Atlantic Sessions – Northern Ireland (Coastal Venues) 2025

Background & History

The Atlantic Sessions, now in its 16th year, is a celebrated music festival held along Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast in Portrush and Portstewart. Running from 13–16 November 2025, it showcases over 30 artists across four days in venues like hotels, bars, restaurants, and halls. Organized by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and programmed by Get Shep, the festival features free music trails with genres from traditional folk to indie, alongside ticketed headline events. Known for promoting emerging and established Northern Irish talent, it attracted thousands in 2024, enhancing the region’s cultural and economic vibrancy.

Event Highlights

• Music Trail: Free performances across 20+ venues, 13–16 November, 12:00 PM–10:00 PM, Portrush and Portstewart, featuring artists like Reevah, Conchur White, and Dead Goat.
• Opening Night Headline Show: Polar Bolero with Many A Son, 13 November, 8:00 PM, Portrush Playhouse, ~$20–$30 USD.
• Eleanor McEvoy (Acoustic Solo): 14 November, 8:00 PM, Portrush Town Hall, ~$25–$35 USD.
• Newton Faulkner (Live): 14 November, 8:00 PM, The Barn at Kelly’s, Portrush, ~$30–$50 USD.
• David Lyttle featuring Terell Stafford & Guests: 14 November, 8:00 PM, Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, ~$25–$40 USD.
• Closing Party: Dead Goat (Matt McGinn & Malojian), 16 November, 7:00 PM, speculative venue (e.g., The Anchor), free.

City

• Portrush & Portstewart, Northern Ireland: Coastal towns on the Causeway Coast, known for their scenic beauty, vibrant music scene, and proximity to landmarks like the Giant’s Causeway.

Main Event Address

• Primary Venues:
  • Portrush Playhouse: 47 Main Street, Portrush, BT56 8BN (Opening Night).
  • Portrush Town Hall: 2 Kerr Street, Portrush, BT56 8DG (Eleanor McEvoy).
  • The Barn at Kelly’s: 10 Bushmills Road, Portrush, BT56 8JF (Newton Faulkner).
  • Flowerfield Arts Centre: 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU (David Lyttle).
  • The Anchor: 87-89 The Promenade, Portrush, BT55 7AG (Music Trail, speculative Closing Party).
• Box Office: Portrush Playhouse, 47 Main Street, Portrush, BT56 8BN.
• Administrative Contact: Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Cloonavin, 66 Portstewart Road, Coleraine, BT52 1EY (inquiries only).
• Note: Additional venues (e.g., Portstewart Arms, Safe House Cafe Bar) TBD September 2025 at www.atlanticsessions.com.

Date & Duration

• Dates: 13–16 November 2025 (Thursday–Sunday).
• Duration: 4 days.
• Opening Times (Estimated):
  • Music Trail: 12:00 PM–10:00 PM daily.
  • Headline Shows: 8:00 PM (13–14 November).
  • Closing Party: 7:00 PM (16 November).
• Note: Times speculative except for confirmed headline shows; full schedule TBD September 2025 at www.atlanticsessions.com.

Venue / Location

• Portrush Playhouse: Theatre and music venue, ~200 seats, accessible.
• Portrush Town Hall: Historic hall, ~300 seats, accessible.
• The Barn at Kelly’s: Modern music venue, ~400 capacity, accessible.
• Flowerfield Arts Centre: Cultural hub, ~150 seats, accessible.
• The Anchor: Popular bar for Music Trail, outdoor/indoor, accessible.
• Additional Venues: Portstewart Arms (2 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7JW), Safe House Cafe Bar (60 Main Street, Portrush, BT56 8BL), The Arcadia (East Strand, Portrush, BT56 8DZ).
• Note: Full venue list TBD September 2025 at www.atlanticsessions.com.

Contact Information

• Email: music@atlanticsessions.com (general, sponsorship, trading inquiries).
• Phone: Not provided; use email or website contact form.
• Website: www.atlanticsessions.com
• Social Media: Follow @AtlanticSess on Facebook, Instagram, X.
• Ticketing: Purchase via www.atlanticsessions.com (September 2025) or at venue box offices (e.g., Portrush Playhouse). Contact music@atlanticsessions.com for group bookings or accessibility.

