More than just an Airshow

Organiser, Coleraine Borough Council, has confirmed there will be 30 air displays including the Red Arrows and Eurofighter Typhoon, along with the biggest programme of ground attractions in the event’s history.

The FREE event will offer something of interest for everyone including a family entertainment arena with children’s entertainment acts flown in from England and give away shows (watches, ferry tickets, airline tickets).

The Royal Marines Commandos will stage a beach landing and hostage rescue as well as an unarmed combat display. The Royal Navy will be giving cookery demonstrations and the TA will exhibit a real field hospital. The RAF will be bringing along a full scale replica Typhoon jet. The Belgian Air Force will also have two helicopters on static display.

The organisers have just confirmed that relics from the WW2 Spitfire which crashed into a Donegal bog will be on display. The Remembrance Parade and Poppy Drop will be led by Cullybackey Pipe Band, the Army Cadet Corps of Drums and 60 standard bearers.

Downtown Radio and The Q Network will be broadcasting live from the seashore and Sunday will see a performance by Limavady Big Band Sound. The Evening Concert on Saturday stars James Huish and his Michael Bublé Band along with the first dusk air display with pyrotechnics seen in Ireland.

The busy arena will be packed with 70 trade stalls offering model aircraft flying, aircraft simulators, SATS Motorsport Supra, the George Best HGV truck, fun fair, Segway trail, the latest road cars and much, much more.

The Mayor of Coleraine, Cllr Sam Cole, said, “The Airshow has built up a reputation as a great family day out and this year we have topped the lot. There will be something to suit all tastes and once again admission is FREE. Portrush is the place to be on the 8th and 9th September.”

Jack McIlduff, Managing Director, RSA NI said “The Airshow promises to be a fantastic spectacle, both in the air and on the ground. I encourage you to come along to this FREE event with your families and make the most of all that is on offer. We, at RSA Insurance, are thrilled to be supporting it and are greatly looking forward to a weekend of fun and entertainment”.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has also confirmed financial support to the event as part of their Our Time, Our Place initiative.

As usual up to 100,000 spectators from all over the country are expected to attend the family event .The Airshow opens at 11am each day with air displays from 12noon-5.30pm.

Details and pictures of the aircraft can be found on niinternationalairshow.co.uk or on Facebook (PortrushAirshow) and Twitter (PortrushAirshow) or for general Council information, www.colerainebc.gov.uk