What was billed as Ireland's first ever family festival got off to a good, clean start in its first year as it finished up today.
Kaleidoscope 2019 took place on the grounds of Russborough House in Blessington, Co Wicklow over three days at the weekend.
It featured music, dancing, art, storytelling, food, sport and science for entertainment across 18 stages, with kids and their parents urged to drop the tablets and phones and explore
On Sunday, the Kaleidoscope Choir encouraged families to sing with the Dublin Gospel Choir on stage, with 150 children taking part in performances of Hold My Hand by Jess Glynne and A Deeper Love by Aretha Franklin.
Some of the musical highlights over the course of the weekend included a sunset performance from Bell X1 and a session in The Hippodrome cinema under the stars from Kila, playing music to the films of Cartoon Saloon.
Imelda May also drew a big crowd to the main stage for her only Irish festival performance this summer, with fans treated to a cover of Hozier’s hit Nina Cried Power from the singer.
Organisers were pleased to announce on Sunday that the fields of Russborough House were left as they were before the festival started, with families packing up their belongings and leaving the area in "immaculate condition".
Melvin Benn, Festival Director at Festival Republic, added: "Aside from a truly wonderful weekend of music and spoken word, something which has really stood out over the whole three days is just how clean the grounds are.
"The headline act of this festival are the children and they are leading the way in keeping the festival site clean, no trace has been left in the campsites and I am really excited to see the future of festivals in Ireland, if these are the children we are bringing up."
Brian McDermott, Festival Director at Event Fuel, concluded: "On behalf of the organisers, I’d like to thank The Alfred Beit Foundation and the Russborough House team for their warm welcome and fantastic hospitality in the lead up to the festival and over the weekend.
"I’d also like to extend our thanks to all of the hardworking crew who made the first ever Kaleidoscope festival such an amazing success, everyone from the site builders, to the artists that made everything look so beautiful, the food vendors who kept our tummies full and the outstanding performers, without you all none of this would have been possible.
"Finally and most of all, I would like to thank the fabulous families, the children in particular, who smiled every day and danced their hearts out all weekend.
"We can’t wait to see you all again next year."
