Catching the last sunset of the year at one of the most westerly points in Ireland, singing along to Prince and Fleetwood Mac in a marquee and counting down to the start of 2018 with some of the best DJs in the country?
Yep, New Year's Eve on Achill Island, Mayo, was pretty damn special.
This was the first year of Smithwick's 10° West, a boutique music festival with a difference: scenic group hikes through historic villages, beach yoga and cycling by day with a curated line-up of live music by night.
Located 53°N 10°W on Achill Island, the celebration embraced the true Achill Island way of life, where all that mattered was making amazing memories with friends.
Acoustic and pop-up music performances in local pubs set the vibe in the afternoon
As people drifted back from the daytime activities, the music side of the festival kicked into gear with performances by Robert Delaney, The Silken Same, Lilla Vargen and Let’s Set Sail.
What better way to end a hike than with a nice cold pint and some live tunes?
Music kicked off in the Keel tent on New Year's Eve with Sing-Along-Social getting everyone in the party mood
Lyric sheets were passed around the crowd, chilled pints of Smithwick's were on hand (pale ale for us, cheers) and confetti guns were blasted as hundreds of people from all over Ireland sang their hearts out to beloved songs by Katie Perry and Will Smith.
Think karaoke but way, way better.
Solid funk by Stomptown Brass and some seriously envious talent from Daithí brought things to another level
Stomptown Brass had everyone in the Keel tent boppin' away - playing everything from The Jungle Book theme tune to saxophone solos - while Daithí's live looping and violin playing had the crowd in awe.
Smithwick's 10° West New Year's celebration made saying goodbye to 2017 - and hello to 2018 - a moment that you'll always remember.
We'll be thinking of that last sunset on Keel Beach for months to come...
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