Laois music festival has incredible final Fleadh line-up

Lynda Kiernan
By Lynda Kiernan

Reporter

Published 1st Mar 2023, 22:33 GMT
Paul Brady and Sharon Shannon to top a huge line-up on the Fleadh stage at Forest Fest in Emo this summer.placeholder image
Paul Brady and Sharon Shannon to top a huge line-up on the Fleadh stage at Forest Fest in Emo this summer.

A Laois music festival has confirmed the incredible Fleadh stage line-up in store this summer, along with other stages boasting international music acts.

Laois is not just home to the national favourite Electric Picnic, but to a young and upcoming festival that is promising an exciting weekend for music fans this summer.

Forest Fest in Emo is adding a star filled traditional Irish music stage to what is its second year.

The Forest Fleadh programme will be hosted by legendary musician Sharon Shannon.

On the bill are Paul Brady, Daoirí Farrell Trio, the olllam, Stockton’s Wing, Kíla & Brass, Greenshine, Goitse (pictured below), Emer Dunne, Eric De Buitléir, Two Time Polka, Blackie O’Conneil and Cyril O’Donoghue, Carlos Sweeney McCartin, Buíoch, Trad Hits, Bog Bodies, Caoivín, Eva Coyle Band, The Grange Ceilí Band and set dancing with Maureen Culleton, Darren Roche and Cillian Doheny, Splendid Isolation, Roo Elizabeth and Band, Tommy Fitzharris, Siobhán Buckley and Aoife Buckley, Alfi, The Cardinal Sins, Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra, The Offbeats Bodhrán Club, Miadhachughain O’Donnell and Joe Campbell McArdle.placeholder image
On the bill are Paul Brady, Daoirí Farrell Trio, the olllam, Stockton’s Wing, Kíla & Brass, Greenshine, Goitse (pictured below), Emer Dunne, Eric De Buitléir, Two Time Polka, Blackie O’Conneil and Cyril O’Donoghue, Carlos Sweeney McCartin, Buíoch, Trad Hits, Bog Bodies, Caoivín, Eva Coyle Band, The Grange Ceilí Band and set dancing with Maureen Culleton, Darren Roche and Cillian Doheny, Splendid Isolation, Roo Elizabeth and Band, Tommy Fitzharris, Siobhán Buckley and Aoife Buckley, Alfi, The Cardinal Sins, Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra, The Offbeats Bodhrán Club, Miadhachughain O’Donnell and Joe Campbell McArdle.

The overall Forest Fest programme features an eclectic mix of over 80 artists across four stages on the weekend of July 21 to 23.

Other headline acts at Forest Fest this July include James, BellX1 (pictured below), Suede, The Proclaimers, Suzanne Vega, Peter Hook and the Light, Alabama 3, Big Country, Ash, Nik Kershaw, Gabrielle, The Undertones, Something Happens, Paddy Casey, the Riptide Movement and Jack Lukeman.placeholder image
Other headline acts at Forest Fest this July include James, BellX1 (pictured below), Suede, The Proclaimers, Suzanne Vega, Peter Hook and the Light, Alabama 3, Big Country, Ash, Nik Kershaw, Gabrielle, The Undertones, Something Happens, Paddy Casey, the Riptide Movement and Jack Lukeman.

Organisers say that planning for the second year of the event is at an advanced stage with the full day-by-day programme details and an extended daily bus service to the festival to be announced later this March.

Founder and promoter is Laois man Philip Meagher.

“Following on from the success of our first Forest Fest last summer it was evident that the renaissance of Irish trad alongside the enthusiasm among innovative new talents in the genre deserved its own special place at our festival.

“We collaborated with people like Laois trad supremos Dale McKay and Ruaidhrí O’Tiarnaigh to curate what I believe to be the finest gathering of trad and folk talent in the country this year perhaps outside of the Fleadh Cheoil,” Philip said.

“We are currently putting the finishing touches to the line-up, finalising details for our food court and refreshments as well as putting in place a more extensive bus service to make it all the more convenient for fans,” the promoter added.

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“We expect to be able to announce all those before Easter so that fans can plan well ahead for what will certainly be one of the highlights of the summer. Campervan camping is already close to selling out and the feedback and reviews on Forest Fest from all over the country is amazing.”

Flexible day tickets for Forest Fest are €85; children 12 and under attend free of charge. There are also weekend camping and glamping options. For tickets, festival updates and full line-up go to www.forestfest.ie

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