Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival

[willk]

I'm a big fan of Maritime Festivals. There's a local one called Sea Fest and Easdale RIB Rendezvous is a version too. They are hard work for the organisers and can be slow burners, but they bring people into areas and loosen wallets...

Team Redbay are big Rathlin fans. After all, you need somewhere handy to pop off to for "afternoon tea"
And so it was that donegaldan and I found ourselves departing Greencastle, Donegal in Deep Six yesterday afternoon to RV with the rest of the crowd on Rathlin to catch Skerryvore in concert and see if Tom was telling the truth this time about the BBQ (he was). donegaldan was pleasantly surprised to discover a familial relation in the band's front line and got a wee song dedicated to him from the stage... (No, I don't know that man )

So anyways, back to the trip. Departed Greencastle at 1530 and having surfed every poxy wave and breaking swell on the north coast, swung into Ballycastle Harbour (top location) and nailed a pair o' Fish Suppers in Mortons (at the marina). For those that haven't partaken - do so!

Business taken care of we headed north to Rathlin and arrived into what donegaldan would describe as a Rí-rá agus ruaile buaile. Basically - Party Mode was in force. The pontoons and inner harbour were stuffed with yachts and Redbays. I think the count at one point was a 16m, seven 11 meters, a 9.5m, two 8.4 meters, a 6.5, and two 6.1 meters. Had there been a prize for the Smallest that travelled the Furthest, we would have walked with it...

SKERRYVORE (Home to Donegal). - YouTube

[willk]

Unfortunately, circumstances demanded that we RTB in Donegal that night, so at 2215 we slipped our lines and headed west. Luckily the night had calmed and we made a very enjoyable night passage back to Greencastle, arriving around midnight. I like boating at night, reminds me of the seatrout poaching days of my early youth - minding the boat as the lads netted the burns

Every trip is a learning experience, and this one taught me (again) that when out at night, you need to plan the dark stages very carefully indeed...

Nice bit of Redbay RIBflesh:

[willk]

I neglected to mention that Skerryvore were delivered to Rathlin from Islay, fresh and ready to play by a Redbay Stormforce RIB.

When you HAVE to Party

Gairm A'Chauin (Call Of The Sea) Skerryvore - YouTube

[Ribochet]

Damm - seems like I missed another good gig

It sounds as if it was a great fest and Rathlin was at its best.

I am sure the night nav was an "excellent" adventure - the north coast at night is not for the faith hearted along with the sand banks off Magilligan.

It was good to see Cuchulain over and back in home waters.

I love this photo - how else do you make an 11m look small



Well done to the good ship "Deep Six"

[willk]

Originally Posted by Ribochet

Damm - seems like I missed another good gig

Aye, that you did...

[tonymac]

Originally Posted by Ribochet

Damm - seems like I missed another good gig

Me too

Small family emergency prevented me launching - all ok now TG
Hoping to get out tomorrow.

[donegaldan]

Indeed the challenge had been set.
Tom has always mentioned how good the Gillespie twins were from Tiree were, and with the other band members,
Skerryvore did fill Rathlin with a nice sound. I fully expect I will catch them again somewhere down the road.

Another successful trip for DeepSix, at this stage, we have nailed most of what was on the list of scheduled cruises, and will make a couple guest appearances elsewhere over the summer. The concert at the end icing on the cake for the day, allowing the 75Nm cruise shooting past Portstewart, Portrush, Bushmills and of course, the "as always excellent" fish supper to be had from Mortons of Ballycastle.

Cruising back at night was quite something, with just a shade over 30NM back, the challenges of not picking up a creel pot become all more real. However, on this occasion we had an uneventful but enjoyable run back with the setting sun.

So a great night was had by all.... God only knows what time it actually finished :-) but what happens on Rathlin stays on Rathlin.
And for thoes of you who didn't make it.... I'd be lying if I said we all didnt have a good time.... And there was a BBQ too

Thanks to all in Rathlin for the good night and may there be many more

[jumpinjack]

We were on our way in the morning (in the rain) but a sick cm made us change plans. Ended up in the swilly for the afternoon. Looks like good craic was had.

Ps agree re Mortons fish and chips......