Latest news with #SeaSessions
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Beyond the Pale festival cancelled just days before kickoff at Glendalough Estate
One of Ireland's most popular music festivals, Beyond the Pale, has been cancelled just days before it was due to begin next weekend. Crews had been working on-site for weeks, setting up stages and preparing the grounds at Glendalough Estate, Co Wicklow. The festival was scheduled to run this Friday to Sunday, June 13–15. However, the main stage was being dismantled today. A funfair, large marquees, tents, toilets, and security fencing had already been erected across the scenic site, which is backed by woodland and bordered by both a river and a lake. Suppliers began removing infrastructure today after being told by organisers that the festival could no longer proceed. The industry was slammed by the Covid pandemic and never fully recovered, a supplier at the festival said. Independent festivals, in particular, are still struggling. 'It seems to be the state of affairs at the moment that Irish festivals are going bust," someone working at the festival said. 'So many of them are gone. 'I think it's an overhang from covid. Insurance premiums going up. A lot of suppliers went bust over covid, suppliers that were left were trying to make up the money they lost so they raised their prices putting pressure on festivals again. It's like a vicious circle. 'Then the cost of living and everything else, there's not as much money around as there was before so they're probably struggling with ticket sales. 'There's pressure coming from everywhere. 'Last year Forever Young went, Indiependence in Cork, Sea Sessions in Donegal." Headliners for this year's Beyond the Pale included Jon Hopkins, Róisín Murphy, TV on the Radio, Boney M, and Jeff Mills. As recently as Saturday morning, tickets were still available on the festival's website — €268.95 for a three-day camping pass and €126.90 for a single-day ticket. Beyond the Pale won Best Small Festival at last year's Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) awards. It launched in 2022 with fewer than 5,000 attendees but grew rapidly — doubling to 10,000 by 2024 with 15 stages. This year, it was set to host 12,000 people. Read More Robert Pether's family to hear of restrictions put on engineer next week
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Gutted' say revellers as popular Irish summer festival with major artists ‘taking a break'
FANS have been left "gutted" as the popular seaside festival has announced it will not be returning this summer. 5 The festival has grown from a few hundred people to selling out to 5,000 right on the beach front Credit: 5 Festival-goers came from all over to enjoy the waves and music Credit: 5 Crowds enjoyed artists like Bastille, The Coronas and many more Credit: The festival that started in 2008 is "taking a break" this year. In a post on Facebook, organisers said: "Sorry for having been so quiet on here. "But we have some news. Sea Sessions is taking a break in 2025. The crew are working away on exciting plans and hope to be back to you with more information soon. READ MORE ON TRAVEL "Thanks for your support, the good wishes and all the messages." Many lovers of Sea Sessions flooded the comments with their disappointment at the recent news. One fan said: "Gutted, but hopefully bigger and better in 2026." Another echoed: "Lots of festivals taking a break & waiting for a turn around in trends. Most read in Beach "The bottom line is people don't have the same amount of disposable income with the high living costs in this country….. and it's only getting worse by the year. "I've seen the changes in trends in the bar & venue the last 4/5 years… scary…." Waterpark to have Wave Festival this summer Organiser Ray O'Donoghue has formally stepped down from his role with the Donegal-based Sea Sessions Surf and Music Festival. He has told the public that he is taking time to dedicate himself full-time to supporting and developing Dublin's night-time culture. He said: "Sea Sessions has been a huge part of that journey, and I've loved seeing it grow into one of the country's best-loved festivals. "But now, I feel the time is right to focus fully on my role with Dublin City Council. "I'm excited to play a part in reimagining how the city comes alive after dark - with safer, more inclusive, accessible, and vibrant options for everyone." Over the years, the popular surf and music event has hosted many famous artists. With last year's line-up including Cian Ducrot, Johnny Marr, Jazzy, Jake Bugg, Amble, Kingfishr, Jerry Fish and Lea Hart. In 2012, The Coronas, one of Ireland's biggest bands of recent years, saw a packed out Main Stage tent. Even the president was in attendance as he enjoyed the music among the huge crowds. Artists like Bastille, Tinie Tempah and even Dizzee Rascal have all taken to the Donegal stage over the last few years. Fans shouldn't be too worried as the 5 The festival is a blend of good music and surfing Credit: 5 Sea sessions is a famous music and surf festival in Bundoran, Donegal Credit:
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Sea Sessions confirms there will be no festival this year
