The Roberts Cove Vintage Festival

The Roberts Cove Vintage Festival in Co Cork will have a strong country flavour this year, with performances from northern singers Susan McCann and Cliona Hagan.

They will also jointly open the festival at 2pm. This is the eighth year of the festival and it really is full steam ahead for the celebrations on 2 August. Roberts Cove is situated on the western side of Cork harbour, some 10 minutes from Carrigaline. It is a spectacular location, with the Atlantic ocean as the backdrop.

Nick Dunican from the festival committee says they are delighted with how the festival has expanded since its inception.

“It has grown every year and it really is a great family-fun day. This year we are hosting round six of the Irish tractor pulling championships and this has major interest for many patrons. We also have vintage cars, tractors, the ever popular dog show, food halls, steam engines from around the country, trade stands, archery and much more. There are even helicopter rides over Cork harbour.

“Hospitality and a warm welcome is at the heart of the Roberts Cove Festival and we have complementary tea/coffee and cake for all visitors.

“Country music has a natural affinity with gatherings like ours and we are delighted to welcome Susan McCann and new and emerging star Cliona Hagan to Roberts Cove on this occasion. People love our festival and return every year.”

For full details on the Cork event,read more here.

Kirwan weekend

Dominic Kirwan will host his annual Omagh weekend in the Silverbirch Hotel from 24-26 July. Friends of the popular entertainer from around Ireland and the UK will again flock to Omagh for the celebrations.

The music gets underway on Friday night when Dominic and his band will be joined by Philomena Begley. The annual open-air show at the Main Street Complex in Omagh has become a popular feature of the weekend, and it gets underway at 2pm on Saturday. Dominic will be joined on stage by his sons Colm, just home from Nashville, and Barry, as well as the Pritchard family.

Tipperary outlaws

The Monaghan band, The Outlaws, will bring their distinctive brand of country to The Times Hotel on 26 July. The band has enjoyed major success with their recent singles, The Best Part of the Day is the Night, and Hanging In, Hanging Out and Barely Hanging On.

Health Scare for Anthony

Fermanagh country singer Anthony McBrien is recuperating after a major health scare. The hard-working entertainer and former Glór Tire finalist spent eight days in the intensive care unit of the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen while medical staff stabilised his kidney condition.

“I was very fortunate to have such great people take care of me,” Anthony told Country Sound at the weekend. “My reading was extremely high and I was lucky to make it through.

“I am humbled by all the good wishes from so many people that have arrived my way in the past two weeks. It has been truly amazing and these have all played a major role in raising my spirits.”

Anthony has wisely taken a decision to cut back on his hectic schedule to facilitate his recovery. “Health is everything,” says Anthony. “It is so true that we take it for granted when all is going well. I am now taking two months away from the music scene and, hopefully at that stage, I will be recovered and ready to return to the stages again.”

Bandon goes country

A major night of country music will be held in the Munster Arms Hotel in Bandon when local singer Catriona will launch her Country Favourites album on Monday, 31 August. The comperes for the night will be Phil Mack and Lisa Stanley who are coming over from England to do the honours.

The launch looks set to attract a full house and joining Catriona as guests on the night will be the Michael Collins Band, John Hogan, Art Supple, Des Willoughby, PJ Murrihy, Bernie Heaney, Jacqui Sharkey, Trevor Loughrey, Martin Power and local man Michael Buckley.