Wicklow’s Secret Garden Music Festival is back with a bang — taking place at the Abbey Grounds in Wicklow Town on Sunday August 5th, it promises to be a one-of-a-kind family event celebrating all things music, art, creative workshops and food.
Ran in conjunction with the historic Wicklow Regatta, The Secret Garden will bring together a group of standout Irish acts this August bank holiday who will have the Abbey Grounds flowing with musical splendour all day long.
Headline act and Wicklow’s own Birds of Olympus have turned heads recently at gigs both in Ireland (Groove Fest) and across the pond (Canada Music Week, SXSW) – now they return to their hometown to showcase why their unique psychedelic electronica continually blows people away.
Also performing is acclaimed Irish singer Cat Dowling, described as “one of the most wonderful voices in Irish contemporary music”, who is sure to build an intimate atmosphere at The Secret Garden unlike anything you’ve experienced before — that’s not to forget Mongrel State, Conor O’Donnell, Daniel John Paxton and other special guests ready to put on spectacular performances.
Weird and wonderful creations are the theme for this year’s festival. Carefully crafted and curated by Wicklow Artist Eoghain Phelan, the artwork and creations you’ll see on display at The Secret Garden are best described as Alice in Wonderland meets contemporary bespoke design.
There’s a variety of workshops running throughout the day: get in the rhythm with drumming workshops hosted by renowned percussionist Mario Ngoma, or channel your inner Game of Thrones over in the creative workshop area, where Viking Craft Forge will be displaying their craftsmanship and showing off weapons and wears.
Join in crafty workshops that will teach you how to make dreamcatchers, wind-chimes, magic hats and stone paintings — all very ideal to entertain the younger ones to learn some crafts while you jam out to the music. (Under 12s go free to this event)
A full bar will be provided by The Bridge Tavern, with a variety of beverages on offer including locals specialities like Wicklow Wolf and Glendalough Gin.
Early bird tickets for The Secret Garden are sold out, but a limited amount of standard tickets are still available for just €15.
Head over to secretgarden.ie for more info or to purchase tickets. Make sure to also follow the event’s Facebook page where sneak peeks, tickets and prize giveaways, and much more will be happening.
