Fun for all the family at annual CurraFest

The 2013 CurraFest Outdoor Music Festival will take place on Sunday, June 23 at McCormack’s Bar and Music Venue, Curra, Kylebrack.

This annual festival is held as tribute to local woman Niamh Monahan, who lost her battle with cancer in June 2010 at the age of 30. Since its debut, the successful festival has raised vital funds for charities including Galway Hospice Foundation and as of this year, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.

The 2013 CurraFest will have live music all day from some of Ireland’s finest music acts along with live DJs, acoustic sessions and a Kidszone for the youngsters. Kicking off at 1.30pm will be Galway’s trad/rock super group Furry Village. They have reformed especially for this event and promise to deliver an amazing start to the day.

Also taking part are top original and cover acts Bluemoose, who perform an evolving repertoire of classic rock, dirty pop and anthemic show stoppers.

The Amazing Apples, who have had a brilliant year since the 2012 festival, make a welcome return. Highlights since they last played CurraFest include a rocking performance at the Electric Picnic, a fabulous show with The Saw Doctors at The Volvo Ocean Race, a debut original EP which went straight to number one on the download charts, headlining the St Patrick’s Day Festival in Bucharest, Romania, and opening for Mumford and Sons and Damien Dempsey.

Returning this year are Big Generator, who have been major supporters of CurraFest since the beginning. Big Generator found success early in their career with three Top 20 singles, two EPs, two albums, two record deals and multiple tours with bands such as Whitesnake, Ocean Colour Scene and Joe Satriani.

Performing on the main stage this year are four-piece rock band Who Knows. The members all hail from Galway, with Dave Gardiner and Senan Drury of the group being two of the organiser’s of the CurraFest.

Hot Fuss, one of Ireland’s premier pop/rock bands are also taking part.  And also included on the bill are Leading Armies; a six-piece funk-rock, reggae tinged band from Limerick who are renowned for their high-octane live shows and six-part harmony vocals.  More amazing acts include Lunar Playground, fronted by fantastic vocalist Jennifer Stratton and the Voice of Ireland’s John Gaughan.

There will be with acoustic sessions from the Hooch Hikers, 3Points, 28 Spaces and Whitewater Rafting.  The day also incorporates Live DJ sets, featuring iRadio’s Fergal D’Arcy, DJ Robbie and DJ 4D.

The hosts of the festival, McCormack’s Bar & Music Venue, will also be bringing people a night of entertainment on Saturday, June 22 in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. This promises to be a superb evening of dancing as Sean Slattery & the Connections take to the stage in the Marquee, supported by John Gaughan.  Sean Slattery & the Connections perform a large repertoire, from all-time party favourites to the classics spanning the last four decades and today’s popular music.

 McCormack’s Bar will also be cooking delicious food and offering some of their finest bubbly, which is included in the ticket price for Saturday night. Tickets that event are available at McCormack’s Bar for €12 and are on sale now. 

Tickets for CurraFest on June 23 cost just €15 with no admission fee for children under 12 years. Tickets are now on sale and for a limited time, people can avail of a special Early Bird offer. The tickets are available online at www.currafest.ie and through local outlets, which are listed on their website. Even if people can’t attend, buying a ticket is a great way to support both Galway Hospice and Our Lady’s Children Hospital, Crumlin.

Gates open at 12.30pm and for information on parking, bus timetables, special requirements, or even to volunteer, visit www.currafest.ie