The best little festival in the land is back for its 10th year, and here’s all you need to know about Another Love Story at Killyon Manor in Westmeath.
All you need to know about Another Love Story
What’s different about ALS?
One thing you should be aware of, if it’s your first time, as has been the case since day one 10 years ago, Another Love Story’s Sunday programme is more of a wind down and has a closing set every year that stops at 7pm.
This year, the closing set is by Kíla.
All campers must be off site by 9pm, on Sunday night there is no camping allowed on Sunday night.
Other than that, it’s a small site, which means a genuinely intimate vibe – it takes no time at all to go from your tent to a stage, or to wander around the various stages, so it means you’ll always see what you want to see. Small also means the capacity is about 2000 or so.
In between the live music and DJs, there is a lot of wellness (see below) and talks taking place and The Love OIympics, a glorified adult sports day – takes place on Saturday and Sunday.
As I’ve written about before, “it’s a weekend built on warmth, friendship, care and attention.”
Stage times
Who should I see?
The organisers of ALS know what they are doing and generally, there’s always a great mix of upbeat DJ sets, ambient wigouts, folk and trad soothers and live bands to choose from. If you met me at the festival, here’s just a few highlighted recommendations, but there’s plenty more ….
Friday:
Mohammed Sfykhan – Syrian artist’s singing and bouzouki is drawn from Middle Eastern and North Africa.
Yard – Irish electro-post-punk with a penchant for buckets.
Vanishing Arcs – A returning visit for the techno hardware duo of Kieran Lombard and Conor O’Brien of Villagers.
Cian O’Ciobhain – Galway master of dropping a good tune. Last year’s set featured a Joe Dolan cover, so you never know what you’re getting.
Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy – One of the original DJs from the Loft NYC era still going strong.
Grandbrothers – Duelling piano electronic ambience.
Saturday:
Modeselektor – A big closing Saturday night DJ set from the German electronic duo.
Lasertom (live) – A rare live show from Simon Cullen’s cosmic disco project.
Qbanaa – Cuban Irish soulful artist.
Charlie Bones – A returning set from the Do!! You!! Radio boss after last year’s eclectic outing.
Aoife Nessa Frances & John Francis Flynn – Two Irish artists playing together in the afternoon at Moon River.
Shit Robot – the DFA producer always brings a fun electro set to wherever he plays.
Poor Creature – Cormac MacDiarmada (Lankum), Ruth Clinton (Landless) and John Dermody (The Jimmy Cake) perform songs of love, loss and the supernatural from Irish and American traditions and reimagine them in dreamy arrangements.
**I am also playing as Nialler9 at Treehaus at 10pm on Saturday after Claire Beck, Ricky Chong, and before Jimmy Rouge and Marion Hawkes.
Here’s my set from 2022 from Treehaus:
Sunday:
Hailu Mergia – Ethiopian jazz keyboard and accordion player gets a rare festival outing.
Glasshouse play Come On Feel The Illinoise – These guys know how to cover Sufjan. You will melt.
Jasmine Wood – Portland composer, producer and multidisciplinary artist Jasmine Wood’s new album on AD93 was recorded in an empty church in Dublin.
David Kitt – Kittser is back doing some older material having released a new version of his album Not Fade Away earlier this year. Catch him with the full band.
Aoife Ní Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy – Soothing trad violin and keys for sore heads on a Sunday.
The Areas
ALS has expanded over the last 10 years. It used to mostly take place inside the house but restrictions on licensing has meant that the house is no longer used and all of its stages are dotted around the outdoors in tents and in the woods.
The Further Afield is the main stage outdoor area, The Front is a tent out the eh, front of the house, Treehaus is the dancing spot in the woods, Way Out There Is the dancing spot in the field and Moon River is the quieter space curated by Young Hearts Run Free with more of a folk and talks vibe. And of course, The Shift Shack is the tiny space where DJs and punters are rammed together in a lovely little space.
There is always the island woods to explore, and extra little stages too….
Transport – How to get there?
By Car:
Another Love Story takes place amongst the grounds of the glorious and beautiful Killyon Manor, 50 mins outside Dublin, about 10kms from off the M4. (Exit 10 Kinnegad).
FESTIVAL DIRECTIONS
- Take Kinnegad exit.
- Follow the R161 for approx 10km.
- Pass though Hill of Down
- Pass through Killyon
- After a series of bends you will pass Killyon GAA club on your left.
