Music, song and comedy in the cowsheds at Causey

Causey Farm in Fordstown is host this Sunday, 12th June, to Farmfest, a boutique music and comedy festival. Four stages host a huge variety of acts, with comedians, céilí, choir, trad session and live bands performing around the farm. Fire twirlers, a gourmet BBQ, a traditional Irish tea party, and culchie games stalls will all contribute to the festival atmosphere. All funds go to Kitovu Hospital, Uganda, and community projects in Equador, where local girls Celine Smyth and Una Murtagh will volunteer this year. A large bonfire will form the centrepiece of the farmyard, and four barns off this main yard will be filled with all kinds of eclectic entertainment all night. Internationally acclaimed songwriter Juliet Turner will headline one venue. Sharp-witted comedians Robbie Bonham and Colm O'Regan will kick-off the evening in the cow-shed, and a full traditional session will run throughout in the old stables. Various bands will be performing on the Rock Stage, including eight-piece soul group She-Bop, Kells-based band Stormy Monday and last year's favourites, Tuna Fish Mafia who specialise in the type of good time party music that's guaranteed to get everyone on their feet. Set-dancers can kick up their heels to the sound of Na Comharsana Céilí Band in the old stone barn - the perfect venue for a Connemara Set. Also performing is Tara Ladies Choir, who recently competed in the Navan Choral Festival and whose harmonies will provide a delightful contrast to the rock stage. Celine, a student teacher, will travel to Equador this summer with International Student Volunteers, and will work in a number of community projects there that aim to improve quality of life for many of the local people. Úna worked as a paediatric doctor for six months in Kitovu Hospital in Uganda last year, and will return there again this June with a team of people to renovate the hospital's Nutrition Unit. The hospital is constantly under pressure to provide services and medicine to the sick children and often have four children to a bed. Many die from malaria and malnutrition, diseases which are preventable and treatable here in Ireland. Two of her friends, Ciara McNamee and Sabrina Callan organised a 40 feet container to be sent to this hospital. The container carried 16,000 items of clothing (mainly donated by people from Meath) and vital medical equipment. The container is now en route to Uganda, and is due to arrive in June. Farmfest promises to be highly entertaining with all acts giving their time and talents for an excellent cause. It is all indoors, so the weather doesn't matter and tickets at €15 and can be purchased on the night. Gates open at 7.30pm, with the comedy acts and trad session starting the show at 8pm. Buses will run from Kells and Athboy from 8pm. For more details call Úna on (087) 614 0276 or Celine on (087) 786 0184 or email info@causey.ie.