Cois Fharraige was a three-day Irish surfing and music festival, held annually in Kilkee, County Clare from 2007 to 2009 during the first week of September. The name is derived from the Irish language phrase meaning "beside the sea". It was notable as Ireland's first surfing and music festival and was a joint project between MCD and Sony Ericsson.[1]
In its inaugural year, 2007, Cois Fharraige was a commercial success, with a reported 20,000 attendees. Strong line-ups and the novelty of the surf-music concept helped sustain attendance through 2008. However, the 2009 edition saw a sharp decline in ticket sales, attributed to a late announcement and ongoing economic factors, and proved to be the final edition of the festival.
The event ran on an invitation only basis, for surfers with a required standard of surfing. An invitation was issued from The West Coast Surf Club to all suitable applicants. The surf event offered 48 competitive places to applicants.[2] However, on Friday 7 September organisers were forced to postpone the surfing elmenent of the festival as there was not suitable swell in the sea for surfing.[3]
The 2007 edition of the festival drew 20,000 attendees.[4] A Hot Press review of 2007 described it as "a pleasing weekend’s music, that made for an enjoyably relaxed comedown from the Electric Picnic".[5]
2007 line-up
The 2007 edition of the festival featured the following:[6]
Cois Fharraige 2008 took place from 5–7 September in Kilkee. It was headlined by Travis, Supergrass and The Zutons. Also appearing were The Futureheads, Seasick Steve, The Coronas, Cathy Davey, Kíla, Starsailor, Ocean Colour Scene and 28 Costumes.[7] Early Bird three-day festival tickets cost €79.50 until 11 August and after that prices rise to €89.50. Tickets went on sale at 09:00 on Friday 13 June.[8] They had sold out by 28 August. There were no day tickets on sale in 2008. Travis's headlining set received an honourable mention on RTÉ's Gigs of 2008 list.[9]
The 2009 edition of the festival was troubled even before it began. Taking place in the Post-2008 Irish economic downturn, by May 2009 there were major concerns the festival could not go ahead due to a lack of sponsorship after Sony Ericsson pulled out.[11] However, in mid-June 2009 local businesses came to an agreement with MCD to fill the void left by Sony Ericsson in an attempt to save the festival.[12]
The festival was not officially confirmed to be taking place until just weeks before it was due to be held.[13]
Despite what was believed to be a strong lineup, 2009 only had 3,000 attendees, significantly down from years prior.[13] Some of this was attributed to how late the festival had been officially confirmed as taking place.[13]
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