The first ever Night & Day Festival will take place on the grounds of Clonalis House in Castlerea on Saturday and Sunday next, September 24th and 25th.
The two-day camping festival, which takes its inspiration from the autumn equinox, a time of equal periods of night and day, will be held across three tented stages and will feature a full programme of family-friendly events.
The festival is a strictly over-20s event, but U-12s can enter for free when accompanied by a parent or guardian. A great range of family-focused activities will take place inside the spectacular walled garden of Clonalis House. The jam-packed itinerary includes immersive circus performances, ancient instrument workshops, mythical storytelling, natural craft making, and live bog oak sculpting.
Political anoraks will also enjoy live political debates among high profile Irish politicians, policymakers and political experts.
At the recent launch, organisers Cruachan Productions told local stakeholders how the grounds of the historic County Roscommon home would be transformed into a musical oasis for the event and that festival-goers would be treated to a packed schedule of music, comedy and political debate.
The star-studded line-up will feature acts such as Villagers, John Grant, The Mary Wallopers, The Zutons, Cathy Davey, Junior Brother, and Soda Blonde as well as comedy from Danny Ryan, Ashlee Bentley, Steve Bennett, Eman Idama and many more.
Ballymore Properties are the main sponsors of the event, which is also supported by Ireland West Airport, Knock, while Harmac Medical will sponsor one of the stages.
Cruachan Productions’ Brendan Hurley, the Festival’s Director, said: “We’re aiming to bring a world class festival to Castlerea, that will have a blend of music, comedy, storytelling and debate.
“We’re really thankful for the support we’ve received so far from our sponsors and to the O’Conor Nash family for putting their trust in us, because without them this wouldn’t be possible”.
Cruachan Productions is run by Mr. Hurley and his nephew, Head of Communications, Craig Hughes.
Mr. Hughes said: “It’s exciting to launch a music festival, but even more so to do it in a part of the country where we grew up and that has been underserved and underutilised in terms of live music for too long.
“Our aim is to bring some of the biggest acts in the country to Night & Day, but we’ll also be giving emerging artists from the region a platform to showcase their talents”.
Clonalis House, the home of Richard and Carol-Anne O’Conor Nash, will host the festival.
Mrs O’Conor-Nash said the family was delighted to welcome the festival to Castlerea.
“We believe Clonalis with its 700 acres of woodland and pasture and surrounded by nature is the perfect setting for a festival and perfect setting to celebrate the autumn equinox,” she said.
“We’re delighted to welcome people to Roscommon and to showcase Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, and bring people to an unspoiled part of the country.
“It will give people a further opportunity to discover the soft bogs and roving lakes, and appreciate what’s on our doorstep”.
Early Bird tickets have now sold out but some tickets remain for both days of the festival as well as weekend camping passes costing €165. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.nightandday.ie or email info@nightandday.ie.
