What to expect from this weekend's Folly Festival
Ireland's first gender-balance festival returns to Cullohill Castle in Co Laois this weekend.
On Friday, The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow, Lisa McHugh, Clodagh Lawlor and Cliona McDonald will be among the acts taking the stage. Lisa McHugh will be performing at the Folly Festival on Friday.
Saturday continues with Chasing Abbey, Ruaile Buaile, Barry Deegan, Aislinn Townsend and Cullohill Comhaltas.
Festival-goers can look forward to the invigorating Cullohill Mountain Walk, introduced by RTÉ's Tracks and Trails presenter and festival MC, Doireann Ní Ghlacáin.
Starting at the castle and taking in stunning panoramic views, walkers will return for a well-earned 'Taste of Laois' breakfast and cookery demonstration. Chasing Abbey will take to the stage on Saturday.
Later in the day, nature lovers can join Wild Food Mary on a foraging walk along a scenic trail, learning about edible treasures found in the local countryside.
Back at the castle grounds, the Artisan Food and Craft Stalls will showcase the best of Laois cuisine, with local favourites such as Merry Mill organic oats, Omimos sauces, Sips by Tom cocktail syrups, and Sunshine juices.
A highlight of the weekend will be Ballymaloe chef Rory O'Connell's demo titled Coming Home, a nostalgic return to the village where he and his sister, Darina Allen, spent their formative years. His session will focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from Laois Taste. A highlight of the weekend will be Ballymaloe chef Rory O'Connell's demo titled Coming Home.
Continuing the culinary legacy, teenage chefs Scarlett and Tamsin Allen, granddaughters of Myrtle Allen, will demonstrate the art of jam and butter making.
There is also plenty of family fun with a lineup of children's entertainment at Nancy's Yard on Saturday.
Activities include face-painting, tractor rides, sandpit fun, magician shows, and live music by Cullohill Comhaltas.
Additional community features include a dog show, vintage car exhibition, local art displays, and the beloved Great Folly Bake Off. Doireann Ní Ghlacáin will be MC for the weekend.
Speaking about the Folly Festival, organiser John Scanlan said: 'This weekend promises to prove very special, not only are we celebrating the 600th anniversary of the iconic Cullohill Castle, we have an incredible line up to suit all musical tastes.'
'And we have announced today that Down The Line and Nív will join the great music lineup of The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow, Lisa McHugh, Clodagh Lawlor and Cliona McDonald on Friday night and Chasing Abbey, Ruaile Buaile, Barry Deegan, Aislinn Townsend and Cullohill Comhaltas on Saturday.'
'In addition to the musical lineup there is numerous alternative activities for everyone of all ages from food stalls and demos, to children's activities and much more. There is an extensive car park at the Folly which we ask all festival goers to avail of, to avoid congestion in the village.'
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Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Extra.ie
What to expect from this weekend's Folly Festival
A packed programme of entertainment, food, culture and community celebration awaits at this year's Folly Festival. Ireland's first gender-balance festival returns to Cullohill Castle in Co Laois this weekend. On Friday, The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow, Lisa McHugh, Clodagh Lawlor and Cliona McDonald will be among the acts taking the stage. Lisa McHugh will be performing at the Folly Festival on Friday. Saturday continues with Chasing Abbey, Ruaile Buaile, Barry Deegan, Aislinn Townsend and Cullohill Comhaltas. Festival-goers can look forward to the invigorating Cullohill Mountain Walk, introduced by RTÉ's Tracks and Trails presenter and festival MC, Doireann Ní Ghlacáin. Starting at the castle and taking in stunning panoramic views, walkers will return for a well-earned 'Taste of Laois' breakfast and cookery demonstration. Chasing Abbey will take to the stage on Saturday. Later in the day, nature lovers can join Wild Food Mary on a foraging walk along a scenic trail, learning about edible treasures found in the local countryside. Back at the castle grounds, the Artisan Food and Craft Stalls will showcase the best of Laois cuisine, with local favourites such as Merry Mill organic oats, Omimos sauces, Sips by Tom cocktail syrups, and Sunshine juices. A highlight of the weekend will be Ballymaloe chef Rory O'Connell's demo titled Coming Home, a nostalgic return to the village where he and his sister, Darina Allen, spent their formative years. His session will focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from Laois Taste. A highlight of the weekend will be Ballymaloe chef Rory O'Connell's demo titled Coming Home. Continuing the culinary legacy, teenage chefs Scarlett and Tamsin Allen, granddaughters of Myrtle Allen, will demonstrate the art of jam and butter making. There is also plenty of family fun with a lineup of children's entertainment at Nancy's Yard on Saturday. Activities include face-painting, tractor rides, sandpit fun, magician shows, and live music by Cullohill Comhaltas. Additional community features include a dog show, vintage car exhibition, local art displays, and the beloved Great Folly Bake Off. Doireann Ní Ghlacáin will be MC for the weekend. Speaking about the Folly Festival, organiser John Scanlan said: 'This weekend promises to prove very special, not only are we celebrating the 600th anniversary of the iconic Cullohill Castle, we have an incredible line up to suit all musical tastes.' 'And we have announced today that Down The Line and Nív will join the great music lineup of The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow, Lisa McHugh, Clodagh Lawlor and Cliona McDonald on Friday night and Chasing Abbey, Ruaile Buaile, Barry Deegan, Aislinn Townsend and Cullohill Comhaltas on Saturday.' 'In addition to the musical lineup there is numerous alternative activities for everyone of all ages from food stalls and demos, to children's activities and much more. There is an extensive car park at the Folly which we ask all festival goers to avail of, to avoid congestion in the village.'
