Soma Festival
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name = Soma Festival
| logo = Soma Festival logo.png
| logo_alt = Soma Festival logo
| logo_caption = Soma Festival
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| status = Active
| genre = Festivals
| frequency = Annually (July)
| location = Castlewellan, County Down, Northern Ireland
| coordinates = {{coord|54.267|-5.933|type:event|display=inline,title}}
| years_active = {{age|2013|7|14|df=y}}
| first = {{start date|2013|7|14|df=y}}
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| participants =
| attendance = 15,000 (2016)
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| area = Ireland, Celtic nations, United Kingdom, United States
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| leader_name = Tíona McSherry (director)
| patron =
| organised = The Soma Castlewellan Group
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The Soma Festival ({{langx|sa|सोम}}, or sóma, meaning drink of the Gods, see Soma (drink);{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/belfast-telegraph-weekend/20160709/281964607048793|title=A tasty line-up|publisher=Press Reader|work=Belfast Telegraph Weekend|date=9 July 2016|access-date=29 April 2017}} {{Langx|ga|Féile Soma}}{{Cite news|url=https://issuu.com/nosmag/docs/no__s_43|title=NÓS 43 - Aibreán 2014|last=Tomaí|first=Ó Conghaile|work=ós|access-date=29 April 2017|language=Irish|date=4 April 2014}}) is an annual music, arts, and cultural festival. The festival includes concerts, musical performances, well-being activities, art exhibitions, food and drink stalls, language events, music workshops, and pub sessions. The festival began in 2013 and takes place in Castlewellan, County Down in Northern Ireland.{{Cite web|url=http://www.downnews.co.uk/soma-festival-gears-up-in-castlewellan/|title=SOMA Festival Gears Up In Castlewellan |work= Down News|date=19 April 2017|access-date=29 April 2017}} The festival is directed by Tíona McSherry{{Cite web|url=https://tourismni.com/media-centre/News/food-and-drink-wont-play-second-fiddle-at-traditional-irish-music-event/|title=Latest News - Food and drink won't play second fiddle at traditional Irish music event|publisher=Tourism NI|access-date=29 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101142051/http://www.tourismni.com/media-centre/News/food-and-drink-wont-play-second-fiddle-at-traditional-irish-music-event/|archive-date=2017-01-01|url-status=dead}} and run by a team of volunteers.{{fact|date=April 2024}}
History
=2013–2015=
The festival was established in 2013 with headline performances from The Olllam, Niamh Parsons and the John McSherry Band. Artists Lorcan Vallely and Barry Kerr exhibited at the festival. Glór Uachtar Tíre's Scoil Samhraidh Shéamuis Uí Néill,{{Cite web|url=http://www.gloruachtartire.com/scoil-samhraidh/4558255935|title=Scoil Samhraidh Shéamus Uí Néill 2017 (Séamus Ó Neill Summer School 2017)|publisher=Glór Uachtar Tire|language=Irish|access-date=29 April 2017|archive-date=18 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118193655/http://www.gloruachtartire.com/scoil-samhraidh/4558255935|url-status=dead}} an annual Irish language weekend became part of the Soma programme and has been included on an annual basis since. In 2014, the festival received support from Down District Council, Ring of Gullion AONB and the Heritage Lottery Fund enabling them to expand their programme. The festival was headlined by Irish singer Cara Dillon,{{Cite news|url=http://www.irishpost.co.uk/folk-singer-cara-dillon-reveals-songs-inspired-by-emigrants-stories/|title=Folk singer Cara Dillon reveals songs inspired by emigrants' stories|date=2 July 2014|work=Irish Post|access-date=29 April 2017|archive-date=30 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430140011/http://irishpost.co.uk/folk-singer-cara-dillon-reveals-songs-inspired-by-emigrants-stories/|url-status=dead}} The Olllam and Balkan Alien Sound.
