Gathering at Uisneach http://www.festivalofthefires.com Uisneach Inn, Killare, Co Westmeath - Bealtaine, May 4/5 2013 Thu, 09 May 2013 10:08:41 +0000 en hourly 1 Thank you! http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/05/09/thank-you-3/ http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/05/09/thank-you-3/#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 10:08:41 +0000 ronan http://www.festivalofthefires.com/?p=665 A big thank you to everyone who came, everyone who helped out on and everyone who played a part in the ‘Gathering at Uisneach’.

The support of Irish Public Bodies and Westmeath County Council was crucial in making the event happen, and we were delighted it passed off safely.

The attendance of so many from abroad was testament to the draw of this magical part of the country, and despite the event not being on the Hill of Uisneach, we were glad so many got to visit the hill over the weekend.

For lost property or any other enquiries related to the ‘Gathering at Uisneach’, please get in touch with us via the FACEBOOK page only. Our office is now closed and all other email addresses & phone numbers are not in service.

Thanks again, see you soon.

]]> http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/05/09/thank-you-3/feed/ 0 Stage times http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/05/01/stage-times/ http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/05/01/stage-times/#comments Wed, 01 May 2013 11:38:09 +0000 ronan http://www.festivalofthefires.com/?p=651 The first ever Gathering at Uisneach takes place this Saturday and Sunday at the Uisneach Inn venue, set into the foothill of the Hill of Uisneach. With Festival of the Fires taking a well-deserved year off, we could not let the Bealtaine weekend pass without staging something, so this year we bring you a boutique music festival featuring some great Irish acts on two stages, plus a few of the elements from Festival of the Fires, which will return in 2013.

The Gathering at Uisneach is supported by Irish Public Bodies and Westmeath County Council.

STAGE TIMES

SATURDAY MAY 4th

TREE STAGE
10.15 – Finish – ORIGINAL RUDEBOYS
**FIRE SHOW**
8.45 – 9.45 – RUBBERBANDITS
8.00 – 8.30- RAGLANS
7.10 – 7.40 - RADIOACTIVE GRANDMA
6.20 – 6.50 -THE BIONIC RATS
5.30 – 6.00 – GLIMMERMEN
4.30 – 5.10 – JUST NO

UISNEACH STAGE
11.30 – Finish – FOX.E & THE GOODHANDS
10.15 – 10.50 – REVEREND JM’S PANIC WORSHIP
9.05 – 9.45 – RADIO ROOM
8.15 – 8.45 - TULLAMORE RHYMERS
7.20 – 8.00 – MATTIE DREAD
6.30 – 7.00 – ASHLEY TUBRIDY

SUNDAY MAY 5th

TREE STAGE
10.15 – Finish – RYAN SHERIDAN
***FIRE SHOW***
8.45 – 9.45 – KÍLA
7.20 – 8.20 – THE RIPTIDE MOVEMENT
6.15 – 7.00 – THE BARLEY MOB
5.20 – 5.55 - IRIE-LAND
4.30 – 5.00 – GAVIN GHEE/TAE LANE TENSION

UISNEACH STAGE
11.30 – Finish – TAE LANE TENSION
10.15 – 10.50 – MOJO GOGO
8.40 – 9.30 – THE AFTERMATH
7.40 – 8.15 – LATE CITY EDITION
6.50 – 7.20 – MINDLESS TRIGGER
6.00 – 6.30 – THE DRIFTWOOD MANOR
5.10 – 5.40 – THIRD SMOKE
4.20 – 4.50 – DFX MAJOR

Also live music, trad sessions, jams and DJ’s in the Uisneach Inn bar all day and night.

Please note these are subject to change.

