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Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Music festivals and children: ‘The kids were still going strong at 11pm. I'm on anti-inflammatories'
I have a friend who says when it comes to music festivals and her children, there's a Venn diagram. 'I could never be that parent,' she says. 'The Venn diagram would show us at a festival; them at a festival, but a big empty overlap in the middle: never us and them at a festival together.' This makes total sense. Music festivals are loud and crowded, there's camping, mud, rain, sun, booze, broken sleep, queuing, expensive food and increasingly unspeakable toilets – why on earth would you bring your kids? Music festivals are better when you're not responsible for someone else's fun. Go with friends, and you don't need to accompany them to the toilet, or praise their endeavours therein. You don't have to pack snacks, manage naps or (generally) put up with their whingeing. Surely the draw of a three-day music festival is having no responsibilities? Apart from the big acts, that's kind of what you pay for – admission to this liminal space where for three whole days, you can live without routines, lose track of time, step out of roles and unyoke from responsibilities. You get to drink pints in fields with your mates; have long, uninterrupted conversations; roam between the stages and your biggest decision is who to see next. READ MORE Yes, kids at music festivals are all wrong – except at Kaleidoscope, that is, a family music festival, where the kids are all right. Kaleidoscope. Photograph: Anamaria Meiu This festival, staged at Russborough House in Co Wicklow last weekend, has been going since 2019. Billed variously as 'Ireland's favourite family music festival' and 'Ireland's favourite family music camping festival', it's fun and a bit of a mash-up. Just don't expect Glastonbury or Electric Picnic. This looks like a music festival, it sounds like one, and it certainly smells like one, but this time, you're carrying nappy sacks and Calpol. The vibe is relaxed and family-oriented – but hip and edgy it's not. If you were a hardcore music festival aficionado before kids and are still chasing the dragon, you might just hate it. Others here, less haunted by their past, will probably have a better time. Maybe they've never been to a music festival before. At Kaleidoscope they can cosplay with their kids going to one. For others Kaleidoscope is a straight-up camping festival. They've come with 15 other families. Their friends are in neighbouring tents, and their neighbours are in neighbouring tents, and they will spend two-thirds of their time in the campsite, cooking. They will make a night-time foray to the main stage for the headliner, convening with their tween and teen kids who have had the glorious freedom to roam all day. I can see by my nine-year-old's face that there's something pretty new and thrilling about this for him too My husband and I are fresh from Glastonbury. And by that I mean, we ordered takeaways and watched the highlights on BBC from the sofa, as we've done every year since having kids. We used to go to music festivals, but that life seems far in the past, and far in the future. Kaleidoscope is our first festival since having children, and our first time camping with them. Arriving at the festival site at about 6pm on a rainy Friday, we're grateful for the comfort of a pre-pitched Yippee boutique glamping tent, complete with air mattresses and hotel bedding. This is cheating. We can just drop our stuff and head into the main stage. Hermitage Green plays soon, but eight and nine year-olds only have eyes for the fun fair, which dominates the main field – we're suckered in by 'the world's biggest bouncy castle'. It's €5 per child for a 10-minute bounce. That's €1 a minute for two kids. You'll get no financial lessons here, mind – they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we returned three times over the weekend. The Zozimus tent bings proper festival nostalgia. It's a big, dark tent with a glitter ball, banging tunes, dry ice – and double buggies too. There's no more beautiful vision of Irish motherhood than a mammy here getting her freak on to Daft Punk. Twin toddlers in snug onesies stare up from their buggy, agog at what's come over her. Dad looks on admiringly, sipping a beer. There's joy right there, and triumph too among