The 12th Annual Donegal Bay and Bluestacks Festival has just drawn to a close and has been a huge success. The festival, which ran from September 28th – October 7th, once again celebrated culture and creativity in the awesome surroundings of the Donegal Bay and Bluestacks area. The festival presents a unique programme of theatre, visual arts, readings, events for children and schools, carnival workshops and performance as well as the best of traditional, classical, country and rock music.

This year highlights included:

• „The Story of a Titanic Survivor“ at the Abbey Arts Centre, Ballyshannon. Written and performed by Maura Logue, with original music composed and performed by Niamh Currid this is  based on the true story of Anna Katherine Kelly (‘Ticket No. 9234, Third Class’), from Lahardane, Co. Mayo, who by a simple twist of fate, survived the sinking of the Titanic when offered the last place, on the last lifeboat to leave the stricken ship.
• The 30th annual Donegal Fiddlers Gathering / Cuireann Cairdeas na bhFidiléiri raised the roof of the Highlands Hotel Glenties with a selection of the finest Donegal fiddle playing talent and special guests from other traditions who have featured over the years.
• The annual Carnival Parade, ‘The Voyage of Bran’, which transformed the streets of Ballyshannon into a riot of colour, sounds, spectacle and exuberance on Saturday night as thousands of both adults and children alike took it all in.