Westport will roll out the carpet and extend a warm welcome to all visitors to the Folk and Bluegrass Festival in the town from 7-9 June. This is the 13th year of the festival which continues to grow and expand and which was inaugurated by bluegrass aficionado, Uri Kohen, back in 2007.

The Mayo town is famous for its friendliness and easy-going nature and is a natural home to this Bluegrass and Folk Festival where musicians perform jam sessions all around the town over the three days. Uri Kohen is thrilled with how the festival has grown since its inception and now attracts visitors from overseas.

“People who come here for the first time are completely taken by the welcome and the natural warmth of the people. They return year after year and they also spread the news about the Westport Festival.

On the local side, we are delighted to welcome back the iconic Old Time session with Tim Rogers

“We have a unique local, national and international line-up and we are very pleased with the quality of the acts taking part this year. We have more than 10 acts from overseas as well as some excellent ones from the island of Ireland.

“On the local side, we are delighted to welcome back the iconic Old Time session with Tim Rogers and a much-loved but very rare appearance by Mayo’s own bluegrass band, The Rocky Top String Band, who are such huge favourites with patrons.

“Niall Hanna from Belfast will headline the Sunday night concert and other acts from Ireland are the golden trio of Bill Forster, Ger O’Donnell and Leo Hayes as well as David Hope and Eoin Meachair and Alfi.”

A huge welcome awaits the incredibly talented AJ Lee and Blue Summit

Bluegrass dominates the international acts with some making their first appearance and others a welcome return. The Local Honeys, comprising of Linda Jean Stokley and Montana Hobbs, are from the rolling hills of Kentucky and immersed in the spirit of Kentucky bluegrass music.

A huge welcome awaits the incredibly talented AJ Lee and Blue Summit. AJ, who along with Molly Tuttle is one of the new pioneering bluegrass artists coming out of California, will ensure Westport patrons are in for a treat when she performs during the festival.

The weekend also features the Big Chimney Barn Dance, Switchgrass Delta, Haakon Oyen and Clara Delfina (all from the USA), Jessica Person and The East Wind (Canada), Bluegrass 43 (France), Red Herring (Holland), The Lowly Strung (UK) and Molly and The Blackbriar (UK). The festival will stage over 25 official concerts, pub gigs, workshops, a Luthier showcase, a children’s concert and many spontaneous sessions.

Further details are available from Uri on 087 7570958 and from westportfolkbluegrass.com/.

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