]]> http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/05/01/stage-times/feed/ 0 Tourists go free to ‘Gathering at Uisneach’! http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/04/25/tourists-go-free-to-%e2%80%98gathering-at-uisneach%e2%80%99/ http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/04/25/tourists-go-free-to-%e2%80%98gathering-at-uisneach%e2%80%99/#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:02:43 +0000 ronan http://www.festivalofthefires.com/?p=631 The people behind the multi-award winning Festival of the Fires are keeping its flame burning this May Bank Holiday weekend when they host a spectacular two-day ‘Gathering at Uisneach’ at the Uisneach Inn in Mullingar, and as a special incentive for visitors to Ireland for ‘The Gathering’, anyone with a recent flight ticket or proof of entry will gain free entry!

Tourists and visitors to the country must be accompanied by a ticketholder, and must also email us in advance with their intentions, and once you get here we’ll be glad to extend a hearty Irish welcome to the best festival of the summer. Indeed, we’re the first major event of the summer, so what better way to ignite your summer in Ireland? Email us info@festivalofthefires.com to register!

The two day boutique music festival will feature music from some of the biggest names in Irish music, all gathered together at Ireland’s most central venue at the foothill of the historic Hill of Uisneach, one of Ireland’s best-kept secret tourist destinations.

The venue will come alive with many of the amazing elements that made Festival of the Fires the biggest and most celebrated arts, cultural and ceremonial event in the country – amazing music, arts and crafts, family entertainment, fire ceremonies and performers, re-enactments, history and heritage, spoken word, theatre, poetry, family fun, local food and drink.

A special outdoor arena and three music stages will play host some of the biggest names in Irish music, all of whom are making waves internationally. Among them are Irish hip-hop-pop kings The Original Rude Boys, currently touring the globe with The Script and about to sell out the Olympia for the second time in less than a year. Finally bringing their horse to Mullingar in their debut Westmeath appearance, The Rubber Bandits also play. The Riptide Movement have just been announced as tour support for The Rolling Stones, and they set to play at every major European festival this summer (including Glastonbury & Benicassim). Perennial festival favourites Kíla bring their sublime blend of traditional music to the shadow of Uisneach for the fifth year running, whilst the brilliant Ryan Sheridan and the band about to break it in the UK and Europe. The best reggae, rock, pop and folk acts from around the country are joining them, including Irie-Land, Barley Mob, The Aftermath, The Raglans, Driftwood Manor and star of the Late Late Toy Show Ashley Tubridy and many more besides.

‘Gathering at Uisneach’ will take place over the Bealtaine, May Bank Holiday weekend on Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th. The event is supported by Westmeath County Council and the Irish Public Bodies Insurance, and it will see hundreds of visitors flock to Westmeath for the best in arts and culture all weekend long.

Keeping with the tradition of Festival of the Fires the history and heritage of Uisneach will be to the fore, with historical talks and exhibitions.

Of course no Bealtaine event could be complete without fire, and the Uisneach Inn will play host to a spectacular fire shows nightly at 9pm.

Buses to and from the event will ensure safe travels. They leave Mullingar, Athlone, Moate, Tullamore and Kilbeggan at 2.30pm and 6.30pm, returning from The Uisneach Inn at 1am! (schedule available on Facebook page & FAQ)

Tickets are on sale now from all Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and online from Ticketmaster.ie. Day tickets are €25, weekend tickets €40 and weekend passes with camping and parking €50.

*visitors must be accompanied by a festival ticket holder in order to gain free entry. Registration required in advance

Festival of the Fires is taking 2013 off to allow the Hill of Uisneach to recover. It will return in 2014

For more info, log onto the official Facebook and Festival pages at: www.festivalofthefires.com and

www.facebook.com/festivalofthefires, email:  info@festivalofthefires.com or follow on twitter: @festivaloffires.


 

]]> http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/04/25/tourists-go-free-to-%e2%80%98gathering-at-uisneach%e2%80%99/feed/ 0 Gathering at Uisneach – next week at The Uisneach Inn! http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/03/19/were-back/ http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/03/19/were-back/#comments Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:21:34 +0000 ronan http://www.festivalofthefires.com/?p=583 There are only days left to the very first ‘Gathering at Uisneach’ at the Uisneach Inn Bar and Restaurant, Ireland’s most central venue at the foot of the Hill of Uisneach.

