Nine Things You Are Guaranteed To See At An Irish Music Festival

Several members of the Her team headed out to Dublin’s Marlay Park last weekend to enjoy the Arctic Monkeys, (one or two enjoyed it more than the others), and it proved the perfect way to kickstart the music festival season.  Whether you’re a festival veteran or virgin, the country’s summer music events will no doubt be a highlight come end of year. This weekend, we’re traipsing back out to Marlay for Longitude and no matter how many weather warnings are issued, our spirits will not be dampened. As much as we’re looking forward to seeing incredible acts for the first time such as Bastille, Disclosure and Massive Attack to name just a few, we’re also eager not to miss all the things that are given… flower headband, anyone?! Here are nine things that you are guaranteed to see at an Irish music festival. 1. Tricolour... check.  Because no festival is complete without at least one patriotic person in the crowd. The tricolour will most likely be spotted on the back of a male who is missing the top half of his outfit or around the waist of a female. 2. Who wears short shorts?  Homer Simpson can rest easy as he is no longer the only person to wear 'short shorts'. Despite Ireland's ability to have 'four seasons in one day', a staple piece of festival get-up for female gig goers are a trusty pair of denim hot pants. Practical. 3. Shrubbery around ones head is a must Won’t someone PLEASE think of the plants?! Now don’t get us wrong, we’re all for flower power but come music festival time it is a major case of overkill. 4. 10,000 pairs of the same Penneys wellies… Just when you thought that there may have been a slight chance that yourself and the gals would be able to spot each other in the crowd if the occasion were to arise that you may part ways, think again… EVERY other person attending the festival picked up their rain gear at Penneys, you’ve no chance of finding anyone. Ever. 5. Lord of the Dance There isn’t a bit of Irish dancing music to be heard for miles but that won’t stop folk in the crowd from channelling their inner Michael Flatley. 6. GAA Jersey There's one fair county in Ireland, where the memories are so glorious and grand... that folk just can't leave the house without their county colours. 7. The bare faced cheek Because there's always one. 8. Is that you Batman?!

Pamela Anderson has arrived at Marlay Park... #marlaypark2014 pic.twitter.com/6KHwffCwiJ — Her.ie (@Herdotie) July 12, 2014

If you have to be a superhero (or dress up as Pamela Anderson) for a day, it may as well be in front of several thousand other folk. A fancy dress costume is another festival essential. 9. It's all about the bands We’ve all met those music fans with a mild fascination in the obscure acts that no one has really heard of, until of course, said act become too mainstream because everyone knows “bands are only cool when no one knows who they are.” The über cool kids are out in force come festival time, don't believe us? Let the lads of Foil, Arms and Hog explain it for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPPbC891fmE