parents – hey, we're at a music festival, and for these minutes at least, no one is crying, no one needs anything. That's enough some days. You'll find no surge towards the main stage here, no mosh, but there's dancing and communing over great music. Kaleidoscope 2025. Photograph: Anamaria Meiu I can see by my nine-year-old's face that there's something pretty new and thrilling about this for him too. The silent disco with the kids is also a hoot. It's wet outside and there's a gale blowing, so we head back to the camp site via the 'Ickle Big Top' – the Minecraft movie is playing to a packed house of children in coats sitting on mats and in camp chairs. It's like the nation's sittingroom where mostly mothers dart in and out at intervals to check their offspring, whisper-shouting: 'Are you warm enough?' 'Do you need a pee?' 'Do you want your water?' Returning to their camp chairs, which mark the tent's exits, they sit in the drizzle drinking beer, chatting with other parents to the strains of Steve's Lava Chicken. It's 5am, and I'm woken by a man with a low, gravelly voice: 'Do you need a wee-wee?' This voice is not my husband's. The man's entreaty is gentle, but has a slightly pleading insistence to it. 'Do you need a wee-wee?' he repeats. Who is this man? Why is he in my tent, why is he asking if I need a wee-wee? 'Daddy's going, and Seán is going, do you want to come with us?' This is coming from the tent next door, I realise. With a sheet of canvas between us, I'm reminded that when camping, a neighbour's plight becomes yours. Whatever about his daughter, next-door-daddy has done a number on me: do I need a wee-wee? A 'just-in-case' one? And so the day begins. Early. There are clean, hot showers in the glamping area too, and a Pamper Tent, complete with mirrors, hair dryers and hair straighteners. At a family festival, these go unused and unplugged. Instead, there are dads sitting sentinel as teens' devices charge, mums are boiling kettles for their daughters' hot water bottles. I wouldn't be surprised to see a chicken cooking in an air fryer here. The Hunt kids try out Porridge Party at Kaleidoscope There's about 20,000 weekend attendees at the festival, organisers say, 1,000 of them are in campervans. Some pitch tents as big as bungalows. It's a damp and cool morning, so we make for a 10am Porridge Party to warm us up. Is free porridge a problem for the Portaloos? By Saturday night, the system is under strain, but that's every music festival ever. After porridge, I join a 21-person queue for a €4 cappuccino, chatting to Clare Corrigan from nearby Donard. She and a gang of mums and their kids have come every year since 2019. 'It's all the mums of my daughters' friends,' says Corrigan. 'We get the presale tickets, it's good value.' The mums arrive on Friday morning to pitch their six tents around a central gazebo, then they go home and pick up the kids, she says. 'The dads come after with the beer.' There are 16 in the group, with children aged six to 16. 'They are up there eating pancakes now, happy out,' she says. 'Yesterday, before we went down to the main stage, they all got in one tent and were braiding each other's hair, putting on face paint and glitter, that's what they love doing.' It gets easier as the kids get older, she says. The kids have more freedom to roam and can help with camping logistics. 'It's safe for kids. That's the whole thing.' A bearded man in shorts with a tattooed calf limps past in the drizzle. He's walking from the Portaloos back to the campsite, a crutch in one hand, a pink plastic potty in the other. Conor Roe from Artane is here with his wife, Laura, and three kids, Isaac (8), Kayla (6) and Lilly (3). It's their first time at Kaleidoscope. 'We're camping with friends – they have all been here several times and they convinced us this year to come,' says Conor. This dad is in pain. 'I woke up on Wednesday and it looks like I have a bulging disk. I have awful pain down through my left leg, but I couldn't not go, the kids were so hyped up. It's their first time.' They saw Ocean Colour Scene on the main stage last night. 'The kids were going strong until 11pm,' he says. 