17 June 2017
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Entertainment News
The big shed
The first-ever Ballymaloe Malt & Music Weekend stakes its claim as Ireland’s weatherproof and waterproof festival!
Punters can leave their wellies and raincoats in the wardrobe even if it buckets rain on Friday 30 June, Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July. All events take place under the shelter of the warm and rustic Big Shed, the massive farm building that has become the beating heart of the many annual festivals held at Ballymaloe.
Stay dry on Friday night while hearing Jerry Fish and on Saturday with headliner Little Green Cars. Supporting acts over the weekend include Hurricane Highway, Shookrah, The Niall McCabe Band, One Horse Pony and Foxy P. Cox. Sunday will see a Soul Funktion set by DJ Dr. Quigley followed by the Hank Wedel Band.
The Malt & Music Weekend has, as you’d expect, distinctive Ballymaloe twists. Festival-goers can ‘sow what you wear’ as admission wristbands have wild flower seeds imbedded in the biodegradable paper, ready for planting at the Weekend’s end.
It’s a family-friendly weekend. Children under 12 are admitted free with an adult and are welcome until 9pm. There is a dedicated children’s area in The Big Shed where young ones can engage in The Brickx Club, a LEGO® building and social activity club on Saturday and Sunday.
Minding the Malt in Malt & Music, more than a dozen Irish craft beer brewers ranging from Waterford’s Metal Man to West Cork’s Mountain Man will be pouring all weekend. With the week that’s in it – Indie Beer Week ends on Sunday July 2nd – there’s no better time to get to Ballymaloe to sample a few brews.
The Big Shed will also shelter an array of stalls from local food heroes. Delicious dining options include Wildside Catering, Volcano Woodfired Pizza, My Goodness, Lolo’s Kitchen, Gubbeen Smokehouse, Mezze, Gidi Kebabs, Yummy Langos, Green Saffron, The Golden Bean and more.
Tickets for the Ballymaloe Malt & Music Weekend range from €10 for a Sunday ticket to €56 for an all-weekend pass. See www.ballymaloefestivals.ie for a complete schedule and to book.
Parking is free. There is no camping – this is not an overnight event. All events are wheelchair accessible
