Posted 26 May 2011
The Dublin City Soul Festival—“a celebration of peace, unity, and love.” The motto of the festival, which takes place May 26-29, says it well as it attempts to bring people together to enjoy great music and to support a great cause. The festival was created in 2007 by Chris Maher, as a fundraising activity for his charity, the Musical Youth Foundation (MYF), an organization dedicated to making a long-lasting, positive impact on the community and giving every child in Ireland access to a music education. Now in its fifth year, the Festival is a vibrant, multi-cultural, and positive festival that celebrates Ireland, the Irish people, and Irish music.
Most of the events of the Dublin City Soul Festival are free, but donations are requested and greatly appreciated. The “Soul Picnic”, for example—a family event with soul artists from throughout the world performing in outdoor areas throughout Dublin. The “Rising Stars” of young Irish musicians performing throughout the city’s streets, bars, and cafes.
One of the most fun aspects of the festival are its “trail” events, which will bring you to different locations throughout Dublin to view and hear soul music and the soul experience. “Eye Candy,” for example, is a traveling art show, with art pieces scattered at different locations throughout the city—an “Art Walk,” but on a large scale. You can follow live music, comedy, and soul food at different locations. There will even be film festivals about soul at theatres throughout Dublin.
The Dublin City Soul Festival truly is feel-good festival, a gift to the Irish people and the visitors of our country—our world-renowned “Céad mile fáilte” (“A thousand welcomes”). It demonstrates what a few passionate, dedicated people can do to change the lives of young people and to bring great music into their lives and the lives of every Irish person involved. If you are planning on making your way to this festival and need a hotel, check out the
Leonardo Hotels range of
hotels in Dublin.
