Kilkenny is all set to turn on the charm when Gowran Park Racecourse will play host to the second annual Kilkenny Country Festival on Sunday, July 1. The gala event will run for six hours from 1pm to 7pm with Mike Denver on stage for the final two hours.
The event, hosted by the Young Ireland’s GAA Club, is generating great enthusiasm around the southeast and the south midlands and the organisers are sparing no effort in ensuring that the venture will be a resounding success with nine acts on stage, all supported by the wonderful Conquerors band from Co Galway.
Last August, the folks in Kilkenny decided to launch the inaugural country music festival in the county and while the weather did not smile favourably on them on the day, the large gathering shrugged off the inclement conditions and really got into the spirit of the day. Such was the enthusiasm that it was decided there and then to do it all again in 2018.
Prepared for everything
Once again, the amenities will be top-shelf. There is ample car parking, wheelchair accessibility, bars, restaurant, toilets (no portaloos), stands (in case of rain), picnic area, children’s entertainment, chippers, ice-cream vans and a mega dance floor. They prepare for all possibilities down Kilkenny way.
Brendan Shine, one of the stalwarts of the scene in Ireland since the 1970s, will get the day off to a flying start when he takes to the stage at 1pm. The Roscommon man has had a string of hit records over the decades including The Lobby Song, The Rose of Castlerea, Three Pubs in Bohola, O’Brien Has No Place To Go, Abbeyshrule and Where The Three Counties Meet.
Paddy O’Brien hails from the neighbouring county of Waterford and has been part of the country music scene in the south east for 30 years. He released his latest CD compilation, Country Treasures, at a big show in The Hazel Tree in Mallow last Monday night. He will be on stage at 1.30pm
Mountrath native Trudi Lalor will be flying the Laois flag at Gowran Park and fills the 2pm slot. American singer, Max T Barnes, is next up at 2.30pm. His late father, Max D, wrote the song Going Out The Same Way You Came In, made famous here in Ireland by the legendary Big Tom. Max T has taken a great shine to Ireland and is a regular visitor to the country. This will be his first show in Kilkenny.
Tyrone singer Cliona Hagan is back by popular demand and the rising star is assured of a warm welcome in Gowran. Sligo man, Patrick Feeney, has also been invited back this year and he is scheduled for his half hour slot at 3.30pm.
One of the true veterans of country music, Ray Lynam from Moate, will add a real touch of class to the show. Ray represented Ireland on several occasions during the 1970s at the famous Wembley International Country Festival along with his acclaimed band, The Hillbillies. Gypsy, Jo and Me, The Gambler, The Door Is Always Open and Sweet Rosie Jones remain firm favourites with fans of Ray.
Few can work an audience as good as Philomena Begley and the Tyrone legend is a true natural when it comes to stage-craft. She is always a favourite with audiences and songs like Blanket On The Ground, Truck Driving Woman and Queen of the Silver Dollar are sure-fire winners.
Galway man Mike Denver will be coming on stage close to the time the big game in Croke Park will be drawing to a close. No doubt, it will be a source of plenty of banter for all the country music followers too. Whatever the outcome, Mike will put a smile on the faces.
Hurling
The organisers and dedicated team of volunteers are keen to inform all heading to Gowran that they will have an abundance of screens airing the Munster hurling final at 2pm and Leinster hurling final between Kilkenny and Galway at 4pm. Those with a shared interest in hurling and country music can avail of the best of both worlds in the splendid atmosphere of Gowran Park.
A pine dance floor will be in operation during the festival. There is easy parking and the venue is just 10 minutes from the motorway.
Onsite bars and restaurants and a tradition of catering for crowds at the venue all add up to what should be a most enjoyable day.
Gowran Park is an excellent venue and folks around here are well-used to catering for big crowds on racing days. That warm welcome and hospitality will be lavished in full measure on the country music fraternity on Sunday, 1 July.
Tickets are €25 and are on sale online and can also be had from local outlets. Children under 12 with adults go free. Tickets will, of course, be available at the site on the day. A shuttle bus service will run from Kilkenny Parade at 12 noon and 1pm and returning after the festival concludes at 7pm.
For further details check out the Kilkenny Country Festival page on Facebook, kilkennycountrymusicfestival.ie, or by calling 087 6406411.
