Countdown: The Top Ten Independent Music Festivals in Ireland - Number 10 & 9

Today I'm beginning a new countdown. This time it's going to be the Top Ten Independent Music Festivals happening this summer in Ireland. The festival hype in this country all too often wraps itself around Oxegen and Electric Picnic, though a little exploration and you can find some fantastic smaller festivals. In order to qualify for this list, all I wanted was a few musicians on the bill even alongside film festivals, poets, artists, writers, etc. but that should become clear as I go along. Today we'll begin with numbers 10 & 9, and we'll hopefully reach the end of the list before too long.

10. Cork Midsummer Festival
Where? Various venues around Cork City, with the musical performers typically playing in the Pavillion.
When? The festival runs from the 12th to the 27th of June. The full programme of events is available from Cork Opera House, or here: http://www.corkmidsummer.com/2010/events
Why? Musicians performing include Interference, Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club, Mick Flannery and Julie Feeney, while there are dozens of arts & crafts events, film screenings and theatre events on offer all throughout the month of June.
More Information is available at http://www.corkmidsummer.com/. As for tickets, the events are each priced individually but luckily the majority fall under a great 5 for €55 offer. Full details are available on the website.

9. The Flat Lake Festival
Where? Scotshouse, Co. Monaghan
When? June 4th to 6th
Why? An incredible literary and arts festival, the organisers have pulled out all the stops this year to secure the services of Jack L, Mundy, Shane McGowan, Simon Fagan, Jinx Lennon & Miss Paula Flynn and the Brad Pitt Light Orchestra, as well as what should be a unique performance from Crystal Swing & Lily Allen. Seriously... Aside from that, the variety of literary, theatre and visual arts on offer is astounding with appearances from Anne Enright, Dylan Tighe, Self Taut, Fintan McKeown and Dominic West to name but a few.
More Information is available at http://www.theflatlakefestival.com/ and tickets are for sale via http://www.eventelephant.com/flatlakefestival/ at €100 for the three days, or €45 for one-day passes.