Sounds Like Summer: Fingal Festival in a Van is back on the road this June
Fingal County Council and Creative Ireland are bringing all the buzz of a summer festival to the front door of diverse communities across Fingal with a 6-day, 12-stop tour of the county featuring music, dance, spoken word, and more over the two weekends, 20-29 June 2025
Friday 20 June
(Private Community Event) – Prosper Fingal & Swords
17:00 – Mourne Estate, Skerries
Featured acts: Seán O’Meara, James Shannon and more.
Saturday 21 June
13:30 – Dún Saithne, Balbriggan
17:00 – Ballyboughal Community Day
Featured acts: Pastiche and Seán Fitzgerald
Sunday 22 June
(Private Community Event) – Sunshiny Days, Meakstown
17:00 – Georgian Hamlet, Baldoyle
Featured acts: Temper-Mental MissElayneous and Zoé Basha
Friday 27 June
(Private Community Event) – Balseskin Reception Centre
17:00 – Church Fields, Mulhuddart
Featured acts: Sage Against the Machine and Elikya
Saturday 28 June
13:00 – St. Catherine’s Estate, Rush
17:00 – Donabate Parish Hall
Featured acts: D. McCabe and Méabh McKenna
Sunday 29 June
14:00 – St. Marnock’s Bay / Skylark, Portmarnock
Featured acts: Shane McGrath and Rhythm Africana
(Private Community Event) – Howth Autism Group, Howth Castle
Featured acts: Aaron Finn and Rhythm Africana
We’re delighted also to be joined by special guest acts from each local community. Join us to discover your new favourite artist!
Following on from a successful first year, Festival in a Van is back on the road this June with Fingal County Council and Creative Ireland for the 2025 iteration of Sounds Like Summer: Fingal Festival in a Van, a six-day tour which celebrates the communities and artists who make the county thrive, while making accessible to all the magic of live music, dance, and spoken word.
Taking place over six days the last two weekends of June, this year’s tour is made even more exciting as we are encouraging locations to energise their neighbourhood the day of their FIAV visit through a bonus programme of activities designed by and for the people who live there. A true celebration of community spirit, Sounds Like Summer invites all those who call Fingal home to play an active role in making their own corner of the county a place of belonging, creativity, connection, and fun.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh said: "This is a fantastic initiative that brings the buzz of live performance directly to communities across Fingal. It’s a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to come together and celebrate creativity and culture right on their doorstep, showcasing music, dance, and spoken word in areas that traditional festivals often miss.”
Creative Ireland Co-ordinator for Fingal County Council, Lilian Whelan said, “Creative Fingal are once again delighted to partner with Festival in a Van and our hard-working community team to bring this experience to all corners of Fingal.”
Naomi Weir, Senior Executive Officer with the Community Department added, “Festival in a Van is a great way of connecting communities and with the support of the bursary, groups and organisations across the county will be able to enhance the Van Experience, in partnership with our Community Development team who work with these groups throughout the year.”
With Festival in a Van dropping down and lifting off like a spaceship everywhere from Ballyboughal to Balseskin, audiences are encouraged to grab their sunhat and a picnic blanket, and step out their front door into a summer wonderland of live performance, with this year’s artists including Pastiche (Malahide), D.McCabe (Rush), TemperMental Miscelayneous (Finglas), plus many more.
Tour stop locations include Skerries, Balbriggan, Mulhuddart, Howth, Baldoyle, Meakstown, and other towns, villages, and neighbourhoods across the county.
From housing estates to Howth Castle, from youth groups to refugee accommodation, all are welcome to jump into the festivities. Get the summer going with the Fingal Festival in a Van!
Amongst the performers for the second year of this tour is Pastiche, who burst onto the Irish scene mid-pandemic, bringing with her a fresh delivery of pop music. Brazen, fiery and memorable, she is a pop artist to sit up and take notice of. BBC’s Gemma Bradley described her as having ‘a promising future ahead’, and she has also been called, ‘Ireland’s fastest rising pop star’ (Hot Press).
Rush musician D. McCabe writes deeply personal songs warped by the sounds of seaside psychedelia, and featuring such unusual instruments as a broken mandolin, an old music box, and a synth made out of the audio tracks from some old home movies.
