|PIC1|Summer Madness, Ireland’s largest youth festival, will once again see 5,000 young people descend on Belfast’s King’s Hall for five days of furious festival action from 3 to 7 July 2009.

Now in its twenty-second year, Summer Madness has gone from strength to strength and is widely regarded as one of Europe’s key Christian youth festivals.

This year’s festival looks set to enhance that reputation with one of its best ever line-ups of speakers and artists, including Foy Vance, Rachael Gardner, Brian Mclaren, Paul Baloche, 6 Star Hotel, 4 Kornerz, Andy Hickford and 29th Chapter.

Festival Director John Kee said, "After so many years you might expect us to start running out of ideas but this year looks bigger and better than ever."

The festival this year sees the launch of the new over-18s mini-festival ‘Rehab’ which will run alongside the main Summer Madness event but is exclusively designed for the "style, comfort requirements and musical tastes of the more discerning festival-goer", says Kee.

John Kee concluded, "The programme is just one of the reasons 5,000 people take over the King’s Hall complex each July – the Summer Madness atmosphere and environment is truly unique.

"Whether it’s Zorbing, Acoustic Afternoons, Arts, Workshops, Climbing Walls, on-site Lazerquest, Late Night Worship, or simply chilling out by one of the themed cafes there really is something for everyone."

Summer Madness & Rehab festivals take place at the King’s Hall Complex, Belfast from 3 to 7 July 2009. Camping and non-camping tickets are available directly from the Summer Madness website www.summermadness.co.uk with prices from £35.