Ticket Information

• How to Purchase: Buy online at www.atlanticsessions.com (September 2025) or in-person at venue box offices (cash/card). Collect at venues with a confirmation email. Group bookings and accessibility via music@atlanticsessions.com. Cancellations until 31 October 2025 (~$2 fee). No refunds after 31 October. Book early for headline shows (e.g., Newton Faulkner, Eleanor McEvoy).
• 2025 Pricing (Estimated, in USD, 1 GBP ≈ 1.25 USD as of August 2025):
  • Music Trail: Free (e.g., The Anchor, Portstewart Arms).
  • Opening Night (Polar Bolero & Many A Son): ~$20–$30 USD.
  • Eleanor McEvoy: ~$25–$35 USD.
  • Newton Faulkner: ~$30–$50 USD.
  • David Lyttle: ~$25–$40 USD.
  • Booking Fees: ~$1–$3 USD per ticket.
  • Concession/Student: ~$2–$5 USD discount for students, under 16s, over 60s (ID required).
  • Kids (Under 16): Free for Music Trail with supervision; ticketed headline shows may require adult accompaniment.
• Additional Notes:
  • Music Trail is free, per web results.
  • Headline ticket prices estimated at $20–$50 USD based on provided data (£20–£40), 2024 patterns, and similar festivals (e.g., Belfast International Arts Festival).
  • Full pricing TBD September 2025 at www.atlanticsessions.com.

Categories

• Cultural & Traditional: Showcases Northern Ireland’s folk, bluegrass, and contemporary music.
• Events & Festivals: Four-day music festival with free and ticketed events.
• Food & Drinks: Available at Music Trail venues (bars, restaurants).

Cultural Significance

Since 2009, Atlantic Sessions has been a vital platform for Northern Ireland’s music scene, blending traditional and contemporary genres. It’s free Music Trail, featuring over 30 artists, ensures accessibility, while headline shows like Newton Faulkner attract international visitors. The festival boosts local tourism, with venues like The Anchor and Portstewart Arms thriving, and reinforces the Causeway Coast’s reputation as a cultural hub.

Food & Drinks

• Festival Venues: Food and drinks at Music Trail venues (e.g., The Anchor, Portstewart Arms, ~$5–$15 USD for pub fare, coffee).
• Nearby Dining:
  • The Quays: 63 Eglinton Street, Portrush (pub fare, $10–$20 USD, 5-minute walk from Portrush Playhouse).
  • Elephant Rock Hotel: 17-18 Lansdowne Crescent, Portrush (modern dining, $15–$30 USD, 5-minute walk from The Barn).
  • Me & Mrs Jones: 1-2 The Diamond, Portstewart (seafood, $10–$25 USD, 5-minute walk from Flowerfield).
  • Springhill Bar: 17 Causeway Street, Portrush (pub fare, $10–$20 USD, 5-minute walk from Portrush Town Hall).
• Alcohol Policy: Available at bars and restaurants; no outside alcohol permitted.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Music Trail is free and suitable for all ages with supervision; daytime performances are ideal for families.
  • Headline shows (e.g., Newton Faulkner) may be 16+ due to venue alcohol policies.
• Accessibility:
  • Portrush Playhouse, Portrush Town Hall, Flowerfield Arts Centre, and The Barn are wheelchair-accessible with ramps.
  • Contact music@atlanticsessions.com for accommodations or ISL events (details September 2025).
  • Free Music Trail enhances affordability.

Getting There

• By Air: Belfast International Airport (BFS, 75 km, 1-hour drive) or City of Derry Airport (LDY, 40 km, 40-minute drive).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: Translink Route 140 to Portrush Bus Station (5-minute walk to Portrush Playhouse).
  • Train: Translink to Portrush Station (5-minute walk to The Barn).
• By Car: Paid parking at Causeway Street, Portrush (~$1.25 USD/hour, 5-minute walk). Motorhome parking available; check www.atlanticsessions.com.
• Rideshare: Value Cabs or Foyle Taxis from BFS (~$50–$80 USD).

