Around 10,000 music lovers flocked to Deer Farm in Mitchelstown last weekend for Indiependence Music and Arts Festival 2016, now established as one of the friendliest music festivals on the island of Ireland.
Having grown from its more humble days in the Square in Mitchelstown 10 years ago, the festival moved to the Deer Farm on the Dublin Road in 2010 and it hasn’t looked back.
In the weeks leading up to the festival, ticket holders (and those contemplating attending) cast nervous glances at the weather forecast for the bank holiday weekend.
In polar contrast to last year, the weekend stayed largely dry and mud-free – only on Monday morning did the rain make any attempt to interfere with the atmosphere around the campsite.
Mitchelstown Scout Group were on hand in the aftermath of the festival to pick up any sleeping bags that were left behind and in reasonable condition, which will be donated to the Cork Simon Community and distributed to homeless people in the coming weeks.
The Irish Red Cross were also on site throughout the weekend to deal with any health or safety incidents.
On the music side of the weekend, headliners the Kooks, Bell X1 and Editors rocked the main stage while bands such as Picture This, The Blizzards and Idlewild packed in the crowds around the various smaller tents.
Not only a music festival, Indie ’16 entertained the crowds from Friday to Sunday with wide selections of comedy, art and culture.
The close proximity of the campsite and the town centre (along with the availability of a bus service between the two) allowed festival goers to head down town during the day and the Music Trail across the town on both days was as equally enjoyed as the music in Deer Farm itself.
Three different routes on both Saturday and Sunday packed the town with up-and-coming musicians.
An Garda Síochána indicated there were no serious incidents at the festival. With 2016 set to live long in the memory, much will be expected from Indiependence ’17.
