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Maiden City Festival
7 August 23 @ 09:00
Programme Highlights for Maiden City Festival
5 – 13th August 2023
The Siege Story – Visit St Columb’s Cathedral for the a promenade performance telling the story of the siege from the closing of the gates in December 1688 through to the breaking of the boom and relief of the city in July 1689. Meet an Apprentice Boy who closed the gates, Reverend George Walker preaching his famous speech in the night prior to the relief and Jane Browning, wife of Michael Browning, the master of the Mountjoy which broke the boom.
Saturday 5th – 2pm and 4pm
Monday 7th – Friday 11th – 11:30pm, 1:30pm and 3:30pm
Tea Dances at The Mem – Come along and enjoy a trip to yester-year when the Mem was one of the hippest dance halls in the city. Relive the memories and enjoy and dance!
Monday 7th – Thursday 10th – 2-4pm
“The Siege” – a commission for a new dance piece choreographed by Georgina Kee-McCarter and performed by members of The Sollus Highland Dancers telling the story of the siege.
Thursday 10th – 8pm (as part of 25th Anniversary celebrations)
Maiden City Festival 25th Anniversary Concert – To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Festival, we have invited some of the most talented bands playing today. Please join with us and welcome The Omagh Protestant Boys Flute Band, Barron Accordion Band and Bready & District Ulster Scots Band. All introduced and compered by Norman Rosborough.
Thursday 10th – 8pm – 10pm
The Skirl of the Pipes – Piping, drumming and Highland Dancing demonstrations on Grand Parade from Northern Ireland’s top Highland Dance Company, The Sollus Highland Dancers
Monday 7th – Friday 11th – 11am – 3pm (on the hour)
Siege Tales – Meet some of the characters that lived through the siege who have come back to tell you all about the events that went on within the city and during siege. Meet Reverend Walker, The Gravedigger, Reverend James MacGregor, the gruesome Grocer’s Wife and you might even run into Lundy. You’ll find them from Bishop Gate to 1st Derry Church and all with a story to tell!
Saturday 5th & Monday 7th – Friday 11th August – 10:30am – 4:30pm
Country Music Extravaganza – Join Fiddler Adam, Shawn Cuddy and Tony Kerr to kick off the festival’s evening programme in toe-tapping fashion. Compered and presented by one of Northern Ireland’s most loved comedians – Gary Wilson
Saturday 5th – 8:30pm
Kids Night – Join the crack as the Mem gives itself over to the kids! Face-painting, balloon modelling, disco and petting zoo!
Monday 7th – 6-9pm
The Maiden City Festival Quiz – The traditional quiz night at the festival with quizmaster Norman Rosborough. Google prohibited!!
Monday 7th – 9-11pm
Ulster Scots Night – An evening of piping, dancing and singing as the Ulster Scots take over the Mem for their traditional night of entertainment!
Tuesday 8th – 8 – 12pm
Culture Bites – Sit back, relax and enjoy a cuppa in the city centre cafes and wile away the hours enjoying a diverse range of traditional music. (Participating cafes – Java, Bron, Sandwich Co, Bus Stop Café and Bishop’s Gate Hotel)
Monday 7th – Friday 11th – 12noon – 2pm
Tim McGarry and Dr David Hume – With the comedy stylings of one of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable and best known comedians and one of the country’s finest historians come interesting facts and anecdotes of the Siege and the Williamite wars in Ireland.
Wednesday 9th – 7:30-9:30pm
The Mem’s Got Talent – ….or has it? Let’s find out in this karaoke talent competition with a difference. Hosted by the ever-popular Tim Glenn!
Wednesday 9th – 9:30pm-late
The Maiden City Challenge Cup – Taylor versus Taylor as the Oxford Bulls take on an Apprentice Boys Select Team in the annual Football Challenge Cup match. Don’t forget your scarf!
Thursday 10th – 6pm at The Fountain Primary School MUGA pitch.
Another Hero – Lisa Herbison is the Number 1 Tina Turner tribute act in Ireland. Come along and party the night away listening to all the classics from one of rock’s true superstars!
Thursday 10th – 10pm-late
The Siege Pageant – the traditional curtain fall on the festival as the Siege Pageamt re-enacts the story of the siege at Carlisle Circus prior to the commencement of the 334th anniversary of the Relief of Londonderry parade.
Saturday 12th – 12noon