WICKLOW ARTS FESTIVAL WELCOMES AWARD WINNERS

Issued 1st March 2010

The Wicklow Arts Festival team were delighted to welcome The Blood Red Mountain Band back to Wicklow Town recently to receive their Rocket Pyrotechnics Supplier Award from the Association of Irish Festival Events (AOIFE) for Best Musical Group 2009. The Blood Red Mountain Band has a strong Wicklow link with front man, Mark Flynn, hailing from Blessington and guitarist Ian Devlin residing in Rathdrum. On presenting the award Arts Festival Chairperson Geoff Kane stated “Their performance at the festival last year was certainly one of the highlights and it came as no surprise to us that they won this national award.” Formed in 2005, they have garnered a large following of fans for their upbeat live performances. The band was thrilled with their award and afterwards went on to play an impromptu session in a local hostelry to the delight of everyone there.

Another Wicklow Arts Festival act to receive accolades from AOIFE was Sabrina Piggott who won the award for Best Musical Individual 2009. Limerick native Sabrina is currently pursuing her musical career in England but was hugely impressed by her visit to Wicklow Town and said “Wicklow is a special place to me. It’s a beautiful location by the sea that brings out the lyric poet in us all. This award means so much to me. To be recognised by AOIFE and the organisers of such a prestigious festival is indeed an honour.”

The Wicklow Arts Festival committee have been busy recently with both fundraising and organising events for 2010. Chair Geoff Kane announced “The Festival will be taking place this year from Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th May. We feel confident that we’re putting together a festival programme that will bring to Wicklow some of Ireland’s finest arts performers. Details will be announced soon, so watch this space!”