Locals in Doolin yesterday voiced their opposition to the return of the Lisdoonvarna music festival.
In a comprehensive objection lodged to Clare Co Council against the festival going ahead in June, the Doolin Community Partnership said "it would be irresponsible of the council to grant the licence because of the risks associated with the holding of the event in an unsuitable location such as Doolin".
The 17-page objection is complete with a petition containing 190 signatures, including those of 28 farmers in the area.
Since plans were announced for the return of the festival after 20 years last month, it has caused serious divisions in north Clare. At the last Lisdoonvarna festival in 1983, there were riotous scenes as the promoters employed a bikers' club to help with crowd control as the large crowds breached security.The bikers were part-paid with crates of beer.
Now in response to the proposed June 28th concert, which is expected to attract 25,000 people to the area, the local branch of the IFA, backed by IFA president Mr John Dillon, has voiced its opposition to the concert, while hoteliers in Lisdoonvarna have urged the council to allow the event proceed to boost tourism .
In its objection the Doolin Community Partnership states: "The objections and observations in this document are lengthy and cogent. But really the issue can be summed up very simply: the Doolin community cannot accommodate this proposed festival, it is a huge burden and presents unacceptable risks for them to bear." It goes on: "Doolin neither needs nor wants this festival. It is not right that this festival be imposed on Doolin against its expressed wishes, by virtue of this licence being granted."
In relation to the impact the festival will have on tourism, the partnership states: "Doolin offers a rural, pastoral setting, green fields, stonewalls, beautiful coastal scenery, traditional music in the pubs and a low key, relaxing atmosphere.
"The tourist does not, therefore, expect to find himself in the midst of a folk/rock festival, competing with thousands of festival goers for space on the roads or a seat in the pub.
"He does not expect to see the fields littered with cars, tents and chip-vans, and the hedgerows and ditches filled with litter and stinking of urine.
"To say that Doolin would fail to live up to the tourist's expectation, if the festival were allowed to go ahead, would be a gross understatement."
Clare Co Council is expected to make a decision on the licence later this month. If it defers a decision and requests further information, the promoters will be in a race against time to provide the information and secure the licence for the concert.
