Top artists to headline new festival for Queen Maeve Square’s launch
Sligo is set come alive with music and culture this May bank holiday weekend with the new Queen Maeve Festival running from May 3rd to May 5 th.
Celebrating the launch of the new Queen Maeve Square right in the heart of Sligo town, this event sees major headline acts performing including Gavin James (Friday May 3) and Moncrieff (Saturday May 4) and Teada & Niamh Farrell (Sunday May 5).
The Queen Maeve Festival is hosted and delivered by Sligo County Council and has something for everyone including amazing music, cultural events and activities for all the family.
Supporting the headline acts are The Hit Machine, Shane Beirne & friends, Saibh Skelly, Callum Wall, The Rosecaps, Traditional music and dance and Jam @ the Square.
Ocean FM will be broadcasting live from the square from 4pm on Friday 3rd May – a great way to kick off the bank holiday weekend.
Among the highly anticipated headline acts gracing the festival stage this year are:
Gavin James: Since the release of his multi platinum albums, James has built a community of fans that have seen his music streamed three billion times across the globe and earn diamond and platinum records in multiple countries from the Netherlands to Brazil.
He has also sold more than 250,000 tickets (and counting) worldwide with a live show that is as transporting as it is uplifting.
Gavin kicked off 2024 with the release of his single ‘White Noise’, followed by a sold out European and South American tour.
He is currently in studio finishing his new album which is due for release later this year.
Moncrieff: Currently on a sell out European headline tour, the winner of last year’s RTE Choice Music ‘Irish Song of the Year’ award for the smash single ‘Warm’, singer/songwriter Moncrieff is set to delight fans in Sligo.
Téada & Niamh Farrell: A traditional band with a truly worldwide reach, Téada has appeared as a frequent headliner at major music festivals throughout the world.
Highlights include a 30,000-capacity stadium concert in Brittany, along with performances at Penang World Music Festival in Malaysia, Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada, Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe, and Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo.
Niamh Farrell’s love for music and singing was instilled from a very young age in her native Sligo.
Her musical influences are vast, allowing her to move effortlessly between Irish traditional, gospel contemporary and folk genres, offering the audience an eclectic mix of material.
“This is a momentous event for Sligo, marking the culmination of extensive efforts in the construction of the new Queen Maeve Square and organising this captivating festival.
“The festival promises an immersive experience for both visitors and locals, providing a unique opportunity to witness the vibrant offerings of this newly unveiled space and its profound impact on our community,” said Gerard Mullaney, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council.
“We are thrilled to bring such an amazing mix of visiting and local talent on stage in Sligo for the Queen Maeve Festival, a collaborative event on the banks of the Garavogue, which celebrates the launch of the new Queen Maeve Square” said Martin Lydon, Chief Executive of Sligo County Council.
“We are delighted to celebrate the launch of the new Queen Maeve Square right in the heart of Sligo town,” added Dorothy Clarke, Director of Sligo County Council.
“We want to showcase the very best of Sligo and the incredible potential of our beautiful new public space on the banks of the Garavogue River in Sligo town.”
Beyond the music, festival-goers can look forward to a host of cultural events, including historical walks, Comhaltas Congress and lectures and céilis and pub sessions.
Entrance to the festival is strictly on a first come, first served basis and all information can be seen at www.sligo.ie/queenmaevefestival
Queen Maeve Square is a new public space in Sligo town funded by Fáilte Ireland, the Urban Regeneration Fund and Sligo County Council.
This flagship development will greatly enhance the public realm of Sligo town, creating an area that will be suitable for a broad range of uses including outdoor concerts, cultural events and markets etc.
It is here that visitors will gravitate to, upon arrival in the town, and is where families can spend time enjoying a unique space overlooking the Garavogue River.
The completion of this development coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Work has been ongoing since January 2023 to transform Stephen Street Car Park into Queen Maeve Square.
The public realm held its first live events on St Patrick’s weekend, with the Sligo St Patrick’s Festival taking place in the square.
THIS IS A MOMENTOUS EVENT FOR SLIGO. THE FESTIVAL PROMISES AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE