15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘It was a stroke of madness,' Macroom Music Festival prepares to bring the party vibes back to Midwest Cork
Now in its third year, the festival will take place on Sunday, June 1, and promises to be an event that would demand to be marked down on the calendar of any self-respecting music fan.
Derry band The Undertones will headline, and their upcoming performance will mark their first since featuring at the Macroom Mountain Dew Festival back in 1981.
Household name Sharon Shannon will meanwhile bring her musical talents to Midwest Cork, and platinum selling Irish singer/songwriter Ryan Sheridan will complete the exciting line-up.
The festival will take place in the Town Square in Macroom and is expected to attract over 3,000 visitors from across Ireland and the UK to the town.
Founding Chairman Killian Lynch told The Corkman that the Macroom bypass made the event possible.
'Prior to the Macroom bypass in December 2022, we couldn't have had this done because of traffic, but since the bypass we are able to close the entire town.
'It is fantastic, and it will be one of the biggest events around this time of the year,' he added.
Live music will be a feature in most bars and the Briery Gap Theatre in Macroom on Saturday, May 31, ahead of the festival.
Mr Lynch said the idea of hosting a music festival in the town was a 'stroke of madness' but has given the world the chance to see what Macroom can do before the plans for the festival were finalised.
'It was a stroke of madness, maybe, and Macroom had to show what it had to offer and when we do it, we would do it 100% professionally.
'I think that statement is standing the test because it is getting bigger and stronger when you look at the calibre of acts that we have and who are delighted to come to Macroom and perform.
'It is a small world, the music industry, and if it (Macroom Music Festival) is not done professionally or is not done right, the acts won't come here,' he added.
The event is run by the Macroom Business Association and Mr Lynch said:
"When it comes close to the time all the businesses come in and pull together.
"There's an awful lot of help given between the local businesses," he added.
Tickets are still available for €46 via
Gates will open at 5:30pm and the concerts should be finished by 11:30pm. Those wishing to continue to party venture to various bars in the town for further late-night entertainment.
The event is strictly over 18's and ID will be required to seek entry.
For more information, visit
