September 4 and 5, 2015
The Irish Openair Toggenburg took place for the seventh time. A unique musical program, a peaceful atmosphere and the varied infrastructure attracted numerous visitors to the foot of the Säntis. The changeable weather did nothing to dampen the mood on the festival site.
On Friday, the musical program could already be enjoyed from 16:00. Sam Seale was the first to take to the stage and spread the typical Irish cheerfulness in Paddy's Old Irish Pub. Afterwards, The First Leiblach Valley Pipes and Drums, a bagpipe band from Austria, presented their skills in the middle of the festival grounds. The Irish band The Led Farmers impressed with a uniquely refreshing live performance. Afterwards, Robert Watt once again provided variety with his whistle sounds. The main act on Friday was Fiddler's Green from Germany. The audience was able to actively participate in their performance. The Led Farmers played at Paddy's Old Irish Pub and Sam Seale at Baltimore Irish Village until the early hours of the morning.
On Saturday, the musical program started at 08.00 am. Brendan Wade entertained the guests, some of whom were having breakfast, in Paddy's Old Irish Pub. Don O'Connor's Celtic Fusion and Rigs & Jeels then played in the two large tents. In the afternoon, registered visitors could take part in workshops on dancing, flute playing, bodhrán drumming and fiddling. Scéalta continued on the main stage. The Irish Dance School Schaffhausen enchanted the audience with a variety of dance interludes. Goitse, a young and invigorating troupe from Ireland, took to the stage. Our regular band, The BeerMats from Dublin, really kicked off the evening. Their performance was once again the absolute highlight of the Irish Openair Toggenburg for many visitors. Cobblestones from Berlin closed the evening on the main stage. The smell of hot metal in the air, some of which came from the blacksmith at the medieval market, matched their sometimes coarse music. The musical program continued on a smaller scale in the Baltimore Irish Village and in Paddy's Old Irish Pub.
The feedback from visitors shows it: the Irish Openair Toggenburg was once again a phenomenal festival weekend! Despite some changeable weather conditions, slightly more visitors flocked to Obertoggenburg than last year. The organization of such an event is only possible with the valuable support of numerous volunteers, generous sponsors, for the first time the civil defence and many other participants. They deserve a big thank you.