The fabulous Lú Festival of Light, which attracted over 70,000 visitors to Drogheda last October and November, with fantastic light shows in the streets and on the walls of buildings, has won the Best Arts and Culture award at the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) Awards ceremony held in Glasgow.
This prestigious accolade recognises the festival’s profound impact on the community, its innovative use of heritage assets within the town, and the extraordinary animations and storytelling over the eight-day event.
The festival, visitors to which spent over €6 million, is a collaborative partnership between Louth County Council, Love Drogheda BID, Visual Spectrum and Failte Ireland, underpinned by story development by Anthony Murphy of Mythical Ireland.
The Lú Festival of Light captivated the hearts and minds of residents and visitors alike, transforming the town into a mesmerizing canvas of light, art, sound and creative illustrations on wonderful canvasses. This recognition is a testament to the festival’s unique approach to celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Louth while infusing it with contemporary artistic expressions.
“We are immensely proud of what the Lú Festival of Light has achieved,” said Colette Moss, Senior Executive Officer, Louth County Council. “Winning the Best Arts and Culture Award at the ATCM Awards is a true reflection of the dedication, creativity, and hard work of everyone involved”.
Trevor Connolly, CEO of Love Drogheda BID said: “The collective team efforts have turned dreams into reality, creating a magical experience that has left an indelible mark on the community of Drogheda. This partnership exemplifies the power of working together to achieve extraordinary results.
“Lú Festival of Light has brought further prominence and acknowledgement of stories from our past and an appreciation of our culture and heritage in a new way.”
Announcing the award, Ojay McDonald Chief Executive of ATCM said: “Best Arts and Culture Scheme is always a difficult category with plenty of commendable submissions. However, the way the partnership created an audio-visual experience against a backdrop of Irish Mythology meant a clear winner for 2024.
“The ‘The Lú Festival of Light’ captivated audiences with a fully immersive experience. Telling stories from the past by using the newest and most captivating audio-visual experience could be groundbreaking in the way towns maximise their history and heritage in the future.”
The Lú Festival of Light continues to grow in popularity, drawing visitors from far and wide, providing a tangible boost to the local economy. This award highlights the festival’s success and sets a benchmark for future cultural events in the region.
For more information about the Lu Festival of Light and future events, please visit www.lufestivaloflight.com .
