Festival makes massive splash

THIS year’s Arklow Maritime Festival proved to be bigger and better than ever with three days of activities taking place over the bank holiday weekend.

Arklow is also home to Ireland’s first lifeboat station and this year they are celebrating 190 years of saving lives in the community.

The event is held primarily as a fundraiser for Arklow Lifeboats.

Things got under way on Friday when the potential Festival Queens met at Arklow Lifeboat Station before taking part in a parade around the town.

Clionadh Byrne was eventually proved to be a popular winner as she was crowned Maritime Festival Queen 2016.

The weekend included displays of traditional Irish art, children’s entertainment, market stalls and exhibits by the lifeboats, emergency services and much more it to a truly magical three days for everyone.

The Arklow Sea Scouts provided a very authentic looking Viking raid on Saturday as they bore down on Arklow in typical Viking regalia.

The Brockleback Museum Boat proved a big audience puller over the three days, with younger visitors able to enjoy bouncy castle, face painting and a reptile zoo.

Stunt Drive Ireland provided an exhibition on the Saturday, while on Sunday a crash scene emergency services display took place.

There was plenty of music available to suit even the most varied of tastes, while the Arklow RNLI fleet was blessed at a ceremony held at the start of Sunday’s activities.