I live near Millstreet but a simple twist of fate has led me to be involved with recruiting bands for and promoting the Skibbereen Blues, Soul & Roots Festival for the past two years (see poster below). It is a small festival sponsored by Heineken, but I think it punches above its weight owing to the quality of the bands, of which there is no shortage. Another way of funding a festival, e.g. an arts and music festival, could be through an Arts Council grant. Festivals, even small ones, can give a massive boost to the local economy and the feelgood factor of a community coming together and welcoming visitors, as Millstreet does and is well used to doing, is worth its weight in gold. Any thoughts about how to take this forward if the interest is there, which it seems to be from a straw poll that Millstreet.ie were kind enough to circulate for me a few months ago. I should add that I was born and raised in London but have been visiting 2 or 3 times a year for more years than I care to remember until I moved here permanently in 2020 owing to family ties with the area. I should add that the type of music and band recruitment is of course up for discussion as I know there is an immense amount of local musical talent that might ait well with a Country, Trad and Roots Festival for example. I don’t even have to be involved, I just think it’s a shame that Millstreet does not boast its own festival despite its rich musical heritage that includes the Eurovision at the Green Glens arena that also hosted globally famous musicians, and the wonderful Star Ballroom that saw so many talented showbands arrive to entertain busloads of people from various parts of Cork and Kerry.
really interesting read! I love your generous demeanour in the writing of this….I’m a punter, not a festival worker (yet never say never)! – just wanted to mention I wondered who you are, & have read what you wrote, unsigned. B