Further details of three-day CROÍLÁR Festival revealed

Further details of the CROÍLÁR Festival in Athlone, a three-day showcase of emerging musicians, artists, and storytellers, have been released.

The event is being organised by a passionate team of locals aiming to breathe new life into the heart of Ireland.

Taking place from April 4-6 in Athlone, the inaugural CROÍLÁR Festival aims to showcase the best in Irish arts and culture.

The name 'CROÍLÁR,' meaning 'heartlands,' reflects the festival's deep roots in the midlands and its commitment to connecting with both the local community and a wider audience.

The main focus of the festival is to highlight emerging Irish talent by offering a platform for new and exciting voices in music, visual arts, comedy, storytelling, and more.

Included in a diverse and eclectic programme are live music performances across seven venues, stand-up comedy from fresh, witty voices, workshops and interactive experiences with a focus on yoga, breathwork and céilí dancing, storytelling, local food arts and crafts showcases, art installations and more.

Venues will range from churches and pubs to contemporary galleries, ensuring that every performance space adds to the festival's atmosphere.

The festival team has previously announce a lineup of acts including David Kitt, Junior Brother, Mohammad Syfkhan & Theo Fitzgibbon, with more to be revealed. A storytelling event, Seanchoíche, features on the Saturday of the festival, along with a comedy event headlined by fast rising star Aoife Dunne and hosted by Amy Walsh who recently supported Des Bishop and Shane Todd.

Seanchoíche (Shanna-Key-Ha) will make its debut in Athlone as part of the festival. Founded by Ciaran Gaffney (Gaff), this project aims to revive the ancient Irish tradition of storytelling by inviting people from all walks of life to share their personal stories—often touching on universal themes which prompt joy, sorrow, and everything in between.

CROÍLÁR is the creation of a group of like-minded individuals from the Midlands, united by their dedication to celebrating their shared passion for the arts.

Although the career paths of the committee members have taken them across the globe, they want to revitalise the arts in the midlands.

One of the festival organisers, Jack O’Meara, is deeply committed to fostering creativity and community by offering new talent a stage to shine, while giving back to Athlone and creating a lasting legacy for the town.

"Having a sister who’s a musician, it felt like there was a real lack of opportunity for original artists to perform outside of the coasts. For me, Athlone has always been a place of creativity, connection, and community. CROÍLÁR is our way of giving artists in the midlands a stage, bringing the town to life, and trying to create something to be proud of in the years to come."

Eddie Connolly, another festival organiser, draws on his passion for festivals as a way to connect people and create unforgettable memories:

"I've always been fascinated by how festivals unite people, create memories, and spark creativity. After getting into organizing festivals abroad, it’s exciting to bring that energy back to the midlands. CROÍLÁR is about celebrating the talent in our communities and the joy of coming together’

CROÍLÁR Festival is made possible through the support of local businesses and organisations. Organisers paid particular thanks to Bay Sports for their contribution in helping bring this inaugural festival to life, as well as W3Blendr Ltd, whose support is instrumental in creating a platform for emerging talent. Their generosity highlights the power of local collaboration in making CROÍLÁR a reality.

Applications are still open for artists, musicians, comedians, creatives and volunteers. The cut off date for submission is March 1. If you're interested in being a part of this exciting new festival, please visit croilar.ie for more.

CROÍLÁR Festival takes place from April 4-6. A weekend ticket costs €50, whilst a weekend ticket and Seanchoíche ticket is €60. Tickets are on sale now. Details on www.croilar.ie