Tribfest cancelled due to Garth Brooks ticket frenzy

It has emerged that the Tribfest Music Festival due to take place in Tullynally Castle over the May Bank Holiday weekend had to be cancelled because of Garth Brooks.

Bartle Darcy of Fore’s Directing Tourism, the body key in landing the tribute festival for Castlepollard, said it was disappointing for all involved, not least the local businesses community.

“The promoter did a pre-sale of tickets in December and January, and unfortunately that coincided with the Garth Brooks frenzy in Croke Park,” Bartle Darcy of Directing Tourism told the Westmeath Examiner today.

“He felt that ticket sales didn’t reach the level that was expected and decided to pull the festival,” continued Mr Darcy.

“It’s very disappointing for us here, we had a lot of local businesses come on board to get this festival over the line, but it became apparent to us that promoter didn’t think it viable.

“The only plus side to all this is that throughout the course of events we’ve showcased Tullynally Castle to many promoters, many of whom did not know such a stunning venue existed. We hope that in time we could bring another festival here.”

The festival was set to see some of the biggest tribute acts including The Joshua Tree, The Springsteens, and Kings ov Leon come to Castlepollard, as well as act as a platform for local musicians.

People who have purchased tickets are being advised that the online ticket agency are currently issuing refunds which will be credited to accounts from Friday April 11.

Meanwhile, ticket competition winners will be issued with tickets for the UK Tribfest, set to take place in Yorkshire this August.

- Olga Aughey