Around the rich rolling farmlands of south Kildare and just a mile from Athy lies the Clanard Court Hotel. The owners, the Fennin family, come from a long line of tillage farming stock. Little wonder then that they are pioneering the Harvest Fleadh Oktoberfest, a celebration and thanksgiving at the end of the major farming season.

The date for the calendar is 19 October, when The Stunning will headline the big Fleadh Day, supported by Sharon Shannon and local Kildare trad group, Hillbilly Porter. The celebrations will also feature an Irish craft beer bar, including some of the best new beers from the regional circuit – a novel idea which is already going down a treat.

The Harvest Fleadh Oktoberfest is again supported by New Holland, and the folks at the Clanard Court are delighted to have them on board.

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The music and craft beer festival is certainly brewing up a storm and Nerilie Watson, marketing manager at the Clanard Court Hotel, is sparing no effort in promoting their Fleadh, also availing of the Ploughing Championships in nearby Ratheniska, Stradbally, to get their message to the masses.

“We launched the Harvest Fleadh last year. It was something different and people responded to it. The event was like an end-of-year festival where people took time to relax and enjoy some great music.

“We are delighted to have The Stunning headlining our show this time. Their debut album, Paradise In The Picture House, was received with much acclaim and included such hits as Brewing Up A Storm, Half Past Two, and Everything That Rises.”

Sharon Shannon

“Sharon Shannon is such a wonderful entertainer. People warm to her in a special way. She lights up a place with her flair and style of playing and she is so well known, both at home and far beyond the shores of our country. Sharon has performed with some of the biggest names in showbusiness, including Bono, Adam Clayton, Sinead O’Connor, Jackson Browne, The Waterboys and many more. We are thrilled that she is joining us for the Harvest Fleadh.

Hillbilly Porter are a popular local band who were very well received at last year’s show. We are happy to have them back again this time,” says Nerilie.

A new addition to this unique festival is the search for Ireland’s next top trad musician. Entrants are invited to post their performance footage on Facebook and the winning entry will receive an exclusive trophy and will perform on stage with Sharon at the Harvest Fleadh.

In a part of the country where the harvest plays such a massive role in the economic wellbeing of the region, the Oktoberfest will feature a dedicated Irish craft beer bar showcasing the best brews from Eight Degrees, Carlow Brewing Company, and Kildare’s own, Trouble Brewing.

This Harvest Fleadh at the Clanard Court has many of the ingredients for a marvelous social gathering in the great county of Kildare.

“We have a long association with the farming community across Leinster and Ireland. We wanted to create a special event to celebrate all that is special about the harvest, the resulting brews and the great musical talent that’s grown in this country,” says Mary Fennin-Byrne, managing director of the Clanard Court Hotel.

Tickets are €27 per person (plus booking fee) and are available online via www.entertainment.ie or visit harvestfleadh.com for more details. As a special launch offer, the first 100 tickets will be sold at the special price of two for €50.

The Clanard Court is also offering special accommodation packages available at €99 per person sharing with ticket entry and B&B included. For more information, visit www.clanardcourt.ie.