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Lucy O’Sullivan

Chairperson & Music Co-ordinator

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cahersiveenfestival

Music. Arts. Community. Outdoor & Wellness 🎭 🎶

After much thought, and with a tinge of sadness, w

After much thought, and with a tinge of sadness, we’re sharing a message about the next chapter of the festival. A number of the core committee will be stepping back this year. CMAF is being left in the safe hands of community organisation ACARD, who have supported the formation of a new committee to take things forward.It’s important to say that these decisions in the autumn came down to a change in individual circumstances. It’s no secret that a festival of this scale takes a LOT of time and meetings to organise, and a true all-hands-on-deck type commitment… all on an entirely voluntary basis. As a group of young adults working full time and balancing family and personal commitments, many of us reached a point where (after achieving the goals we set out with over the last few years) we felt responsible succession was the right choice ensuring the festival continues to thrive.We leave with deep pride to have played a part in the legacy of this 28-year-old festival over the past 2–3 years. Our highlights include:✨ Refreshing festival branding, social media, & launching a new website✨ Introducing a clearer, modern programme layout✨ Introducing wellness & Irish language elements✨ Strengthening health & safety with dedicated role✨ Extending the busking competitions & increasing prizes✨ Securing planning permission for daytime stage music✨ Sustainable waste management✨ Collaborating with Ciarraí Art Nexus on a comprehensive arts programme✨ Inclusive volunteer wristband scheme for free festival access✨ Providing wheelchair-accessible toilets by stage music✨ Making key future-proofing decisions, including ticket pricing, online ticket sales, & removing single-use corriboard signageWe wanted to make this post to say thank you to the community, volunteers, artists, sponsors, local businesses, and supporters who trusted us over the last few years. It has been a privilege to represent and work on one of the biggest community events in South Kerry.Please continue to support the new committee once announced, or get involved. Community backing is what keeps this festival thriving year after year 💜Fran, Deirdre, Shauna, Aoife, Jo, Lucy, Colin & Sharon

We would like to publicly thank and acknowledge ou

We would like to publicly thank and acknowledge our grant providers for their funding and support towards the running of the 2025 festival 🙏 CMAF is grateful for the grants and financial assistance received this year from:- the Department of Rural and Community Development and Kerry County Council through the 2025 Local Enhancement Programme (this helped to fund operating costs and equipment for the festival)- Kerry County Council under the 2025 Community Support Fund (which helped in purchasing AV equipment for the festival)- Kerry County Council and Fáilte Ireland’s Festival & Participative Events ProgrammeWe also want to thank the following organisations for their support and funding; from @cumasceantar_uibhrathach and @west_walls for organising and funding the new community art mural which took place over the festival weekend, and to Séaghan at @cslegaeilge for support on our new Irish language elements, translations, and funding contributions towards our signage in Irish and Irish speaking events.

Enjoy 120 seconds of the 2025 Cahersiveen Music an

Enjoy 120 seconds of the 2025 Cahersiveen Music and Arts Festival… raw, unfiltered, and full of life.No trending audio. No background tracks. Just the original sounds that were the heartbeat of the weekend.This is a whole long weekend condensed into just two minutes of: laughter and lively conversations, the low hum of passing cars, buskers filling the streets with music, world-class musicians igniting the stage, artists sharing their creative journeys, cheers and applause, thrilled screams from the funfair, fireworks, and the melodic moments from wellness events.Here’s the soundtrack of the weekend 💜

Our festival has made headlines in both the Kerry’s Eye and The Kerryman this last week 🥳 (link to article in our bio). “Of course, none of it would be possible without our incredible team of volunteers who work quietly behind the scenes, and the generous sponsorship from local businesses of all sizes who continue to believe in what we do and help with vital funding. Cahersiveen Music and Arts Festival is truly an example of a community coming together - and here’s to year 29 in August 2026,” - Fran, festival committee. It’s heart-warming to see such positive feedback and recognition for our community festival! We’ll be sharing a festival feedback survey on here tomorrow so that we can catch all the feedback on 2025, and ideas for 2026 ✨

