DONAGHADEE Festival is back for another fun-filled fortnight with dozens of events taking place in various locations around the town  from August 1-15.

The Festival Fortnight programme, co-ordinated by the Donaghadee Development Group, is out now and has been widely distributed free to homes and outlets throughout the area. Details will also be included on the group’s website www.visitdonaghadee.com, www.facebook.com/donaghadeeevents and www.twitter.com/donaghadeefest.

Kicking-off this year’s festival will be the annual raft race, coinciding with Lifeboat Day, all taking place against the beautiful backdrop of Donaghadee harbour. Unique events throughout day one will include visits on board Saxon, Donaghadee’s £2m state-of-the-art all-weather Trent Class lifeboat, and a fantastic opportunity to climb the beacon of the town, the lighthouse (age restrictions apply, no under 10s.)

Highlights of the festival include a Living History and Cultural Day,  motorbike trials and autotest.  The Wee Man From Strabane, Hugo Duncan, will be back with BBC Radio Ulster for a special roadshow edition of his much-loved show and the Cool FM roadshow will also be dropping by with music and goodies.

A Cult Movie Night will be bringing the punk edge to the festival with a screening of Good Vibrations with a special Q&A session with the Godfather of Punk himself, Terri Hooley.

David Cochrane, chairman of the Development Group, spoke ahead of the programme launch, saying: “I am delighted that this year we have 25 different organisations involved in the events. We have a programme which should appeal to young and old alike, those who simply want a bit of fun and those with more serious