Kildavnet Festival / Féile Chill Damhnait
9th – 20th August 2023

Wednesday 9th August
Lecture on Cancer
Talk by Professor Martin Clynes, Emeritus Professor of Biotechnology, DCU, entitled ‘The biology of cancer cells and improvements in treatment giving hope for the future’.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 7pm
Whist Drive
Top score €100
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 8.30pm
Thursday 10th August
Achill Foróige Youth Day
(Must be members of Achill Foróige Group)
Yoga
With Chantal.
Ashleam School, 10.30am
Friday 11th August
Whiskey Tasting
Demo by Irish American Distillers and showcase for all their latest products.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 8.30pm
Official Opening
Official Opening of Féile by Mayo Senior County Footballer Tommy Conroy assisted by Kildownet’s King & Queen 2023, Packie McGinty & Ann Sweeney.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 9pm
Live Music with ‘Wolfhound’
Live music with Wolfhound, the up-and-coming Irish folk and ballad group followed by iRadio DJ Ciaran Bennett. Tickets for Wolfhound available on EventBrite, Patten’s Bar, Achill Sound Post Office and on the door.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. From 10pm
Saturday 12th August
5K & 10K Road Race + Cycle Run
Outside Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 11am
Johnny Patten Memorial Yawl Race
3.30pm
Commentator’s Cup Yawl Race
4.30pm
Musical – The Ultimate 80s
Achill Musical & Dramatic Society presents ‘The Ultimate 80s Night of Music and Fun’. Tickets available on EventBrite, Achill Sound Post Office, and Patten’s Bar.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 8pm
Live Music with Tom McGinty
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 10pm
Sunday 13th August
Family Fun Day
Safari obstacle course, rodeo bull, sea world combi castle, dragon obstacle course, spud & spoon race, wellie throwing competition, face painting, costume characters and much more.
Outside Patten’s Bar, Derreens, from 12 noon.
Magic Show
Magic show with Joe Daly from RTÉ Junior’s Abra-Kid-Abra television show. Tickets available from EventBrite or on the door.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 3.30pm
Late Night Movie
Special screening of ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 10pm
Monday 14th August
Yoga
With Chantal.
Ashleam School, 10.30am
Talk by Micheál O’Briain
Entitled ‘Discovering the wonderful wildlife and natural heritage of Achill Island’.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Talk by Tomás Mac Sheáin
Talk on the history of Kildavnet graveyard.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 6pm
Mass in Kildownet Old Cemetery
Mass in Kildownet Old Cemetery and visit to St. Dymphna’s Holy Well. (Mass in Sacred Heart Church, Derreens, if weather not suitable).
Kildownet Old Cemetery. 6.30pm
Tuesday 15th August
Ladies Day
Start the day with a glass of prosecco and Afternoon Tea and enjoy a fashion show. Wellness talk by Dr. Noreen Curtis and special surprise entertainer plus prizes for best dressed lady and most glamorous granny. Limited tickets, available via EventBrite only.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. From 2.30pm
Music with DJ
Music with iRadio DJ.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 9pm
Wednesday 16th August
Fitness Boot Camp
with Pamela. Plus healthy breakfast.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 10am
Art Demo
Art demo with artist Padraig McCaul.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 4pm
Achill Postcard Display
By Dr. Paddy Lineen.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 5.30pm
Historical Talk
Talk on Kildownet’s history and folklore, by Mary Jo and Joan O’Keefe. Followed by Irish Night with boxty and live music from The Tiernans.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 8.30pm
Thursday 17th August
Bryan Shannon Golf Competition
At Achill Island Golf Club, Keel. From 8am.
Yoga
With Chantal.
Ashleam School, 10.30am
Polytunnel Open Day
Open Day at Kildownet polytunnel, with plant and vegetables sale. (Proceeds to local charities).
2pm – 4pm
Talk by Frank Masterson
On the subject of local villages.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 7pm
Whist Drive
Top score €100
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 8.30pm
Friday 18th August
Fitness Boot Camp
with Pamela. Plus healthy breakfast.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 10am
Walk on Slí Ghráinne Mhaol
With Vivian and friends. Followed by tea and scones in Patten’s Bar.
12 noon.
Family Table Quiz
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 8.30pm
Late Night Movie
Special screening of ‘My Sailor, My Love’.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 10pm
Saturday 19th August
Kildownet Golf Society Competition
Sponsored by the Masterson Family, Bleanaskill.
Achill Island Golf Club, Keel. From 8am.
RNLI Open Day
1pm
Soccer Competition
Five-a-side soccer competition.
Trá Bhán. 2.30pm
Talk by Gemma O’Connor
From Whale Watch Ireland. (Bring binoculars if possible.)
Ashleam Bay, 2pm – 4pm
Golf Competition Prize-giving
Presentation of prizes from the Kildownet Golf Society competition.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 9pm
Gin & Cocktail Beach Party
A not-to-be-missed party with 90s music from iRadio DJ Ciaran Bennett. (Prizes for best dressed for the beach). Limited tickets available from EventBrite, Patten’s Bar and Achill Sound Post Office.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 10pm
Sunday 20th August
Paddy Lavelle Golf Competition
Sponsored by Michael and Mona Masterson.
Achill Island Golf Club, from 8am.
Achill Alpacas
Why not try something different and take Achill Alpaca’s Bruno and Bailey for a trek?
Patten’s Bar, Derreens, 1.30pm
Basket Weaving
Basket weaving and straw hat making exhibition.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens, 3pm
Festival Bingo
With €200 jackpot that must go on the night!
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 8pm
Golf Competition Prize-giving
Presentation of prizes for the Paddy Lavelle Cup.
Patten’s Bar, Derreens. 9pm

For latest updates please see Féile Cill Damhnait facebook page.
- Events Calendar
- Achill Greenway parkrun
- Achill Half Marathon & 10K
- Achill International Harp Festival
- Achill Yawl Festival
- Battle for the Lake
- Féile Cill Damhnait / Kildavnet Festival
- Currane Challenge
- Achill Island Film Festival 2024
- Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend
- Féile Inis Bigil
- Midsummer Walks Festival
- New Year’s Eve
- Robert Henri Festival
- Scoil Acla
- Achill Sheep Show
- St. Patrick’s Day
- Tour de Achill