'I'm getting through this on painkillers and anti-inflammatories.' There are examples of epic parenting everywhere. Parents are doing it for the kids. And to be fair to them, the kids are doing this for the parents too. Spend your day at the funfair here and the cost can rack up, but the Wonderland area of the festival has lots of free activities, a respite from sensory overload. We spend an hour at the excellent Fighting Words creative writing workshop where a solid crew of about 40 kids is expertly facilitated. Heads down, pencils twitching with ideas, they are in total flow. Joanne Hunt and her family at Kaleidoscope Throughout the weekend there are experiments with Mark, the Science Guy, a chance to pilot robots with Munster Technological University and a reptile rendezvous. The Sports Field is a big draw for our kids, too, where on a pitch edged with straw bales, a rolling football match runs all weekend. Like a kind of neighbourhood game from the 1980s, players aged four to 14 drop in and out all day. Old-school fun. Nearby, School Fitness Ireland holds hurdles, boxing and dance competitions. For the sack race, the dads don't need to be asked twice to compete. Anyone for the mums' sack race? Anyone who has given birth will know that this can be a risky business. A urogynaecologist could have cleaned up here. Dads taking part in the sack race By the time Jerry Fish is on the main stage, with circus performers adding visual spectacle for the kids, the sun is shining and warm. Before Texas headlines later, we head to the campsite for some downtime. The kids loll in the tent with the iPad and sort out football cards. For the sleep-loving, schedule-abiding parents we have become, this return to festivals is going pretty well. Sitting outside on camp chairs in the warm evening sun with a ham, cheese and crisp sandwich and a beer, and the Riptide Movement playing in the distance, it's all working out. We head back to the main stage for the Saturday headliner. Beside us, Des McCarthy from Bandon deftly unpacks miniature camping chairs for his children, Evie (5) and Ruairí (3), and serves them a takeaway pizza. With the kids occupied, he starts assembling chairs with complicated telescopic parts for himself and wife, Danielle, who is getting more food. Indeed, everywhere you look, there are women getting things, holding things – wipes, water, sun cream, snacks, nappies, babies, beer. The men are doing it too. With the reflexes of a cat, or a multitasking parent at a music festival, McCarthy dives to rescue the pizza box, just before it slides off Evie's knees on to the grass. Sharleen Spiteri delivers her stonking set, to a chilled-out audience on picnic blankets and camping chairs. 'It's our first time coming, it's very good. It's brilliant,' says McCarthy. 'The kids love it. I think there is enough going on that has their interest.' He hasn't been to a music festival since becoming a dad. 'Just now, we are beginning to venture out in the world again,' he says. 'It's a bit scary, but it's good.' Family-friendly festivals Fancy a family-friendly music festival? Some this year are already sold-out, but there's always next year, and your kids will be a year older. Forest Fest: Franz Ferdinand. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Forest Fest Emo Village, Co Laois July 25th-27th, tickets available Who's playing Franz Ferdinard, Manic Street Preachers, Travis Why go? Music and arts festival, intimate setting, craft beers. Kids circus skills workshop and Viking house excavation. Kids under 12 go free, single parent family pricing options. All Together Now: Fontaines DC. Photograph: Tom Honan All Together Now Curraghmore Estate, Waterford Dates Thursday 31 July – Sunday 3 August Who's playing Nelly Furtado, Fontaines DC, CMAT, London Grammar Why go? Boutique festival fusing music, art and food in a glorious setting. Two children aged 12 and under attend free of charge, accompanied by a parent with a family ticket. Dedicated family campsite. Tickets for 2026 on sale now. Chappell Roan Electric Picnic Stradbally Hall, Laois Friday 29th-Sunday 31st, August SOLD OUT Who's playing : Kings of Leon, Hozier, Sam Fender, Fatboy Slim, Chappell Roan Why go? Ireland's biggest and one of the longest running music festivals. Dedicated family campsite for children under 12, limited to two children per adult. Tickets for 2026 available spring 2026 Night and Day Festival. Photograph: Marek Petrovic Night and Day Festival Lough Key Forest Park May 29th-June 1st, 2026, tickets on sale now Why go? Dance workshops, circus skills, foraging for kids. Children 14 and under go free when accompanied by a ticket-holding guardian.
