With just over a week to go, the Temple House Festival which takes place from 10-12 September near Ballymote in Sligo, has launched The Sanctuary – a wonderful haven of relaxation, which will be hidden in the woods of the Temple House estate.

The Sanctuary is a place where Temple House festival goers can take a moment to step out of the buzz and whirl of the festival activities and unwind.  Tucked away just off the arts trail, there is a haven of peace, quiet and relaxation waiting.   Set amongst the trees in a naturally magical area, festival goers can avail of ten or twenty minute sessions of reiki, shiatsu, Indian head message or cranio sacral therapy by professionally accredited therapists.  These therapies will be the perfect remedy for anyone with who needs to re-energise or recharge their batteries over the weekend.

Festival goers who feel the need to chill out but alternative therapy is not their thing, can relax  or take a power nap on one of The Sanctuary’s ‘wreckits’ – fold out cardboard beds, chairs and recliners.  These wreckits featured with the balloon beds as part of The Model’s Dorm Project in May.  The Model have kindly given Temple House the loan of these for the weekend – so pop in to The Sanctuary, take the weight off your tired festival feet and float back out again re-charged and ready for more festival fun.

The Temple House festival promises to be a little bit different and provide an unforgettable experience for festival – it has an eclectic line-up of music including Alternative & Indie Rock, Reggae, Funk, Blues, Soul, Dance, Roots, Folk, Trad, Electro and Rock & Roll.  Over 80 acts will perform on 4 stages over 3 days as follows:

Friday, 10th September

The Undertones, The Stunning, The Chapters, The Walls, The Dub Doctor Sound System, Peter Hook, NYPC, Paddy Usher Band, Oddsocks Revival, Society X, Hamlet Sweeney, Jezzebelle, The Curtain Thieves & Davide Swarup.

Saturday, 11th September

Howard Jones, Donal Dineen, Reef, 202s, O Emperor, Miracle Bell, CODES, The Riptide Movement, Terry Hall (DJ set), RSAG, Shouting at Planes, Noise Control, The Trampz, The Aftermath, Little Beauties, The Revolutionary Commandos of the 3rd secret of Fatima, Merchants of Fortune, ronan O’Snodaigh, John Conneely, Jackk & Jones, Bubba, James Morrin, Ester, Test 4 Echo, Joe & Co, Karma Parking, Twin Kranes, Glen Cal, David Swarup and Michelle Nadia.

Sunday, 12th September

The Wailers, Damien Dempsey, The Saw Doctors, The Whiteliars, Preachers Son, Bipolar Empire, The Josephs, The Beat Poets, My Evil Ex, The Danger Is, TKO, Relief, Lisa McLaughlin, SIVE, Majella Murphy, Davide Swarup, Stylaman, The Double Ds and The 11s.

Arts

The Arts Trail will take festival goers on a magical journey through a beautiful woodland trail filled with magic, enchantment and fun. A range of art installations which feature weird and wonderful woodland tribes and cultures such as the ents, the fork people, the birds and the fish tree provide a visual treat. Performances include The Mad Hatters Tea Party, Chatterbag Theatre with their down and out clowns, Egyptian bellydance, an animated guided tour of the arts trail, woodland creatures on stilts and more crazy walkabout characters. Take part in the Tree Q’s – an interactive workshop where your questions, quandaries and queries about the world are improvised and acted out by theatre artists; learn how to bellydance or just sit down for a relaxing cuppa tea with the hatters .. .

Medieval Village

In the bustling Medieval Village, festival goers will experience a diverse range of skills, crafts and living history demonstrations.   You will be able to create your own ceramics with the Potter, learn about herbs and healing with the Pharmacist and Barber Surgeon, listen to music and stories as they were told in medieval times, see jewellery making, woodcrafts, metal forging and more.    Viking settlers, Norman knights and Irish nobility will display the weaponry and fighting disciplines of the time and you can dress up in the arms and armour of your choice and even learn how to be a squire.

Children’s Activities

The Temple House walled garden will be the heart of children’s activities and workshops to occupy idle hands, whilst integrating ages, and ability.    Kids and adults will be able to learn African drumming, enjoy fun & games workshop using drama & theatre, participate in an eco-detective nature walk,  learn children’s circus and Hula Hoop skills and take part in Pixie Yoga, Faerie Meditation and bubble workshops through sing song.  There will also be a Graffiti Wall, poetry corner, Poi Twirling basics, electronic music workshop, football skills, treasure hunt, willow workshop, wood carving and sports activities including wheelbarrow race, tug of war, egg & spoon and a good old sack race.

A limited number of 3 Day Ticket including free camping are still available for only €79 – checkout  www.tickets.ie

www.templehousefestival.com