In 2015, the festival was headlined by singer-songwriter Duke Special.{{Cite web|url=http://www.irishnews.com/arts/2015/07/20/news/soma-enchanted-evening-in-castlewellan-197710/|title=Soma enchanted evening in Castlewellan|last=McMillen|first=Robert|date=20 July 2015|work=The Irish News|access-date=29 April 2017}}{{subscription required}} Supported by the newly created Newry, Mourne and Down District Council supercouncil, the festival expanded greatly.{{fact|date=April 2024}} Performers included Beoga, Moxie, Karen Matheson, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Pauline Scanlon, John Spillane, John McSherry and Dónal O'Connor and an Irish language music and cabaret hosted by RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta presenter Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí.{{Cite web|url=http://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/MourneMountains/media/MourneMountains/Publications/Files/DM-8-14-July-2016.pdf|title=Whats On - July 2017|date=|publisher=Northern Ireland Tourist Board}} Piper Paddy Keenan and singer Mary Dillon were among musicians giving workshops at the 2015 event.{{fact|date=April 2024}}
=2016 onwards=
In 2016 the festival received sponsorship from Tourism Northern Ireland.{{Cite web|url=https://tourismni.com/link/6094e938ce944ec18615ee2c3e19d8d1.aspx|title=TEFP2016.17 Awards - Tourism NI|date=|publisher=Northern Ireland Tourist Board|format=xls}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In that year, the festival featured performances from Lisa Hannigan, Eddi Reader, Dónal Lunny, Flook, Declan O'Rourke and Breaking Trad.{{Cite news|url=http://www.belfasttimes.co.uk/10-exciting-things-to-do-in-northern-ireland-july-11-17/|title=10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland (July 11 – 17)|date=8 July 2016|work=Belfast Times|access-date=29 April 2017|archive-date=3 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803234512/http://www.belfasttimes.co.uk/10-exciting-things-to-do-in-northern-ireland-july-11-17/|url-status=dead}}
To celebrate NI Year of Food and Drink 2016, the Soma Festival initiated the now-annual Soma Taste Experience, bringing together artisan food and craft beer producers from County Down and around Ireland. Soma Body & Soul became another annual festival feature with well-being professionals offering free and paid activities over two days.{{Cite web|url=http://bamni.co.uk/2016/07/12/try-something-new-at-the-soma-body-soul-festival-this-weekend/|title=Try Something New At The SOMA Body & Soul Festival This Weekend|last=Calder|first=Tina|date=12 July 2016|website=BAM!|access-date=29 April 2017}} The Soma Craft Fair market square was held in Castlewellan's Upper Square, with Soma Kids held in Lower Square. The 2016 Soma Festival was estimated to have attracted 15,000 participants, including more than 200 musicians, artists, well-being practitioners, entertainers and cooks.{{Cite web|url=http://patrickclarke74.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/castlewellan-49th-agricultural-show-and.html|title=Castlewellan 49th Agricultural Show and Soma Festival tremendous successes|last=Clarke|first=Patrick|date=July 2016|website=Blogspot - Patrick Clarke LLB|access-date=29 April 2017}}{{dead link|date=July 2018}}
The 2017 festival took place from 12 to 16 July of that year. The planned 2019 line-up included KT Tunstall and Liam Ó Maonlaí.{{cite web|url = https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/health/me-and-my-health-kt-tunstall-on-the-diet-so-good-she-doesnt-have-to-exercise/38314870.html | website = belfasttelegraph.co.uk | title = Me & my health: KT Tunstall on the diet so good she doesn't have to exercise | date = 16 July 2019 }}{{cite web|url = https://www.irishnews.com/arts/music/2019/07/12/news/liam-o-maonlai-and-kt-tunstall-head-an-amazing-bill-at-soma-festival-1662119/ | website = irishnews.com | title = Liam Ó Maonlaí and KT Tunstall head an amazing bill at Soma festival | date = 12 July 2019 }}
In 2023, performers at the "10th Anniversary" Soma Festival included Andy Irvine, Dónal Lunny and Kíla.{{cite web|url = https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/whats-on/the-soma-festival-p845161 | website = visitmournemountains.co.uk | title = The Soma Festival | accessdate = 21 June 2024 }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.somafestival.com/ Soma Festival] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513060827/http://somafestival.com/ |date=13 May 2021 }} - official website
{{Irish Festivals}}
Category:Arts festivals in Northern Ireland
Category:Music festivals in Northern Ireland
Category:Tourist attractions in County Down
Category:Tourism in County Down
Category:2013 establishments in Northern Ireland
Category:Traditional music festivals in Ireland