Irish Times
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Kaleidoscope 2025 at Russborough House with Texas and The Coronas: Ticket information, what's on for kids and more
Kaleidoscope is billed as Ireland's most family-friendly, fully inclusive festival of the summer and runs this weekend from Friday, July 4th, , to Sunday, July 6th, in the grounds of Russborough House, Blessington, Co Wicklow . The organisers expect thousands of families for three days and nights, the week after the final school bells rang for summer holidays. How do I get there? Russborough House and Park in Blessington, Co Wicklow, is located just off the N81, about 30 minutes from Dublin. The Eircode is W91 W284, and GPS co-ordinates are: 53.1417N, 6.5695W. Cars, caravans and campervans should follow the festival traffic signs, and directions of stewards and gardaí. There is no right or left turn allowed off the N81 at the L3863 towards Russborough House. From Dublin/M50/N81 route : Drive through Blessington town on the N81 and turn right at the Burgage roundabout, then left on to the Kilmalum road. Continue on the L6052 until the L3863, turn left and be directed into the car parks via Gate 1. READ MORE From Naas/M7/M9/M7/M9 route : Take the south Naas exit from the M7 junction 10), take the Naas ring road as far as the R411 roundabout and join the R411 and through to Ballymore Eustace. Follow the L6056 and enter the festival site via Gate 1. From Carlow/N81 northbound route : All festival traffic heading northbound on the N81 will be directed to Ballymore Eustace. Follow the L6056 and enter the festival site at Gate 1. What's on? There will be hundreds of family activities, shows and surprises alongside headliners featuring global and Irish music stars Ocean Colour Scene, Texas and the Coronas. . The line-up also features The Riptide Movement, Allie Sherlock, Simple Things and Hermitage Green. You'll also find a bubble show, an array of cooking, circus and acting displays, baby sensory events, children's author talks, the national reptile zoo and robotics experts. Tickets Tickets are still available at and Ticketmaster , with an adult weekend pass for €115 plus booking fee and a child weekend pass for €87.55. There are also day tickets, with children's from €39.40 and adult's from €56.25 plus booking fee. Babies go free, but must be booked. Take note that ID is required for all ticket holders, regardless of age. Security is family-friendly, with the main concern that parents and children don't get separated. Children get a paper wristband on which their parent's number can be written. Organisers encourage parents to choose a memorable meeting point on site. Times Car parks are beside the campsites, which fill up quickly, so walking distance from car to tent can vary. Driving is not permitted on the camping fields and trolleys/buggies are permitted to help move belongings. Camping equipment and cooking The campsite at the festival. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Barbecues and hot coals/ash must be disposed of in metal bins, and not plastic bins, in the campsite cooking area. Barbecues can only be used in the designated campsite cooking area. No gas barbecues are allowed and no barbecues can be used in the main tent camping space. Caravans and campervans can use awnings, but be mindful not to interfere with the space of fellow campers. There are communal charging points at the site but no electric hookups. All camping gear, equipment and vehicles are to be cleared from the site by noon on Monday, July 7th. The festival asks visitors to leave no trace, to help protect and maintain the area. At the Babazone campsite, there are facilities to heat up and sterilise baby bottles. Food and drink Festivalgoers can bring their own food, soft drinks and water, but no glass is allowed. Bring reusable and refillable water bottles for all the family – there are plenty of free drinking water points. Organisers ask you not to bring your own alcohol beyond your tent. Day-ticket holders cannot bring their own alcohol. Alcohol purchased at Kaleidoscope can be consumed anywhere on site. There will be searches between the campsites and main arena and any alcohol found will be confiscated and disposed. Payment Kaleidoscope has partnered with AIB to bring AIB Tappy to the festival. Everyone's wristband will include a RDIF chip that can be topped up via your phone, on the festival website and via the QR code on the wristband, or at one of the AIB Tappy kiosks using cash or card. Festivalgoers can pay for food, drinks, merchandise, funfair rides and activities via AIB Tappy. Inclusivity All Abilities Ireland are working with the festival on its accessibility programme. There are accessible campsites with plenty of room for those with all abilities and needs, wheelchair-accessible toilets in the accessible campsite and accessible showers in the shower block beside the campsite. Accessible car parking is near the campsite. The main stage and Zozimus stage both have accessible viewing platforms. The All Abilities Sensory Tent is open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm. It's a fun and calming space to get a break from the buzz of the festival. Throughout the day the team will offer audiovisual, tactile and messy play activities to entice all the senses. The All Abilities Sensory Tent is located in the east courtyard of Russborough House, on the way to the arena.
