An all-night rave in Mayo last weekend caused headlines when locals complained over excessive noise and a Garda presence saw several detained and arrested enroute to the event.

The Into The West Fest, which was held on private grounds near Kilkenny Cross, Castlebar, featured trance, techno and various other genre DJs and took place over Friday and Saturday night. A total of seven people were detained by Gardai, one of whom was suspected of dealing drugs.

Organisers are now reportedly planning another event in the coming weeks and have even contacted by Joe Duffy's Liveline for comment and interview. According to their Facebook page, a number of the DJs and organisers have been contacted by Radio 1 with plans for Joe to speak with them on tomorrow's Liveline.

Speaking to the Mayo News, one DJ said that "(we) all had an excellent weekend, the set up was perfect, (and the) sound system was even better. Everyone we met in there were like a family to us, the nicest people around. We made new friends that travelled all the way from France just for this event. This just shows the dedication that people give to these music events."

Another DJ admitted, however, that the rave scene is unfairly associated with a criminal element. "It’s hard in Ireland for our scene. We are painted as ruffians and drug takers. In fact, everyone is different and [that] goes for the music. There are all those people in every bar and club in the country and it’s seen as okay, but because we decide to have a party with something different it’s sometimes cruelly judged too soon."

 

Via MayoNews.ie

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