A few days ago, the artwork of a new festival dedicated to celebrating the life of Dolores O’Riordan called “Dreams Festival” was shared on socials.
Today, the Limerick Post reveals more details on this event that will take place in Bruff, co Limerick (Ireland) – in the area where Dolores was born and raised – on September 6 to 8 this year to celebrate her birthday and musical legacy.
Full line-up will be announced on August 17, but it is already known that Kellie Lewis – Dolores’ 2014 Voice Of Ireland’s contestant – will be performing!
Journalist Eric Fitzgerald explains that “the town will also re-name its iconic park where Dolores was famously interviewed with her mother during her time as a judge on the Voice of Ireland. There will be a very special unveiling ceremony at the park on Friday 6” referring to the Barry Egan interview given on April 27th 2014 for The Independent.
Promoters hope that the event will become an annual event to take place in Bruff on the first weekend of every September to celebrate original artists music as well as her homeland, and bring communities in rural Ireland together.
Read more about this celebration of Dolores and her memory on the Limerick Post’s article.
EDIT :
Dreams Fest 19 Facebook Page now provides more info !
The festival will be taking place over 7 different stages :
1. Street Stage
2. Clancy’s Session Bar
3. Clancy’s Underworld
4. Piano Bar (Derry’s)
5. Acoustic Club Stage (Clarke’s)
6. Kennedy Rooms Church (unplugged)
7. The Nuns Room (Irelands first non alcoholic bar)
Here’s below their press release :
‘Dreams’ Festival
The community of Bruff are coming together to celebrate the birthday and life of one of their own. Born and raised near the town in county Limerick, she is regarded as one of the worlds greatest female artists: Dolores O’Riordan.
Dolores, who tragically passed away in January of 2018, was the lead singer with The Cranberries, a band who rose to international success in the early 90’s, selling over 40 million albums worldwide. Dolores was a prolific songwriter and also enjoyed a hugely successful solo career in the early 2000’s.
The Festival, which is taking place on September 6th, 7th and 8th will showcase an eclectic mix of exciting artists. With a focus on original music, the festival will also host talks, community music gatherings, comedy, cabaret and spoken word acts.
Rainer Lindheim, Co-Promoter and Stage Event Manager and close friend of Dolores said ‘We hope that this years event will be a seed-planter for an annual event to take place in Bruff on the first weekend of every September. It’s spirit is to celebrate original artists music and in some way to help showcase their own dreams’
The town will also re-name the iconic park where Dolores was famously interviewed with her mother during her time as a judge on the Voice of Ireland. She will have a very special unveiling ceremony on Friday the 6th.
The festival committee comprises of members of the business, arts and music communities in Bruff. Committee member, Jack Clancy, who is the proprietor of Clancy’s bar and music venue commented, ‘We hope it will be a great weekend for the village and everyone both in Ireland and across the world who loved Dolores and wish to celebrate her legacy’
Brendan O’Riordan, brother of Dolores has said, ‘we want to celebrate Dolores and her memory. I have spoken to so many people who she inspired with her music, her songs helped them cope through the dark times and encouraged them to write and play, many of them will be performing for the weekend. People in rural Ireland are often isolated and music helps bring communities together and that’s what we aim to do on Dolores birthday’
Festival Coordinator Julianne Hennelly stated ‘as an artist who works in the area of mental health I am honoured to be part of this project. Dolores has helped so many of us struggling with depression in Ireland and throughout the world, we want to celebrate her homeland which inspired her art and kind nature. Rural Ireland is the most beautiful healing place to be, with it’s friendly, easy going way of life. Bruff has it all, lakes, historical sites, rivers, parks, cafes, big music venues and most importantly a very strong community spirit’
Full programme and information on events throughout the weekend will be launched on August 17th.