Irish Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Win a family pass to Kaleidoscope Presented by Glenveagh!
Kaleidoscope presented by Glenveagh, is back this summer from Friday, July 4th to Sunday, July 6th at Russborough House, Blessington. To celebrate, we're giving one lucky family the chance to win a weekend family pass (two adults + two children) to enjoy three days of music, shows, and 100s of hands-on activities. From headline music acts and live science shows to circus performers, arts and crafts, food fun, and toddler play zones – there truly is something for everyone at Ireland's ultimate family staycation. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to create lasting family memories! For your chance to win, simply fill in the form below. Good luck! Terms & Condition The promotion is open to residents of Ireland aged 18 years or over except employees of the Promoter, their families, agents or anyone professionally connected with the promotion. A valid entry consists of a correct answer entered in the form above, accompanied by the entrant's name, email address and a phone number. No applications from agents, third parties, organised groups or applications automatically generated by computer will be accepted. No incomplete, illegible, or corrupted entries will be accepted. No entries not in accordance with the entry instructions will be accepted. The Promotion will run from 21/05/2025 to midnight on 08/06/2025 inclusive. All entries must be received by the Promotor by no later than midnight on the Closing Date. All competition entries received after the Closing Date are automatically disqualified. Promotion limited to one entry per person. No entrant will win more than one prize. By submitting an entry to the Promotor, you are agreeing to be bound by these terms and conditions. It is the responsibility of You, the entrant, to provide correct, up-to-date details when entering the promotion and on acceptance of the prize. The Promoter cannot be held responsible for winners failing to supply accurate information which affects prize acceptance or delivery of their prize Responsibility will not be accepted for entries lost, damaged, delayed or prevented as a result of any event beyond the Promoter's control including, but not limited to, user error and any network, computer, hardware or software failures of any kind.. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt. Entries will become the property of the Promoter. The prize is one family pass (two adults and two children) to Kaleidoscope presented by Glenveagh. There will be five winners. All prizes will be subject to any additional terms and conditions of the supplier of the prize to the Promoter. This prize can only be used from Friday, July 4th to Sunday, July 6th and cannot be refunded or redeemed for cash. The Promoter shall not be liable for any loss, including, without limitation, indirect, special or consequential loss, or loss of profits, damage or consequential damage of any nature in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise caused by the acceptance of the terms and conditions or in connection with the prize, save for any liability which cannot be excluded by law. In the event of unforeseen circumstances the Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize for an alternative of equal or greater value. The winners will be notified by email. The winner must claim the prize before Thursday, July 3rd. If the prize is unclaimed after this time, it will lapse and the Promoter reserves the right to offer the unclaimed prize to a substitute winner selected in accordance with the Promotion rules. Where a winner has successfully claimed the prize, the Promoter shall dispatch, or arrange to dispatch, the prize to the winner at the earliest opportunity. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall be interpreted as placing an obligation on the Promoter to dispatch, or arrange to dispatch, the prize within a specified period of time. The Promoters' decision is final and binding in all matters and no correspondence will be entered into. The winners' details (name and county) will be made available on The Irish Times website. The winner may be required to participate in unpaid publicity arising from this promotion. The Promotor will only process your personal information as set out in and as set out in these terms and conditions. Prizes are non transferrable and cannot be exchanged for cash. These terms and conditions shall be governed by Irish law and the Courts of the Republic of Ireland shall have exclusive jurisdiction. Promoter and Data Controller: The Irish Times DAC, The Irish Times Building, P.O. Box 74, 24 - 28 Tara Street, Dublin 2. The Promoter reserves the right to hold void, suspend, cancel or amend the Promotion where it becomes necessary to do so.
