The summer festival season is about to kick off with Ireland’s only live-in festival, It Takes a Village, taking over Trabolgan Holiday Village in East Cork this weekend, Friday 10 – Sunday 12 May.
The line-up features an eclectic selection of over 60 live music performances, comedy, and conversations, over the 3 days, as well as a packed programme of activities like go-karting, synchronised swimming, underwater hockey, combat laser, and so much more.
The festival timetable is out now! Once villagers check in to their self-catering houses in the village, it’s straight to the dance floor on Friday evening for music from the likes of Bantum, Happy Alone, AE MAK, Le Boom, Herbert and Nialler9, taking you into the wee hours of the night.
Saturday has music, words, fun and games right through from 12 noon to 4.30am from Anna Mieke, Junior Brother, Donal Dineen, Snapped Ankles, Sister Nancy, TPM, and Gilles Peterson to name a few. And pssst!, be sure to find the secret house party at Number 25 where surprise guests will be doing pop-up performances throughout the day.
Rise and shine Sunday morning for the wet and wild Synchronised Swimming classes with hilarious comedy duo Lords of Strut in Trabolgan’s heated indoor pool – so pack the togs and find the fanciest swimming hat as there’s a prize for best hat! The Sunday line-up features names like New Jackson, Kojaque, The Herbaliser, Don Letts, Lisa O’Neill, Katie Kim, Gay Future, and more conversations and live podcasts from Culture Vultures with Tony Clayton-Lea, The Point of Everything, Kevin Barry, Lisa McInerney. For those that can’t make the full weekend, the good news is that there are still a few Sunday Day tickets (€55) available, with return buses going from Cork City.
And that’s not all! Ride the soundwaves on the festival’s newest offering, the Cork Harbour Boat Party, with special guest DJ’s Bon Voyage and Nialler 9, leaving from Aghada pier on Sunday 12th April. Tickets are only €25.
It Takes a Village is a strictly no-camping festival. Instead of kipping out in muddy fields, the festival ticket includes 3 nights accommodation in one of the site’s 150 self-catering houses and apartments, or one of the 35 fully-serviced campervan sites. Festival attendees will be living in luxury with a clean bed, warm showers, and private bathrooms, all within a 5-minute walk of the stages.
A very limited number of Weekend tickets and Sunday Day tickets (€55) are available, with a bus leaving from the Patrick’s Quay Air Coach stop in the City Centre if you fancy popping down for the Sunday (€8 each way). Book at www.ittakesavillage.fm
FESTIVAL FAQ’s:
What do we need to bring?
You can bring anything you need for the weekend such as food, drink and definitely don’t forget your togs! Note that no outside food or drink can be brought into the main area, but you may, of course, consume at your house or camper van. Trabolgan provides bed sheets, blankets, pillows and all household/kitchen items but not towels.
Is there phone signal/internet?
There is limited phone signal in Trabolgan but there is good wifi in the central area, bars and some of the houses.
Are there ATMs / card machines on site?
Yes, there are ATM’s on site and all the bars and shops take cards too. You will need cash for the food stalls.
Is there a shop on site?
Yes, there is a shop and off licence in the central area that sells all the essentials. There is also a really good Euro Spar in White Gate village.
Are you permitted to leave the festival grounds?
Yes, once you have checked in and collected your wristbands can come and go as you please all weekend. You will be asked to show your wristbands on re-entry to the site.
Are there safe keeping/lockers?
There are lockers available in the swimming pool changing rooms
