The festival was founded in 2007 by Chris Maher with Paul Slattery and Redmond O Hanlon.

In 2009 the award was presented to Joan Freeman, for founding the Pieta and for having outstanding Dublin Soul.

One of the events is the “Soul Picnic”, which takes place on the last weekend in May each year in Merrion Square Park.

The festival’s line up in the past has included Mirenda Rosenberg,[8] Tony Allen[9] and many other recognised national and international artists.

[11] Another winner of the rising stars competition was Mob Fandango whom also went on to play at the Soul Picnic.