Latest news with #MiseÉireFestival
Extra.ie
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Thousands sign petition to stop 'far-right' Mise Éire festival taking place in new Castlebar location
'Some residents have expressed concerns about how the event might affect Castlebar's proud reputation as a welcoming place for tourists, business investors, shoppers and those who call it home,' the petition says. Residents of Castlebar, Co. Mayo, have launched a petition calling for the cancellation of the Mise Éire Festival after the 'far-right' event was relocated to the town. Locals and business owners raised concerns over the event's potential impact on public safety and the town's reputation. At the time of writing, the petition has over 1,360 signatures. 'Some residents have expressed concerns about how the event might affect Castlebar's proud reputation as a welcoming place for tourists, business investors, shoppers and those who call it home,' reads the description of the petition. 'Organisers describe this as a 'family friendly event', but increased security reflects a cautious approach to ensuring safety.' The festival was originally planned for the Mayflower Community Centre in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, on August 23. A rally planned in Cork on the same day was allegedly set to be cancelled to allow supporters to travel to the festival. Stephen Kerr — who leads right-wing media outlet Irish Inquiry — is allegedly the event's chief organiser. Kerr ran unsuccessfully in the 2024 general and local elections, basing his campaign on complaining about what he calls 'our government's policy of uncontrolled mass immigration.' After an open letter demanding the event be cancelled was signed by KNEECAP, Fontaines D.C., Christy Moore and almost 600 other Irish artists, the Mayflower announced they would no longer be hosting the festival 'due to terms & conditions not being complied with.' The Mise Éire Festival proceeded to post on Facebook that the event would instead be held 'at a secret location outside Castlebar, Co. Mayo.' According to the Castlebar petition and social media posts by those involved in the festival, the location is identified as the Ivy Tower Hotel (formerly The Welcome Inn) in Castlebar town centre. Posts about the Mise Éire Festival claim the event is 'celebrating Irish culture, heritage, and shared values.' The values in question are not specified. The concerns listed in the Castlebar petition are directed to proprietors of The Ivy Tower, and ask the venue to cancel the event. 'Some locals say this unusual level of secrecy has left them uncertain about the nature of the event and its potential impact on the town,' the petition says. 'Those who share these concerns are encouraged to contact their local representatives, the Ivy Tower, or express their views online….The undersigned state their view that the Mise Éire festival should not be held in our community.' You can read the full 'Stop the 'Mise Eire' event' petition on In a post on Facebook yesterday, United Against Racism Mayo appealed to the Ivy Tower Hotel employees to 'shut down' the event. 'The owner, Tom McHugh, is happily platforming hate despite the fact that many of his own workers are migrants,' wrote United Against Racism Mayo. In response to the backlash, Mise Éire created a counter-petition titled 'Protect our Heritage and Irish Cultural Celebrations.' Unlike the Castlebar petition, there is no designated decision-maker and no clear end goal. In a post on Facebook, the Mise Éire Festival said the petition was created because 'Anti-free speech, anti-Irish, leftwing extremists are trying to shut down #miseeirefestival AGAIN!' At the time of writing, it has around 300 signatures. Mise Éire organisers have encouraged supporters to report the Castlebar petition on unfounded claims that it is 'fraudulent and done under false pretences.' The now sold-out festival features a speaker lineup including journalist John Waters, occultist YouTuber Thomas Sheridan, nationalist historian Kevin Flanagan and campaigns director of ultra-conservative group CitizenGO, Louise Roseingrave. Musical acts included Stephen Sutton of anti-immigrant song 'Ireland is Irish'. At the time of writing, the Ivy Tower Hotel has yet to comment on the matter.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Castlebar residents and business owners raise concerns about 'far right' festival
Residents and business owners in Castlebar, Co Mayo, say they have "significant concerns for public safety and the town's welcoming reputation" after being made aware of reports that a controversial 'far-right' music festival would be taking place near the town later this month. The 'Mise Éire Festival' was originally planned for Saturday, August 23, in the Mayflower Community Hall in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim. It was moved from the venue following community opposition, and a petition calling for its cancellation signed by hundreds of prominent artists including Kneecap, Christy Moore, Frances Black, Chris O'Dowd, Fontaines DC, and The Mary Wallopers. A far-right rally planned in Cork for that date was reportedly set to be cancelled to allow supporters to travel to the festival. On Wednesday, August 6, a message shared on the Mayflower's social media read: 'On behalf of Mayflower Community Centre CLG we regretfully wish to inform the public that the upcoming 'Mise Éire' festival due to be held on 23rd August, 2025, will NOT be hosted at the Mayflower Community Centre. 'This is due to terms & conditions not being complied with. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.' Christy Moore in concert at Live At The Marquee, Cork earlier this summer. Moore and a number of other prominent artists had petitioned against the holding of the original 'Mise Éire Festival'. File picture: Eddie O'Hare According to Mise Éire Festival's event ticketing page, it is now slated to be taking place at a location "outside Castlebar". The description of the event says festival is "for those who cherish Irish culture, heritage, and are united in celebrating our shared values". Tickets for the event, which cost between 30 and 50, are sold out. On Sunday, a group of Castlebar residents and business owners said the lack of transparency surrounding the festival had "alarmed the local community" and the festival's decision to hire additional private security suggests "that even organisers anticipate a risk of public disorder". "Castlebar is a proud, welcoming town, especially at the height of our tourist season," one local resident said. An event shrouded in secrecy, which was already rejected by another community, is not welcome here. "We are deeply concerned about the potential for disruption and the damage this could do to our reputation as a safe and inclusive place for families, visitors, and investors." The group has also launched an online petition for people to register their opposition to the staging of the Mise Éire Festival in the Castlebar area. At time of writing, the petition had garnered nearly 800 signatures in the 24 hours since it launched. In a statement, the Castlebar residents and business owners say they want local authorities and elected officials "to address the lack of transparency and ensure all public safety, licensing, and planning regulations are strictly enforced".