COMPETITION WINNERS 🏆 Great turnout this year

COMPETITION WINNERS 🏆Great turnout this year for all competitive and community events! We are delighted to share the winners:BUSKING 🎶Kids U12 Jimmy Moriarty Cup winner: Kiana SantosSecond place: Tom Mullarkey and Mary Kate ConnellThird place: Tom RiordanTeens U16 Sarah Lynch Memorial Cup winners: Mary, Sadie & PaudieAdults Padraig Dineen Cup winners: The Hangover (video in post)SHEAF THROWING 💪Women’s Category (pictured)1st: Deirdre Cournane2nd: Aine Sheehan3rd: Mary SheehanMen’s Category1st: Adrian Brennan2nd: Ger Egan3rd: Eoin GriffinTRACTOR PULLING 🚜Winning women’s team: Aspire (pictured). Winning men’s team: ‘Dermot’s Demons’U12 FOOTBALL BLITZ ⚽️Johnny Boyle Memorial Shield: Skellig Rangers (pictured). BARPERSON’S RACE 🍻Congratulations to Charlie Cooke who took the trophy for @quinlanandcooke for the second year in a row (pictured). TERRIER RACING 🐾Congratulations to Roxy and her owners Joe, Evan and Matthew who won for the third year in a row (pictured).

As the dust settles on CMAF 2025, we want to take

As the dust settles on CMAF 2025, we want to take a heartfelt moment to thank all of our sponsors - your generosity, donations, and belief in what we do are what make the Cahersiveen Music and Arts Festival possible year after year 💜Please support those who support this great community festival. A huge thank you also to the incredible Friends of the Festival, the unsung heroes who, like our amazing team of volunteers, give their time, energy, and business freely. Without you, this festival simply wouldn’t happen.From all of us at CMAF, thank you for being part of something special. You can find our full list of sponsors on our website too throughout the year - www.cmaf.ie

We’re proud to have worked with partners to real

We’re proud to have worked with partners to really develop a strong Irish language element to our festival this year. With the sponsorship and support of Séaghan Ó Súilleabháin from @cslegaeilge to create this section of the programme, and our Irish Language Sponsor Skellig Six18, we have a lot on, as gaeilge!These include: ✨⁠the kids yoga, olympics and nature crafting practising some cúpla focal yesterday✨ the Irish language walk around Castlequinn with the Kerry Cowboy this morning / Siúlóid Ghaelainne (Lúb Chlochán Mhac Choinn) leis an Kerry Cowboy ✨ ⁠the community art mural / múrmhaisiú pobail - happening today until 5pm on the building alongside the market house (V23 VA06) with thanks to @cumasceantar_uibhrathach and @west_walls for organising!✨ pop up gaeltacht in Mike Murts from 6:30 tonight with @kerry.cowboy ✨ ⁠Kíla on the main festival stage / an príomhstáitse tonight at 9:30

Spoken word is where poetry meets rhythm, and wher

Spoken word is where poetry meets rhythm, and where our arts and music events beautifully merge into one. And tomorrow, we’ve got two spoken word sessions on the programme, both hosted by the brilliant Cormac Mac Gearailt (@cormfitz ) who gives a preview in the video below of what to expect.Both events are included in your festival wristband, with no extra cost.Spoken Word Poetry Workshop10am–1pm | The MarinaA relaxed, open space to explore your voice through writing and performance. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to go deeper with your work, this session is all about creative expression. No experience needed, just curiosity and an open mind.Open Mic Night7:30pm–9:30pm | The Anchor BarPoets, singers, storytellers, comedians - this is your moment. Step up for five minutes or simply come along to soak it all in. A warm, welcoming night for sharing words, stories, and a bit of craic.The Arts section is proudly sponsored by Sive Minerals and @odriscollsofflicence ✨

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