Latest news with #SeaSessions
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Festivals running the risk of closing as call goes out for more funding from Fáilte Ireland
And, Cllr Thomas Walsh claimed that Fáilte Ireland were 'asleep at the wheel' as it has only given Sligo County Council a 'paltry €26,000' to run local festivals in the past five years. Cllr Walsh, who is involved with the Ballygawley Music Festival and Sligo Live, said festivals were hanging by a thread. He was speaking amid fears for the independent festival scene, after Sea Sessions in Bundoran announced it isn't going ahead this year, while a liquidator was appointed to the company behind the Wild Roots Festival in Sligo last year and is no more. Meanwhile, Barry O'Neill organiser of the hugely popular Rory Gallagher Festival in Ballyshanon has expressed fears for its future. Cllr Walsh said: 'There was a small bit of support for events over Covid but then inflation kicked in post Covid, and nothing was put in place for live festival events. 'So, costs have skyrocketed, and it is something I have been highlighting for years and the whole events thing is hanging on by a thread. 'This is because of huge increased costs, and I know from Ballygawley Music Festival in July and Sligo Summer Festival who were hoping to run a second weekend on the August Bank Holiday Weekend, but it was not possible because it would cost them an extra €70,000 to run a second weekend. 'Sligo Live and Cairde and our own festival are very successful, but our costs in Ballygawley are up on €120,000 which includes insurance, operational costs, site set up costs, energy costs and the cost of the acts have gone up because of the knock- on effects of the increase in the price of fuel for travel and their insurance has gone up too. 'All of that is passed on to the festivals and the organisers are forced to pass that on to the price of the ticket which is regrettable but necessary,' he said. Cllr Walsh added that nine smaller festivals collapsed in 2024, and the UK has the same problem where 60 folded last year. ADVERTISEMENT He added that another factor impacting was the huge crowds attending headline acts in Croke Park, the Aviva or other major venues. 'These massive artists sell out venues, but they are portraying a false economy because people are saving their money for the big festivals and not supporting the smaller ones.' Cllr Walsh was critical of Fáilte Ireland. 'Its budget from the State last year was €140m and all they give Sligo County Council for events in the county is a mere €26,000. That would not pay for a marquee, insurance etc 'Ballygawley gets €4,000 from Fáilte Ireland for an event that costs €120,000, so it would not cover even the toilet facilities.' 'But they do good work in terms of capital spending and Queen Maeve Square would not be there only for Failte Ireland and Strandhill Surf Centre of Excellence, so they are doing well on the capital side. 'But they are not supporting live is a three night festival and 5,000 people were there last year. Cllr Walsh added that Irish Public Bodies IPB who supply insurance and public liability for all Council offices and State facilities, could open it up to live events and it would take the cost away from the operator. 'I believe the State should take over the insurance via IPB which is their own insurance policy.' 'Fáilte Ireland should be made increase the funding to local authorities and I am talking about events of 500 and over and less than 5,000. '€26,000 is a kick in the teeth for Sligo festivals and €100,000 per local authority would not be out of the way and that is the reality of it. 'It would just get their heads above water and festivals are in survival mode all over the country. Cllr Walsh added that culture and arts were the backbone of our economy. 'There is a huge knock- on benefit for Sligo from all these festivals so they should be supported. 'Fáilte Ireland is the vehicle for tourism, and they talk about supporting visitor attractions and festivals but really they are not supporting festivals. 'Unless there is an injection of cash into these festivals more of them are going to collapse.'
Irish Examiner
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Beyond the Pale festival cancelled just days before kickoff at Glendalough Estate
One of Ireland's most popular music festivals, Beyond the Pale, has been cancelled just days before it was due to begin next weekend. Crews had been working on-site for weeks, setting up stages and preparing the grounds at Glendalough Estate, Co Wicklow. The festival was scheduled to run this Friday to Sunday, June 13–15. However, the main stage was being dismantled today. A funfair, large marquees, tents, toilets, and security fencing had already been erected across the scenic site, which is backed by woodland and bordered by both a river and a lake. Suppliers began removing infrastructure today after being told by organisers that the festival could no longer proceed. The industry was slammed by the Covid pandemic and never fully recovered, a supplier at the festival said. Independent festivals, in particular, are still struggling. 'It seems to be the state of affairs at the moment that Irish festivals are going bust," someone working at the festival said. 'So many of them are gone. 'I think it's an overhang from covid. Insurance premiums going up. A lot of suppliers went bust over covid, suppliers that were left were trying to make up the money they lost so they raised their prices putting pressure on festivals again. It's like a vicious circle. 'Then the cost of living and everything else, there's not as much money around as there was before so they're probably struggling with ticket sales. 'There's pressure coming from everywhere. 'Last year Forever Young went, Indiependence in Cork, Sea Sessions in Donegal." Headliners for this year's Beyond the Pale included Jon Hopkins, Róisín Murphy, TV on the Radio, Boney M, and Jeff Mills. As recently as Saturday morning, tickets were still available on the festival's website — €268.95 for a three-day camping pass and €126.90 for a single-day ticket. Beyond the Pale won Best Small Festival at last year's Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) awards. It launched in 2022 with fewer than 5,000 attendees but grew rapidly — doubling to 10,000 by 2024 with 15 stages. This year, it was set to host 12,000 people. Read More Robert Pether's family to hear of restrictions put on engineer next week