Program Details (Estimated for 2025)

• Confirmed Events:
  • Opening Night (Polar Bolero & Many A Son): 13 November, 8:00 PM, Portrush Playhouse, ~$20–$30 USD.
  • Eleanor McEvoy: 14 November, 8:00 PM, Portrush Town Hall, ~$25–$35 USD.
  • Newton Faulkner: 14 November, 8:00 PM, The Barn at Kelly’s, ~$30–$50 USD.
  • David Lyttle featuring Terell Stafford: 14 November, 8:00 PM, Flowerfield Arts Centre, ~$25–$40 USD.
  • Music Trail: 13–16 November, 12:00 PM–10:00 PM, various venues, free.
• Hypothetical Events:
  • Closing Party (Dead Goat): 16 November, 7:00 PM, The Anchor or similar, free.
  • Additional Music Trail Performances: 13–16 November, featuring artists like The Bonnevilles, Telezura, ~$0 USD.
• Note: Programme speculative except for confirmed events; full details TBD September 2025 at www.atlanticsessions.com.

Past Notable Performances

• 2024 Highlights: Dark Tropics (Portrush Playhouse), Paul Casey (Holy Trinity Church), Mary Coughlan (Portrush Town Hall), Ralph McLean’s In the Round (Portrush Town Hall).
• Past Achievements: Over 7,000 attendees in 2020, with 100+ musicians in 2023, cementing its regional importance.

Sustainability Initiatives

• Local Partnerships: Supports local venues (e.g., The Quays, Portstewart Arms).
• Waste Management: Recycling bins at key venues; digital programmes encouraged.
• Note: 2025 sustainability details TBD; check www.atlanticsessions.com.

Educational Impact

• Workshops: Speculative music workshops for emerging artists, 13–16 November, Flowerfield Arts Centre, free or ~$10–$20 USD.
• Community Engagement: Free Music Trail promotes local talent discovery, supported by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

Cultural Activities

• Music Trail: Free performances in bars, restaurants, 13–16 November.
• Headline Shows: Ticketed concerts, 13–14 November, ~$20–$50 USD.
• Closing Party: Free speculative event, 16 November, with local artists.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets ($20–$50 USD) for headline shows sell out; book via www.atlanticsessions.com (September 2025).
• Weather Prep: November in Portrush/Portstewart (40–50°F) is cold and rainy; pack waterproofs and layers.
• Explore Locally: Visit Giant’s Causeway (15-minute drive, $15 USD) or Portstewart Strand (5-minute drive, free).
• Public Transport: Use the Translink Smartlink Card (~$10 USD).
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at www.atlanticsessions.com (no app).

Local Attractions

• Giant’s Causeway: Bushmills (15-minute drive, $15 USD). UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Portstewart Strand: Portstewart (5-minute drive, free). Scenic beach.
• Dunluce Castle: Portrush (10-minute drive, $7 USD). Historic ruins.
• Royal Portrush Golf Club: Portrush (5-minute walk, tours $10 USD). Championship course.
• Bushmills Distillery: Bushmills (15-minute drive, $12 USD). Whiskey tours.

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • Elephant Rock Hotel: 17-18 Lansdowne Crescent, Portrush ($100–$200 USD/night, 5-minute walk to The Barn).
  • Magherabuoy House Hotel: 41 Magheraboy Road, Portrush ($80–$150 USD/night, 10-minute walk to Portrush Playhouse).
• B&Bs: The Port Hotel, 53-57 Main Street, Portrush ($60–$120 USD/night, 5-minute walk to Portrush Town Hall).
• Hostels: Portrush Holiday Hostel, 24 Princess Street, Portrush ($20–$50 USD/night, 5-minute walk to The Anchor).
• Airbnb: Portrush/Portstewart apartments ($50–$120 USD/night).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 3–6 months in advance for the November peak.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Portrush Playhouse and Flowerfield Arts Centre; nearest hospital is Causeway Hospital, Coleraine (15-minute drive).
• Security: PSNI presence at headline events; bag checks at Portrush Town Hall, The Barn.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; optional masks indoors.
• Weather Preparedness: Indoor venues; umbrellas for outdoor Music Trail events.