DJs, Dancing And Killer Cocktails: 7 Must-Dos At Body & Soul This Weekend

Thousands of revellers will descend upon the grounds of Ballinlough Castle in Co. Westmeath this weekend for the three days of magical, other-worldly festival madness that make up Body & Soul.

What started as an independent arts and music area at Electric Picnic has since spawned a festival all of its own, set against a stunning forest backdrop.

Whether you’re a seasoned Body & Soul-er or are checking things out for the first time this year, it’s always handy to have a few recommendations in your back pocket, so here’s our weekend cheat sheet of things to check out…

Music

The Gloaming, Body & Soul Stage
Friday, 22.30

This contemporary trad/piano act take their name from that hard-to-describe time of day after the sun has gone down and before the sky has turned completely dark, which is exactly when they’ll be taking to the stage at Body & Soul. An outside performance is rare for this stunning musical collective, so beware – pianist Thomas Bartlett has said they’ll need “silence” from the audience to do their thing.

Saint Sister, Woodlands Stage
Saturday, 19.00

If Morgan MacIntyre and Gemma Doherty’s captivating performance at last year’s Other Voices in Dingle was anything to go by, they should be top of your list this Saturday. These ladies describe their style as “atmosfolk” but in reality there’s no one word that can encapsulate the dreamy mix of harp music and lilting vocals that this duo create.

Arts and Performance

Lucent Dossier Experience, ABSOLUT ArtBar
Performances throughout the weekend

Think ‘drag cabaret meets sexy Cirque du Soleil’ and you’ll have some idea of what to expect from the world-renowned Lucent Dossier Experience, who’ll be showing off their dance and acrobatic stylings throughout the weekend at the ABSOLUT area. Head over for some bespoke festival cocktails and DJ sets from R.S.A.G, Donal Dineen, LUMO and Get Down Edits among others.

Every morning I wake and seem to forget… By Listen&Breathe, Walled Garden Entrance
Saturday and Sunday, every five mins from 13.00 – 19.00

Allow Listen&Breathe to take you on a little break from reality, although given that you’re at Body & Soul you’re already halfway there. Grab a pal (or a soon-to-be pal), put on your headphones and immerse yourselves in a half hour of creativity and curiosity. Two new participants will be allowed in every five minutes.

Food and Drink

L. Mulligan Grocer

This Stoneybatter pub is as famous for its roasts and black pudding croquettes as it is for its Guinness, and the kitchen team will be serving up all kinds of deliciousness this weekend on site. We have our fingers crossed that they’ll have their sticky toffee pudding for dessert….

Idle&Wilde Cocktail Bar

Buried in the walled gardens you’ll find this electronica DJ tent/cocktail bar, serving up dancefloor realness and seriously tasty drinks.

The Happy Pear

When your body and soul are in need of some nourishment after all that partying, head to The Happy Pear area in the walled garden for a dose of positivity from the Flynn Twins. As well as being bewilderingly energetic at all times, these lads know their stuff when it comes to veggie, vegan and raw lunchtime treats. Oh, and the coffee is AMAZING.

Check out this deadly drone footage of the venue:

• absolut
• absolut art bar
• body and soul
• the gloaming