It was announced last night that next month’s Fields of Éire Irish Music Festival can no longer be held in Newsham ParkCrowds at the Feis Irish music festival at the Pier Head in 2018(Image: Liverpool Echo)The organisers of an Irish music festival in Liverpool have insisted the event will still go ahead despite a change of location. The Fields of Éire Irish Music Festival is the successor to the short lived Feis, which came to Liverpool’s Pier Head in 2018.The ECHO previously reported that the festival would return this year in the new setting of Newsham Park in Tuebrook. Taking place on Friday June 5 and Saturday June 6, organisers said it would keep the same community feel as before but on a bigger scale.The event promises to celebrate Liverpool’s strong Irish heritage, with more than 75% of the city’s population believed to be of Irish descent. Headliners include country singer Nathan Carter and Irish folk-rock band The Whistlin’ Donkeys.Earlier this month, the festival’s directors secured the right to set up a special area for VIPs with extended hours, despite Merseyside Police opposing the move.However, at around 5.30pm last night (Thursday, May 28), organisers announced the festival would no longer take place at Newsham Park but promised a new venue would be announced this morning. Organisers claimed Liverpool City Council removed permission for it to use Newsham Park as the festival site due to security concerns related to Martyn’s Law.The festival was due to take place in Newsham Park(Image: Liverpool Echo)Officially known as the The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, this law aims to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK by requiring that those responsible for certain premises and events consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack.In addition to this, at certain larger premises and events, appropriate steps to reduce vulnerability to terrorist attacks must also be considered. It is named after Martyn Hett, who died in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.In its own statement published later in the evening, Liverpool City Council said its safety concerns had “not been sufficiently addressed”.Newsham Park has previously held outdoor music events in the past.The full statement, shared on The Fields of Éire Facebook and Instagram pages, said: “We are writing to inform you that Fields of Éire will no longer be taking place at Newsham Park.”Despite our team successfully securing the full premises licence for the site, Liverpool City Council has pulled our land use agreement at the final hour, citing security constraints under terrorism legislation (Martyn’s Law).”The event is 100% STILL GOING AHEAD. We refuse to let this stop the music. We have already secured an incredible, massive outdoor venue right here in Liverpool to ensure the festival continues exactly as planned.”We will be making the official announcement of our new home tomorrow morning. Keep your eyes on our page tomorrow for the full reveal, location details, and updated event information.”Thank you all so much for your massive support and understanding—we will see you all very soon!”The council said: “Liverpool City Council is advising people who are due to attend the Fields of Eire Irish Music Festival on 5 and 6 June 2026, that the event will not take place in Newsham Park as advertised.”Following extensive consideration with Safety Advisory Group (SAG) partners – which include Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, and North West Ambulance Service – Liverpool City Council, as the landowner of Newsham Park, is unable to issue a Land Use Agreement for the proposed event.”The Council and SAG members have had lengthy discussions with the event organiser, offering support and guidance to ensure that the event could go ahead safely and successfully, but unfortunately concerns raised have not been sufficiently addressed.”Liverpool City Council will only issue a Land Use Agreement where there is clear assurance that appropriate plans are in place to guarantee the safety of event attendees.”The Council and multi-agency SAG partners will not compromise on public safety and apply clear and consistent expectations to all event organisers to ensure events in the city are delivered safely and lawfully.”Ticket holders should contact the event organiser directly for more information.”
Organisers insist festival will go ahead despite losing venue
