Big lunch on Rathlin Island

During the week of the festival itself there were two deaths in the community – both of people who were well-loved members of the Rathlin community. In their different ways, Kay McCurdy and Loughie McQuilkin both had a long and personal involvement with the island’s maritime culture and heritage and will be greatly missed.

David Quinney Mee, of the Rathlin Development and Community Association, said: “Obviously these were very difficult circumstances but the festival was able to carry on and be a success. The visitors treated the island and the community with great respect and it was then possible for the festival to wrap itself around the two bereavements.

“The Big Lunch itself was also a great occasion – there were a lot of people, good food, sharing of food and it was a fine way to wrap up the festival. A number of our volunteers were unable to attend because of a funeral but I should thank those, from Ballycastle, Stornoway in Scotland, and other friends of the island who stepped in and kept it going.”

Now in its eighth year, The Big Lunch is an idea from the Eden Project that aims to get as many people as possible to have lunch with their neighbours in a simple act of community, friendship and fun.