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RTÉ News
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Thousands descend on Fairyhouse for Ablefest 2025
Ireland's first and largest music and arts festival for people with additional needs is under way in Co Meath. Ablefest 2025 in Fairyhouse and will see acts like Jake Carter, Johnny Brady, Brian Mullen, and lots more take to the stage in front of a packed crowd. Around 2,500 people descended on the racecourse for the event which caters for those with additional needs. Festival-goers will also be able to enjoy a "myriad of creative fun" at an array of art and activity stations. Special toilets will be provided by AccessoLoo on the day for wheelchair users needing hoists while there will also be staffed sensory pods on site. The non-profit was co-founded by Shay Casserley and Kevin Farrell in 2018. Mr Farrell said it's "brilliant" to see everybody out enjoying themselves. "For us it's very emotional, we both have kids with disabilities, that's why we set this festival up," he said. "To people here it's their Electric Picnic, that's what they call it. "Some of the people we know here, they say to their siblings 'you're going to your Electric Picnic and I'm going to mine.' "It's tailored to suit every sort of disability, but everybody is welcome." Along with their own event, the group also has collaborations with other big festivals like Dublin's TradFest and St Patrick's Day in Killarney.
RTÉ News
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Preparations under way for Ablefest 2025 in Co Meath
Preparations are well under way for what is set to be Ireland's first and largest music and arts festival for people with additional needs, which will take place in Co Meath this weekend. The organisers of Ablefest have said the non-profit event aims to highlight the importance of inclusivity and accessibility, and attendees class it as their Electric Picnic. This year's line-up will see the likes of Jake Carter, Johnny Brady, Brian Mullen, Catch 22, Matt Leavy, tribute act Irish Elvis, and Bingo Loco take to the stage at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Saturday. Festival-goers will also be able to enjoy a "myriad of creative fun" at an array of art and activity stations. Special toilets will be provided by AccessoLoo on the day for wheelchair users needing hoists while there will also be staffed sensory pods on site. Co-founded in 2018 by Shay Casserley and Kevin Farrell, who both have children with additional needs, this year's festival is set to be the biggest one yet. It is also the first year that Ablefest will take place at Fairyhouse Racecourse to accommodate a larger number of attendees, and the first year that Meath County Council is partnering with the event. Ablefest has donated thousands of euros to charities in recent years and organisers are now looking into using the proceeds from the event to sponsor respite care for families. Collaborations have also been formed with other festivals such as TradFest in Dublin and the St Patrick's Day Festival in Killarney. Co-founder and festival director, Mr Farrell said that he and Mr Casserley set up the festival as there was nothing like it already established in Ireland. He said: "We are very excited to collaborate with Meath County Council for Ablefest 2025, which is shaping up to be our biggest and best yet. "Ablefest is the first and largest accessible festival in Ireland, where 1.2 million people have a disability, and I am proud to welcome people from all over the country to Fairyhouse for a fantastic event." Meanwhile, Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Kieran Kehoe said: "Meath County Council is delighted to partner with this year's Ablefest event, once again showcasing Meath as an inclusive county for people of all abilities. "The excellent line-up and supportive festival environment will ensure Ablefest 2025 will undoubtedly be a great day out for all on Saturday," Mr Kehoe added. Tickets for Ablefest 2025 are still available to purchase online with organisers stating that all money raised is used to cover the cost of the event itself, or else is donated to charity.
