Rock riffs set to return to Westport House in 2016

Rock riffs and cool vibes set to return to Westport House in 2016


Festival promoter moves event to Killarney

Áine Ryan

WHETHER it will be the raw rock riffs of The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, or the more melancholic lyrics of Canadian crooner, Neil Young, the atmospheric grounds of historic Westport House will be filled with music again in the summer of 2016, The Mayo News understands.
So the music has not died for the hundreds of fans who took to social media after last week’s announcement that the town’s ‘mini Electric Picnic’, also known as Westport Festival of Music and Food, would not return for a fourth year.
This summer’s two-day carnival event attracted an estimated 20,000 revellers for headliners including Sinéad O’Connor, Bryan Adams and Kool and the Gang.  
Unsurprisingly, the owners of historic Westport House, where the atmospheric and colourful two-day event was held, confirmed they are ‘really disappointed’ at promoter, Daryll Downey’s confirmation that the festival is to move to an, as yet undisclosed, location in Killarney. They were tightlipped about possible alternative events and would not confirm any details or specific plans.   
However, Biddy Hughes of Westport House confirmed yesterday that they are already talking to other promoters and said ‘it is probably too late to run a big event in 2015’.

‘A real shame’
Ms Hughes explained: “We are very disappointed that the festival is not coming back. It is a real shame for the town and for Westport House. The reality is that he [Downey] had a three-year contract with us, and he has now decided to go somewhere else, and we wish him all the best in Killarney.”
Ms Sheelyn Browne, Managing Director of Westport House and Pirate Adventure Park, told The Mayo News that the event showcased the town as an ideal festival venue: “What we need to do now is stand back and be thankful for what Darryl Downey brought to the town.
“We have achieved what we planned with the opening of the Church Lane gate which, facilitated the holding of the festival and the reconnecting of the integral and historic connection of Westport House to the town.
“Westport House has proved this sort of festival is absolutely perfect for the town, and the world is full of promoters who will now realise this. Many such people may have been on-site at the festivals and are already aware of what a unique venue we offer,” Sheelyn Browne said.

‘Beyond our control’
The relocation of the festival to Killarney was confirmed in a statement released on Thursday last, which said that it would have a similar format at a different destination.  
“After three fantastic years in Westport, the promoters have made the difficult decision to move the popular boutique festival. The family friendly festival will take place on the weekend of 27 and 28 June, however, it will be rebranded as the Killarney Festival of Music & Food,” the statement said.
The Mayo News carried a front page story on July 1 this year, outlining concerns relating to the festival, which stated that it might not be back. Despite the announcement last week not surprising anybody locally who has worked alongside the festival, there was some furious reaction to the news on Facebook. It is understood that there is not yet a venue secured for the event in Killarney, nor any acts confirmed. Despite this tickets will go on sale next Friday, and when asked on Facebook what acts were in the line-up, the organiser’s response was that the line-up probably would not be announced until the end of January.  
Speaking on behalf of the festival last night, Ms Nicola Watkins, responding to Mayo News questions, said: “We have had to move due to factors beyond our control and do not wish to comment any further.”
An earlier comment on behalf of the festival on Facebook had stated: “It was our preference to remain in Westport but due to events on a local level outside our control we had no choice but to move.” It was this comment that sparked a hostile response on social media.
Regarding ticket sales, Ms Watkins explained that ‘it is normal practice for festivals to put tickets on sale in advance’.
Meanwhile, local music promoter Dick Bourke said he ‘would love to see a big international rock star coming to Westport House’.