Surf’s up for June music festival

THE west Clare area is set for a major “surf” dividend with a two day surf and music festival over the June bank-holiday weekend.

Thousands are expected to descend on the west Clare town of Miltown Malbay — made famous by the annual Willie Clancy Summer School — for the Cold Pro event.

The promoters have signed up Imelda May, Peter Hook of Joy Division, Jamie XX along with dozens more acts for the two day music extravaganza.

Along with the music, the organisers have invited 20 Irish and international surfers to compete with in the Cold Pro Invitational where there will be a €20,000 prize purse.

In recent years, Clare has become one of the top destinations for surfing in Ireland with big wave surfers surfing “Aileen’s” off the Cliffs of Moher along with the thousands of surfers who travel to Lahinch year round.

The promoters are hoping to attract 4,000 people to three stages at White Strand in Miltown Malbay on June 4/5.

The festival organisers do not have to require a licence for the event.