Festival fever in Mullingar as Bachelor Competition dates confirmed

Mullingar looks like it will have festival fever this summer, as the organisers of the Westmeath Bachelor Competition have confirmed its return, on Saturday July 29 (7.30pm) the weekend before the Fleadh Cheoil

The bachelor contest takes place again in Mullingar Arts Centre, where 10 eligible bachelors will compete for the crown and the legendary title.

Louis Walsh and Anne Doyle are back on the judging panel, and joining them will be Pippa O’Connor Ormond and Brian Ormond.

The hosts who did such a fine job at last year’s event, Shane Barkey (Midlands 103, and competition director) and Sarah Jane Foster (2FM, SJF Productions) also return to that role.

Tickets (€40) are on sale now at Mullingar Arts Centre.

Last year the bachelor competition and the accompanying concerts were on the same weekend – this year, the Westmeath Bachelor Music Festival is on September 8 and 9, the weekend after Electric Picnic.

It at Blackhall in the centre of Mullingar again, but there’s a twist. Anyone who was at last year’s festival will remember the poor weather, so the organisers are getting prepared for 2023, and have a heated big top that can accommodate up to 3000 people.

‘The Good Times Are Here Again’ is the official slogan for the festival, and as well as the music, there is a range of events throughout the weekend, and more to be announced.

The include: Friday September 8 – “We can reassure you that this is not your ordinary game of bingo!” said Shane Barkey. “Expect world class entertainment from the best musicians, hosts and performers. Expect jaw dropping prizes to be won from exclusive experiences including helicopter rides for you and your friends and once in a lifetime trips abroad.”

Tickets on sale at thebiggestbingo.com.

Saturday September 9 – Biggest 90s Disco: “The 3000 music fans in the big top at Blackhall will party to a host of 90s disco favourites, including two Unlimited, Marc McCabe, Rozalla, Capella, Urban Cookie Collective, Dario G and more yet to be announced! Eight hours of disco mania – what’s not to love!” Tickets on sale at biggestdisco.com.

Tickets for all Westmeath Bachelor Festival events are on sale now. See mullingarartscentre.ie or call 04493 47777. A limited number of tickets bachelor competition tickets are being released to the public, so book early.