BY SEÁN P. FEENY
The festival stage will be set up on Oliver Plunkett Road facing up to Main Street and there’s a fantastic mix of local talent and rising stars lined up.
Tonight (Friday) kicking off the festival will be none other than ‘like totally the ultimate 90s band’ Smash Hits who are sure to get the crowd dancing.
They will be supported by up-and-coming Donegal folk rock band Heads Of State who released their debut album Last One To Fall last December.
Also appearing, one year on from the release of his debut album Not Lost, Dublin’s Eoin Glackin, who has strong connections to Ramelton.
On Saturday from 2-6pm Donegal Youth Service has organised a stage at Market Square to coincide with the festival offering a chance for up-and-coming young talent to show off their skills.
The biggest act of the festival will be appearing on Saturday night and it’s rising star singer/songwriter Ryan Sheridan who stormed the charts with his hit Jigsaw.
The Monaghan man has received great exposure, not just appearing on the Late Late Show, but featuring on radio stations nation-wide and playing support to some of the biggest acts in the industry, including Bryan Adams.
Supporting Sheridan will be the ever popular cover band Paul Ward & The Humble Earthworms and Blue Moose a five piece Irish band based in Wexford.
Toni Forrester, Letterkenny Chamber CEO, said: “We hope to attract a large crowd on which to build year on year with the aim of Letterkenny becoming known as a regular festival destination once again. Over the next few years, we envisage many festival revellers visiting and this will help fill hotels and local B&Bs, but more importantly there will be a regular summer event in the town.
“With our small committee we tried our best to get a festival up and running again. We’ve learned a lot along the way and we look forward to the very first festival after many years.
“We would also like to say a special thank you to Fáilte Ireland, Donegal County Council, Letterkenny Town Council and all our other supporters for their assistance,” she said.
Road Closure
Oliver Plunkett Road, from the junction with Main Street to the junction with Pearse Road, will be closed during the following periods to facilitate the event. 3pm on Friday, August 12 to 12.30am on Saturday, August 13 and from 3pm on Saturday to 12.30am on Sunday, 14th.