The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
MUSIC lovers from across the region will travel to North Clare at the weekend for this year’s Féile an tSamhraidh in Fanore and Ballyvaughan.
Joining Paddy Casey and The Walls on the main stage on Saturday will be new band Walking On Cars, along with The Jim McKee Band, while local acts Lobster Johnson and Dominic Flynn perform on the Burren stage.
“We have been very ambitious in this year’s festival line-up with fantastic acts from the get-go, so I would advise festival goers to arrive early in order to make sure not to miss their favourite act,” said Tom O’Donnell, one of the organisers.
“The music starts in Ballyvaughan community field from 4pm with The Jim McKee Band, followed by Walking On Cars. Paddy Casey takes to the stage at 7pm, followed later by The Walls. Lobster Johnson and Dominic Flynn will perform on the Burren stage through the evening,” he added.
There will be free bouncy castles and face painting at Saturday’s event, as well as a full bar and catering facilities available onsite.
Another of the organisers, Gerry O’Sullivan, stresses the festival is not just about Saturday’s music.
“This is truly a community-based festival. There is entertainment in Ballyvaughan and Fanore all this June Bank Holiday weekend. Other highlights include a variety show performance on Friday evening at 7.30pm in St John’s Hall, Ballyvaughan.
“Before the music festival on Saturday, there’s a Farmers’ Market with free puppet shows by the highly acclaimed Dog and String Puppet Theatre between 10am and 2pm in the morning.
“Then there’s a céilí in O’Donoghue’s Pub, Fanore with The Five Counties Céilí Band on Sunday at 10pm and the festival wraps up with a vintage car run, followed by free music with the Guinness Jazz Band in Ballyvaughan square on Monday.
“With walks and cycling events for the more active visitors and also free street entertainment, craft markets and great music in the pubs at night, the North Clare parish of Ballyvaughan and Fanore is definitely the place to be this bank holiday weekend,” he concluded.