Extra.ie
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Leitrim venue cancels 'far-right' festival following letter signed by KNEECAP, Fontaines D.C., Christy Moore
The open letter said the festival would 'tarnish the proud history of the Mayflower as a venue.' A Leitrim venue has called off the Mise Éire Festival following an open letter demanding the 'far-right' event be cancelled. Signatories include KNEECAP, Fontaines D.C., Christy Moore and around 600 other Irish artists and arts workers. In a Facebook post yesterday, the Mayflower Community Centre in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim announced they would no longer be hosting the festival 'due to terms & conditions not being complied with'. The post did not specify which terms and conditions were breached. The Mise Éire Festival was planned for the Mayflower on August 23, with over 400 tickets reportedly sold. The festival's Facebook page said it involved 'live music, talks, and workshops celebrating Irish culture, heritage, and shared values'. A rally planned in Cork on the same day was allegedly set to be cancelled to allow supporters to travel to the festival. Stephen Kerr, who leads the right-wing media outlet Irish Inquiry and frequently promotes anti-immigration protests on social media, was involved in the organising. Speakers included far-right columnist John Waters, occultist YouTuber Thomas Sheridan and nationalist historian Kevin Flanagan. An open letter circulated by Leitrim and Roscommon Against Fascism (LARAF) was signed by around 600 artists and arts workers was sent to the Committee of the Mayflower earlier this week, demanding the festival be cancelled as it would 'tarnish the proud history of the Mayflower as a venue.' 'If it is permitted to go ahead, we believe the far-right 'Mise Éire Festival' will tarnish the proud history of the Mayflower as a venue that has served to bring people together from all backgrounds and as a safe and inclusive cultural space for the community, for local schoolchildren and for all visitors to the area,' the letter reads. This open letter – signed by approximately 600 artists, musicians and arts workers has now been sent to the Committee of the Mayflower, Drumshanbo and to the Leitrim Observer. The signatories include Christy Moore and Kneecap. — EamonnVIDF 🏳️⚧️🍉 (@EamonnVIDF) August 5, 2025 Signatories included KNEECAP, Fontaines D.C., Christy Moore, Chris O'Dowd and The Mary Wallopers. The original poster of the letter, @EamonnVIDF, also claimed on X that the event was misrepresenting itself as a music event rather than a nationalist gathering. 'People got the fact that the far-right were trying to throw their weight around and make their way into community spaces,' Eamonn said. 'They [festival organisers] were trying to portray it as a nice little music festival but it was apparent that it was a far-right event…A host of far-right actors were promoting the event online.' Mise Éire Festival posted on Facebook after the announcement, calling LARAF ''nti-Irish fascists'. 'As LARAF celebrates what they think is a successful attack on free speech and Irish culture is in fact the beginning of the demise of the true fascist movement that thinks it can dictate what grown adults do, think, say and feel,' the post read. 'It is a good time for them to understand why we chose the name Mise Éire which means 'I am Ireland'. We ARE Ireland, our attendees ARE. These people cannot take away what is within us. Inherent and intrinsic and God given.' Mise Éire Festival changed their intro on Facebook to say the event would instead be held 'at a secret location outside Castlebar, Co. Mayo'.