The two day boutique music festival will feature music from some of the biggest names in Irish music, all gathered together in the centre of the country.

Our headline acts are all making waves internationally: The Original Rude Boys are currently on a world tour with The Script and in the past few months have sold out The Olympia and practically every venue they have played; Rubber Bandits are still making huge waves in the UK following their triumphant Channel 4 TV show; The Riptide Movement are playing all of Europe’s biggest festivals this summer (including Glastonbury & Bennicassim) AND touring the UK with the Rolling Stones; Ryan Sheridan has toured the globe in the past year to full houses and ecstatic reviews, and is set to do so again this year; whilst KÍLA are celebrating 25 years on the go with some huge European events.

The Gathering at Uisneach  is being brought to you by the people behind Festival of the Fires, in association with IPB, The Gathering and Westmeath County Council.

‘The Gathering at Uisneach’ will feature many of the elements that made Festival of the Fires such an iconic event, from ancient ceremonies reborn to the best in international music and family fun. (Please note that Festival of the Fires itself is not taking place this year)

The Gathering at Uisneach will be a boutique two-day music event, held in the shadow of the Hill of Uisneach at a special new outdoor festival site adjacent to the Uisneach Inn Bar and Restaurant.

On Saturday May 4th, The Original Rude Boys, The Riptide Movement and the Rubber Bandits (making their first ever appearance in Westmeath) will perform! On Sunday, May 5th, Ryan Sheridan and Kila are among the performers.  Many more acts are playing at the outdoor and indoor stages, and the event will feature heritage talks, re-enactments, genealogy stands, local food & drink, fire show and much more.

Early bird tickets are on sale now, priced €40 for the weekend and €25 per day. They are available online and from all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets with camping are also available, priced €50 for the weekend. For those wishing to camp just one night, a limited no of places will be available on a first come, first served basis. Details of these tickets and campervan accommodation to follow.

Follow us on TWITTER and like us on FACEBOOK for all the latest news!

(Please note, the event is NOT taking place on the Hill of Uisneach, it has no association to the Hill of Uisneach and it is not Festival of the Fires or a replacement for Festival of the Fires)

]]> http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/03/19/were-back/feed/ 0 Festival of Fires not happening in 2013 http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/02/20/festival-of-fires-2013/ http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/02/20/festival-of-fires-2013/#comments Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:18:38 +0000 ronan http://www.festivalofthefires.com/?p=578 **FESTIVAL OF THE FIRES IS NOT TAKING PLACE IN 2013**

Due to agricultural and archaeological reasons, the organizers of Festival of the Fires have decided to take a year off this year to allow the venue of the iconic festival, the historic Hill of Uisneach, time to recover.

The Hill of Uisneach is a sacred site of supreme national importance, and she needs a year off, particularly after a year of bad weather. Festival of the Fires, a rekindling of Ireland’s oldest known festival reborn to great international acclaim in 2009, will return in 2014.

To keep the flame burning in 2013 and to celebrate the year of ‘The Gathering’, the people behind Festival of the Fires, supported by Westmeath County Council and the Irish Public Bodies Insurance, are to host a May Bank Holiday weekend gathering in the shadow of Uisneach

This boutique music festival in a bespoke festival area close to the Uisneach Inn Bar and Restaurant, Ireland’s most central venue.

For the Bealtaine, May Bank Holiday weekend, a host of massive musical names will take to the stage at an event which will feature many of the elements that made Festival of the Fires Ireland’s most iconic event – arts and crafts, family entertainment, fire ceremonies, re-enactments, history and heritage, spoken word, family fun, local food and drink and more besides.

