Westport Festival of Music and Performing Arts has confirmed even more international and Irish artists for Ireland’s most exciting music event! The festival will take place in the stunning grounds of Westport House on Saturday June 23rd and Sunday June 24th and new additions to the line-up include trad superstars The Chieftains, legendary Celtic rockers Horslips, Soft Cell front-man Marc Almond as special guest to the already announced Jools Holland and folktronic songstress Beth Orton. Hugely popular bluesman Eric Bibb is also making the trip to Westport, as is Ryan Sheridan, Wallis Bird, Colin Devlin, Bronagh Gallagher, Sam Amidon, Liz Lawrence, The Plea, Touchwood, Red Empire and Rhob Cunningham.
They will be joining the links of Kinks man Ray Davies, Jools Holland, Seasick Steve, Imelda May, Alison Moyet, Lloyd Cole, Nick Lowe, The Dubliners, Macy Gray, Damien Dempsey, Royseven, Duke Special, The Hothouse Flowers, The Undertones, The Minutes and many more. Check out www.westportfestival.com for the magnificent full day-to-day line-up.
Westport Festival will be a haven of fun for young people of all ages. Small people will be able to enjoy the fantastic on-site Pirate Adventure Park, possibly THEE coolest kid’s festival area on the planet! Children under 12 years of age are welcomed into the festival for free, once accompanied by a ticket holding adult aged 18 years or over, limited to two children per adult. Grown-ups will be able to kick back and enjoy all their favourite tunes, while munching on a huge selection of gourmet festival fare and relaxing with a cool drink in hand. Adult tickets are €75 including booking fee for a one day ticket and €130 including booking fee for a two day ticket. Teens are also very welcome to attend the festival and the organizers have introduced a very special discounted ‘Junior Ticket’ for young people aged between 13 years and 16 years. One day tickets are priced at €40 while a weekend ticket for 13 – 16 year olds will cost just €70. These special tickets can only be purchased through the festival Facebook page – search “Westport-Festival-of-Music-and-Performing-Arts”. You can connect with the link on the tickets page of westportfestival.com. Please note ID will be required for all those presenting Junior Tickets at the entry point.
The festival has also created a stage with a difference! The Westport Open Mic Stage will be a platform for up and coming talent of all kinds, from singer songwriters to comedians, slam poets to opera divas! Those wishing to be considered for a slot should email their demo in MP3 format or web link or video link to info@thehotspot.ie before Monday April 30th. Remember to include a name and contact details. All types of entertainment will be considered, however places are limited, so get your entries in now. This is NOT a ‘band competition’! This is an opportunity for performers across all genres to enjoy their 10 minutes of fame at an international festival of music and performing arts! Who knows, next year you might be on the main stage!
Westport is a one of Ireland’s most fantastic towns, from its superb collection of hotels to its gourmet restaurants, chic shops and boho cafes, old man’s pubs and banging nightclubs, the town has something to offer all festival goers – the girly gang, the lads on the tear, the festival-loving family, the more discerning music fan tired of trudging through endless fields. Westport town and Westport Festival of Music and Performing Arts have something for everyone. This is one weekend not to be missed, the kick start to the summer, a break from the weekly grind, a weekend to kick back, relax, take stock of life and enjoy great performances, sumptuous homegrown food and cold pints in a welcoming, friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
Purchasing Tickets:
PHONE: Phone lines are open Monday to Friday between 9.30am – 5.30pm.
Rep of Ireland customers call 0818 333344
UK & Northern Ireland customers call 0844 5441010
International customers call +353 1 4038413
ONLINE: www.ticketgroup.ie
INSTORE: At any of 165 Xtra-Vision outlets across Ireland, stores open from 10.00am – 10.30pm, 7 days a week
Westport Festival of Music and Performing Arts is generously supported by Fáilte Ireland, Destination Westport and Mayo County Council.