Ireland's Answer To Woodstock Is Back

Ireland's answer to the huge festivals, Woodstock and Glastonbury, Sunflowerfest 2011, is back by popular demand.

The festival will take place this month from 19th - 21st August at Tubby's Farm in the rustic countryside just outside Hillsborough, Co Down.

A weekend of live music, arts, crafts, comedy, poetry and food is on the agenda as festival planners finalise an extensive schedule of entertainment and interactive activities which will take place across 10 acres of this working farm.

Like Woodstock, Glastonbury and Electric Picnic, Sunflowerfest is a festival founded on the 'principles of love, positivity, tolerance and smiles' where everyone is invited to relax and just be themselves.

Children and families are especially welcome and the dedicated Kidz Zone has lots of fun activities to keep younger festivalgoers entertained throughout the weekend.

Over the weekend there is rock, country, traditional, punk, gospel, rockabilly, blues, world music, and reggae.

Headlining at this year's festival will be local bands Duke Special, Cashier No. 9, Mojo Fury, Not Squares and singer Gareth Dunlop.

The line-up of live music for the festival is being overseen by local promoter Phil McCarroll of SO:NI (Sounds of N.I), who has been running successful showcase gigs in Belfast and Lisburn for many years.

This year's Sunflowerfest also features a Reggae Corner hosted by Explosion Sound System where music fans can enjoy the very best of local roots reggae presented by the cream of Ireland's finest DJs and MCs.

Michael Magowan, Sunflowerfest Event Director, said: "We are really excited to launch the second annual Sunflowerfest and would like to thank everyone who supported us last year. We feel that this is an excitingly different and experiential weekend festival focused on celebrating the best in local, national and world music and the arts.

"We hope the weekend will nurture the mind, body and soul through a wide range of artistic media - from music to storytelling and comedy and poetry.

"There will also be yoga, meditation, reiki, aroma therapy and other complimentary therapy disciplines on offer."

(BMcN/BMcC)