Ireland’s Great Music Gathering: An Tóstal Is Coming To Clare
Ireland’s Great Music Gathering: An Tóstal Is Coming To Clare
The event is hosting some of Ireland’s most exciting musical talent in one of the country’s most characteristic pubs, surrounded by Clare’s beautiful rugged landscape.
Something huge is cooking in Ennistymon this Autumn. Beamish has just announced it will host An Tóstal (The Gathering), a day-long celebration of incredible live music, art, conversation and craft, taking place on Saturday, September 19. The event will be held in the iconic Pot Duggan’s just off Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way in Ennistymon, Co. Clare.
The name An Tóstal is a nod to the original nationwide festival of the same name, launched in 1953 to celebrate Irish culture and bring communities together. Beamish has a connection to that original celebration too, with the brewery producing an An Tóstal stout for the 1953 festival. Today, An Tóstal brings that spirit back to life, with some of the best home-grown musical talent, art and good craic taking over one of the country’s most characteristic pubs, surrounded by Clare’s beautiful rugged landscape.
The music acts for An Tóstal fit perfectly in this setting. Headlining the music programme is Junior Brother, the Kerry-born singer-songwriter known for his distinctive voice and literary, folk-rooted songwriting, performing live. He is joined by one of our favourite acts at District; Lullahush, producer and multi-instrumentalist whose soundscapes blend Irish trad with experimental electronic sounds.
Alongside this are three different DJ sets. First up is Ricky Chong, whose sets are less about genres and more about feeling. Ricky Chong uses old school disco to make sure everyone on the dance floor is moving, He will carry the gathering into the evening, before Sally Cinnamon takes over with a mix of both classic yarns and diamond vinyl gems. Finally, Piqué will bring the DJ sets to a close. A co-producer of Clare-based immersive celebration of music and art, Common Threads, his sets focus on rhythm and emotion through his use of global sounds and electronic grooves.
There’s also going to be live mural artwork being painted throughout the day, along with a hand-painted sign workshop with Vanessa Power (Signs Of Power). There will be a fireside chat featuring Plámásing (Fionn Phelan plus guests). Above all, An Tóstal is about getting together with old friends and new, and enjoying great music, art and a few pints in an iconic pub.
Tickets to An Tóstal – The Gathering are available now from Eventbrite. Get on it.
Always be drink aware, for more information visit the Drinkaware Ireland website.
