What's On
Friday 1st June
9am–12 noon
Tune into Limerick Today with Joe Nash on Limerick's Live 95FM Your Festival Station all weekend

7.30pm
Float Welcome Parade with Marching Bands

8.30-10.30pm
Blue Ridge Review on Festival Stage

9pm
Prize Giving to Winning Float on Festival Stage

McFaddens Carnival throughout the weekend

Saturday, 2nd June
Munster Mermaid Championships – Foynes Yacht Club

2pm – 4pm
Children's Forest Party in Coillte Wood Walks with interactive Drum Workshop, and Magic Show (weather permitting) sponsored by Burke Shipping

2pm – 5pm
Irish Naval Service Flagship L.E. Orla open to the Public

3pm
Irish Coffee Making Demonstrations Foynes Flying Boat Museum

4.30pm
Drum Workshop in Museum Square

6.30pm
Festival Mass at St Senans Church, Foynes

7.15-8.30pm
An Ordinary Man – Christy Moore Tribute Band on Festival Stage

8:30-10.30pm
Shaun O'Dowd and Hanora on Festival Stage

11pm
Fireworks Display over River Shannon at Harbour

McFaddens Carnival throughout the weekend

Sunday, 3rd June
Munster Mermaid Championships – Foynes Yacht Club 

1–5pm
Food and Irish Craft Fair – Museum Square 

1–5pm
Pet Farm – Community Centre Green

2–5pm
Irish Naval Service Flagship L.E. Orla Open to the Public

3pm
Irish Coffee Making Demonstrations with current Irish Coffee Making Champion Roisin Sweeney - Foynes Flying Boat Museum

3–5pm
Ceile Mor with Taylor's Cross on Festival Stage

4pm
Fun Day on the Water – Foynes Yacht Club

4pm
Historical Walk of Foynes commencing from Museum Square

McFaddens Carnival throughout the weekend

8pm
Powers Irish Coffee Making Championship Final at Foynes Flying Boat Museum
– Guest comedian/ MC Alan Shortt
– Irish Coffee Reception
– Finalists compete for the prestigious title of
– "Powers Irish Coffee Making Champion 2012"
– Buffet Meal with Complimentary Wine
– Music with The Harleys

Tickets €35 per person available from the Festival Office on 069 65416 or info@foynesfestival.com

Mark Your Diary
2013
May 31st, June 1st and June 2nd

2014
May 30th, 31st and June 1st

The History of Irish Coffee
Foynes and the flying boats will be forever connected with Irish Coffee as they combined to give us this uniquely Irish treat and, as with anything in Ireland, the weather played a key role.

In 1943, Brendan O'Regan was appointed by the government to operate the restaurant at the Foynes terminal building. This restaurant was considered to be one of the best restaurants in Ireland at that time. Chef Joe Sheridan, originally from Castlederg, County Tyrone, had been recruited by Brendan.

Late one night in the winter of 1943 a flight departed Foynes for New York. After flying for several hours in bad weather conditions, the Captain made the decision to return to Foynes and await better conditions. A Morse code message was sent to the control tower at Foynes to inform them of their return. Staff were contacted to return to work and when the flight landed the passengers and crew were brought to the Airport Restaurant for food and drink to warm them.

When Joe was asked to prepare something warm for the passengers, he decided to put some good Powers Whiskey into their coffees. One of the passengers approached the Chef and thanked him for the wonderful coffee. He asked Joe did he use Brazilian Coffee? Joe jokingly answered, "No, that was Irish Coffee!!"
A few days later, Chef Sheridan knocked on Brendan O'Regan's office door. He showed Brendan his new drink in a stemmed glass and asked him "How about that for eye appeal". Brendan answered "Genius Chef" and so began Irish Coffee. It continues to be served to this day in the original terminal building at Foynes Flying Boat Museum and to all dignitaries arriving at Shannon Airport.

Sláinte