Country down your way

A number of major country festivals will be staged over the coming weeks. The Holycross Festival, a few miles from Thurles, is now in its third year and is well established on the Munster circuit.

Plans are also in place for the big show on 20 July, from 1pm to 7pm, with each of the six headline acts performing for an hour. The line-up for the day features Declan Nerney, Michael English, Jimmy Buckley, Mike Denver, Robert Mizzell and Louise Morrissey. Country Sound will preview the show in next week’s issue.

The Monaghan Town Country Music Festival returns this year after a brilliant debut last July. The eve of the Ulster Final night last year saw the country pay a huge tribute to Big Tom and The Mainliners. It will be staged again over four nights from Thursday to Sunday, 17 to 20 July. The headline acts are Jimmy Buckley, Derek Ryan, Mike Denver and Nathan Carter.

Ballymore Country Festival in Co Westmeath takes place on 4 August. Artists include Nathan Carter, Mike Denver, Robert Mizzell, Michael English, Brendan Shine, The Conquerors and The Sheerins. The show starts at 2pm.