The Goo 1
Festival Focus SARAH O’SULLIVAN Fuinneamh Festiva
l 16-- 18 Sept For thousands of years, humans have gathered at festivals as a means of celebration and connection. Located in the idyllic rolling landscape of Bellurgan Park, Co. Louth, Fuinneamh Festival is so much more than just a music and arts festival. As their slogan, Grá, Rithim, agus Athrú suggests, the festival provides a space for attendees to connect with their roots and the beautiful surroundings while dancing to some of the best international and local acts. I spoke to founder Luke Reddy ahead of the highly anticipated 2023 instalment on the 16th-18th of September. Founded in 2012 under the name Keep Her Lit, the blueprint of Fuinneamh was held in the Wicklow Mountains. Speaking on the monumental days when the seed was planted in Luke’s brain he said “I had been on and off living in Berlin from 2010-2012. Between going to all the open airs, Berghain and one special festival called Fusion I became obsessed with the energy that was being created.” Fusion was a huge inspiration for Fuinneamh as there was nothing that emulated the atmosphere in Ireland. The vast festival has over 20 stages, and is currently capped at 80,000 people and back then there was no police presence. Luke described it as “total freedom and total anarchy.” Luke got a “taste of the utopia” and was determined to bring these principles to Ireland, so Keep Her Lit was born. As time progressed they came into possession of a sound system which was in the Temple of Sound nightclub in Dublin. “People were coming to our raves and were just like what the fuck, this is ridiculous, a proper club system in the woods.” 2016 saw the first legitimate two-night festival come to fruition. After the decision was made to move to the site in Louth, there were challenges to accommodate the move. “I was in communications with the local authorities, the County Council, An Garda Síochána, the medics, the fire marshall. It was really nerve-racking. You’re coming from a place where you feel what you’re doing shouldn’t be allowed, even though you’re well within your rights to put on an event.” Many challenges come with running an entirely independent festival completely void of commercialism, branding and advertisement. This year a support campaign was created with limited edition merch to try to help fund the festival through the community. “The support campaign made us take on a whole other job that we don’t get paid for. We also don’t get paid for Fuinneamh at all. It’s not a commercial enterprise, we’re not trying to make a big profit but people need to be paid for their time.” Despite all these hurdles the organisers still manage to keep the tickets down to one of the most affordable rates on the island. The dedicated team of volunteers descend on the festival site three weeks before it opens its gates. The team consists of artists, musicians, and friends all working towards the joint goal of creating the most magical experience for all who attend. The inherent sense of community flows through every aspect of the festival. For many acts playing at Fuinneamh is a yearly pilgrimage to the sacred grounds. “We’re really proud of how people regard Fuinneamh in the underground music sphere. We had Peach (DJ) play two Fuinneamhs in a row on her request because she really loved the festival.” The festival features a wide variety of genres alongside PAGE 28