Could A New Music Festival Be Coming To Portrush Next Year?

A new multi-day outdoor music event could come to Portrush next summer, with councillors backing plans in principle to use East Strand Car Park.

ORW Promotions has submitted a request to use council-owned land for a two or three-day outdoor live music concert in June 2027.

The proposal was considered at a meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Land and Property and Strategic Assets Sub-Committee held on Wednesday 2 September.

According to the minutes, members were asked to approve "in principle" a Request to Use Council Land application from ORW Promotions.

The recommendation stated that the application was for "the use of Council land for a two/three-day outdoor Live Music concert at East Strand Car Park, Portrush in June 2027".

However, the proposal remains at an early stage, and any use of the land would be subject to an OKT valuation as well as satisfactory evidence and documentation being submitted for review.

In response to questions from members, the council's Strategic Assets Manager stressed that the request was seeking approval in principle at this stage.

The minutes state that the proposal would remain subject to "due process being followed, including valuation and satisfactory evidence and documentation being submitted for review".

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor McCully and seconded by Alderman S McKillop.

Members agreed to recommend that the council's Corporate Policy and Resources Committee approve the request in principle, subject to those conditions.

Who could be involved?

Details surrounding the proposed concert remain limited, with no line-up, ticket information, exact dates or expected capacity announced.

ORW Promotions describes itself as "Northern Ireland's best entertainment agency" and lists several prominent names from the Irish music and entertainment industry among its artists.

These include Phil Coulter, Nathan Carter, Claudia Buckley, The Whistlin' Donkeys, Michael English, Cliona Hagan, Kieran Goss, Johnny Brady, Sean Magee, Jake Carter and Malachi Cush.

Its roster also includes broadcasters and entertainers Pete Snodden and Hugo Duncan, as well as comedians Jake O'Kane and Terry McHugh.

The company also promotes a number of live productions and tribute shows, including The Björn Identity, Take It To The Limit – A Celebration of the Eagles, Let It Be – The Music of The Beatles and Bird on the Wire – The Songs of Leonard Cohen.

At this stage, there is no indication that any of those artists or productions will be part of the proposed Portrush event, and no performers have been publicly confirmed.

East Strand Car Park is situated beside one of Portrush's best-known beaches and close to the town centre.

A concert taking place over two or three days could potentially attract significant numbers of visitors to the seaside resort, although arrangements surrounding capacity, traffic management, parking, licensing, security and public safety have yet to be made public.

The council minutes make clear that the decision at this stage relates specifically to approval in principle for the use of the land and is subject to further processes.

The matter will now go before the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee for consideration.

While many details remain unknown, the application raises the prospect of a significant new outdoor live music event on the north coast in June 2027.