Spirit Of Folk 2013 Feastival

Shortlisted for ‘Best New Festival’ by the European Festival Awards in 2011, Spirit of Folk returns with The ‘Spirit of Folk Awards’ this Autumn. Originally a three day camping festival, 2013 will see the birth of an exciting new initiative, held over two events.

The Awards will see top Irish folk acts battle it out in a Semi Final on August 31st, held in Whelan’s on Camden St. The winner will be chosen by a panel of high profile judges at a magical one day ‘Feastival’ in Dunderry Park, Co. Meath on September 21st. Judges will include Carl Corcroan from RTE Lyric’s ‘Blue of the Night’, Conor Byrne from ‘The Liffey Bank Sessions’, Julie Cooper from ‘Doolittle presents’ with more to be confirmed.

Festival Coordinator, Emily Duffy says ‘While the three day event was not possible this year, due to allowing the grounds to recover properly from our sold out festival in 2012, we were determined to find a creative way to fulfill our mandate of promoting Irish up and coming folk acts as well as educating people on our own fascinating heritage’.

The events will maintain a focus on the musical talent competing for the prize, but they will also include all the trimmings, which have become associated with the folkiest of Irish festivals. The event in Whelan’s on August 31st, according to Festival Director, Martin Duffy, will bring all the energy and vibrancy of Spirit of Folk to the city centre venue.

‘We’ll have great folk and trad music, storytelling, traditional games, delicious food and arts and craft vendors up stairs in Whelan’s. We’re really excited to transform the place into a mini folk festival!’

The main ‘Feastival’ in September also promises to host an array of family friendly activities to delight attendees. As well as events such as Falconry, Living History, Shamanic drumming and Astronomy, a medieval feast will be included in the €50 ticket price. Think haunches of meat, hearty cassoulets, artisan cheeses, and freshly baked ginger bread!

On the night of September 21st, three of the top Irish folk artists will battle it out for the Spirit of Folk Award, which will include a €1000 cash bursary, recording time with Darklands Studios, and a creative writing week at Dunderry Park.

Spirit of Folk are calling any Folk or Trad artists to apply to [email protected] with a short description of why your act should be included along with your top three tracks.

The Spirit of Folk Awards Semi final will take place in Whelan’s, Camden St. on August 31st from 3pm till late, with the final Feastival taking place on September 21st from 3pm till late.

Tickets for Whelan’s are €10 and available from www.entertainment.ie from today or at the door

Tickets for the final ‘Feastival’ in Dunderry Park are €50 and go on sale from www.entertainment.ie on July 3rd.