That poster is still up in pubs around town. By all accounts it sounded like a great time. Between this post and the meat loaf story’s it would make ya sad that big acts don’t play the smaller spots anymore
There’s a castle in Castlebar, next thing you’ll be telling me that Sergeant Thronton was a garda
“Don’t worry mam, I can go to mass at the festival look!”
God I love a good mass.
Aerobatic Exhibition were a great band
Great line up
For anyone not familiar with the history of it, the first Occassion at the Castle was considered a big success. 13,000 attended from all over the country despite the line up not being very well known. Music festivals were very, very rare in Ireland in those dates so interest was high as it was just something new and interesting to do, and who was playing wasn’t as important.
However, the organisers (local businessmen), only broke even as the festival didn’t sell alcohol on site. This came out when they went for a second go over it and had to apply for a drinks license in court.
The second year, as the above poster shows, had more name power to it. The organisers hoped for a bigger attendance but got the same 13,000 amount as before. This, in part, had a fair amount to do with the fact that the Rolling Stones played Slane the previous weekend. With money extremely tight in the early 80s in Ireland, it really would be the case that many people had to choose between one or the other.
Because the organisers had bet their money on improving the numbers the second time, but had not succeeded, there wasn’t enough profit in it for any further Occasions at the Castle. For those who got to attend either event, or both, they’re remembered with great fondness, and to this day the Occassions at the Castle remains some of the most success music events not just in the west of Ireland, but the entire country.
Particular now as there hasn’t been an Oxegen festival since 2013, even young people appreciate how important Occasion at the Castle was.
What ever happened to Brush Sheils?
I’d go to this gig if it was on tomorrow
Mass drunkenness
I hear father Ogden Crosbeys doing it, he gives good Mass.
Good idea.
Dave Fanning? He has always been alive.
When you partied just a little too hard
Bar facilities were such an under rated band too, such a shame they never made it big internationally.
Ah simpler Ireland I miss you.
Bet it was a sellout.
Mass I mean.
Brush Shields! BP Fallon! Only missing was Seán Bán Breathnach for the trifecta
18 comments
That poster is still up in pubs around town. By all accounts it sounded like a great time. Between this post and the meat loaf story’s it would make ya sad that big acts don’t play the smaller spots anymore
There’s a castle in Castlebar, next thing you’ll be telling me that Sergeant Thronton was a garda
“Don’t worry mam, I can go to mass at the festival look!”
God I love a good mass.
Aerobatic Exhibition were a great band
Great line up
For anyone not familiar with the history of it, the first Occassion at the Castle was considered a big success. 13,000 attended from all over the country despite the line up not being very well known. Music festivals were very, very rare in Ireland in those dates so interest was high as it was just something new and interesting to do, and who was playing wasn’t as important.
However, the organisers (local businessmen), only broke even as the festival didn’t sell alcohol on site. This came out when they went for a second go over it and had to apply for a drinks license in court.
The second year, as the above poster shows, had more name power to it. The organisers hoped for a bigger attendance but got the same 13,000 amount as before. This, in part, had a fair amount to do with the fact that the Rolling Stones played Slane the previous weekend. With money extremely tight in the early 80s in Ireland, it really would be the case that many people had to choose between one or the other.
Because the organisers had bet their money on improving the numbers the second time, but had not succeeded, there wasn’t enough profit in it for any further Occasions at the Castle. For those who got to attend either event, or both, they’re remembered with great fondness, and to this day the Occassions at the Castle remains some of the most success music events not just in the west of Ireland, but the entire country.
Particular now as there hasn’t been an Oxegen festival since 2013, even young people appreciate how important Occasion at the Castle was.
What ever happened to Brush Sheils?
I’d go to this gig if it was on tomorrow
Mass drunkenness
I hear father Ogden Crosbeys doing it, he gives good Mass.
Good idea.
Dave Fanning? He has always been alive.
When you partied just a little too hard
Bar facilities were such an under rated band too, such a shame they never made it big internationally.
Ah simpler Ireland I miss you.
Bet it was a sellout.
Mass I mean.
Brush Shields! BP Fallon! Only missing was Seán Bán Breathnach for the trifecta
Imagine going to mass at a music festival!