Elayne Adamczyk Harrington, known artistically as Temper-Mental MissElayneous, is a multidisciplinary artist, rapper, and educator from Dublin whose work fuses institutional critique, hip-hop, punk, and socially engaged practice. Raised in the working-class community of Finglas, she channels her roots, values, and rebellious spirit into everything she creates—whether through visual art, education, or performance.
We’re delighted also to be joined by special guest acts from each local community. Join us to discover your new favourite artist!
This midsummer series takes place from Fri 20 June – Sun 22 June, and again from Fri 27 June – Sun 29 June. For full locations and lineup details, visit https://festivalinavan.com/soundslikesummer/
Since 2020 Festival in a Van has democratised access to the arts by delivering high-quality inclusive performances around Ireland. A trad session in the town square, a classical concert on the green, Shakespeare at schools, craic at care homes, and poets proclaiming in parks ... Festival in a Van tours nationwide, bringing the magic of live performance to the parts and places other venues cannot reach. Festival in a Van is supported by Creative Ireland, the Arts Council of Ireland and Ireland’s Local Authority network.
Elizabeth Mohen, Director of Festival in a Van adds “Festival in a Van is thrilled to be partnering again with Creative Fingal and the FCC Community Office. With their expertise, we’re excited to meet and collaborate with a diverse range of local communities, to harness the power of the arts and use it as a tool for empowerment and inclusion: we can’t wait to dance, laugh, and sing together with people all across the county this June!”
Seán O'Meara
Seán O'Meara is a musician, composer, singer-songwriter from Limerick. His background is rooted in rock, pop, classical and Traditional Irish music. Since winning the All-Ireland Fleadh in 2012, Seán has gone on to gig and tour all over the world. He has played in over 20 countries across 5 continents playing for and with some huge household names. Some of these include Bob Geldof, Cory Wong, David Gray, Damien Mullane, Denise Chaila, Hermitage Green, Sting and more.
Seán Fitzgerald
Seán Fitzgerald is the heart and voice behind 'Ballad Tours Dublin', a project which delights tourists and Dubliners alike with its rich Dublin folklore and Dublin songs. Seán Is also renowned for melodizing songs, poems and ranns of obscure origin and writing songs also. He always puts on a show.
Temper-Mental MissElayneous
Elayne Adamczyk Harrington, known artistically as Temper-Mental MissElayneous, is a multidisciplinary artist, rapper, and educator from Dublin whose work fuses institutional critique, hip-hop, punk, and socially engaged practice. Raised in the working-class community of Finglas, she channels her roots, values, and rebellious spirit into everything she creates—whether through visual art, education, or performance.
Elikya
Based in Ireland, Elikya over the last twenty years have acted as Congolese Music’s Ambassadors to the nation. This 9 piece rumba / dance / bass heavy outfit brings together all the elements of Congolese music. Entrancing guitar melodies, hip commanding basslines and melodic, relentless percussion topped off with the melodic sweetness that singing in Congo’s main language “Lingala” brings. With a penchant for precision, performance and theatrics, Elikya take the over 70 years of modern Congolese music history and its incredibly unique take on what makes a spectacle (think full band choreography/a highly stylized wardrobe and the musical expertise of classic big band orchestras) and combine it with hypnotizing low end magic. Elikya have earned their place for 20 years as flag bearers of Modern Congolese Rumba and Ndombolo, leaving people in a frenzy up and down the country.
D. McCabe
D. McCabe is a musician from Rush, Dublin. His music combines pop, indie and experimental elements. He first began writing and performing under the name Jon Dots, gaining notoriety for his adventurous live shows and opening for acts like Villagers and Pillow Queens.
In 2020 he began releasing music as D. McCabe; Tony Clayton-Lea described his debut EP, The One They Couldn't Fix, as “inventive and musically deft" and its first single, “The Final Curtain”, received radioplay from Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 6. McCabe was selected by First Music Contact to represent Ireland at Ireland Music Week 2021. Alongside his solo work, he is also the drummer for experimental punk band Alien She, and has played with bands such as Priests, Pussy Riot and Poliça. He also produced their 2017 debut album, Feeler (named an album of the year by Drowned in Sound, The Thin Air, The Last Mixed Tape and others). His most recent release, 2022's Baby Billionaires, was supported by the Arts Council. McCabe has been featured on Spotify playlists such as Alternative Ireland and New Indie. He is working on a new album.
