New music and comedy festival comes to Louth

A new two day intimate music and comedy festival, Aurfest, will take place on the 4th and 5th July in Bellurgan Park, Louth.

Tickets for the festival, which will take place over three stages with over 25 musical acts and more than 15 comedians, are on sale now and are limited to 1000 people.

"Aurfest is all about bringing local as well as national talent to one unforgettable, intimate festival,” says Sonya Larrigan, who has brought together a group of friends who are musicians, comedians and veteran festival goers to organise this festival.

Sonya, who co-runs Avocado Rocks to promote gigs in local venues, explains: “For about 20 years I've been talking about putting a festival together but really didn't have the know-how, experience or the courage to do it. After gaining experience working behind the scenes, attending festivals and playing in bands, I decided it's now or never.”

Sonya says she has always been surrounded by creative friends, talented musicians and comedians. So last year, she got some of them together and roped them into helping to organise the festival.

Sonya reveals: “The name Aurfest encompasses what this festival is all about. We want to showcase the extraordinary home-grown talent – musicians and comedians – from aur region and across the island, all while fostering a sense of unity and shared joy in the border region.”

The music lineup features exciting up and coming talent as well as more established acts across a wide range of genres: Odhran Murphy, Silerbacks, Jinx Lennon, The Twisted Sisters, String Ninjas, Arco Arena, Eugene O’Hanlon, The Gakk, Negro Impacta, Caravan Mambo, Pork Pie, Maria McCormack, Bedside Community, Clara Byrne, Koi, Cathrine McCrystal, Elephant, Kirkface Killah, The New Normal, Freedom 35's and Needy Pet. More acts are to be announced in the coming weeks.

Joe Dowlin will be the MC for the comedy stage, with the lineup released so far including: Emma Doran, John Colleary, Breda Hegarty, Shinanne Higgins, Lisa Casey, Ellen O’Reilly, Alex J. Byrne, James Downey, Stephen Robert-Walters, Pete Giffen, Louise O’Toole, Paddy Seery, Dan Stephens and Dhruv Gandhi.

Away from the stages, festival goers will be able to enjoy market stalls with food and drink, arts and crafts, clothing and a tattoo artist.

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A limited number of tickets for campervans and tent camping are still available and festival attendees are encouraged to car-pool when not using public transport.

One adult ticket also covers two children under 12, while 12- to 17-year-olds get in for half-price.

The festival is licensed by IMRO and supported by Louth County Council.

For further details go to aurfest.ie or check out Aurfest’s social media.