Within the vision, there was one thing that was crystal clear – such an event was required to encompass every “tribe” and every province of this island with the focus quite simply on the person of Jesus. He initiated a series of meetings with Christian leaders and Youth Leaders from every “tribe” to see how flesh might be put onto this vision.

In April 2008, at a small meeting in the Philips family home, the vision suddenly burst into life – and the stories of what happened in the succeeding 9 weeks and 6 days are an amazing proof that God speaks clearly today and that “God was in a hurry”. Most experts in the music field say that to stage an event of such size takes almost a year of planning yet, with God’s grace it was all done in less than 10 weeks.

MAD 2008 was the Republic’s first ever Christian rock concert created specifically to communicate the good news of the gospel of Jesus to people of every tribe on the island. Geared primarily to appeal to young people between the ages of 15 and 30, MAD 2008 in fact attracted people from all over Ireland and from a wide range of age groups. In spite of the very limited time frame and no funding for marketing the event, almost 2,000 people turned up on the day for a brilliant event
The vision for MAD is simple.

Located on private land and run by a group of Christians from every sort of “tribe” and background, MAD is designed to bring together, through the medium of great Christian music, both Christians and those looking for something more in their lives from every “tribe” and every “race” and from every part of this great island to focus on the person of Jesus in unity together. Thus MAD provides an opportunity for those thousands of people, both young and old, who for whatever reason have left their Christian roots behind but who are now seeking a much deeper meaning to life than just material things, to hear about this person Jesus.

And, of course, MAD is a uniquely effective and highly relevant way to communicate the gospel to the thousands of young people in Ireland who desperately need the message of hope and love that only Jesus gives.

The vision over the next few years is to continue to build MAD into a Christian music festival of dynamic quality with great speakers and bands from all over the world and ultimately to extend it into a two or three day event.

MAD CAFÉ - This tent will house the MAD CAFÉ  where you can sit, hang out with friends. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, smoothies and soft drinks (no alcohol allowed on site). Snacks will include cookies and baked goods.

Also in the MAD Café - a great bookshop and CD’s from all the artists plus a small acoustic stage where there will be a variety of different music and speakers throughout the day – see PROGRAMME for the order of events.

FOOD – There will be a number of fast food units with burgers, chips, rolls, wraps, soft drinks, ice creams – all the usual things to keep you well fed!

CHILDREN’S AREA –  Special fenced play area under a big tent roof with open sides for young children and their parents. Designated area for children from infants to 8 year olds to spend time with their parents. Enjoy story telling, clowning, arts and crafts and fun games.

Music and drama workshops and fun sports for 8 to 12 year olds.

A safe place for families to picnic – to chill out or participate in fun for all.

PICNIC AREA – The site is spectacular and great for picnics and fun – space to kick a ball around and chill out!

There is a special covered safe Children’s Play Area where parents can bring their young children and supervise them as a they have fun.

There is the MAD CAFÉ where young and old can hang out – try our great Cappuccinos, Lattes and Hot Chocolates!  

There’s plenty of safe space in this wonderful valley for groups to get away from the crowd and sit peacefully together for a picnic or chat …. Or just to have some peace and quiet.

MAD is an event for people from every “tribe”, of every age and from every culture and every part of this great island.

MAD 2010 takes place at Ballinacoola in the village of Glenealy, about 8 miles from Wicklow Town. Routes to Ballinacoola will be signposted from the N 11 and from Rathdrum.

It’s a spectacular valley with plenty of space for parking, picnics and the tents of MAD 2010 – a wonderful location for a day out in the “Garden of Ireland”.

Road directions: Just off the N 11 (coming from Dublin direction take exit 16; from Wexford direction take exit 17) for RATHNEW, WICKLOW and RATHDRUM. At the mini-roundabout in centre of Rathnew village turn RIGHT and in about 150 metres, keep RIGHT – signposted GLENEALY, RATHDRUM AND AVOCA.  Do NOT go left under railway bridge on the Arklow road. In about 3 miles go through village of GLENEALY and BALLINACOOLA is in about ½ mile on the left hand side (signed).

For more information please contact us at info@mad2010.com.

Twice nominated for IFTA’s (the Irish Oscars) for his soundtrack writing, Rónán Johnston has played piano, hammond B3 and Accordion with the “Black Velvet Band”, has been the main mover in 1990’s and 2000’s  Gospel Act “Emmaus”, and has been the producer and cowriter of Zig and Zag’s “Never Mind the Zogabongs” and five “Dustin” albums, with whom he also recorded Bob Geldof, Ronan Keating and others. He has also worked with their natural successors, Podge and Rodge.

In Ireland, between albums and singles he has produced and written, he has scored more than 33 platinum discs over the past decade, and been reponsible for over 15 number 1’s in the Irish territory. He composed the soundtrack for  “Over Ireland” a PBS TV special with an hour’s worth of music put to footage of Ireland’s great sights and landmarks, all shot from the air. In Ireland he is well known as the musical director of hit TV shows “You’re a Star” and Irish “Popstars” in addition to being a host on long-running TV hit show, “The Lyrics Board”. 

Rónán Johnston was the music producer/ Musical Director on the ITV1 show “Rock Rivals’.