Thanks to a great community effort an ‘old’ festival, that marked the beginning of world-wide fame for Clannad, has been revived thanks to a great community effort by the people of Letterkenny.
Letterkenny Folk Festival last took place in 1995 and thanks to the encouragement of an online campaign, members of the town’s community, Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce, Letterkenny Town Council, Donegal County Council and the support of the business community it has now been revived with a new brand.
The very first Letterkenny Live will take place on August 12 and 13 and at the official launch at Voodoo Lounge, Main Street, on Wednesday evening the very exciting line-up was announced to the public.
The biggest name to be appearing at the inaugural Letterkenny Live on the Saturday night is busker turned Irish chart-topper Monaghan singer/songwriter Ryan Sheridan who stormed the album charts with his debut The Day You Live Forever.
Supporting Ryan will be well known Paul Ward & the Humble Earth Worms along with Blue Moose, who are also well known cover band at home and abroad.
The festival, which will be a free event held at Oliver Plunkett Road will also see a host of local talent take to the gig rig stage.
Popular 90s cover band Smashhits will be the main act appearing on the Friday night and the will be supported by Dublin singer Eoin Glackin who has just signed a deal with Sony Music Ireland.
Glackin has very strong connections to Donegal. His mother Eileen (nee McDaid) hails from Ramelton of the Football Special McDaids.
Festival Chairperson, Tony Forrester said: “Letterkenny Live will provide a festival for the locals of Letterkenny and surrounding areas and also for visitors to the town, this year we hope to attract a large crowd on which to build year on year with the aim of becoming known as a regular festival destination.
“Through feedback everyone has said that a town this size can sustain a festival, this is the first attempt to bring the festival back after a gap of many years.
“There is still a lot of work to be done and of course there’s still money to raise, we haven’t got enough yet to cover all the festival costs. At the moment we acknowledge funding from Letterkenny Town Council, Donegal County Council and Failte Ireland North West.
“We are appealing to everyone for financial assistance so if you can help or encourage anyone else to help, every little bit counts.”
For up to date information on the festival see Facebook and the Letterkenny Live website.