As the entire Irish events industry awaits tomorrow’s new on reopening this Friday October 22nd, one festival weekend has already called it based on comments made by An Taoiseach Micheal Martin today.
BD Festival in Glendalough has rescheduled both its Alan Fitzpatrick’s Day this Saturday 23rd October and its sold out Day of The Dead Festival on Bank Holiday Sunday 24th October saying that Micheal Martin indicating that the lifting of final restrictions may not proceed as planned.
The organisers’ statement reads:
The postponement of this year’s two-day festival is due to the risk of the continuation of Covid-19 restrictions. Without government reassurance that reopening will proceed as planned we cannot provide an environment in which all our BD fans can truly re-live the unique festival experience we have all missed so much. Under current restrictions venue capacity of mixed immunity status is just 50% and also subject to appropriate protective measures including social distancing between groups and face masks. Whilst we have done everything in our power to ensure the festival goes ahead, the restrictions make the event unfeasible, as the safety and welfare of every single person at BD Festival is our number one priority.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the government are considering antigen testing, masks and Covid certs as part of Friday’s measures but still, did not rule out reopening. So I’m hoping that the organisers of BD don’t know something that we don’t at this point.
BD Festival’s Day Of The Dead was due to feature Todd Terje, Or:La, Cailín, Grandmaster Flash, Booka Shade and more while Alan Fitzpatrick’s Day lead by the titular DJ was to feature Amelie Lens, Ejeca, Booka Shade, Hybrasil and more.
See the BD Statement statement in full:
It is with a heavy heart we have made the decision to postpone this year’s sold-out BD Festival due to take place the weekend of 23rd October as a result of the comments made by the Taoiseach Micheal Martin indicating that the lifting of final restrictions on 22nd October may not proceed as planned.
The postponement of this year’s two-day festival is due to the risk of the continuation of Covid-19 restrictions. Without government reassurance that reopening will proceed as planned we cannot provide an environment in which all our BD fans can truly re-live the unique festival experience we have all missed so much. Under current restrictions venue capacity of mixed immunity status is just 50% and also subject to appropriate protective measures including social distancing between groups and face masks. Whilst we have done everything in our power to ensure the festival goes ahead, the restrictions make the event unfeasible, as the safety and welfare of every single person at BD Festival is our number one priority.
However, the dates will be rescheduled, with both events taking place on Easter weekend, 16th & 17th of April 2022. All current tickets will be valid for these new dates. We are working hard with all artists and agents to enable them to play the new BD Festival dates, with more top class international artists to be announced in the coming days and weeks. We are delighted to confirm that the bus service has been confirmed for the new date, with less than half price priority tickets available to all existing ticket holders. We have also been working hard to curate a live stream event for existing ticket holders, accessible online on Sunday 24th October, featuring some international artists from the original line-up. Access details will be sent to ticket holders in advance of the event.
Thank you as ever for your continued support and also thanks to Glendalough House, our partners, artists, crew and all those involved working on our festival. Now running for 14 years, BD is one of the longest running music and arts festivals on the Irish circuit. Without your support, enthusiasm and love the festival would not be what it is today. We’d also like to thank technicians, suppliers, traders, partners, Gardai, Fire Officers, security and all those who play their part to make events like this happen. This edition being postponed has caused huge difficulty across the board to all concerned. As a small business we ask that you stick with us and enjoy the next installment which will be one of the first major festivals of the 2022 calendar year. Refunds will be available, however as this is a sold-out event any refunded tickets will go back on sale on a first come first served basis. Priority bus tickets together with the live stream event on October 24th will also only be available to existing ticket holders.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the rescheduled event and thank you for your continued support. We will be posting exciting news and information on the new date soon! Stay tuned…
