Lúnasa Festival Ready…Set…Grow!

The Lúnasa Festival, funded by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, has grown in size since its inception. 

In order to allow for the continued growth of the Festival in 2017, the Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership Scheme (RoGLPS) is inviting new people and groups who may be interested in becoming a partner this year to apply.

The Lúnasa Festival takes place across the Ring of Gullion area during the month of August.  It showcases the rich and diverse landscape and heritage of the Ring of Gullion through a wide range of indoor and outdoor events.  In its first year 1,200 people participated in the festival and the following year participants rose to 2,000.

Part of its success is attributed to its partners who work together to bring their own ideas and energy to the different events. The Festival, coordinated by the RoGLPS, has worked closely with a huge range of community groups and individuals to bring events as diverse as Zombie Apocalypse Survival Training and Teddy Bear’s Picnics to audiences across the Armagh area and beyond.

The RoGLPS can help partners run successful heritage events. Independent partners and organisers of established, self-sufficient events can take advantage of free additional marketing under the Lúnasa Festival brand.  Events will be promoted in the events guide, on the Partnership website and generally through Ireland-wide promotion of the Lúnasa Festival.

People wanting to start a new event or whose events are not yet self-sufficient can become Assisted Partners and will be able to take advantage of not only the marketing but also additional support, which can include contributions to the event and additional staffing to run and help organise the event.

If you, your club or business would like to become a part of Lúnasa 2017, more information and an application can be downloaded from ringofgullion.org/publication/event-toolkit/ or call 028 3082 8594. Applications must be submitted by 5pm Tuesday 28 February 2017.