Festival to put the heart back into local community
A novel three- day music and arts festival is coming soon to Leitrim. Stoney Woods festival now in its second year will take place in the village of Kiltyclogher from Friday 30th of June to July 2nd.
Headlining acts this year will include Declan O Rourke, Mick Blake, Free Speaking Monkey on Friday 30th.
But as Summer festivals go Stoney Woods is unique around the country. Born in 2016 to ‘ celebrate life and keep alive the memory of those gone before’ its roots lie firmly in a communities wish to come together for each other in a time of grief.
After a number of deaths in the Kiltyclogher area things came to a head. The people in the village had enough and decided to come together.
“That’s what this is about, we decided to take on this grieving process and celebrate all the lives of those that passed, the mums and dads, our children, everybody,” says Ciaran Rock one of the organisers of the festival and one of those personally affected.
And that they have. From the heart that’s currently lit on a hill overlooking Kiltyclogher to the heart within, this festival is set to inspire.
Hand made buntings made of fabric linked to loved ones with fly around the town. There’ll be plenty of opportunity with planned events for quality family time with treasure hunts and arts on Saturday and street feast and carnival activities on the Sunday. Street and music sessions are timetabled during the weekend in marquees and local venues.
But throughout Stoney Woods there will be space speckled for reflection with readings from award winning poets including Sinead Morrissey and Monica Corish, candle lit vigils, meditation, grief workshops and an unveiling of a memorial stone for the Stoney Woods tree.
Sponsored charities supported by this years festival will be Stop Suicide, Ellies retreat and Cancer Care West.