September 2 and 3, 2016
The 8th edition of the Irish Openair Toggenburg took place on the weekend of September 2 + 3, 2016. The two-day festival was characterized by great weather luck, outstanding musical performances and a uniquely peaceful atmosphere. For the first time in the history of the Irish Openair Toggenburg, the event was sold out.
The Irish Openair Toggenburg 2016 opened on Friday shortly after midday in glorious sunshine. The musical program started with the experienced Irish musician Ronan Drury. In the evening, The First Leiblach Valley Pipes and Drums drew the audience to the main stage. The Sallys Gardens and Red Shamrock played on stage immediately afterwards. Paddy Murphy from Austria closed the evening on the main stage. With the fast-paced sounds of Irish Speed Folk, they enticed numerous visitors to dance the night away. The Irish band Bunoscionn played in the Baltimore Irish Village until after 2.00 am. The combination of Irish folk with dance, reggae and rock was very well received by the audience.
The live music on Saturday started at 8.00 am. The beautiful weather invited visitors to explore the medieval market on the festival grounds. A blacksmith and a wandering turner demonstrated their traditional crafts. Various stalls offered medieval and Celtic clothing, jewelry and accessories. An Irish dance workshop took place in the afternoon.
There was always music to be heard on one of the three stages. After the performance by the Irish Dance School Schaffhausen, it was The Doolin Céilí Band, the regular band The BeerMats and The Outside Track from Ireland. The musical highlight on Saturday was The Dublin Legends. The band, which previously achieved world fame under the name The Dubliners, was able to be engaged with the great support of Guinness. Expectations were high for The Dublin Legends' performance, as the band is still influential for the entire genre today. The two-hour performance by the four older gentlemen was able to inspire the audience and put the valley in a mystical mood. Another regular band of the Irish Openair Toggenburg, Pigeons on the Gate from Winterthur, had the honor of playing on the main stage after The Dublin Legends. On the stages in Paddy's Old Irish Pub and Baltimore Irish Village, the music and dancing continued until after 2.00 am.
Large numbers of visitors flocked to Rietbad on Saturday. The open air was therefore sold out shortly after 8 p.m. on Saturday. Around 7,500 visitors were counted over the two days, setting a new record.
The Irish Openair Toggenburg 2016 was a phenomenal festival weekend. Many will remember it fondly for a long time to come. Such an event is only possible with the great support of numerous volunteers, the generous sponsors, the civil defense and many others involved. They deserve a big thank you.