Music on Saturday May 4th will be headlined by Ireland’s hottest live act, THE ORIGINAL RUDE BOYS who are currently touring the world with The Script. Also playing will be RUBBER BANDITS, the brilliant comedy due from Limerick who are hot property in the UK at the moment following their own Channe 4 tv show. Also appearing are The Raglans, Fox E & The Good Hands, The Bionic Rats, Radioactive Grandma, Glimmermen, Radio Room, Just No, Tullamore Rymers Club and many, many more.

On Sunday May 5th we welcome three of the biggest and best Irish acts back to the centre of Ireland: the incredible RYAN SHERIDAN, the amazing KILA and, fresh from news that they are to support the Rolling Stones in the UK, THE RIPTIDE MOVEMENT. These are three of the best acts you’ll see, and to see them on one stage over one night is not to be missed. Also playing are two of Ireland’s greatest ever reggae acts, THE BARLEY MOB and IRIE-LAND. They will be joined by The Driftwood Manor, Cronin, Mojo Gogo, Gavin Ghee, Late City Edition and many more.

Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and from the venue – THE UISNEACH INN BAR & RESTAURANT. They are preiced €25 per day, or €40 for the weekend. A small number of weekend with camping tickets are available at €50 each.

Please note there will be no public access to the Hill of Uisneach over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

A limited number of car parking spaces are available. Please use bus services from Mullingar, Athlone and Tullamore.

Please see the FAQ section of this site and out FACEBOOK page for up to the minute updates!

 

 

]]> http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2013/02/20/festival-of-fires-2013/feed/ 0 Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Shanahan http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/11/08/veronica-ronnie-shanahan/ http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/11/08/veronica-ronnie-shanahan/#comments Thu, 08 Nov 2012 11:17:48 +0000 ronan http://www.festivalofthefires.com/?p=553 It was with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of our friend Ronnie Shanahan. The Athlone artist was a great lover and friend of the Hill of Uisneach, and when we rekindled the Bealtaine festival we were delighted that Ronnie came with us, creating some amazing outdoor art and infusing and inspiring everyone with her great, warm personality and kind nature. Veronica was a one-off, and there will be a tear of sadness at her passing rolling down the Catstone for a long time yet.

Her removal is to the Church of S.S. Peter & Paul tonight (Thursday, Nov 8) arriving at 7pm. Requiem mass on Friday (Nov 9) at 11am with burial afterwards in Coosan Cemetery. 

Rest in Peace Ronnie

]]> http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/11/08/veronica-ronnie-shanahan/feed/ 0 RYAN SHERIDAN for Uisneach Inn! http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/08/29/ryan-sheridan-for-uisneach-inn/ http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/08/29/ryan-sheridan-for-uisneach-inn/#comments Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:00:38 +0000 ronan http://www.festivalofthefires.com/?p=518 He was true to his word… When Ryan Sheridan had to postpone his 2012 Festival of the Fires appearance he said he’d make up for it, and now he has! Ryan plays an exclusive intimate show at the famous Uisneach Inn, at the foot of the Hill of Uisneach, on Saturday September 29th.

Ryan Sheridan - Uisneach Inn, Sat 29th Sept

Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime show, presented by Festival of the Fires and Grouse Lodge Studios, on sale on Monday Sept 3rd, from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide, from www.ticketmaster.ie & at the Uisneach Inn.

As a special thank you to fans disappointed Ryan could not appear on the Hill of Uisneach last May, the first 100 tickets are just €10 each! (these may be subject to agents booking fees). Full price tickets are just €15 plus booking fees.

Special buses are available from Mullingar, Athlone and Tullamore for what is bound to be a sold out show at this famous venue.

Watch this space for more details!

