Tattooists descend on Midleton

By Maisie Mould

The growing ‘tattoo culture’ of Midleton traces its origins back to 2001, with the town’s first ever Tattoo Bash.

The festival was the first of its kind in Ireland, and came about in a time when tattoos were far less mainstream, and not as accepted as they are today.

However, Midleton is testament to the changing attitude to tattoos in Ireland, with the town now boasting over six tattoo shops.

“We’re not over the bridge yet,” said Dennis Dennehy, one of the tattoo festival’s founders. Although he has seen a change in recent years, he said that it is still the case that tattoos have to be covered in some places of work. The annual Tattoo Bash celebrates its 25th anniversary this weekend, beginning as an idea that has grown in success ever since.

“It’s the longest running event of its type in the two islands,” Dennis said, “there’s no one’s been doing it longer than us.”

The festival is a melee of creativity and culture, and according to Dennis boasts “something for everyone”, including jewellery stalls, body piercing and people doing dreadlocks.

From 21-23 June, the summer festival will be held in the Midleton Park Hotel, hosting a variety of artists from across Ireland and around the world.

The weekend will draw in more than 60 tattooists from many different countries, including Samoan tattooists, who use traditional tools from the culture of tatau (tattooing) in Samoa.

“It’s hand-tapped,” explained Dennis. “They’ll get tattoos that their grandfather got. It’s a connection between them and their ancestors. It’s symbolic for those guys.”

For those considering getting their first tattoo, the Midleton festival is a great way to “broaden your horizons”, according to Dennis, and there may be bargains available for lower cost tattoos too.