- ENTER CAR PARK THOUGH GATE B
- BOX OFFICE & CAMPER VAN PARKING ARE ALSO IN THIS SPACE
Car Park – all cars are charged €10 for parking in order to encourage car-sharing, and the preservation of space in our small site. You can grab a car pass as an Add On when purchasing a weekend ticket, or on arrival at the festival.
The Love Bus
Leaving from St Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8 : Friday Aug 23th at 14:00 / 16:00 / 18:00
Returning from ALS to St Patrick’s Close : 19:00 Sunday Aug 25th.
Food & Drink
ALS typically has a nice selection of cocktail, mixed drinks and craft beers as well as allowing access to attendees to bring alcohol on site.
Drinks selection:
O’Hara’s Craft Irish Beers – at The ALS Back Lawn Bar
Two Stacks Whiskey – at The Patio Bar
Valentia Island Vermouth – at Way Out There
Foxglove Cocktails – at Further Afield
Still Garden Spritzers – at The Mellow Meadow
And food wise, there’s always a varied selection on offer:
FOOD by :
Julia’s Lobster Truck
Little Dumpling
Phat Cow
Bish Bosh
Zero Zero Pizza
Badass Burritos
Hong Kong Barbeque
Gidi’s great on the grill
Iron and Oak open fire wild catering
REVIVING COFFEE, TEAs & TREATS by :
Happy Valley
Coffee Bean Brothers
Chai Crew
Facilities
- Toilets – Yes
- Showers – Yes
- Drinking Water – BYO reusable Water bottle.
- Phone Reception – V limited – the perfect chance to disconnect.
- Phone Charging – No (see above!)
- CASH – ALS Bars & Traders will accept both cash and card.
- ATM – No (Nearest in Kinnegad or Ballivor)
- Medical – we have a full team of medical staff to take care of you all weekend.
- Psycare – Psycare Ireland to provide a safe and informed space for festival goers experiencing any difficult drug related issues.
Wellness
The Yoga Picnic are bringing their signature blend of yoga & wellness classes to The Front on Saturday & Sunday. See ALS Timetable for Classes & Times.
The Front | Sat & Sun | 9 – 11:30am
FREE to attend
ALS WELLNESS : THERAPIES
Meanwhile, nestled in The Mellow Meadow – our oasis of calm by the River Deel – you can book in to one of the ALS Wellness Therapies offered by a team of seasoned and sensitive practitioners throughout the weekend.
Therapies Offered Include :
– Deep Tissue Massage
– Hot Stone Massage
– Craniosacral Massage
– Reiki
– Aromatherapy
& Many More.
PRE BOOK : https://anotherlovestory.ie/als-wellness/
IN PERSON : Call to the Wellness Reception tent at The Mellow Meadow.
Bosca Beatha Sauna at Another Love Story
Half hour slots by default.
Booking for the Sauna is here.
Kids
They say:
ALS is, is by it’s scale and nature, a more gentle and relaxing atmosphere, of which we are very proud – however it is still a party.
Whilst we welcome parents bringing their kids, they should be aware of the following
Children U 12 are allowed to attend free of charge.
We do not allow 12 – 18 year olds at the festival.
Parents and Guardians are required to register any child in their care with a kids registration ticket.
There is a very small, very casual, programme for young kids – it will run in the mornings / early afternoon on Saturday and Sunday.
There are no childminding services on site.
Patrons are encouraged to think carefully before bringing kids; the festival can be crowded at peak times, there is a loud stage with amplified music and everyone is in open country, camping with exposure to the element.
Patrons bringing children should be very prepared to look after them whilst keeping in mind that their bodies may be more sensitive to the festival environment than their own.
In saying all of this – ALS is by it’s very nature a gentle experience as festivals go – and kids, in general love it.
Gates / Box Office Opening Hours
Friday Aug 23th : 15.00 – 21.00 *
Saturday Aug 24th : 11.00 – 20.00 *
Sunday Aug 25th : 11.00 – 16.00 *
*Please note there will be no entry to the festival after these hours.
Tickets
ALS are down to the final weekend tickets they say:
Weekend tickets from €235 plus fees.
Sunday Tickets – €57.50 plus fees.
No Friday or Saturday Day tickets are available.
Boutique camping from €476 (separate to weekend ticket price).
More FAQs on the Another Love Story Site.
