The sun beating in the windows of HP Tower this morning bode well for The Battle for the Lake, the kiteboarding and music festival on Achill Island this weekend.
From Friday to Sunday, some of the finest kitesurfers in the world will be doing their death-defying thing on the waters of Keel Lake. If you fancy a slightly drier - and considerably less frightening - way to spend the days, though, they've recruited a serious line-up of acts to round out the evenings.
Leading the charge are The Eskies (pictured), who've enjoyed quite the summer, between the release of their debut LP and storming festival showings throughout. HP faves Amazing Apples will also be gracing the stage, as will their fellow Galwegian Daithi. Other acts include The Pale, DJManu, Beef Supreme, The Witch Trials, Graham Sweeney, Flat Out, The Other Breed, Jenn Wren, Andrew Ore, Jason Sweeney, Keith Plunkett, Saoirse Casey, Maria Kelly, E.Mcormick, Swiftie, Ger Ahearn, Sarah Buckley, DJ Oni &Co.
With a spectacular pyrotechnic show to cap the activities, it promises to be one hell of a weekender; tickets are available at €25 per night, a bargain €40 for the weekend, and nearby camping will set you back a measly €6.