AN ESTIMATED €2M has been forecast to be generated for the village of Doolin with the return of Doolin FolkFesk this weekend.
Doolin Arts, the not-for-profit company created by Hotel Doolin has confirmed that Doolin FolkFest is returning from June 14th to 16th.
Organisers are expecting thousands of people from all over the world to travel to North Clare for the festival generating an estimated two million in economic impact for the region.
Although small, FolkFest is known to punch above its weight when it comes to its line-up of musicians. This year is no different with Jack L, The Scratch and Eddi Reader in place as headliners, whilst an eclectic collection of more than 50 local and international traditional and folk acts including Aldoc, Síomha and Niamh Bury will support the diverse festival programme.
Director of Doolin Arts, Donal Minihane explained, “Although we’re in our eleventh year, we’re still not interested in being a big, mainstream festival or making a profit. Doolin FolkFest is about giving people who appreciate great music the opportunity to come together. It’s that unique communal experience, paired with the unrivalled setting of the village, that keeps people coming back.
“We’re incredibly proud that our festival contributes to the local economy, whilst also providing an important platform for local artists to share their talents. The arts form the lifeblood of many a rural community across Ireland. Co. Clare is well known for its rich musical heritage and year-on-year FolkFest brings this legacy to life. Our role at Doolin Arts is to ensure that all creative expression – music, literature, dance – remains in the region for people from near and far to benefit from, and we’re really proud that FolkFest continues to be a key driver in that ambition,” headed.
Now in its eleventh year, Doolin FolkFest is also billed as a ‘festival without a footprint’, in that it’s one of a handful of carbon neutral festivals to be held on the island of Ireland. It’s held in the barn of Hotel Doolin, the first carbon neutral hotel in the country, and the winner of Green Medium Sized Business of the Year and The Green Tourism & Entertainment Award at this year’s Green Awards.
Over the course of Doolin FolkFest 2024, no single use items will be available, and the tickets sold will result in the planting of 500 native trees.
Conor Byrne, the Festival’s artistic director said, “Once again we’ve put together an incredible line-up – 50 diverse acts over three days and three stages. Early sales are indicating that our headliners will help us deliver another memorable instalment, and it’s no surprise with The Scratch well-loved in Clare having had a phenomenal performance on the White Horse Session Stage at the festival three years ago, we’re delighted that they now return to headline the weekend. Sibling duo, Caoimhe and Séamus Uí Fhlatharta, and Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin will showcase the music and sean-nós style of the Gaeltacht, whilst performers Siobhán Peoples, Tony Linnane, James Cullinan, and Steve Cooney will make sure there’s a solid local representation.
“Since we started the Folk Festival more than a decade ago, we’ve been intentional in what we want it to represent. If a small festival like ours can achieve carbon neutrality, and pay a fair rate to performers, then there is no reason the bigger festivals, with all their resources and profits can’t do the same. We’re really looking forward to welcoming people to Doolin this June, and we thank our supporters – performers and guests – for their continued support and for recognising the essence of what we want to do,” he added.
Doolin FolkFest takes place June 14 – June 16 at Hotel Doolin. Weekend tickets are priced at €149 plus booking fee and day tickets are €60 plus booking fee. For bookings and more information visit doolinarts.ie
