Live at the Castle festival to kick off this weekend in Enniskillen

Starting as it means to go on, over the following nine days the festival will bring the absolute best of local and international live acts to perform under the Big Top tent in the castle grounds.

Fermanagh is to get ready for Freddie on Saturday, March 12 as Enniskillen welcomes Europe’s number-one Queen tribute band, Qween, to the castle with special guests, The Human Touch – Ireland’s top tribute to The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band.

Acclaimed Northern Ireland singer-songwriter Ryan McMullan headlines on Sunday, March 13 ahead of jetting out to the USA later that week for a host of shows Stateside.

The Portaferry artist, who has supported Ed Sheeran and Foy Vance, is no stranger to sold-out shows and it’s unlikely this gig will be any different. Supporting Ryan will be Donegal musician John Doherty (Little Hours) and in-demand local musician Kiel Cathers.

Monday, March 14 will be a dedicated evening of song, stories and craic with Fermanagh Writers, Caritas Community Choir and instrumentalist Scott Ramsey.

After a two-year hiatus St. Patrick’s Day is back with a vengeance and The Whistlin’ Donkeys, and The Logues, are headlining a two-day St. Paddy’s Fest with a top-class line up of special guests, including Aoife Cathcart, The Porter Bellys, The Tumbling Paddies, The Hand Me Downs, and The Blarneys, who will all be helping to paint the castle green and get everyone in the festive spirit on March 16, ahead of the main event the following day.

Homegrown Heroes will be a frontline appreciation concert on Friday, March 18 to pay tribute to the efforts of our healthcare and frontline workers, with 600 free tickets being given away to NHS and essential workers.

All proceeds from sales of the remaining tickets will be donated to local artists who were unable to work during the pandemic.

Jake Carter.

There will be a line-up of local bands including Full Moon Fever, the Engagements and the Davy K Project, headlined by Jake Carter and his band. The organisers have also hinted at some surprises they are keeping under wraps until this show.

On Saturday, March 19, Ibiza comes to County Fermanagh as saxophone and DJ duo Lovely Laura and Ben Santiago bring a touch of Ibizan cool to NI with warm-up from German dance project Italo Brothers, who make their Irish debut.

Ben Santiago and Lovely Laura.

‘Appreciate’

Noelle McAloon, from Experience Enniskillen, said: “Quite often Enniskillen is overlooked when it comes to festivals but I think the last two years have taught us all to appreciate what we have on our doorsteps and to support the local entertainment scene.

“Live at the Castle is about showcasing the best in local, national and international talent and we’re confident it will put Enniskillen on the map and prove it can hold its own as a festival-hosting town.

“It’s great for the local economy and tourism and we’re excited to bring people here and have them experience all the beauty and warmth that the town has to offer.”

Running parallel to Live at the Castle events, over the two festival weekends, Enniskillen Castle will host ‘The Heart of Fermanagh Festival’, a craft and food fair located at the Big Top.

The fair, which will feature the wares of local small businesses, will open on Friday, March 11, from 10am to 3pm. Other opening times are as follows: Saturday, March 12, 11am to 3pm; Sunday, March 13, 11am to 3pm; Thursday, March 17, 10am to 3pm; Friday, March 18; 10am to 3pm; Saturday, March 19, 11am to 3pm and Sunday, March 20, 11am to 3pm.

With everything above to enjoy, there truly is something for everyone at Enniskillen Castle this March.