Nelson Bay in the shimmering coastal locale of Port Stephens invites Celts and their friends* to a celebration of music, song and Celtic culture on Saturday 19 September 2015: Clans On The Coast.

* ‘Friends’ means all other human beings, so the invitation is opened fairly wide.

The day-long Celtic festival has been running for several years since Ron Swan threw on a Ceilidh at the local golf club in 2007, with 200 turning up and another 100 having to be turned away.

Nelson Bay is located to the north of the sprawling Tomaree National Park, less than an hour’s drive north east from Newcastle. It’s an area of stunning natural beauty, with bays, inlets, sandy beaches and walking trails. From October to March, the place is bustling with tourists, but the third weekend in September is ideal to take in the surrounds (and the festival) without an overwhelming holiday crush.

The day will include a feast of Celtic music, dance and song, including:

• the Australian Celtic Singers
• Rusty Harper Irish Band
• Marg Kenning (Welsh dancing)
• Cornish dancing
• Highland dancers
• Scottish country dancing (Cardiff High School)
• Siobhan Murphy Irish Dance
• Pipe and drum bands
• a strongman competition
• medieval fighters
• a roving Leprechaun handing out sweeties to the bairns
• and much more.

The Raymond Terrace Scout Group will be running activities for the children. Organiser Ron Swan is keen to have children participate in the festival as much as the adults. “Anything to get them away from the iPads and Nintendos!”

The festival starts at 8.30am on Saturday 19 September 2015 at Tomaree Sports Complex, No. 1 Oval.

Tickets are just $15 for adults, pensioners $10, and children under 18 get in scot free. (Pun intended.)

The day culminates in a dinner and Ceilidh at the Ibis Salamander Shores Hotel/Motel from 6.30pm. Adults $45. Bookings on (02) 4916 0706.