The Monaghan Town Country Music Festival is back. Last year’s inaugural event was a resounding success and attracted thousands over the four nights.

Live in The Diamond was the talk of the region and even the organisers were taken aback by the huge interest generated by the event. They were also blessed with beautiful weather for the occasion. The Diamond was packed for the Saturday night show, featuring home county heroes Big Tom and The Mainliners, with fans arriving from all over Ireland.

Such was the enthusiasm for another festival that the organisers put plans into operation good and early. Now they are all ready to welcome thousands of revellers to the town over another four nights.

The line-up

Jimmy Buckley and his band get the festival underway tonight, Thursday, 17 July. Young Carlow singer and songwriter, Derek Ryan (who performs in The Olympia, Dublin, tonight) is the star attraction on the Friday night.

Mike Denver and his band take their show to Monaghan on Saturday night, while Nathan Carter is expected to have people dancing the night away on the Sunday, with many taking in the show on the way back from the Ulster GAA final between Monaghan and Donegal in Clones.

The nightly shows are from 9.30pm to 11.30pm and many of the pubs in the town are also laying on their own entertainment.

Admission to the shows in The Diamond is just €10 a night and the organisers are, once again, looking forward to wonderful support here in the heart of country music territory.