First ever gender balanced music and comedy weekend to be held this summer

The brand new event – The Folly- will take place over two nights in the shadows of the majestic old ruins of Cullahill Castle. Dating back to the 1420s, the regal tower will provide a stunning backdrop to the main stage, nestled at the foot of the historic relic.

Taking place over two nights (Friday, 20th July from 7pm - 11:30pm and Saturday, 21st July from 8:30am - 11:30pm) the line-up will feature an equal gender balance of female and male musicians, performers and comedians, featuring some of the best up-and-coming talent in the country. The initiative is warmly welcomed by Electric Picnic organisers who themselves have begun to address the gender balance issue at festivals with the introduction of an all-female comedy line up on Thursday night at The Hazel Wood stage at this year’s Electric Picnic.

On Friday night, Folly fans will be treated to music from the Nomadic harmony folk duo The Lost Brothers and the young fresh talent of singer-songwriter Curtis Walsh representing the male talent. On the ladies side will be Holly Macve renowned for her heavenly voice on her spellbinding country and western ballads and Molly Sterling with her emotive alt-pop sound.

Before night time falls on Saturday and the Folly entertainment kicks off, there will be plenty of day time activity with the Cullahill Annual Fair for all ages, a walk up the Cullahill mountain, a farmer’s market, village parade, games for the kids, storytelling, a tour of the hidden history of Cullahill Castle and the first ever PaddyO’s Irish Porridge Making Championship, with Rachel Allen on hand to judge.

If it’s a belly laugh you want, The Folly is where you need to be on this magical weekend on Saturday night, as some of Ireland’s finest comedy prodigies and budding comedy gems take to the stage over the two day festival, including the hilarious Kevin McGahern, Ashlee Bentley, Mark McConnell, Niamh Marron, Eddie Mullarkey, Grace Mulvey, Ronan Grace and Sharon Mannion. The comedy line-up for The Folly was curated by Emily O'Callaghan, an occasional Hot Presser, who was also involved with the women's only comedian tent at Electric Picnic.

The next best thing about eating food is talking about it! There will be a veritable smorgasbord of food stalls on offer, alongside beverages of alcoholic and non-alcoholic tipples.

All ages are welcome at The Folly. Children twelve and under go free once accompanied by a ticket-holding adult (limited to max of two children per adult). The Folly Ticket also includes the walk up Cullahill mountain, entrance to PaddyO's Irish Porridge Championships and the family Cullahill Fair on Saturday.

Parents must use their discretion for the Folly Comedy (8.00pm-11.30pm Saturday evening) as there may be adult themes.

Tickets

Tickets for The Folly go on sale Friday 15th June 2018.

There will be a very limited amount of tickets for this very intimate festival. With capacity capped at 800.

Price

Early bird: €40 for weekend plus booking fee (available until 14th July)
Daily tickets: €25 plus booking fee
Booking: www.ticketmaster.ie