]]> http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/08/29/ryan-sheridan-for-uisneach-inn/feed/ 0 Now THIS captures the festival http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/05/11/now-this-captures-the-festival/ http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/05/11/now-this-captures-the-festival/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 11:01:36 +0000 ronan http://www.festivalofthefires.com/?p=516

Amazing video courtesy of Mark Bennett

]]> http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/05/11/now-this-captures-the-festival/feed/ 0 THANK YOU! http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/05/09/thank-you-2/ http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/05/09/thank-you-2/#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 12:21:01 +0000 ronan http://www.festivalofthefires.com/?p=509 A huge thank you to every single one of you who made Festival of the Fires a massive success. It was a magical time on the Hill of Uisneach and we are eternally grateful for all the goodwill we received on the day and afterwards.. All we can say at this stage is thank you! We’ll see you again next year!

For more info and for some incredible pictures, please keep an eye on our FACEBOOK page. We’ll be updating this site pretty soon, but for now, log onto: www.facebook.com/festivalofthefires

 

]]> http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/05/09/thank-you-2/feed/ 0 Festival of the Fires to ignite summer festival season on Saturday http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/05/04/festival-of-the-fires-to-ignite-summer-festival-season-on-saturday/ http://www.festivalofthefires.com/2012/05/04/festival-of-the-fires-to-ignite-summer-festival-season-on-saturday/#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 16:16:17 +0000 ronan http://www.festivalofthefires.com/?p=506 Ireland’s oldest festival will kick off the festival season on Saturday in spectacular fashion. Festival of the Fires, a rekindling of the ancient Celtic Bealtaine festival at the Hill of Uisneachin Mullingar, County Westmeath, is set to attract 5,000 revellers to the very centre of Ireland for a mix of music, fire performance, art, culture, heritage and pageantry.

The festival culminates with the ignition of a massive signal bonfire on Uisneach which is the catalyst for fires to be lit on over 100 hills visible from the summit. It is preceded by an illuminated night-time fire parade which has been likened to a night-time St Partick’s Day parade.

Over 90 musical acts will take to the festival’s seven stages on Saturday as well as thousands of artists, historical re-enactment groups, Uisneach Warriors on horseback, fire performers, poets, painters, healers, shamans, story-tellers, druids, fire artists, sculptors, carvers and craftspeople, music makers and shakers.

It has become the official festival of RTE’s hit TV show ‘The Voice’ with the main stage headlined by Bressie, playing his biggest ever solo gig in his hometown.  Joining him on the main stage will be Pat Byrne, playing his first solo gig since winning ‘The Voice’ . The man Pat knocked out, bookies favourite Conor Quinn, will also be performing his first major solo show, showcasing new material he has written with Bressie. The ex-Blizzards front-man has also promised some very special guests.

Also playing the award-winning event are Donal Lunny, Kíla, Hothouse Flowers, Kilfenora Ceili Band, Jape, Hawkwind, The Riptide Movement, Jerry Fish, Relish, The Pale, Paddy Cullivan, The Aftermath and Maria Doyle Kennedy. Full stage times are up in the MUSIC section. Other times in the schedule section and please see FAQ for all other questions.

Met-Eireann are predicting sun shine all day, whilst Astronomy Ireland say a once-in-a-lifetime meteor shower will be clearest ath the festival site on Saturday night through Sunday morning – and that at their brightest peak, meteors may be seen every three minutes, up to 20 times per hour. There is also a ‘super moon’ – the biggest and brightest full moon of the year, especially for Bealtaine!

The stars are aligned, a super moon is primed and the sun is promised to shine and organisers’ music impresario Paddy Dunning, writer Ronan Casey, and cattle breeder David Clarke can certainly guarantee a good time.  “There is no festival like it in the world,” says Dunning. “When the fires are lit at 9pm, and all the stages close for the parade you will be transported back to ancient times.” He says the festival was rekindled in 2009 to allow us get back in touch with nature and to promote the festival site, the sacred Hill of Uisneach.

See www.festivalofthefires.com for the full line-up and the latest news, or www.facebook.com/festivalofthefires

Tickets are on sale from Ticketmaster outlets and on-site at the festival box office from 11am priced €39.50. Children Under 12 go free and pensioners tickets are only €10. It is proudly non VIP event where every festival goer is a participant.

 

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