Vibrant new CROÍLÁR Festival to showcase local talent

By Rebekah O'Reilly

The brand new CROÍLÁR Festival is set to take place this weekend as Athlone sets the stage for a jam-packed schedule of talented musicians, comedians, and storytellers.

Taking place from April 4 to April 6, the mission of the festival is to celebrate emerging Irish talent across the arts while working closely with local businesses and venues to create something truly special for the Midlands.

The line-up includes big name acts such as Tullamore pop and soul artist Tolu Makay, Irish songwriter David Kitt, internationally acclaimed storytellers Seanchoíche, and up-and-coming comedian, poet and storyteller Aoife Dunne.

Local acts making an appearance include Athlone-based singer-songwriter Liadh, as well as Taughmaconnell singer-songwriter Ciara Lawless, who have been making waves across the town with their intimate performances in cafés and their frequent appearances on the local events calendar.

"We felt there was a lack of opportunities, and not much of a platform for up-and-coming musicians in the Midlands. There are a number of festivals around the country, but we wanted something focused on acts from the heart of Ireland," said Eddie Connolly, festival organiser. "We thought Athlone would be the perfect place to host the festival - as it's one of the biggest towns in the Midlands."

The festival not only aims to highlight the raw talent of Irish artists in the Midlands, but also hopes to inspire locals to incorporate the Irish language into their everyday.

For those looking to brush up on their cúpla focal, the festival’s pop-up Gaeltacht will offer a welcoming space to chat in Irish, no matter your skill level.

"I'm a big advocate of speaking the Irish language myself, and I spent years in the Gaeltacht," Eddie said. "By including a pop-up Gaeltacht in the festival, it's about keeping the language alive."

With something to suit people of all ages, CROÍLÁR organisers are hoping to foster a family-friendly atmosphere across the weekend.

"There will be bands, comedy, DJs and afterparties, as well as various workshops for yoga and breathwork. On Sunday, there will be lots for families to do with a talk about Irish mythology, and a céilí suitable for both kids and those with additional needs. There will also be an outdoor canopy area with music, vendors, and arts and crafts - we want to create a weekend that caters to everybody."

Athlone is the backdrop for the festival, with a number of local venues acting as stages for the various events across the three days.

"If you want to go for a dance, there are events in The Venue, or if you're looking for something more soft, St Mary's Church is ideal for that more relaxed vibe. Peddler Macs, Nut's Corner, The Snug, McNeill's, Flannery's and The Brazen Monkey will all be playing host to events across the weekend - and of course parents are more than welcome to bring their kids along to those events before 9pm."

Attendees are advised to keep an eye out, as a number of impressive secret pop-up events and performances are to be expected across the weekend.

Over 500 tickets have been sold as of Friday, March 28, and festival organisers are looking forward to an exciting weekend packed with great music, craic, and culture.

"We've really felt the help and support from all the local businesses who allowed us to place flyers and posters, and Westmeath County Council has been great," Eddie said. "It's the first year of the festival, so we can't wait to see how it grows from here."

The CROÍLÁR festival has been sponsored by Bay Sports Athlone, as well as Athlone-based tech company W3 Blender.

Merchandise and tickets for the festival will be on sale in Peddler Mac's pub across the weekend. To purchase tickets in advance, or for more information on the schedule and festival line-up, go to: www.croilar.ie