Kíla among headline acts for Mayo's mini Electric Picnic

Close to 5,000 people are expected to descend on Achill Island this weekend for the annual Battle for the Lake water sport and music festival dubbed Mayo's mini Electric Picnic.

The annual Battle for the Lake organised by Pure Magic Watersports takes place from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28 and will attract some of the world's best kitesurfers to the island.

As well as the water sports element of the festival which will take place on Keel Lake, there will be two nights of music across four stages at the Valley House.

This evening, the award-winning Irish band Kíla will be the headline act on the The Windy Stage at the Valley House while Attention Bébé, a 12 piece 90s music inspired ensemble will be the headline act on Saturday night.

Formed in Dublin in the 1980s, Kíla are heralded as one of Ireland's most innovative and exciting bands whose unique sound rooted in tradition has been ever-evolving and inspired by a myriad of influences and ideas from all around the world.

Often defined as contemporary Irish world music, Kíla fuse the effects of their own melodies and Irish lyrics, Irish folk instruments such as whistles, fiddles, Uilleann pipes, bones and bodhrán with djembe, congas, drums, mandolins, brass, and acoustic/electric/ bass guitars.

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Over the two nights over 25 bands will play at the festival across the four stages – The Windy Stage, Earth Stage, the Courtyard and Fire Stage.

Kíla will play at the Battle for the Lake festival

Shrule native Aindrias de Staic and The Latchikos will also be among the performers over the weekend as will other local acts including Graham Sweeney, Achill 400, Colin & Leah and The Swifty Show.

This is the 16th edition of Battle for the Lake which has evolved greatly since its inception as a watersports competition. It is now one of the most eagerly anticipated festivals in Connacht combining surf culture, music, and plenty of craic.

The Wow Show which will take place on Keel Lake will be one of the highlights of the weekend with some of the world's top kitesurfers taking to Achill’s frigid waters to battle it out in ten unique heats.

As well as the competitions, a number of events are being organised to keep everyone entertained including yoga classes, paddleboarding lessons, beach volleyball, surfing, food and music and kids disco.

Francois Collussi of Pure Magic said that everyone involved in Battle for the Lake is looking forward to welcoming people back to Achill for a great weekend of entertainment.

“Battle for the Lake is the last festival of the year when watersport fanatics and music lovers from Ireland and abroad come together for the annual pilgrimage. It has grown from strength to strength and now it has become one of the major water sports festivals not only in Ireland with people coming from all over the world to take part.

“The weekend will be full of surprises in one of the most amazing places in the world so expect the unexpected,” he said.

For more information on Battle for the Lake and ticket information visit the website www.battleforthelake.com.