The festival is scheduled to take place next weekendLiverpool Feis Crowds at The Pierhead 7th July 2018(Image: David Munn Photography)The organisers of an Irish music festival in Liverpool have confirmed a change of venue just days before the event is due to take place. 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 reported this morning (May 29) that the festival would no longer take place at Newsham Park, but organisers had 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.Officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, the 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.Now, organisers of Fields of Éire have confirmed it will go ahead on its original dates, Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6, at Liverpool’s Olympia venue on West Derby Road.A post on their Facebook page reads: “We have a massive update regarding our new home for Fields of Éire. As you know, our original plan was to dance together at Newsham Park.”When Liverpool City Council pulled our land use agreement there at the final hour, we quickly lined up Aintree Racecourse to save the event. However, we have been listening closely to your feedback over the last 24 hours.”Many of you were gutted about moving so far out of the area you originally planned for. We heard you loud and clear, and we have pivot plans in place!”To keep the festival right in the community where it belongs, we are moving Fields of Éire to the legendary, beautiful Olympia Theatre! Best of all? The Olympia is just up the road from Newsham Park, keeping us in the exact same local footprint.”You won’t need to completely change your travel, booking arrangements, or local stays. By moving to the Olympia, we are transforming the weekend into a massive fully indoor festival experience. Rain or shine, the craic is 100% protected in an incredible venue with an electric atmosphere.”If you need a taste of the vibes, Kingfishr absolutely smashed it here just the other week, and Irish legends The Saw Doctors have also graced this iconic stage.”VIP tickets will automatically allocated to the seating areas for the best premium views in the house. Standard tickets will be allocated to the standing areas right in front of the main stage.Further updates on the festival can be found in the ECHO’s What’s On section.
Liverpool festival announces venue change ahead of event
