The organisers of what was to be a brand new music and arts festival in Laois have announced that the event is cancelled.
Forest Fest, set to be hosted in Emo Village, was originally planned for the summer of 2020.
It was rescheduled to June 2021 but now organisers have cancelled it altogether.
Full refunds will be automatically issued to all ticket holders. Forest Fest was the brainchild of solicitor and restauranteur, Philip Meagher.
He says he has now announced its cancellation, with no small degree of reluctance.
He said: “It is with a heavy heart and profound disappointment that I and the Forest Fest team are making the decision to cancel our festival.
“However, in fairness to everyone who has supported us, the hundreds of fans who have purchased tickets in keen anticipation of the fantastic line-up, it is only right and fair that we make a clear and definitive announcement at this time.
“As supporters and the local community, who enthusiastically backed the festival concept and the programme of events since we made the first announcement last March will be aware, it was originally scheduled for last July.
“With the outbreak of Covid and the subsequent lockdown restrictions we quickly realised that would not be a runner and moved promptly to retain the programme intact and rescheduled for June of this year.
“Unfortunately, that is no longer feasible or safe in the current circumstances and therefore we have come to the conclusion that to cancel is our only responsible option.”
The headline acts included The Stunning, Something Happens, Jack Lukeman and Harvest with a strong supporting line-up of 20 bands, an arts and cultural programme and children’s events.
Mr Meagher continued: “Unfortunately with the ongoing lockdown, hospitality sector restrictions and necessary health and safety protocols it is not possible to proceed with Forest Fest as had been intended over the June bank holiday in Emo.
“A further deferral was considered but that too is impossible in the prevailing circumstances and therefore we are left with no choice but to cancel entirely.
“All ticket holders will be automatically refunded and do not need to apply for a full refund.
“This will be processed directly by the Forest Fest team and our Eventbrite booking system on our website.”
All ticket refunds will be processed automatically through the event website www.forestfest.ie
There is no requirement for ticket holders to seek or apply for a refund as it will be issued to them over the next week.
Each ticket holder will receive a full refund, including Eventbrite ticket fees. Once fans are refunded they will receive an email notification to confirm their refund. Patrons are advised to allow 7 working days for the funds to arrive in their account.
This process will be handled entirely by the festival organisers and requires no further action on behalf of those who have purchased tickets.
The organisers of Forest Fest wish to extend their sincere thanks to all those who supported this event – the local community, the music fans, the bands and performers, and all the media outlets.
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