Disappointment at crowd for Athlone Music Festival

The organiser of the Athlone Music Festival has expressed disappointment with the number of people who attended the inaugural event last weekend. Sharon Shannon, Mundy, Imelda May and The Undertones were among the acts who performed at the festival in Athlone Town Stadium on Saturday and Sunday last. Feedback from those who attended was strongly positive, with the festival's Facebook webpage attracting comments such as "a brilliant weekend" and "great festival - I loved it." Organiser Ultan Moran, a native of Assumption Road, said the festival was a success from a logistical standpoint. However, the number of paying punters it attracted was less than anticipated. "It was a fantastic event. It was well organised, well put-together. The atmosphere in the tent, the lighting, the sound, the stage - I don't think those could have been any better. "Unfortunately in the first year of a festival you can't expect to achieve what you want to achieve and the numbers were less than we expected," he said. "There are various factors which might have contributed to that. The European Festival had been on all week and maybe people got us mixed up with that and thought our festival was the same thing. "Also I've heard that there were something like 700 festival-type events going on in the country last weekend so that can't have helped." He stated that there were many musical highlights over the weekend. "Every single band who came on was fantastic. Many of the unsigned bands were playing early in the day, in front of very small crowds, but their attitude was first class. "Then there were moments I'll never forget, such as meeting people like Imelda May, who's an absolute star." Despite his disappointment at the attendance last weekend, Mr Moran said he aimed to press on in order to make the festival a successful annual event. "Without a doubt we have taken a knock. We are disappointed with the numbers, but we're delighted with the feedback from people who were leaving at the end of the festival and telling us 'Please come back next year, we'll tell everybody about it and encourage them to come.'" Mr Moran thanked all those who had helped make the festival a reality. He reiterated that the long-term aim was to develop a two-day camping festival in Athlone which would attract some 15,000 to 20,000 people, but said this would require the support of people in the town. Looking ahead to next year, he indicated that the date of the festival would be different, and that outside investment in the event would be sought. "We know it will take a lot of work. We're going to regroup over the next few weeks but we're aiming to be back again next year," he said.