The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival launched on Thursday September 7th in the Brook Pub in Portrane, starring Uilleann Piper Eamonn Galldubh agus a chairde, with members of Comhaltas Leithinis. A large crowd enjoyed some ceol agus craic! On Friday September 8th we hosted Craft Workshops for Adults. “From Mud to Art” saw participants turn clay into ornamental hanging wall-art. Over the weekend, the peninsula was a hive of cultural activity, with Craft Workshops for Children, tours of the Martello Tower, Lego© Workshop, Sing-a-Longs, Yoga sessions, and a festival favourite, PizzaTrad. A huge crowd joined the Tara Céilí Band for some set dancing in the sun! Complimentary pizza was courtesy of DoughBox. The Short Film Festival ran from Monday 11th to Wednesday 13th, with large crowds attending to enjoy some short films and Q&A sessions. The Open Mic returned this year. Participants stood up to the Mic to entertain with music, comedy and more. The lovely Gala Concert in St. Patrick’s Church featured the Young Dublin Symphonia, and talented students of Kim Fallen-Bailey. The second weekend of the festival was busy: Music Workshops for younger children; Mol an Óige, a showcase of some fun-sized talent; Guided tour of Newbridge House; Casino Night with gambling fun and Rat-Pack entertainment; Take a Walk on the Wild Side! with Hans Visser, Bio Diversity Officer of FCC; Short plays from Donabate/Portrane Dramatic Society; September Miscellany featuring the Chinkwell Writers with musical interludes; Art, Photography and Quilting Exhibition; Singalong in the Brook Pub on Sunday afternoon to close the festival. Overall, a very successful and enjoyable 10 days of culture, with something of interest to all cultural tastes and all ages. The organisers are grateful to Fingal County Council for their support, and all the many festival sponsors. Without their generosity, this festival could not happen.