'It's nice to put something on' - Young Longford friends launch music festival for under 18s
Abú Music Festival 2026 will take place in Skelly’s Bar Ballymahon, Longford on July 11, 2026.
A group of young people from Longford are bringing a new music festival to the town this summer, aiming to create an event suitable for teenagers and young adults who often miss out on live music experiences due to age restrictions.
Abú Fest, which will take place on July 11 at Skelly's Bar in Ballymahon, Longford, was created by six young people aged between 16 and 20, who saw a gap in entertainment options for under 18s.
Tom O'Connor (16), one of the festival's organisers, said the idea came from a desire to give younger people the opportunity to experience a music festival before reaching adulthood.
"We wanted to put on a music festival for those who aren't over 18 because of the lack of events for younger people" he said.
Tom, alongside Joni Clarke (18), Harry Lally (20), Florence Brunt (17), Dearbhla Gannon (16) and Aisling Coogan (16), began planning the event by contacting local musicians and booking acts.
Having spent the past year performing around Longford, Tom was already familiar with many of the artists in the local music scene.
"I have been gigging in town for just under a year and I have friends in bands. I know a bit about the local music scene, so I reached out to people and asked them," he explained.
The result is a packed line up featuring 18 acts across the day. Doors will open at 1pm, with performances continuing until the final act takes to the stage at 10pm.
The organisers hope the event will offer something different for young people in the area.
Tom believes many teenagers are looking for alternatives to traditional nightlife and social spaces.
"At a certain age people start going to pubs and stuff, but a lot of young people don't enjoy the crowds and would like something alternative to go to and enjoy music," he said.
To ensure the event remains accessible to younger audiences, entry is open to anyone aged 15 and over with valid identification. The festival area will also feature a mineral bar only.
While organising a festival at such a young age has been exciting, Tom says it has not been without challenges.
"Contacting everyone has been difficult and there has been lots of organising involved," Tom admitted.
Despite the work involved, the response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive.
"We've received a really good response with lots saying they're going," he said.
Beyond providing a day of entertainment, the organisers hope Abú Fest will help encourage more young people to become involved in music themselves.
"It's nice to put something on and maybe it will inspire more young people to start gigging or start bands," Tom said.
The group hopes the festival can showcase the wealth of young musical talent in the Longford region while creating a welcoming environment for music fans of all ages.
As the countdown to the event continues, Tom says he is looking forward to seeing months of planning come to life.
"I'm really excited to see everyone show up and get a good feeling of accomplishment that we've done something good for the community and people enjoy themselves," he said.
Abu Fest takes place at Skelly's Bar, Longford, on July 11. Tickets cost €25 and are available here.