By Sean Murphy
HUNDREDS of revellers enjoyed fine weather over the weekend as the Oakfest music festival bookended the fading feel of summer.
Headline act The Boomtown Rats and frontman Bob Geldof proved the star attraction on Saturday after Donegal band Lazember were first on stage. The fun and fantastic atmosphere continued yesterday with a series of terrific tribute acts.
Oakfest staff members Sarah Sheridan, Michelle Kelly and Joanne Colhoun.
Mary McCrory and Patricia McCrory enjoying Oakfest on Saturday evening.
Oakfest has attracted sell-out crowds since its inaugural staging in 2019. It has been staged at the picturesque setting of Oakfield Park in Raphoe at the beginning of September in recent years and provides a boost to regional tourism, helps local businesses, and provides a major family-friendly cultural event, according to supporters.
The latest festival drew large crowds of visitors from across Donegal, the North West region, and the North, generating business for transport services, shuttle bus providers, and the hospitality industry.
Irish music legend Bob Geldof belted out iconic hits like I Don’t Like Mondays.
A local reveller said: “It was a fantastic night on Saturday. The Stunning were great, The Boomtown Rats blew us away. Get Bob back next year.”
Photographer Donna McBride was there to capture all the excitement Oakfest had to offer.
Crowds enjoying the performance by The Boomtown Rats at Oakfest.
Bob Geldof, The Boomtown Rats front man performing at Oakfest in Oakfield Park on Saturday evening. Photo: Donna El Assaad
Isobel Gardiner and Maire Geoghegan at Oakfest on Saturday evening.
The crowds enjoying The Boomtown Rats performance on Saturday evening.
Ryan Muharg and Emma Murphy at Oakfest in Oakfield Park on Saturday evening.
Erin Alexander and Aoife Whelan at Oakfest on Saturday evening. Photo: Donna El Assaad
Rathmullan friends enjoying the day at Oakfest on Saturday.
Bernie McGuire, Siobhan Sweeney and Roisin Mcglinchey at Oakfest in Oakfield Park on Saturday evening.
Fans enjoying The Stunning perform at Oakfest.
The Stunning band members including Cormac Dunne and Steve Wall watching The Boomtown Rats at Oakfest on Saturday evening.
Mary Hippsley and Sean O’Leary at Oakfest in Oakfield Park on Saturday evening.