#SPONSORSHIP HIGHLAND GAMES – The venue of Glenarm Castle Estate on the stunning Antrim coast is where the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival (13-14 July) is due to take place, writes Jehan Ashmore.

For 14 years Glenarm has played host to the world famous Highland Games and where yet again teams from Ireland and Scotland will be head to head as they battle in the grounds of the historic estate.

An integral part of the festival is 'The Clash of the Celtic Giants'. Participating is the UK's strongest man Glenn Ross who will be throwing down the gauntlet to his Scottish counterparts after making the annual trip across the Irish Sea. The North Channel route between Cairnryan to Larne is operated by P&O Ferries, which celebrate their 175th anniversary this year and they are sponsoring the festival in Glenarm.

Arthur Murphy of P&O Ferries, said: "As operator of the shortest, fastest and most frequent crossings between Ireland and Scotland, P&O Ferries is delighted to sponsor the Dalriada Festival for the 10th year running".

"Since the start of our sponsorship of the Highland Games in 2002 we have witnessed the event grow in size, stature and popularity attracting even greater audiences to the picturesque coastal village of Glenarm.

Glenarm is around 11 miles from the Port of Larne where the sea-crossing to Cairnryan is 32 miles /51.2km. Passage time is just two hours for the aptly named ferry sisters European Highlander and European Causeway, to complete the crossing at a speed of 22 knots /25.3mph.

As previously reported the European Highlander, notably had the honour last month in transporting the 'other' games Olympic torch on its relay across the UK and detour to Dublin.

European Causeway was the first of the 20,000 tons pair built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Shimonoseki, Japan. Each can carry 410 passengers, 375 cars or 116 X 13.5 freight units on the vehicle decks which equate to 1,771 lane metres.

Currently the sisters are accompanied by the P&O Express which provides additional 'fast-ferry' operated sailings. In addition the fast-ferry also covers crossings on the seasonal-only Larne-Troon route.