Shorter days, trees displaying their golden autumn splendour, kids back at school. . .
summer is over. While this observation may conjure up feelings of gloom and doom
because winter is just around the corner, in Dunshaughlin, the end of summer
means only one thing. . . Dunshaughlin Harvest Festival!
After an absence of two years, DunFest is back in 2022, bigger and better than ever.
From Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th September sees the
return of the very successful and hugely enjoyable Harvest Festival to the lively
Meath village.
There is something for everyone at what has become one of the most highly
renowned festivals in Leinster. An eclectic mix of entertainment, events, markets
and displays awaits this year’s festival goers.
A free, open-air concert in Dunshaughlin Park opens the festival on Friday, 23rd
September at 7.30pm. The festival stage, which featured at Electric Picnic and
Glastonbury this summer, is the venue for Dunshaughlin’s contribution to Culture
Night, and features local performing arts professionals. The concert concludes with a
spectacular, fiery finale, setting the atmosphere for the weekend’s events. The
concert will suit everyone, young and old, and in true festival style, there will be
ample room for people to bring beach chairs and picnic blankets to enjoy the show.
Food and refreshments will be available from concession vans and stalls in the park.
The festivities continue on Saturday and Sunday in the park. Food markets, with a
wide range of delicious street foods, craft stalls, competitions, children’s novelty
races, bouncy castle zone, face-painting and kiddie rides all add to the fun.
The Viking Village encampment will allow festival visitors to watch a battle re-
enactment from 1200 years ago; throw an axe, and experience living history at the
various tents; pottery; weaving; jewellery making etc. and there will be a display of
birds of prey at Raven Haven. A live cookery demonstration, using ingredients and
utensils of the period takes place in the Viking Village on Saturday 24th
.
An interactive science show, twice daily on the main stage, will have budding young
scientists marvelling, as will demonstrations in the science tent, close to the fun
zone, where Billy Bubbles entertains throughout the day.
All-day children’s wrist bands cost €10 each day, entitling the wearers to unlimited
rides on the Festival Train (Sunday only); Bouncy Castle Zone for the little ones;
kiddies funfair rides etc. throughout the day, on both Saturday and Sunday.
Sunday sees the return of the Festival Parade, incorporating many sports clubs,
community groups and local organisations. This is a great way for new residents of
Dunshaughlin to see the extent of activities available in the area. A tractor run and
classic car display will appeal to motor enthusiasts.
Live music, dance, bingo and a whole range of other events take place two stages
from 11am to 5.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Dunshaughlin is already buzzing with excitement for the festival. Full details at
www.dunfest.com
