Amid the enchanting beauty of Lough Key Forest Park near Boyle, Co. Roscommon, Night and Day has developed into one of the summer’s must-attend celebrations of music and art. Co-founded by local Brendan Hurley, the festival will be enchanting audiences once again from 27-29 June.

The festival's director was previously working as a production manager for the World Economic Forum in Geneva. Having studied to be a sound engineer at Paul McCartney’s institute for performing arts in Liverpool however, there was always a yearning to do something musical.

“Like a lot of them, I ended up as a sound engineer because I was a failed musician,” he laughs. “So music was always my thing. I always wanted to get back to something more creative. I love working with creative people and working in the arts.”

Upon returning to Ireland he set up the Claremorris Folk festival, a small but mighty affair that attracted some of the country's leading folk acts. Still, in his words, Hurley was “itching for something bigger”.

This ambition led to the creation of Night and Day, which debuted in 2022 at Clonalis House in Roscommon. The inaugural outing was so well-received that they were invited to relocate the festival to the scenic Lough Key the following year.

“It’s a stunning location," Hurley says. “We went there in 2023 and we've been there ever since. And I think going forward, that's going to be our base in the future. They've been really supportive.

“We couldn't do what we do unless the park is fully on board. Coillte and Roscommon County Council have given us significant funding over the last couple of years, so we're really indebted to them.”

There are few better backdrops to host a festival in Ireland - or anywhere for that matter. Lough Key boasts spectacular views, diverse wildlife and numerous islands, as well as a fascinating history.

“I am really into the history and mythology that surrounds places like Lough Key,” Hurley says. “The history goes back hundreds and thousands of years. The lake itself is named after a druid who was wounded in battle, the lake supposedly sprang forth from the place where his body lay. The islands on the Lough are famous for the monasteries that were established on them. Even Yeats was enchanted with the place, so much so that he tried to organise a mystical retreat on one of the islands.

“As kids, that's where we used to go and play there. So it's very important to us to do something in Roscommon.

“We have people coming from all over the world and they can't believe how beautiful it is when they get here. So it's great that we can highlight it and bring in some tourists. We're delighted to do that.”

A top-class campsite and amenities are already in place, putting Night and Day in the unique position to offer a number of fun activities, including zip-lining and kayaking.

As an over 20s event with under-14s permitted alongside their guardians, families are an integral cog in the Night and Day community. A dedicated family zone offers kids the opportunity to stimulate their imaginations by taking part in a range of activities and workshops such as drumming, dancing, foraging and circus skills.

There’s plenty for adult punters too, with the Loch Cé Wellness area on the shore of the lake set to provide yoga sessions, sauna treatments, hot tubs and more providing some privacy and calm.

“The vibe is so relaxed,” Hurley states. “That family-friendly atmosphere is definitely something we aim for. People have fun and enjoy themselves and we have great bars and all that, but the slightly unruly, rowdy element isn’t there."

Night and Day by Cían Flynn.

The chill ambience extends to the lineup. This year, Night and Day has attracted some seriously lauded laidback musicians.

“Fionn Regan, Lisa Hannigan, Jose Gonzalez; their performances are mainly acoustic based,” Hurley observes. “And I don't think you'd get away with that at every festival. It requires a certain maturity and a respect for the artists where the audience will stay but reasonably quiet while those guys are doing their thing.”

Night and Day 2025 boasts an impressive selection of internationally acclaimed artists, including KT Tunstall, The Wailers, and Paul Brady. These renowned musicians will share the arena with a selection of emerging talents from the local area, in line with the festival’s commitment to showcasing up-and-coming musicians, including the winner of the Night and Day Song Contest.

“We have a relationship going with Music Generation Roscommon,” Hurley says. “They played on the second stage for an hour on both days last year. Speaking to some of the kids last year, they said it was the highlight of their lives, to play on a proper stage with popper lights and a sound engineer.

There are some established local acts playing too, with Roscommon favourites June Carousel, Death Milkshake and Dotts O’Connor set to strut their stuff come June. The ethos of supporting home-grown permeates throughout the festival, including the businesses operating on-site.

Night and Day by Cian Flynn.

“We try to support local wherever we can,” Hurley says. “We have a great partnership with the White Hag Brewery, which is just down the road in Sligo. They're our main drinks providers.

“Some people can be a bit fussy. They want their Guinness, but after a while, they learn that the stout created by these guys is just as good. There are a lot of craft breweries around the country now and it's not easy to compete with the big guys, so we're delighted that we can help them out.”

Finally, Hurley hints at some exciting new projects that he and his fellow organisers are looking to debut at this year’s festival.

“We do have an electronic stage that runs at midnight till 3 a.m., it's something we're very keen to develop,” he reveals.

“We'd love to have trails through the forest where you can unexpectedly come across a piece of art. We're making some inroads into that this year. We put up an open call on Visual Artists Ireland and we've got some great responses there from artists looking to do installations. So this year we'll be expanding on what we've had previously and there’ll be some amazing art installations this year.”

• Night and Day takes place from 27 to 29 June 2025. Tickets are on sale now. Visit www.nightandday.ie for more information. Watch last year's official after movie below: