| 6.15pm | Opening Ceremony – The Fairhill Special performance from the pupils of Crossroads, Kilrea and St Columba’s Primary Schools |
| 7-8.30pm | Guided Walking Tour – departs Town Hall ‘History in your Time’ |
| 7.30 – 9pm | Ulster Scots Exhibition – Kilrea Orange Hall |
| 8.30pm – late | Glitzy Glamour Drag & Disco – Golf Club* A night of entertainment courtesy of Glitzy Glamour, followed by disco until closing time. Sounds like a great night! Tickets £10 |
| 9pm – late | Comedy Night – Old Point* Sean Hegarty is in charge of proceedings, as we host a trio of comedians – Dave Elliott, Aaron Butler and Andrew Ryan. Tickets £15 |
Sat 17 August
| 7.30am onwards – runs across whole weekend | Golf Competition – Golf Club |
| 8.30-10.30am | Tribe-Fit Games, Tribe-Fit Gym, Moneygran Road |
| 10am – 4pm | Teen Outdoor Pursuits – Woodhall Outdoor Learning Centre Registered attendees only |
| 11am – 3.30pm | Children’s Enchanted Drawing – Kilrea Library |
| 11am – 1pm | Introduction to Bowls – Craiglea Bowling Green |
| 11am – 1.30pm | Family Fun Day – Marian Hall Including inflatables, face painting, magician, arts and crafts, festival games and more….. |
| 12-2pm | Art Exhibition & Participatory Budget Celebration – Town Hall |
| 2-4pm | WI Flower & Craft Show – First Kilrea Church Hall |
| 2.30-4pm | Vintage Rally & Beat the Bell The ever-popular parade of vintage steam engines, trucks, lorries, tractors and cars returns – a must for all the family. While Church Street is closed for the rally we’re calling runners of all ages to find out who can run between the Diamond and Church of Ireland faster than the church’s tolling bell? Get on the starting line for 2.30pm and give it a go as we keep this old Kilrea tradition alive after it was relaunched at the 2022 festival. Boys – U14 – beat 18 rings Girls – U14 – beat 18 rings Men – 14+ – beat 15 rings Women – 14+ – beat 18 rings |
| 3-7pm | Live music sessions 3pm – Kilrea Golf Club 4.30pm – Owenie’s |
| 4.15 – 6pm | Treasure Hunt – starts and ends Town Hall Back by popular demand – a firm family favourite. |
| 9pm – late | Live music – The Manor* More Power to your Elbow return after their sell-out 2022 Fairy Thorn gig. Tickets £15 |
Sun 18 August
| 9am – 12pm | Big Breakfast & International Food Display – Marian Hall Treat yourself and the family to a tasty breakfast, catch up with friends and neighbours over a cuppa – and have a taste of the international dishes on offer from the homelands of some of our Kilrea residents. And that’s not all – the brilliant Bronagh from Bakehouse will be there making traditional Irish fare on her trusty griddle. Definitely a morning not to be missed! |
| 10-11.30am | Gaelic Football Competition – Pearse Park, Drumagarner Road |
| 10am – 4pm | Teen Outdoor Pursuits – Woodhall Outdoor Learning Centre Registered attendees only |
| Starts 11am | 5-a-side Soccer Competition – Craiglea Gardens Seniors 18+ £5 per player To register text Sean 07471 688 160 |
| 12 – 4pm | Funfair – The Fairhill One for the kids – fairground rides and bouncy castles means guaranteed fun. |
| 12-2pm | Art Exhibition & Participatory Budget Celebration – Town Hall |
| 12.30-2pm | Firestation Display – The Fairhill |
| 1-5pm | River Bann Boat Tours – depart Portneal jetty Tours from Portneal to Movanagher – bookable in advance on River Bann Tours website. Trips depart hourly from 1pm – local guide on board to highlight sights, points of interest and historical facts. Tickets via riverbanntours.co.uk – booking will be available from Friday 26 July 2024 or shortly thereafter. |
| 2-5pm | Live Music – Owenie’s Barn A line-up of local acts for the afternoon. |
| 2.30-4pm | Sofa Talk – Town Hall Kilrea-born journalist Patricia Buller (nee Diamond) interviews local ‘success stories’. Guests on the sofa to be confirmed in early August.  This event is accessible for the deaf community with BSL Interpreter in attendance. |
| 4.30pm | Fancy Dress Parade – departs Marian Hall Who doesn’t love the opportunity to get creative and dressed up for fun? Prizes for best costumes in the following categories: U5 Ages 6-12 Ages 13-18 Adults |
| 5.15pm | Closing Ceremony – The Fairhill Winners of Fancy Dress and Shop Window Competitions announced. Special performance from the students of St Conor’s College. |
| 7pm – late | Live Music Finale – Owenie’s Barn* Rusty Jacks headline at 10.15pm Support acts from 7pm onwards Event outdoors under canvas in the yard (weather permitting). Tickets £10 |