VANTASTIVAL PROVES TO BE ANOTHER WONDERFUL FESTIVAL DATE
MEATH has Slane but now Louth has its own growing outdoor concert venue with a twist - the delightful surrounds of Beaulieu House.
The annual Vantastival would never seek to compete with an 80,000 sell out venue, but perhaps that’s what makes the annual June headliner by the Boyne (in Co Louth!) so special.
Last weekend, camper vans arrived in their hundreds to sample the delights of a venue that is set to become a real classic in the years ahead.
It’s intimate, kid and dog friendly and for music lovers, an absolute paradise, with stages galore and as much crepes and Beshoff fish and chips as you can eat.
Throw in the chance to see some vintage and modern classics, courtesy of Firestone and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and you have the recipe for a ‘something for everyone’ weekend.
Even the children were well catered for with the Beaulieu garden transformed into a Mad Hatters tea party set - complete with giant playing cards attached to the trees.
For Festival Director Benny Taaffe, it’s all about people enjoying themselves.
‘We are up 20% in terms of numbers from last year,’ he stated.
He sees it as a family orientated festival, so numbers are limited.
‘We had 60 to 70 camper vans from the UK over and five from France. As well as that, people came from all corners of Ireland to enjoy the area.’
He’s a proud Louth man and is keen to see the Vantastival celebration stay local.
‘ There have been offers from other counties to get it but we’ve gotten active support from Louth County Council, the gardai and the fire officer and that’s been huge.
‘We came on site eight weeks ago to get it right and spent the last three weeks solid here. It’s a lot of work,’ he admitted.
However, the effort was all worthwhile as thousands turned out, with many also staying in Drogheda, adding to the appeal of such an event.
‘ They say for every euro created by a festival, €6.50 comes in to the local community,’ Benny explained.
Firestone Ireland’s marketing manager Colm Conyngham was equally delighted with the event, stating that their music stage forms part of festivals all over Europe.
Such talents as Grand and Fuzz Gigolo graced it on Saturday.
As people sampled Beetroot relish toasties and caught up with everything from RNLI souvenirs to face paints, the mood was certainly relaxed carefree, as the Sligo Youth Choir, Ciara Byrne, Emma Lou and The Agenda, Culture Vultures and Kila were amongst the many acts on stage.
Vantastival is a little gem of a festival set to shine bright like a diamond in the years to come.
And Beaulieu is the perfect spot for that dream to grow.