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Kilkenny is all set to turn on the charm when Gowran Park Racecourse will play host to the second annual Kilkenny Country Festival on Sunday, July 1. The gala event will run for six hours from 1pm to 7pm with Mike Denver on stage for the final two hours.
The event, hosted by the Young Ireland’s GAA Club, is generating great enthusiasm around the southeast and the south midlands and the organisers are sparing no effort in ensuring that the venture will be a resounding success with nine acts on stage, all supported by the wonderful Conquerors band from Co Galway.
Last August, the folks in Kilkenny decided to launch the inaugural country music festival in the county and while the weather did not smile favourably on them on the day, the large gathering shrugged off the inclement conditions and really got into the spirit of the day. Such was the enthusiasm that it was decided there and then to do it all again in 2018.
Prepared for everything
Once again, the amenities will be top-shelf. There is ample car parking, wheelchair accessibility, bars, restaurant, toilets (no portaloos), stands (in case of rain), picnic area, children’s entertainment, chippers, ice-cream vans and a mega dance floor. They prepare for all possibilities down Kilkenny way.
Brendan Shine, one of the stalwarts of the scene in Ireland since the 1970s, will get the day off to a flying start when he takes to the stage at 1pm. The Roscommon man has had a string of hit records over the decades including The Lobby Song, The Rose of Castlerea, Three Pubs in Bohola, O’Brien Has No Place To Go, Abbeyshrule and Where The Three Counties Meet.
Paddy O’Brien hails from the neighbouring county of Waterford and has been part of the country music scene in the south east for 30 years. He released his latest CD compilation, Country Treasures, at a big show in The Hazel Tree in Mallow last Monday night. He will be on stage at 1.30pm
Mountrath native Trudi Lalor will be flying the Laois flag at Gowran Park and fills the 2pm slot. American singer, Max T Barnes, is next up at 2.30pm. His late father, Max D, wrote the song Going Out The Same Way You Came In, made famous here in Ireland by the legendary Big Tom. Max T has taken a great shine to Ireland and is a regular visitor to the country. This will be his first show in Kilkenny.
Tyrone singer Cliona Hagan is back by popular demand and the rising star is assured of a warm welcome in Gowran. Sligo man, Patrick Feeney, has also been invited back this year and he is scheduled for his half hour slot at 3.30pm.
One of the true veterans of country music, Ray Lynam from Moate, will add a real touch of class to the show. Ray represented Ireland on several occasions during the 1970s at the famous Wembley International Country Festival along with his acclaimed band, The Hillbillies. Gypsy, Jo and Me, The Gambler, The Door Is Always Open and Sweet Rosie Jones remain firm favourites with fans of Ray.
Few can work an audience as good as Philomena Begley and the Tyrone legend is a true natural when it comes to stage-craft. She is always a favourite with audiences and songs like Blanket On The Ground, Truck Driving Woman and Queen of the Silver Dollar are sure-fire winners.
Galway man Mike Denver will be coming on stage close to the time the big game in Croke Park will be drawing to a close. No doubt, it will be a source of plenty of banter for all the country music followers too. Whatever the outcome, Mike will put a smile on the faces.
Hurling
The organisers and dedicated team of volunteers are keen to inform all heading to Gowran that they will have an abundance of screens airing the Munster hurling final at 2pm and Leinster hurling final between Kilkenny and Galway at 4pm. Those with a shared interest in hurling and country music can avail of the best of both worlds in the splendid atmosphere of Gowran Park.
A pine dance floor will be in operation during the festival. There is easy parking and the venue is just 10 minutes from the motorway.
Onsite bars and restaurants and a tradition of catering for crowds at the venue all add up to what should be a most enjoyable day.
Gowran Park is an excellent venue and folks around here are well-used to catering for big crowds on racing days. That warm welcome and hospitality will be lavished in full measure on the country music fraternity on Sunday, 1 July.
Tickets are €25 and are on sale online and can also be had from local outlets. Children under 12 with adults go free. Tickets will, of course, be available at the site on the day. A shuttle bus service will run from Kilkenny Parade at 12 noon and 1pm and returning after the festival concludes at 7pm.
For further details check out the Kilkenny Country Festival page on Facebook, kilkennycountrymusicfestival.ie, or by calling 087 6406411.
Read more
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Country Sound: Sun is out for Summerfest
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