Should Lisdoonvarna Festival Continue? Co. Clare, Ireland 1983

Violence, vandalism, drink and drug taking at the Lisdoonvarna Music Festival leave some locals opposed to any future event.
Locals in Lisdoonvarna and Doolin are not happy about how the festival, now in its sixth year, has gone and many are looking for an end to the event altogether.
‘Ireland’s Eye’ pays a visit to Lisdoonvarna in County Clare two weeks after the festival to hear the reactions of the people to what went on.
There is growing opposition to the future of the festival following disturbances on the streets which many locals believe was caused by a lack of policing over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
One man’s front door was put in but it never went to court because he claims that some relation of theirs was a friend of the cops.
According to one woman, the people of the town have voted and do not want the festival to be held there ever again.
The town voted for never ever allowing the festival to be held in or near Lisdoonvarna again.
She explains that the festival does not actually take place in Lisdoonvarna, but rather two and a half miles away near Doolin. The majority of people that come to Lisdoonvarna during the festival do not come for the music, do not contribute to the local economy, and are just there to drink and take drugs.
It was very unpleasant for the people living here. The people living here were very afraid.
The owner of Vaughan’s Hotel explains how she lost trade from her regular visitors who left as a result of the trouble in the town. The hotel had to close up for the duration of the festival.
Locals are now in agreement that after five or six years of the festival, the have had enough and are not prepared to put up with it any longer.
Festival organiser Jim Shannon of Zenith Productions acknowledges that there was a certain amount of rowdiness at the festival but believes that locals have blown it completely out of proportion. He says that many of the local hoteliers say that they had the best weekend for a long time.
There’s a lot of general statements going about but actual concrete facts are very few to find at the moment.
This episode of ‘Ireland’s Eye’ was broadcast on 17 August 1983. The reporter is Michael Walsh.

[@kkelly2804]

I was there in 83. Saw Rory Gallagher, Van Morrison and Moving Hearts. Ended up drinking cider by the last day because there was no beer to be found anywhere. Great times

[@johnc6311]

Never knew Arlene Foster fancied the sights of Lisdoon lol

[@gerardodwyer5908]

So the nub of this story was a lengthy interview with a long winded "blow in".

[@choctaw6838]

I heard you a RACIST now Father Dwire 🤣

[@PlanetRonnie]

@@choctaw6838 🤣🤣🤣

[@Fatfrogsrock]

Should Lisdoonvarna Festival Continue? As long as they have a halal section to cater for its new residents, I don't see why not!

[@ruairi4901]

*Idiotic comment*

[@MikeyJMJ]

They would have to be held in the local primary school 😂

[@conorfla7135]

rotten

[@eoinfitzpatrick7830]

🤣🤣

[@dellhell8842]

The 80s were crap in every way. This reminded me that on the Friday of the August Bank Holiday 1981, I was cutting silage along one of the main roads back then and watching the traffic go by of vans and bikers and the like heading to the rock festival in Castlebar. One fella was thumbing, then he was no longer on the road, I assumed he got a lift. But he had crossed over the wall and lay in the uncut grass margin in the field. As I turned the tractor I almost ran over him with the front wheels. He had collapsed with drink or other substances and was lying in his own vomit. He didn't want any help and after 15 minutes or so he sorted himself out and went thumbing on the road again. Castlebar cancelled the festivals after 1982, they were doing the town more harm than good.

[@animallover19581]

Wonder what do these folks think of Lisdoonvarna in 2022, difficult now to find a Banner Man.

[@mrheck5311]

I like the little clips of cars driving by and people going about their business. I suppose it's looking more "diverse" these days.

[@choctaw6838]

And every night outside O'Leary's Pub the Mud Angel . Twas awful.

[@brendanmccabe8373]

Oooooh Lisdoonvarana, ooooooooh Lisdoonvarana, Lisdoon, Lisdoon, Lisdoonvarana

[@Genetulsa1]

Darn, I was hoping to see the festival this year !!!

[@hilltop521]

Always of of hand keep the beer flowing it may ease tension

[@alllovingcowherdboy4475]

Those were the days my my friends we thought they'd never end

[@alllovingcowherdboy4475]

And now there's no guards at all at all

[@herculesv1.247]

Yer man wants proof of sex and drugs in the street. Like what exactly? Used condoms? Were condoms even legal back then?

[@movinon1242]

He didn't see it happening from backstage in the VIP area, so surely it didn't happen.

[@noelmaher4633]

I was there, (Chad/lve) the Freewheelers (sic) decided they would set themselves up as security and intimidate some festival goers, unfortunately there was huge contingent from N.I. who were well used to fighting, they charged and beat the F out of the bikers, wrecking their tents and smashing some Harley Davs, the bikers were stunned and fled. Also if I remember some unfortunate lads from festival drowned at Doolin beach. It was mayhem and Id seen mayhem abroad and since, remember that day. Worth a bit of research CR.

[@bobcooter]

Cool story, do you know that lad they're talking to, he's very funny.

[@anthonydoyle7370]

@@bobcooter That's Jim Shannon, one of the organisers, the other main man was Paddy Doherty.. I worked for the lads at the hotel in town. I love the Clare accent of yer wan with the black hair.

[@bobcooter]

@@anthonydoyle7370 She reminds me of my granny from Kells. Not my favourite to be honest, sounds like posh English wanna'be, used to get a telling off if I called my Mom "Ma".

[@faye5891]

What is she going on about

[@hansmatthia32]

35 years later happy with what you’ve got now quite bicker gang stop

[@bizzjoe]

Paul Harrington 5:50 ... went on to sing Rock and Roll Kids in the Eurovision song contest.

[@lornemalvo3298]

Young vs old; same shit, different era....

[@alllovingcowherdboy4475]

Because l could see that all the Hare Krsnas there were so happy from chanting and dancing without drink or drugs l was convinced to give up my hedonistic way of life and l chanted Hare Krsna Hare Rama for several hours and l was as high as a kite for the entire day and l have never looked back. Thanks Lisdoon

[@Discover-Ireland]

I think these festivals are still going on there,,,but not since the Covid.

[@polki1482]

Yes it still goes on only difference its a wash with coke now sold by a local pub,gardai turn a blind eye to it.

[@Discover-Ireland]

@@polki1482 Wow it’s a pity.

[@movinon1242]

They haven't had a music festival in Lisdoonvarna since 1983. There was a festival in 2003 called "Lisdoonvarna" (20 year anniversary), but it was held in Dublin. They have a month long matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna, however, which they've had forever.

[@ruairi4901]

*Search* *When Lisdonvarna said No*

[@user-lx5ue4wm5k]

Early day karan there lol

[@owennolan1084]

Problem was it was on the august bank holiday weekend. I went the previous 3 years and not a problem different crowd.it was brillant. 40 years ago feeling my age.

[@junedanaher3861]

Such ignorant remarks

[@norahglavin5226]

Will you get a life people that there are being ripped of

[@alllovingcowherdboy4475]

the Hare Krsnas were there feeding and cheering everyone . They were the only ones sober, happy and intelligent out of the lot

[@1stepofe-noise311]

#earthshippermaculture