Crowds flock to concerts, hikes, a feast and much more at Comeraghs Wild Festival

Some of the walkers who hiked to the ruins of Ned Curran’s Cottage in the Comeragh Mountain with guide Mick O’Donoghue of Rathgormack Ramblers as part of the Comeraghs Wild Festival. The cottage was used as a safe house and prison during the War of Independence and Civil War years. 

The Comeraghs Wild Festival’s 10th birthday celebrations certainly lived up to expectations with huge crowds turning out for the vast majority of events run across four days on the second weekend of the action-packed summer celebration supported by Waterford County Council.

You could have heard a pin drop last Friday night as talented local musician and songwriter, Moylan Brunnock, who was accompanied on cello by her mam, Anne Marie, opened for the amazing Lisa Hannigan, Gemma Hayes and Paul Noonan at Clonea Power Parish Church. 

Queues formed outside the church from early evening as concert goers were eager to get the best possible seats and make a night of it.

Powerful, emotive, and absolutely outstanding were the words many used to describe the experience as they thanked the organisers as they left the venue.

There were also great crowds at the various walks, at the Nire Valley Drop, for surfing at Bunmahon and for the Waterford Churches and Monuments Talk with the brilliant Julian Walton.

The Bend & Blend Zen in the Park under the Kilmacthomas Viaduct was a sell-out in the morning sunshine on Saturday.

And despite the rain later that afternoon, hardy locals and visitors to the region braved the elements and flocked to the afternoon of music, singing and storytelling at The Getaway Eco Camp and to an open-air concert in Ballymacarbry.
Willie Drohan enthralled his audience in Cooney’s Yard with his sheep shearing and working dog demonstration.

By evening time on Saturday, the sun was back out, the rain was gone, anda great crowd also gathered in Rathgormack for Dance ‘neath the Comeraghs.

Sunday’s programme included an early morning Coumshingaun Loop Walk with Muddyboots, more surfing in Bunmahon and a well-attended Aran & Im sa Chistin event at Nell’s Farmhouse near Rathgormack.

All three events drew great support from across the region. The Comeraghs to Coast Chorus went down an absolute treat and the 10th Birthday festivities ended on a fitting note with a sumptuous feast with Eamo & Ro in Crough Wood.

Rathgormack Cllr Seánie Power, Cathaoirleach of Comeragh Municipal District said: “We set out 10 years ago to organise a festival that showcases the fabulous talent, traditions, natural beauty and history of this region and this year’s programme had something for absolutely everyone.

“There was music, storytelling, outdoor recreation, history and heritage, food and most of all fun.

“We sometimes forget how much we have on our own doorstep until we attend a festival like ours,” the FG councillor continued.

“Running a festival like this would not be possible without the back-up and support of Waterford City & County Council and our tremendous, voluntary committee.

“Each and everyone of them went above and beyond and should be very, very proud of what we have achieved.” Cllr Power officially opened the festival the previous weekend at the open air concert at Curraghmore Estate in Portlaw that featured performances from The High Kings, Ceol and Country Gold. Close to 1,500 people enjoyed the evening of entertainment that took place in perfect weather conditions.

“There’s nothing like coming home and doing a home show so thank you so much. This has been unbelievable. Thank you for the roars, the laughs, the cheers and everything” High King singer, Brian Dunphy told the audience.

The folk group performed in Curraghmore just after returning from Australia and also playing gigs in Finsbury Park in London and with the Wolfe Tones.

Comeraghs Wild Festival Director Bernadette Drohan was thrilled with the turnout at the concert. “This was a very special night and the tone was set from the outset by local band, Country Gold, who began our trip down memory lane,” she said.

Festival spokesperson, Johnny Brunnock, described it as one of the best Comeraghs Wild Festivals on record. “We took a bit of a punt by splitting the festival over two weekends and it really paid off.

“The feedback from people who attended the many, many events was exceptionally positive. We’re extremely thankful to all our hosts, all of our performers, all of our volunteers who have worked tirelessly for months.

“It was so heartening to see so many members of the public coming back again and again and attending so many events.

“We will take stock now, take a rest for a while but would hope to be back again next year and begin another decade of Comeraghs Wild.

“It was an epic festival from start to finish this year and we hope everyone who attended events enjoyed them as much as we enjoyed hosting them,” Mr Brunnock concluded.

Check out more photos from the Comeraghs Wild Festival in this week's edition of The Nationalist now on sale in local shops. 

Pictured below: A section of the audience of about 1,500 who attended the Comeragh Wilds Festival concert at Curraghmore Estate in Portlaw featuring performances from the High Kings, Ceol and Country Gold.

Pictured below: Crough Wood near Mahon Falls was the venue for the Feast in the Forest, prepared by locally-based chefs, restaurateurs and caterers, Eamonn Connors and Roisin O’Connor pictured.