Over the bank holiday weekend, thousands of people flocked to Gweedore for Bingo Loco and two sold out Picture This gigs at the county’s newest festival venue The Big Top Donegal.

 The event, which is hoped to become an annual event, has been hailed as a major success with hotels and B&Bs across the county booked out over the weekend while shuttle buses ferried people to the area from Letterkenny, Derry and Belfast.

Following their successful performances, Picture This posted, “Donegal, thank you for two incredible shows over the weekend. It was special.”

Organiser Shane Barr said the weekend was spectacular and it was a great event for the whole county.

“The first three nights of the festival were a huge success and it was fantastic to see a band the stature of Picture This performing in Gweedore.

“There were people from Kerry, Galway, Dublin and Belfast at the festival and it was just great for the whole area.

“There was such an air of positivity surrounding the events and everyone was just so happy to be able to enjoy live music in a safe manner.

“There was a huge buzz in the area and a real sense of freedom.

“The event management plan worked brilliantly and we are very happy with how it went,” said Mr Barr.

Following the major success of last weekend, it is all systems go again as the organisers prepare for another three jam packed nights of live music, entertainment and some Halloween fun.

On Friday night, a charity night in aid of Donegal Cancer Flights is being held with a highly anticipated line up of country music.

Derek Ryan, All Folk’d Up, Tumbling Paddies and Ireland’s Garth Brooks ft Jason Hughes will take to the stage and all proceeds are going towards the charity. Tickets are €20 and are still available.

Thousands are expected in Gweedore again on Saturday night as Irish artists Kneecap, Welshy, John Gibbons and Big P will all perform live at ‘Freaknight’ at the Big Top Donegal.

The major production, which will include a fancy dress party, carnival atmosphere and lots of Ireland’s best music acts, has proved to be hugely popular and the early bird tickets for the event sold out in just four minutes.

 The remaining tickets are selling fast for the event.

On Halloween night, The Waterboys will take to the stage to close the festival and the performance will be their only Irish show of 2021 and a  small number of tickets are still available.

Mr Barr continued, “We have another big weekend ahead and we have something for everyone with country music, rap, and everything in between.

“We have the charity night on the Friday and on Saturday we have the Freaknight. Kneecap is performing and he is famous for rapping in Irish so we think this is particularly important due to the Irish culture in Gweedore and the surrounding area.

“The Waterboys will finish up the festival and they are flying in from Glasgow for the show and we are so excited to welcome them to Gweedore,” said Mr Barr.

Follow Fómhair Festival’s social media pages for updates and all information on the events.