The hugely-popular Dunderry Fair Day takes place on 14 May. The event has blossomed over the years and now attracts a wonderful crowd to the Meath village. The local committee bring a touch of class to this special day and visitors can sample the warm hospitality throughout the day.

Country music has become an integral part of the event, especially in more recent years. Kieran O’Shea tells us that Robert Mizzell and The Country Kings top the bill and will be on the main stage at 4pm. The music gets underway at 1.30pm and others on stage include Matt Leavy and his band, the renowned Meath fiddle player Charley Arkins, Ray Murtagh, Nigel Connell, Eddie Quinn, Paul Leavy and others. The compere will be Eddie Caffrey from Louth-Meath Radio.

The day will feature a jiving competition and the adjudicators will be Mairead Gaffney and Craig Lovett. WD40, a new band from Robinstown, will also make their debut. Dunderry Fair Day has something for everyone and the organisers extend a céad míle fáilte to all.

Nuala pens top song

Two Rooms and a Kitchen, the most requested song on the new album from Robert Mizzell, was penned by Nuala Woods from Shelagh, Hackballscross, Co Louth.

Nuala was delighted when Robert decided to record the song when he first heard it. His intuition proved right, as the song is gaining widespread airplay around the country. Her best-known song before Two Rooms and a Kitchen is the popular Flash The Lights At Me, which has been recorded by Seamus Moore, Hugo Duncan and many others in recent years.

Arklow goes country

Glenart Outdoors is the title for a country night being planned for the Glenart Estate down in Arklow. It takes place on Friday, 26 May, from 8pm to midnight. A similar venture featuring Lisa McHugh as the top act will be held on 14 July.

The headline act is Lee Matthews from Tyrone and there will also be guest performances from local man, Brian Lawlor, who lived for 10 years in Nashville, and Keelan Arbuckle from Donegal. Tickets for the show are €20 and can be booked online at www.glenartoutdoors.com

Top bluegrass band on tour

The acclaimed High Plains Tradition bluegrass band from Colorado is currently on an eight-date Irish tour. The remaining four dates sees them in Tigh an Cheoil, Ring, Dungarvan, on 4 May; The Thomas Fitzgerald Centre, Bruff, Co Limerick, on 5 May; The Pikers Lodge, Lough Gowna, Co Cavan, on 6 May; and in Mannion’s of Balla (Mayo) on 7 May.

Carlow lends support

The Carlow Lions Club runs weekly Tuesday night dances in The Seven Oaks Hotel. The proceeds are used to assist various local charities and causes. Sometimes the night is given over to specific causes, such as last Tuesday week when generous proceeds were raised on behalf of MS Ireland, Carlow Branch.

Tipperary-based Peter Burke provides the music next Tuesday, 9 May, followed by The Moynihan Brothers on 16 May. Unity will be on stage on 23 May (dance in support of Bagenalstown Active Retirement), while Jimmy Hogan and Lar Kenny will entertain on the patrons on the last Tuesday in May. Admission to the dances is €8.

Geraldine on song

The talent competition at the annual Enjoy Travel Music Holidays in Spain is always an enjoyable occasion and among the highlights of the 10 day festival. The top prize last Thursday at the event held in The Amaragua Hotel in Torremolinos went to Geraldine Boland from Kilteel, Naas, who proved a very popular winner. Well done, Ger.