Offaly poet and songwriter Anthony Sullivan performs at Electric Picnic

OFFALY poet and songwriter Anthony Sullivan, a native of the parish of Lusmagh, took to the stage at this year's Eletric Picnic, performing at The Word stage of the famous Mindfield section of the largest arts and music festival in the country.

In fact, there was a strong midlands presence on the festival's opening day, as a former Tullamore Rhymers' Club comrade of Sullivan's, David Hynes, who co-curates The Word stage (with Marty Mulligan), also performed a selection of his work over the course of a busy and successful first day.

For Sullivan, who is due to publish his third collection - 'The Light of Hope's Ascent' - before the year's end, finally making it to the EP stage was a dream come true. And sharing the occasion with his good friend David Hynes made the occasion all the more special...

"I owe David big-time for giving me the chance to be part of The Word stage line-up for this year. I think this was actually our third attempt to make it happen! I'd been invited last year and the previous year too, but between one thing and another, life had other ideas and the timing of things just didn't work out. So no matter what happened this year, I was going to be there! And thankfully, this time everything went to plan, and it was truly a really brilliant experience."

Sullivan continued, "All the more so, because I got to share a stage with David himself again, something we haven't been able to do in quite some time. But back in the days of the Tullamore Rhymers' Club, which we were both a part of, we had the privilege of standing side-by-side for some fabulous gigs: opening shows for the likes of The Fureys, for Mike Denver even, and two late greats of Irish entertainment, Brendan Grace and Brendan Bowyer. So yeah, we go back quite a while, and it was a pleasure to be able to accept David's invitation to perform at Electric Picnic this year. As well as being one of the funniest people I know, and a hugely talented writer in his own right, David is - and always has been - a massive champion for other artists."

READ NEXT: Former RTE drama star joins line-up on Offaly based Midlands 103

Sullivan has previously published two well-received poetry and lyric collections: Under Star And Under Sun (2004) and Pilgrim In The Heartland (2009). His third collection, The Light Of Hope's Ascent, is due out later this year, continuing his legacy of thoughtful, emotionally rich verse.

Sullivan has also penned the brand new single from Kilbeggan quintet, The Wrafter Family Band. An upbeat blend of folk and country, 'THAT TUNE' explores how certain loves leave a permanent echo in the heart—memories that can linger with both sweetness and a quiet ache. Produced by Seamus Cullinane, and with co-production credits for brothers Conor and Thomas Wrafter, Sullivan has described 'That Tune' as being "...a celebration of the Irish tradition of lyricism and storytelling."

~ '"The Light of Hope's Ascent"', Sullivan's third collection and the continuation of his legacy of thoughtful, emotionally rich verse, will be published this winter. "That Tune", the new single from The Wrafter Family Band, is out now on all platforms, available to download and stream, and to request from radio stations nationwide.

READ NEXT: Internationally acclaimed singer to play popular music venue in Tullamore