The popular music festival Sea Sessions has announced there will not be a 2025 edition. After starting back in 2008, Sea Sessions has grown into one of Irelands top music festivals. It is the only festival that brings together the unique lifestyle aspects of music, surf, sports over three days. Advertisement The event usually takes place on Tullen Strand in Bundoran, Co Donegal. A post on Facebook on Thursday said: "Sorry for having been so quiet on here. But we have some news. "Sea Sessions is taking a break in 2025. The crew are working away on exciting plans and hope to be back to you with more information soon. "Thanks for your support, the good wishes and all the messages." The 2024 edition had a lineup that included the likes of Cian Ductor, Johnny Marr, Jazzy, Jake Bugg, Amble, Kingfishr, Jerry Fish and Lea Hart. The event also featured b each volleyball in the sun, knockout soccer and rugby as well as morning yoga and swimrise on the beach. It also featured l iquid therapy which provides a supported environment that enables young people to experience the physical and therapeutic benefits of surf and the ocean, through child led and individual tailored programmes.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Sea Sessions pauses as chief Ray O'Donoghue steps down
Ray O'Donoghue has formally stepped down from his role with the Donegal-based Sea Sessions Surf & Music Festival to dedicate himself full-time to supporting and developing Dublin's night-time culture. As he focuses full-time on his role as Dublin City Council's Night-Time Economy Advisor, the festival will take a break in 2025, with ongoing discussions about its potential return in a refreshed format in the future. Mr O'Donoghue, who joined Sea Sessions in 2010, played a central role in the event, which blended music, surf, sport, and beach culture in Bundoran. Reflecting on his decision, he said: "I've been promoting festivals and live events since 1999, from early gigs in Dublin to my first festival, Coastal Beats, on the west coast. "Sea Sessions has been a huge part of that journey, and I've loved seeing it grow into one of the country's best-loved festivals. But now, I feel the time is right to focus fully on my role with Dublin City Council. "Being Night-Time Economy Advisor is a big undertaking, and my experience running events has given me valuable insight. Dublin's night-time culture is evolving, and I'm excited to play a part in reimagining how the city comes alive after dark - with safer, more inclusive, accessible, and vibrant options for everyone." Sea Sessions has earned numerous accolades, including the IMRO Award for Best Festival, and regularly attracted up to 10,000 attendees per day. The festival has hosted acts such as Dermot Kennedy, Tinie Tempah, Primal Scream, Dizzee Rascal, Bastille, The Coronas, and Kodaline. The official statement from the organisers reads: "Sorry for being so quiet… Sea Sessions is taking a break in 2025. We hope to be back with more information soon." Mr O'Donoghue now leads Dublin City Council's efforts to develop a vibrant, safe, and inclusive night-time economy - driving pilot initiatives and long-term strategies that support cultural activity, improve access, and encourage new uses of public space and venues after 6pm.
Extra.ie
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
The biggest highlights Live at the Marquee this summer
With gigs happening all around the country this summer, Cork is an underrated spot — with Live at the Marquee being a highlight. While most of us will be heading to the capital, or to Stradbally, or even up to Donegal for Sea Sessions, the marquee is a spot that fewer people seem to talk about — although the lineup year in and year out has been nothing short of excellent for the real capital. With this, we at have taken a look at the lineup and have made our picks for some of the highlights this June-July. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Picture This (@picturethis) Kicking off the season (and their Home for the Summer tour!) Picture This return to Cork. As part of their nationwide tour, the Kildare band will be entertaining the 5,000 capacity venue to kick off what will be a memorable summer for the people of Cork. Tommy is heading back to Cork this summer. Pic: RTÉ The Tommedian train isn't stopping this summer, with him heading to the marquee this July. In what's set to be a very busy summer for the comedian, Tommy kicks off his tour in Galway before heading to Live at the Marquee for two nights. Cork's most famous son will be in the marquee alongside Roddy Doyle for what is set to be a huge highlight of the season. Pic: Stick to Football/YouTube Yes, technically this is three evenings with Roy Keane, but still an instant highlight as Cork's son comes home. Appearing alongside Roddy Doyle for the in-person chat, Roy will be discussing his career as Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain, something something Saipan, and his new role as a presenter for the Stick to Football podcast, which he presents alongside fellow Premier League and WSL legends Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright and Jill Scott. Olly is back in Ireland after selling out the 3Arena and SSE in Belfast. Pic: Joseph Okpako/WireImage/Getty Images One of the bigger stars from The X Factor and enjoying 15 years in the limelight, Olly Murs is set to return to Ireland just months after his shows in the 3Arena and SSE Arena in Belfast. Those who may have missed out on tickets for the April gigs, or people who attended the gigs earlier this year and want a little more Olly, may want to head to Leeside for the huge gig. After a banner year which included a huge Grammy win for his songwriting credit on SZA's song Saturn, Cian Ducrot will be playing a homecoming gig in the marquee. Pic:for The Recording Academy One of the most exciting singers to come out of Ireland this decade, Cian Ducrot, returns to his hometown for the biggest gig of his career. The Passage West singer will be heading to the marquee on July 20 for the mammoth gig, as his career goes from strength to strength — with him set to headline the 3Arena in Dublin later this year.