Rhythm Africana
Uganda/Zambia has over 54 tribes - all have their own unique dance! Rhythm Africana will perform a Kiganda Dance from Uganda, Kalela dance/chingande from Zambia and a mix of rumba from Congo.
MAD DOG (SHANE MCGRATH)
MAD DOG is the brainchild of musician and music teacher Shane McGrath. It is a very interactive experience suitable for all the family. Story songs for small ears and for big ears. MAD DOG performs his original songs with the help from his friends The Sub Woofers. Lee Vicious and Paddy Barker. MAD DOG also performs solo with backing tracks. Furs and Feathers, a collection of original songs, was released with an accompanying illustrated songbook designed by Niall McCormack. Barks and Bites, a follow up collection is due for release in the spring of 2026.
He has performed at many festivals. Kaleidoscope, Killruddery House and Gardens, Funtropolis, Stoneybatter Street Fest, to name a few.He is also part of the Creative Hubs project in Dublin City Libraries run by The Ark 2024 and 2025.
MÉABH MCKENNA
Utilising the harp, voice, electronics and percussion, Méabh McKenna is a multi-instrumental sound artist currently based in Dublin. Drawing on years of experimentation and collaboration with songwriters, rock bands, and performance artists, her live performances have evolved from traversing the eclectic worlds of traditional, classical, and early music, intuitively weaving them with contemporary and electronic elements.
AARON FINN
Aaron Finn is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Howth. He began studying the Spanish guitar at age eleven and later was introduced to the folk music of the 1960s which had a huge impact on him. He began busking when he 19 years old in Howth where he did he apprenticeship on the east and west pier, learning the tricks and trades of performing to people. It's been a two way experience, giving and receiving. Heavily influenced by finger-style and flat-picking guitar Aaron takes inspiration from all forms of music. He has released a self-titled three-track EP which can be found at www.aaronfinn.com. Aaron has a degree in Music & Audio Technology and is currently studying a master's in Songwriting in University of Limerick. He also teaches the acoustic guitar, composes pieces of music for healing and is a Reiki Master.
SAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
Sage Against the Machine is pop-folk-punk transient busker who found stillness in Dublin who explores topics like grief, love, travelling, belonging and politics in their lyrics. From originals to pop covers they are always ready with their guitar to transport their audience.
JAMES SHANNON
James Shannon is a rapper/singer/producer from Blanchardstown in Dublin, Ireland. Specializing in alternative hip-hop and R&b, his music features catchy hooks, story-telling lyrics and tuneful melodies. This offers something for everyone and he is sure to bring any stage alive”. He began making waves in the Irish hip-hop scene in 2022 headlining and selling out many of the cities main venues alongside frequent collaborator Noremac. Since then, he has released singles as a solo artist including "Where The Lights Are Bright" featuring Conor Eiffe, and "Tough Lovin' Dublin", both of which received praise from Hot Press magazine and Pure MZine.
ZOÉ BASHA
Zoé Basha is a musician, composer and carpenter, of French and American origins. Based between Ireland and the traveling life for over a decade, Zoé blends traditional singing with jazz and blues. Her original pieces and traditional songs explore the crossover between the sway of Appalachian mountain songs, the fervour and solemn ornamentation of Irish traditional songs, and the pulse of American ragtime through playful, syncopated guitar and a booming voice reminiscent of some old jazz record you can’t quite put your finger on.
PASTICHE
Malahide-based Pastiche burst onto the Irish scene mid-Covid at the end of 2020, bringing with her a fresh delivery of pop music. Brazen, fiery and memorable, she is a pop artist to sit up and take notice of. With BBC’s Gemma Bradley describing her as having ‘a promising future ahead’, Pastiche has been claimed as ‘Ireland’s fastest rising pop star’(Hot Press).