Wednesday 15 May 2013

Back with music and flowers

I've been a neglectful blogger of late. I've been meaning to post but life kept getting  in the way. Mostly good stuff, thankfully, but I felt I had to stand back and access my priorities and live in the real world.
Now I've got some time to catch up.
Spring has arrived and with it blossoms, blustery showers, sunshine and cool breezes. Not quite the weather we'd like in May but at least it's not non-stop rain.







I've been to a musical festival. Having gone to the now legendary music festivals at Lisdoonvarna and Ballisodare, as well as the early years of concerts at Slane Castle, I reckoned my festival going days were well and truly over. Camping, mud, crowds, mud, queuing for loos, and yet more mud, no longer held any appeal for me, no matter how good the music might be.
But the Vantastival festival now takes place just down the road in the beautiful woodland setting of Bellurgan Park. It originally started as a get together for VW camper fan enthusiasts with a bit of music on the side. Now the music is firmly centre stage, although the camping is still a big attraction for many as it's a wonderful laid back family friendly festival.  Over the Bank Holiday weekend I saw some great bands - traditional Irish musicians Altan were naturally going to be a highlight for me,  Dublin band The Eskies were a great discovery, while The Twisted Sisters from Co Armagh with their comic songs about big knickers, hormones and love had the audience falling  out of their seats with laughter.  And best of all, I could go home and sleep in my nice warm comfortable bed.


The Eskies
Altan

Cat Dowling

The Twisted Sisters
The Raglans










7 comments:

  1. Looks like so much fun...I'll have to look up these bands...always in the market for new music.
    I'm glad I'm not the only faded camper. Sometimes you just need to sleep in your own bed!

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  2. Now you've made me envious, I love Altan! But I really think my festival days are over unless like you I can go home to a proper bed. Although if I had a VW camper ... ;)

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  3. That looks a great festival. I've been an Altan fan for years - would love to see them one day...

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  4. What a marvelous post. I would have loving being at that festival. It looked like so much fun. Here in the states the music festivals grow so big, that they loose their charm, but I have some friends, that can point me in the direction of the ones that have remain small and personable.
    That "Music Makers Stage" is perfect . . . I love it. I am your newest follower and I would be thrilled to have you follow me back. Have a wonderful day . . . and keep taking this delightful photos.
    I love your blog,
    Connie :)

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  5. Gah! Festival envy. Love the flags and camper vans - festival essentials. I must check out some of these bands. Claire xo

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  6. What a wonderful blog post. I love the photos. The festival looked brilliant.

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  7. Gorgeous photos, I adore Altan and Mairead is so photogenic!! Felt like I was there:~))

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