Claremorris is set to be transformed into a carnival of folk music, street performers and artisan food stalls this July. The line-up for the two-day Claremorris Folk Festival (July 20-21 ) was unveiled on Friday (April 5 ) at a launch party in the town.
The Main Stage in the Town Hall Theatre will see performances from internationally renowned Irish acts: Mick Flannery, Ultan Conlon & the night owls, Emma Langford, Joshua Burnside, The Whileaways, The Lost Brothers, Goitse, Seamus Fogarty and Junior Brother.
The streets around the square in Claremorris will be pedestrianised for the festival, which is expected to attract music lovers far and wide.
Gilligan’s Lane, which links the Main Stage to the Market Square Stage, will be transformed into an artisan farmer and craft market, filled with local food and craft producers.
A stretch tent will cover the entire Market Square, which will host some exciting national and local acts such as Cúig, Jane Willow, Darragh O’Dea, Derek Ellard and many more. An array of family-friendly activities will be available for children and parents alike, to keep all of the family entertained for hours.
The Whileaways, who are due to take to the Main Stage on the final night of the festival, performed at the launch in the Town Hall on Friday, which was also attended by local business representatives, local councillors and representatives from the South Mayo Development company.
Speaking at the festival launch on Friday, the festival’s founder and organiser, Brendan Hurley, said the support for the festival has been amazing.
“It’s great to be able to bring so many big acts to Claremorris, especially in our first year as a festival. The support locally has been amazing so far, everyone is really getting behind us and what we’re trying to achieve, hopefully it’s the start of something very special."
A more intimate Studio Stage inside the Town Hall venue is being curated by The Core, run by the Music Generation Mayo project, which gives 12 to 18 years olds an opportunity to engage in music workshops and access to equipment.
The local library will play host to the Spoken Word Stage, which will feature award winning poet Stephen Murphy among others.
“While it is great to be able to bring big acts to Claremorris, it’s also wonderful to be able to give some up and coming and local acts the opportunity to play to a large crowd and hopefully give them a boost in the right direction,” Mr Hurley added.
Further information on the festival can be found on the festival’s website www.claremorrisfolkfestival.com as well as the festival’s social media channels.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Claremorris-Folk-Festival-248832989343409/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClaremorrisFolk
The festival is also supported by 'RTÉ Supporting The Arts' programme.