The Irish Sun
25-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
‘He's a generous fella', says pub owner after US mega star leaves €6k tip to lucky bartender to ‘cover college fees'
COUNTRY singer sensation Zach Bryan has made one lucky Irish bartender's year after leaving a €6k tip. The Pink Skies singer recently wrapped up a mega three sold-out nights in 2 Zach Bryan left a €6,000 tip to a bartender in The Celt pub 2 Zach told followers it was the 'best pub in Ireland' But while the hitmaker Taking to his star posted a photo with pub owner Noel Tynan and wrote: "Best damn bar in Bryan even treated punters with a series of tunes, as local musicians joined in to help him. After his final show in Dublin last Sunday, the 29-year-old returned to The Celt for one final bash. READ MORE IN ZACH BRYAN Owner, Noel told The Independent: "He had about 100 in his team, so they were all there, and we also had Chasing Abbey from Tullamore – they're pretty well-known themselves, they dropped in and played. "Zach also got up and played a few songs himself, which was great." According the Tynan, Bryan got chatting to the bar staff, when a young lad mentioned he was working late to pay for his college fees. He said: "One of the staff members just happened to pass a remark about working late, said he has to because he has to pay for his fees for college, and Zach said he might be able to help him." Most read in Celebrity 'So, he said to me, 'How much will I leave?' And I said, 'Leave a million.' I was joking – I didn't think anything would be left! Noel continued: "The he said, 'How about four grand?', and I said, 'How about 10?' I was just joking; I wasn't expecting him to leave anything. Watch as Zach Bryan halts show after object is thrown at him "And he said, 'Tell you what – we'll meet in the middle. We'll make it six.' So, he just left €6,000." The superstar made a lasting impression on the staff after his incredible gesture. Tynan gushed: "He's a very generous fella." CHANGING LIVES The chart-topper also left tickets two tickets behind the bar for the owner to give to the children 's hospital in Crumlin. Bryan even invited Noel to his final gig on Sunday and pulled him up on the stage during the final number. Tynan explained how Zach had visited the bar two years ago with his dad, so he had built up a close relationship with the star . It's safe to say the singer made a lot of people's year with his kind gestures.
Extra.ie
25-06-2025
- Extra.ie
WATCH: Zach Bryan leaves huge tip at Dublin pub
Country music star Zach Bryan left a hefty tip for bar staff at his favourite Irish pub during his time in Dublin last week. The 29-year-old played three sold-out nights at the Phoenix Park with around 180,000 fans heading to the venue across the weekend. It is understood the Oklahoma native arrived in the Irish capital on Wednesday, and the first thing he did on arrival was head to the pub! Country music star Zach Bryan left a hefty tip for bar staff at his favourite Irish pub during his time in Dublin last week. Pic: Chasing Abbey/ Instagram Noel Tynan, owner of The Celt on Dublin's Talbot Street revealed the singer came 'straight' to The Celt after arriving in Dublin for his 'wind-up party.' Speaking to the Irish Independent, Mr Tynan revealed that Zach had around 100 members of his team at the pub which also saw Offaly band Chasing Abbey pop in for a sing-song. 'Zach also got up and played a few songs himself, which was great,' the publican told the publication. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CHASING ABBEY (@chasingabbey) One staff member got talking to the singer and passed a remark about how they were working late in order to pay their college fees, spurring Zach to leave a generous tip behind the bar for staff members. Mr Tynan told the Independent he jokingly told the singer to leave a million behind when asked how much he should leave. 'He said, 'How about four grand?' And I said, 'How about 10?' – I was joking. I wasn't expecting him to leave anything,' Mr Tynan said, adding that the pair 'met in the middle' and Zach left a €6,000 tip. The 29-year-old played three sold-out nights at the Phoenix Park with around 180,000 fans heading to the venue across the weekend. Pic: GMCD 'He's a very generous fella,' the pub owner praised. On Thursday, Zach shared a picture of himself in an arm wrestling match via social media, writing 'shoutout to the Celt last night, best damn bar in Ireland.' Amongst gig attendees was RTÉ's Oliver Callan who was full of praise on Monday morning, branding it a 'stunning, amber evening.' Speaking on his RTÉ Radio 1 show on Monday morning, Oliver praised youngsters attending the gig, noting concert-goers were a 'really exceptionally well-behaved crowd.' The presenter said: 'A wave of soundness hit the Phoenix Park and it was an extraordinary atmosphere — and what an extraordinary punt that was as well; Oklahoma youngster. 'He only played the Helix in Dublin two years ago, and from there to a weekend of massive concerts in the park where the stage and the infrastructure and everything that brings you to the concert has to be built from scratch in a field. It was also a big win for the OPW, we must say, which was in need of one.'
