Soma Festival facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Soma Festival |
|
|---|---|
Soma Festival
|
|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Festivals |
| Frequency | Annually (July) |
| Location(s) | Castlewellan, County Down, Northern Ireland |
| Coordinates | 54°16′01″N 5°55′59″W / 54.267°N 5.933°W |
| Years active | 11 |
| Inaugurated | 14 July 2013 |
| Most recent | 2019 – 2019 |
| Next event | 14 July 2023 – 16 July 2023 |
| Attendance | 15,000 (2016) |
| Area | Ireland, Celtic nations, United Kingdom, United States |
| Leader | Tíona McSherry (director) |
| Organised by | The Soma Castlewellan Group |
The Soma Festival is a super fun yearly event that celebrates music, art, and culture! The word "Soma" comes from an old language and means "drink of the Gods." The festival takes place in Castlewellan, County Down in Northern Ireland.
At Soma, you can enjoy lots of cool things like live music concerts, art shows, and even learn new languages. There are also workshops where you can try playing instruments or learn about different types of music. Plus, you can find yummy food and drinks!
The festival started in 2013 and is led by Tíona McSherry, with help from many amazing volunteers. Every night, there's a special "Festival Club" where musicians and visitors can hang out and enjoy more music together.
Festival History
Early Years (2013–2015)
The Soma Festival first opened its doors in 2013. Some of the main music acts that year included The Olllam, Niamh Parsons, and the John McSherry Band. Artists Lorcan Vallely and Barry Kerr also showed their artwork. A special Irish language summer school became a part of the festival, and it has been included every year since!
In 2014, the festival got support from local councils and groups like the Heritage Lottery Fund. This help allowed them to make the festival even bigger and better! Famous Irish singer Cara Dillon was one of the main performers that year, along with The Olllam and Balkan Alien Sound.
By 2015, the festival had grown a lot! Singer-songwriter Duke Special was a top performer. Other bands like Beoga and Moxie also played. There were many talented singers like Karen Matheson and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh. A special Irish language music and comedy show was also held. During this time, a book about Uilleann pipes (a type of Irish bagpipes) was launched. Some famous pipers and singers even gave workshops to teach others.
Recent Festivals (2016–Present)
In 2016, the Soma Festival got support from Tourism Northern Ireland. That year, the festival featured amazing artists like Lisa Hannigan, Eddi Reader, and Dónal Lunny.
To celebrate Northern Ireland's Year of Food and Drink in 2016, the Soma Festival started something new: the Soma Taste Experience. This part of the festival brings together local food makers and craft beer producers from all over Ireland. It's a great way to try delicious local treats!
Another new addition in 2016 was Soma Body & Soul. This section offers free and paid activities focused on well-being, like yoga or mindfulness. The Soma Craft Fair was held in Castlewellan's Upper Square, where you could find handmade crafts. For younger visitors, Soma Kids offered fun activities in the Lower Square. In 2016, about 15,000 people came to the Soma Festival, including over 200 musicians, artists, and cooks!
The festival continued to be a big success, with the 2017 event taking place from July 12 to 16.
