Cut Loose in Holycross is just a gem of a music festival

The crowds flocked once more to the picturesque village of Holycross and made their way to the GAA Grounds for the Cut Loose Country Music Festival last Sunday.

From early morning they began to arrive from across the county and beyond. Lousie Treacy and her family arrived from Galway in their camper van the evening before and were enjoying their trip to Tipp: “There are seven of us in the family and this is our holiday.

“We love it. It is brilliantly organised, it is so clean for families and the line up is just top-class. Everyone is fantastic but we follow Claudia and Jimmy Buckely wherever they go so we have danced the hours away,” she said.

It was reflective of the crowd who braved the heavy showers at times and simply smiled through it and enjoyed themselves. Louise Morrissey is a regular in Holycross and she was busy introducing the acts and singing too on the day to great applause.

The Tipperary legend said the festival was simply top class again this year: “It is just a fabulous day. We had a bit of rain but people aren’t bothered with the rain they are just making sure they have a great time and are singing along.”

“This is the tenth festival and I am delighted to be a part of it and do the job of MC and sing a few songs too. It is just a great atmosphere and I think the committee do a fantastic job of putting on a wonderful festival,” she said.

Nathan Carter signed autographs and stood in for selfies when he was off stage. Speaking after a cuppa in the John Doyle Centre, he said it is one of the top festivals in Ireland:

“I think this is my seventh year here and it is one I always enjoy playing because people come from all over Ireland to Holycross. The crowd is always amazing here,” he said.

The atmosphere was jovial and, despite the heavy rain showers at times, the thousands at Cut Loose Country Music Festival in Holycross had a ball.

Cara O’Dwyer from nearby Thurles said the festival is always full of fun and friendship: “It is a great day out. I come here most years. There is great credit due to the organisers here,” she said.

The staff on the day were top-class. Club officer Michael Ryan and his team greeted visitors with a smile by the gates. Mary Caesar amongst others did trojan work preparing food.

Paddy Byrne and the other stewards on duty did a top-class job. Matt Quinlan, who was on duty, said: “They are here in their thousands again this year. It is great to be here and enjoying the music. It’s a fabulous day out.”

Thurles native Una Healy received a huge welcome and she put on a great set which kept revellers dancing. TD Michael Lowry is a native of Holycross, and he said the festival is a gem: “It is a community effort. We have 167 people working in a voluntary capacity who contribute so much. The crowds have flocked again and thankfully it is a success.”