Saw Doctors blow the crowd away at Night and Day Festival
The Saw Doctors blew the roof off the Queen Medb main stage on the second day of the Night and Day Festival at Lough key Forest Park in Boyle.
The band’s massive headline set had thousands singing along on Saturday night.
The second day of the Night & Day Festival reached spectacular heights yesterday, as a brilliant celebration of local music, community collaboration, and stunning lakeside artistry captivated festival-goers late into the night (see pics by David Knight).
Day two placed a massive spotlight on the incredible wealth of talent in the region. The heart of the day’s musical programming was anchored by a stellar lineup of local musicians who brought unique energy and passion to the festival grounds. A major highlight of the evening was a breathtaking performance by The Carolan Collective—led by Mossie Martin and David Knight—whose contemporary tribute to the legendary Harper Turlough O'Carolan resonated deeply with the crowd on the lakeside. This deep connection to local heritage and art was made possible through the invaluable involvement of Creatives Roscommon (https://creativesroscommon.ie/about-us/), whose ongoing dedication to nurturing and showcasing the county's vibrant artistic community added immense value to this year’s festival experience. Saturday’s schedule delivered unforgettable moments across all five stages.
As well as the Saw Doctors the iconic electronic artist Jenny Greene transformed the historic, 150-foot Moylurg Tower into a pulsing arena on the Sol Stage, accompanied by stunning, immersive visual art installations. Festival-goers also enjoyed fantastic sets from local favourite Arlene, Paddy Casey, Soda Blonde, and traditional sessions from the Boyle Trad Group.
Beyond the music, Saturday was packed with interactive experiences. The dedicated family zone was a hub of continuous energy, treating younger visitors to giant bubble displays by artist Finn Jesch, circus skills, dance workshops, and traditional woodland crafts like rope-making. For the more adventurous, the sunny weather provided the perfect backdrop to explore Lough Key’s unique park amenities, with attendees taking part in high-wire zip-lining, lakeside saunas, and guided kayaking tours around the park's historic islands.
Music echoed across the water from the bustling Úna Bhán Stage, sponsored by James Gorman Elite Energies. The stage hosted a magnificent array of talent, keeping crowds dancing well into the evening against the backdrop of Lough Key's historic landscape.
The festival’s unique location was fully embraced on day two, thanks to a spectacular showcase on the water. Organisers extended their heartfelt gratitude to Lough Key Boats (https://www.loughkeyboats.com/) and to all the local boat and barge owners who took part, creating a stunning visual display and a magical atmosphere along the waterfront.
Away from the stages, festival-goers immersed themselves in the vibrant art festival gallery. The gallery was a massive success, curated and run under the expert guidance of renowned local artists Malachy Costello and Bashkim Berisha, who brought a world-class visual arts dimension to the festival grounds. The organisers of the Night & Day Festival extend their warmest thanks to the management and team at Lough Key Forest Park for providing such “a world-class, breathtaking” venue. Events of this scale are impossible without the generous backing of local businesses. The festival team express sincere gratitude to all of this year’s sponsors, with special thanks to: James Gorman Elite Energies (Úna Bhán Stage Sponsor), Kilronan Castle, Emerald Star, Drumhierney Woodland Hideaway.
As the festival moves into its final stages, the overwhelming success of day two has solidified Night & Day as not just a music festival, but a true celebration of Roscommon's culture, community, and natural beauty.
