Battle for the Lake to bring Mayo summer to a close

Irish folk music group Clada will be among the headline acts for this weekend's annual Battle for the Lake water sport and music festival which is expected to attract close to 5,000 people to Achill Island.

Dubbed Mayo's mini Electric Picnic, the annual Battle for the Lake takes place from Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27 and will attract some of the world's best kitesurfers to the island.

Battle for the Lake, which is now in its 16th edition, is presented by Pure Magic, the Irish watersports crew that has been bringing people together around wind and water for more than 20 years.

Franciois Collusi of Pure Magic told The Mayo News that Battle for the Lake has grown from a gathering of kite friends into one of Ireland’s most distinctive watersports and music festivals — without 'losing the mad little Achill soul that started it all'.

“People who attend Battle for the Lake this weekend can expect a wonderful show. We will have the best watersports people in the world coming to Achill Island and the whole island will be buzzing with a celebration of the wind and the elements after an incredible year for Mayo.

“This is not a normal festival. One minute you’re standing on Keel Beach watching a kiteboarder launch into the sky. A few hours later you're deep in the woods at the Valley House watching a band absolutely destroy the dancefloor. It’s a watersports competition, a music festival, an island pilgrimage, a giant family weekend and one very good excuse to head west.

“You can expect loads of colour and music and as you can see from the line up you have all different styles of music and it will be a fantastic weekend,” he said.

Keel Lake will be the centre for the watersports events over the weekend with some of the world's top kite-surfers coming to Achill. They include Ruben “Len10” Lenten, Hannah Whiteley, Aaron Hadlow, Angely Bouillot and Francois said they will compete alongside Ireland's best riders.

“Expect kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing, foil action, demos, clinics, battles and the legendary Battle for the Lake WOW Show — with the Atlantic wind deciding exactly how crazy things get.

“And the best bit? You don't need to be a pro. The daytime action at Keel Lake is free, spectacular and made for spectators, families, riders and anyone who simply wants to see people flying over the water,” he said.

The nighttime entertainment takes place on the grounds of The Valley House with two nights of music with 25 bands playing across four stages.

Galway-based traditional folk band Clada will headline Friday night show on The Windy Stage supported by Grooveline and the Bionic Rats while on Saturday night, Springbreak will headline The Windy Stage with support from Aindrias de Staic & The Latchikos and The Evergreen Brothers.

Other musicians to perform over the two nights include Kettle Boilers, Achill 400, Graham Sweeney, Slí na Croí and The Swifty Show while the Djs playing at The Courtyard include DJ Pierr, Voyou, Fishy Martin and DJ Will Softly.

The daytime event at Keel Lake is free to attend, while the nighttime Magical Forest at the Valley House is ticketed, with shuttle transport operating from the official festival campsite.

For more information on Battle for the Lake visit the website, www.battleforthelake.com.