<P> "Red Sails in the Sunset" is a popular song . Published in 1935, its music was written by Hugh Williams (pseudonym for Wilhelm Grosz) with lyrics by prolific songwriter Jimmy Kennedy . The song was inspired by the "red sails" of Kitty of Coleraine, a yacht Kennedy often saw off the northern coast of Ireland and by his adopted town Portstewart, a seaside resort in County Londonderry . </P> <P> The title of the song provides the inspiration for the Red Sails Festival held annually in Portstewart, Northern Ireland . Kennedy wrote the song while staying in Portstewart . </P>

Who wrote the song red sails in the sunset