Mick Flannery to headline Ballymahon’s Helium Festival

Award-winning singer songwriter Mick Flannery and electrifying rock act Fight Like Apes will headline the line-up for this year’s Helium Micro Music Festival in Ballymahon.

On June 8, Helium Festival punters can look forward to enjoying a combination of Flannery, Fight Like Apes, scintillating live performer Wallis Bird and Irish acoustic folk/rock five-piece Hermitage Green all on the Helium Main Stage.

And that’s only the beginning. Further acts will be announced in the coming weeks, with up to 30 bands performing across three stages on the day.

It’s an exciting year for the boutique charity event, as the Helium Festival prepares to celebrate its fifth birthday by bringing together a gathering of the best of Irish musical talent to raise funds and generate awareness for the special cause that is Ataxia Ireland.

After last year’s second sell-out success in a row, punters are advised to scoop up their tickets quickly this year from the official media and ticketing partner Entertainment.ie or in person from the home of Helium - Skelly’s Bar & Restaurant in Ballymahon - as well as a number of other outlets scattered around the midlands region which are soon to be confirmed.

Tickets are priced at €40 plus online booking fee and are available now at www.entertainment.ie.

It’s the fifth year of Longford’s favourite micro music festival which prides itself on providing an intimate and friendly festival experience for a great cause.

The boutique charity event has drawn up to 1,500 people from all over the country and overseas over the course of the last five years.

In 2013, this year of the Gathering, it’s only expected to get better with queries flying in from all over the world about the special fundraiser walled garden gig already.

Lured in by the affordable ticket price and the great value package on offer, music lovers are treated to a fantastic line up over three stages, free BBQ food, free parking and free access to the spacious nearby camping facilities.

And back by popular demand is an added element of fun with the Ballymahon Traders' Association event – the Helium 5/10k Challenge – which will get everyone working up a sweat on the morning of June 8 to fundraise even more for the great cause that is Ataxia Ireland!

More details of Helium 2013 will be announced on the website www.heliumfestival.com and on Entertainment.ie