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Gutted' say revellers as popular Irish summer festival with major artists ‘taking a break'
FANS have been left "gutted" as the popular seaside festival has announced it will not be returning this summer. 5 The festival has grown from a few hundred people to selling out to 5,000 right on the beach front Credit: 5 Festival-goers came from all over to enjoy the waves and music Credit: 5 Crowds enjoyed artists like Bastille, The Coronas and many more Credit: The festival that started in 2008 is "taking a break" this year. In a post on Facebook, organisers said: "Sorry for having been so quiet on here. "But we have some news. Sea Sessions is taking a break in 2025. The crew are working away on exciting plans and hope to be back to you with more information soon. READ MORE ON TRAVEL "Thanks for your support, the good wishes and all the messages." Many lovers of Sea Sessions flooded the comments with their disappointment at the recent news. One fan said: "Gutted, but hopefully bigger and better in 2026." Another echoed: "Lots of festivals taking a break & waiting for a turn around in trends. Most read in Beach "The bottom line is people don't have the same amount of disposable income with the high living costs in this country….. and it's only getting worse by the year. "I've seen the changes in trends in the bar & venue the last 4/5 years… scary…." Waterpark to have Wave Festival this summer Organiser Ray O'Donoghue has formally stepped down from his role with the Donegal-based Sea Sessions Surf and Music Festival. He has told the public that he is taking time to dedicate himself full-time to supporting and developing Dublin's night-time culture. He said: "Sea Sessions has been a huge part of that journey, and I've loved seeing it grow into one of the country's best-loved festivals. "But now, I feel the time is right to focus fully on my role with Dublin City Council. "I'm excited to play a part in reimagining how the city comes alive after dark - with safer, more inclusive, accessible, and vibrant options for everyone." Over the years, the popular surf and music event has hosted many famous artists. With last year's line-up including Cian Ducrot, Johnny Marr, Jazzy, Jake Bugg, Amble, Kingfishr, Jerry Fish and Lea Hart. In 2012, The Coronas, one of Ireland's biggest bands of recent years, saw a packed out Main Stage tent. Even the president was in attendance as he enjoyed the music among the huge crowds. Artists like Bastille, Tinie Tempah and even Dizzee Rascal have all taken to the Donegal stage over the last few years. Fans shouldn't be too worried as the 5 The festival is a blend of good music and surfing Credit: 5 Sea sessions is a famous music and surf festival in Bundoran, Donegal Credit:
BreakingNews.ie
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Sea Sessions confirms there will be no festival this year
The popular music festival Sea Sessions has announced there will not be a 2025 edition. After starting back in 2008, Sea Sessions has grown into one of Irelands top music festivals. It is the only festival that brings together the unique lifestyle aspects of music, surf, sports over three days. Advertisement The event usually takes place on Tullen Strand in Bundoran, Co Donegal. A post on Facebook on Thursday said: "Sorry for having been so quiet on here. But we have some news. "Sea Sessions is taking a break in 2025. The crew are working away on exciting plans and hope to be back to you with more information soon. "Thanks for your support, the good wishes and all the messages." The 2024 edition had a lineup that included the likes of Cian Ductor, Johnny Marr, Jazzy, Jake Bugg, Amble, Kingfishr, Jerry Fish and Lea Hart. The event also featured b each volleyball in the sun, knockout soccer and rugby as well as morning yoga and swimrise on the beach. It also featured l iquid therapy which provides a supported environment that enables young people to experience the physical and therapeutic benefits of surf and the ocean, through child led and individual tailored programmes.
RTÉ News
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Sea Sessions pauses as chief Ray O'Donoghue steps down
Ray O'Donoghue has formally stepped down from his role with the Donegal-based Sea Sessions Surf & Music Festival to dedicate himself full-time to supporting and developing Dublin's night-time culture. As he focuses full-time on his role as Dublin City Council's Night-Time Economy Advisor, the festival will take a break in 2025, with ongoing discussions about its potential return in a refreshed format in the future. Mr O'Donoghue, who joined Sea Sessions in 2010, played a central role in the event, which blended music, surf, sport, and beach culture in Bundoran. Reflecting on his decision, he said: "I've been promoting festivals and live events since 1999, from early gigs in Dublin to my first festival, Coastal Beats, on the west coast. "Sea Sessions has been a huge part of that journey, and I've loved seeing it grow into one of the country's best-loved festivals. But now, I feel the time is right to focus fully on my role with Dublin City Council. "Being Night-Time Economy Advisor is a big undertaking, and my experience running events has given me valuable insight. Dublin's night-time culture is evolving, and I'm excited to play a part in reimagining how the city comes alive after dark - with safer, more inclusive, accessible, and vibrant options for everyone." Sea Sessions has earned numerous accolades, including the IMRO Award for Best Festival, and regularly attracted up to 10,000 attendees per day. The festival has hosted acts such as Dermot Kennedy, Tinie Tempah, Primal Scream, Dizzee Rascal, Bastille, The Coronas, and Kodaline. The official statement from the organisers reads: "Sorry for being so quiet… Sea Sessions is taking a break in 2025. We hope to be back with more information soon." Mr O'Donoghue now leads Dublin City Council's efforts to develop a vibrant, safe, and inclusive night-time economy - driving pilot initiatives and long-term strategies that support cultural activity, improve access, and encourage new uses of public space and venues after 6pm.
