One of the big success stories of 2022 in Laois was the addition of a new weekend festival – Forest Fest – in Emo last July.
Initially planned for the summer of 2020, Covid ensured that plans were shelved and it was two full years before it could get back on the agenda.
But driven by promoter Phillip Meagher, it was a fabulous triumph and it is returning this year, across the weekend of July 21-23, with an even stronger line-up, an enhanced offering and a range of auxiliary additions that will ensure it’s bound to be another big hit.
It may be just the second year of Forest Fest – but the line-up make it fell like a much longer-established and deep-rooted event.
Its promotion likes it to “the spirit of the earlier Electric Picnic festivals founded by the late John Reynolds” and its about “one tenth the size of the latter day EP”.
Located in the idyllic setting of the Emo sports grounds, set to the backdrop of the forest, it was voted the Best Festival in the Midlands in 2022 on the back of fan feedback, overall festival experience on value, entertainment and the highest quality of production values and staging.
The main stage had come directly from Glastonbury, and the timetable ran like clockwork.
Forest Fest features over 80 acts across four stages – including the innovative new stage – the Forest Fleadh – a showcase of the who’s who in the Irish trad and folk scene.
It’s an eclectic line-up featuring iconic powerhouses of the music scene, to the best of emerging talent, some quirky surprises and fun acts, as ultimately we’re all about enjoyment, entertainment and the memorable festival experience.
There’s no holding back or skimping on the line-up and it’s front loaded on from the Friday where the Forest Fest bill would rival that of the weekend offering at many other events – James, The Proclaimers, Ash, Nik Kershaw, Peter Hook and the Light, Allie Sherlock – and that’s just a flavour of the Friday programme!
Day tickets for Forest Fest cost €85. The complete day-by-day line-up will be announced by the end of April – with site map and detailed stage times published well in advance of the event.
Forest Fest is based on a relaxed, easy-going, cosy and convenient vibe – where everything is within a five to ten-minute walk – including weekend camping, glamping (in partnership with Pitched Perfect) and campervan camping (almost sold out), caravan camping (sold out).
Last year camping got rave reviews for the friendly event staff providing 24/7 support right down to the hot showers and coffee docks on site.
Due to popularity and high demand camping at Forest Fest is a weekend option and all the indications are that it will sell out in all its formats well in advance of the festival.
There are full bar services (operated directly by the festival) along with craft beers (Ballykilcavan and Wikclow Wolf) as well as a Cocktail & Prosecco Lounge.
The drinks are sold in reusable beakers which are ideal to refill and retain as a festival souvenir. There’s a 20 vendor gourmet food court and street food.
The emphasis is on quality, choice, selection and value – we want people to feel good about their purchase and experience – our fan feedback and reviews are really important to us and speak for themselves – see Google reviews on our website www.forestfest.ie
As part of the family friendly ethos all children 12 and under can attend entirely free of charge, accompanied by a ticket holding adult – and must be registered at our online ticket purchase portal via Eventbrite for event management and child safety protocols. Otherwise Forest Fest is strictly an over 18s event.
There is also a bespoke children’s entertainment and activities curated by the diverse and highly talented Port’ Art Collective (based in the neighbouring town of Portarlington), as well as children’s novelty acts, and full audience participation African Drum Circle by Jabba Jabba Jembe and a Junior Circus and children’s circus school.
There is a regular shuttle bus service throughout the festival weekend (operated by Martleys of Portlaoise) to cater for fans getting to and from surrounding towns and hotels in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Mountmellick and Killenard.
This year will also see the introduction of daily return bus specials for the festival in partnership with CIE from Dublin, other major cities and towns on route – timetables and tickets will be available before the end of April.
FRIDAY, JULY 21
- James
- The Proclaimers
- Ash
- Nik Kershaw
- Peter Hook & The Light
- Allie Sherlock
SATURDAY, JULY 22
- Bellx 1
- Alabama 3
- Big Country
- The Undertones
- Sharon Shannon
- Dream Wife
- Jack Lukeman
- Kila & Brass
- Paddy Casey
- Frank and Walters
- In Tua Nua
- The Primitives
- N.O.A.H
- Bleach Lab
- Barley Mob
- Walk the Line
- The Riptide Movement
- 49th & Main
SUNDAY, JULY 23
- Suede
- Paul Brady
- Gabrielle
- Suzanne Vega
- Something Happens
- Sharon Shannon
- Hermitage Green
- Bronagh Gallagher & Band
And many more including:
- Apollo Junction
- Carrie Baxter
- Duke Special
- Trouble Pilgrims
- Pastiche
- Robert Grace
- Roisin O
- The Lost Messiahs
- Eimear
- The Outcast Crew
- Trouble Pilgrims
- Paranoid Visions
- Pogueology
- Bone Machine
- The Classic Beatles
- These Charming Men
- The Walkeleles
- Flash Harry
The Forest Fleadh Stage – The Very Best of Irish Folk & Trad
- Paul Brady
- Sharon Shannon
- Daoiri Farrell Trio
- Stocktons Wing
- Kila & Brass
- The Olliam
- Greenshine
- Two Time Polka
- Emer Dunne
- Carlos Sweeney
- McCartan
- The Raines
- The Cardinal Sins
- Blackie O Connell and
- Cyril O Donoghue
- Buioch
- Goitse
- Trad Hits
- Bog Bodies
- Caoivin
- Eva Coyle Band
- Eric De Buitleir
- Alfi
- … and many more
SEE ALSO – Portlaoise singer hits a high note as she wins prestigious classical music competition in Dublin
