Castlepalooza has developed a reputation for bringing together an eclectic mix of music, arts, food to the festival over the last 7 years.

One of Ireland’s best-loved (and best value) festivals returns for its eighth year this summer with one of our most exciting festival line-ups yet

With a second critically acclaimed album hot off the presses (Some Say I So I Say Light was released last week) GHOSTPOET makes a welcome return to Charleville Castle. The Mercury Prize nominated producer went down a storm last year with a style described by the Guardian as "somewhere between MC and a performance poet.

For AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR the spring release of ‘All Hail Bright Futures’ makes it three critically acclaimed albums and counting for the Derry four-piece. Their instrumental rock has garnered a large, loyal following at home and abroad; a band that need to be seen live. 

He appears at Castlepalooza as LUKE VIBERT, though you may know him as Wagon Christ, Amen Andrews, Spac Hand Luke or Plug, one of the many aliases he has adopted. Something of a deity amongst the dance music community, the man has covered almost every sub genre of electronic music. 

Brighton-born KUTMAH is one of the founding fathers of the LA beat scene. Now London-based, he combines releases on Obey records and Giles Peterson’s Brownswood label, a radio show on NTS plus some epic DJ sets. 

Belfast-based four-piece GIRL NAMES have impressed a lot of people in their brief existence and a second album this year has solidified the band as one of the island’s most exciting acts. A great lo-fi noise-pop act with a strong live reputation. 

CEEPHAX ACID CREW (aka Andrew Jenkinson) is a long time in the music business, taking in releases on Aphex Twins’ Rephlex Records and the respected Planet Mu label along the way. Now on his thirteenth album, Squarepusher’s brother has been experimenting with electronic music for over a decade and a half. 

Following their well received Irish debut in February, London four-piece CYMBALS bring their house-influenced synth pop to the festival arena. Their recent nine-minute long, genre-splitting single 'Like An Animal' gives just a taste of their excitingly eclectic sound. 

The name NIALLER9 is a byword for great music blogging and Niall Byrne doesn’t just write about music. Expect his DJ set to feature the best in new electronic music along with some forgotten (and some fondly remembered) classics. 

Five years after their last appearance FIGHT LIKE APES return , one of the few Irish bands to be known by nickname alone (FLApes, in case you were wondering). Their third studio album release this year promises to solidify them as a great Irish act, both in the studio and live. Also added LE GALAXIE, a festival banker they mange to transform an entire crowd into a glowstick waving sweaty mass AND make some excellent Jurassic Park references. 

A great year for SOAK just keeps promising to get better. The 17 year old from Derry has endeared herself to audiences everywhere and her songwriting and delivery will do the same in the shadow of Charleville Castle. 

In addition Castlepalooza asked Irish acts to apply through Breaking Tunes and received an incredible response from the extensive pool of up-and-coming Irish talent. Some acts confirmed so far are: CLU; GROUSE; HALVES; GHOST; MYLES MANLEY; LIZA FLUME; TORANN; THE NOTAS & SEPTEMBER GIRLS. 

Also announced EAT MY SHORTS shortfilm showcase returns again while MONSTER TRUCK GALLERY will be bringing their contemporary visual art to the grounds of the castle. 

There will be lots of other events to keep festival fans entertained, including the infamous Courtyard, a DAY SPA for those who party hard and need some tender loving care, a series of workshops involving all types of dance & crafts, Art Exhibitions and many more fun things yet to be announced. 

Partnerships with Vodafone, Tullamore Dew, Red Bull, Jagermeister, RTE Radio 1, Kopparberg, Erdinger, Aer Lingus and Metro Herald, amongst others, will also help to make this the best Castlepalooza yet 

Castlepalooza supports the Charleville Castle restoration project. A portion of each ticket will go towards the ongoing work carried out on one of Ireland’s most historic landmarks.

Castlepalooza Music & Arts Festival 2013 takes place atCharleville Castle, Tullamore, Co Offaly between Fri 2nd to Sun 4th August 2013 tickets on sale here