What is The Folly?
It is a music and comedy weekend taking place in Cullahill, Co. Laois supported by Electric PIcnic ! What’s extra SPECIAL about The Folly is that it is gender balanced.
This means there are equal female to male acts, which is a first for Ireland! There will be music (headliners are The Lost Brothers) on Friday night starting at 7pm and Comedy on Saturday night (Headliner is Sharon Mannion from Bridget and Eamon). See the full line up here.
All ages are welcome! Tickets will be available at the venue but are limited! So please get your ticket online today to avoid disappointment at the doors.
What’s happening during the day on Saturday?
For the Kids
It is going to be a jam packed afternoon of family entertainment from 12:30 – 4:30pm at Nancy’s Yard in Cullahill including Clown Jeca, Face Painting, Mad Professor Science Shows (1pm & 3pm), Little Angel’s Fort, Bouncing Castles, Balloons, pony rides, outdoor games and much more.
Bring a picnic and relax while your children have the time of their lives! Last admission 4pm. Entry is €5 per child and includes all activities within this area.
For our four-legged friends
There will be a ‘Fun Dog Show’ sponsored by GAIN pet Nutrition at 2pm – All dogs are welcome to enter and it will be €3 per entry. Registration from 1.30pm.
For those who love a competition
Have you always wanted to watch a competitive porridge cook off? Well, now is your chance.
Cullahill will play host to the first ever annual Irish Porridge Making Championships hosted by PaddyOs Cereals and sponsored by FloGas.
The competition will consist of two heats and two categories: traditional and speciality. Our judges – renowned TV Chef Rachel Allen, PaddyO’s Cereals founder, Paddy O’Connell and World Porridge Making Judge, Martyn O’Reilly – will determine the winner in each category! Don’t miss this – all are welcome and encouraged to come and support the porridge making stars in the Cullahill community center. Winners will be announced and handed the prize of the Emerald Spurtle trophy, made from ancient Laois bog oak and dates back 4000 years – made by Alan R Meredith
We have entrants from all corners of Ireland.
The two winners of the competition will be flown to the World Porridge Making Championship in Carrbridge, Scotland to represent Ireland on Saturday, 6th October 2018. Also Countrywide is broadcasting live from Cullahill on Saturday morning where Marty Morrissey will have to choose between and Irish porridge or a Scottish porridge made by our judges Paddy O’Connell and Martyn O’Reilly in a blind tasting!
For our food lovers
There will be a farmers market, food village as well as a pop up restaurant in O’Connells pub from Fodder by Aimee Ryan, a local Rathdowney resident. Her beef brisket burgers are at the top of our list!
For our drinks connoisseurs
Craft Beer and Gin experts rejoice! We have the best of Ireland on offer at The Folly
12 Acres Brewing Company l Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery l Hapenny Gin l Brennan’s Old House Gin
There will also be a vintage tea room held in the village!
For those interested in Cullahill, Ireland’s Ancient East, Arts and Sports
At 1pm, explore Cullahill’s History which will include an interview with wonderful Nancy, the owner of Cullahill Castle.
There will also be two foraging Walks at 1:30 and 3:00pm with Wild Food Mary – 45 mins. €5 per walker. Free to weekend ticket holders
At 2pm there will be a Handball Exhibition Match in Cullahill Handball Club’s state of art handball facility located at the back of the Community Centre.
From 11:30 – 4pm there will be an art exhibition by local artists and ‘Children of the Free State’ photographic exhibition by local photographer Annie Holland.
Also, joining us for the day will be Marty Morrissey and Rachel Allen.
Ticket info
All ages are welcome to The Folly taking place Friday, 20th July at 7pm – 11:30pm and Saturday, 21st July from 8:30am – 11:30pm. This includes the walk up Cullahill mountain, PaddyO’s Irish Porridge Championships and the family Cullahill fair.
Parents, however, must use their discretion for The Folly Comedy, as there may be adult themes – this will run from 8pm – 11:30pm Saturday evening.
Children aged 12 years and under must be accompanied by a ticket holding adult throughout the weekend, limited to a maximum of two children per adult. Children aged 12 years and under do not require a ticket. If you are bringing your child and feel they look older than 12 years old please bring ID to back this up (colour photocopies will suffice).
Parking
Parking will be designated areas off the main road. It is free and stewards will guide festival goers to the areas.
Ticket Office
Ticket office open from 2pm on Friday and then 11am on Saturday morning.
Weather
Woohoo!! The LaoisToday team are reporting that we’re in for a scorcher!
Keep up to date …
Please see www.thefolly.ie for all the info and keep an eye on the Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/
Supported by …
This event is brought to you by Cullahill Community Council with the support of Electric Picnic, Laois Partnership Co. and FBD.
Monies raised from this event will be used to meet the community’s share of the funding required to progress a project from the Cullahill Development Plan.
Cullahill Community Council greatly acknowledge and appreciate the funding and support that they received from their sponsors and Laois Partnership.
Cullahill Community Council also acknowledge the hard work and commitment from our community members who are all working on a voluntary basis to make this festival happen.
SEE ALSO – New Cullahill festival The Folly is launched in style