Irish Daily Mirror
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Far right' festival set for Leitrim community centre moved after open letter
A controversial 'far right' festival set for a Leitrim community centre will no longer take place at the venue following an open letter signed by hundreds of Irish artists including Kneecap and Christy Moore. Mise Éire Festival was set to take place on August 23 at the Mayflower Community Centre in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, featuring 'live music, talks and workshops celebrating Irish culture, heritage and shared values'. One of the panel discussions is titled Echos of Éire, learning from Ireland's Past to Shape a Resilient Future from figures including far right writer John Waters, Brehon Academy founder Kevin Flanagan and others. But Mayflower Community Centre in Drumshanbo has since informed the public that the event would not be taking place at the centre due to terms and conditions not being complied with'. They wrote: 'On behalf of Mayflower Community Centre CLG we regretfully wish to inform the public that the upcoming 'Mise Éire' festival due to be held on 23 August 2025 will NOT be hosted at the Mayflower Community Centre. 'This is due to terms and conditions not being complied with. We Apologise for any inconvenience caused.' Irish rap band Kneecap perform at the West Holts stage on the fourth day of the Glastonbury festival at Worthy Farm in the village of Pilton in Somerset, south-west England (Image: Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) This follows an open letter signed by around 600 artists, musicians and arts workers including The Mary Wallopers, Chris O'Dowd, Fontaines D.C., Frances Black, Stephen Rea and more being sent to the community centre calling on them to cancel the 'far right' festival. The letter read: 'The Mayflower Community Centre in Drumshanbo has a longstanding and rich tradition of hosting vibrant, uplifting, diverse and inclusive cultural events. 'Musicians and artists, past and present, from the area, from across the country and indeed from countries and cultures from across the world, have passed through the doors of the Mayflower and contributed to this rich heritage. 'If it is permitted to go ahead, we believe the far-right 'Mise Éire Festival' will tarnish the proud history of the Mayflower as a venue that has served to bring people together from all backgrounds and as a safe and inclusive cultural space for the community, for local schoolchildren and for all visitors to the area. 'We artists, arts workers and musicians thus call on the committee of the Mayflower Community Centre to cancel this divisive event which is planned to take place there on August 23'. Grian Chatten and his band Fontaines D.C. perform on stage in Rome (Image: Valeria Magri/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) In an interview with Shannonside News on Thursday, one of the festival's organiser Stephen Kerr explained that the festival would still be going ahead in Mayo, just outside Castlebar. He said the 'music and culture' festival would see 'talks and music all day long in three different areas.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Examiner
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
'Far-right' music festival cancelled after Irish artists sign open letter opposing it
A controversial 'far-right' music festival has been cancelled after Kneecap, Christy Moore, Chris O'Dowd, and some 600 other prominent Irish artists reportedly signed an open letter calling for its cancellation. The 'Mise Éire Festival' was planned for August 23, in the Mayflower Community Hall in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim. A far-right rally planned in Cork for that day was reportedly set to be cancelled to allow supporters to travel to the festival. On Wednesday, a message on the Mayflower's social media said: 'On behalf of Mayflower Community Centre CLG we regretfully wish to inform the public that the upcoming 'Mise Éire' festival due to be held on 23rd August, 2025, will NOT be hosted at the Mayflower Community Centre. 'This is due to terms & conditions not being complied with. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.' It comes as a 'torrent' of people had signed the open letter from Leitrim and Roscommon against Fascism (LARAF) since it was circulated on Friday. 'People got the fact that the far-right were trying to throw their weight around and make their way into community spaces,' Eamonn of LARAF said. "The Mayflower has a longstanding tradition as a music venue. And it's the community hall in Drumshanbo. 'It was an absolute outpouring from the music and arts community. 'They [festival organisers] were trying to portray it as a nice little music festival but it was apparent that it was a far-right event. 'A far-right protest in Cork was cancelled that day to allow people to travel up to Drumshanbo. A host of far-right actors were promoting the event online." LARAF began circulating the short open letter on Friday, asking those concerned with the Mayflower situation consider signing it. Artists who signed include Charlie McGettigan, Vincent Woods, Christy Moore, Andy Irvine, Frances Black, Mary Coughlan, Fontaines DC, Mike Scott of The Waterboys and The Mary Wallopers. The letter said: 'The Mayflower Community Centre in Drumshanbo has a longstanding and rich tradition of hosting vibrant, uplifting, diverse and inclusive cultural events. 'Musicians and artists, past and present, from the area, from across the country and indeed from countries and cultures from across the world, have passed through the doors of the Mayflower and contributed to this rich heritage. 'If it is permitted to go ahead, we believe the far-right 'Mise Éire Festival' will tarnish the proud history of the Mayflower as a venue that has served to bring people together from all backgrounds and as a safe and inclusive cultural space for the community, for local schoolchildren and for all visitors to the area. 'We artists, arts workers and musicians thus call on the committee of the Mayflower Community Centre to cancel this divisive event, which is planned to take place there on August 23rd.' LARAF said the festival was 'in fact a lightly disguised far-right rally in the main hall, with music in a side area, which is advertised as having a full bar available.'
