The mantle of Music Capital of Ireland will rest easy on Kilkenny shoulders on Sunday, 14 July. The famous Gowran Park Racecourse will host the third annual Kilkenny Country Music Festival in the afternoon while Bob Dylan and Neil Young will present their show in Nowlan Park later the same evening.

The warm and welcoming spirit of the Kilkenny people will see them embrace both events in style and all patrons who descend on the county are assured of the best of hospitality.

The Young Irelands GAA Club is the powerhouse behind the country festival and the dedicated and highly motivated committee is sparing no effort in promoting this big Country Hoedown at the home of racing in Kilkenny.

Gowran Park has some of the finest facilities available for an outdoor country festival. Honed from experience in catering for the race meetings, it covers all avenues ranging from superb access and parking to ample bars, restaurants, toilets and wheelchair accessibility, stands for cover in case of summer showers or for shade from the hot sun. The comfort of patrons is a priority for all associated with the Gowran venture

Galway man Mike Denver is the headline act at the big day. Hailing from the hurling stronghold of Portumna and a close friend of the legendary Joe Canning and his brothers, Mike is sure to feel very much at home here in the heart of hurling country in the southeast.

Michael English will make the journey from Portlaoise for the day in Gowran Park and is looking forward to delivering an infectious and energetic show on the day. Limerick native Jimmy Buckley will travel from Galway to entertain the patrons with his traditional blend of country standards.

Mick Flavin has been added to the line-up and has been assured of a special welcome on his debut at the Kilkenny Festival where he will perform a selection of his best-loved songs.

Laois native Trudi Lalor, who also presents a regular show on Tipp FM, feels very much at home at the country festivals while Patrick Feeney delivers a nice mix of country favourites and some big ballads. The Conquerors from Galway will bring their own magic and genius to the occasion.

Karina Langton from the Kilkenny Country Festival committee says it is going to be a truly special day for Kilkenny. “Gowran is the perfect venue for a summer country festival. There is easy access for traffic, no problems with car parking, lots of seating and so many facilities. It is also very family-friendly

“Our festival runs from 1pm to 6.30pm with Mike Denver bringing the curtains down as our last act of the evening. There will be shuttle buses running to and from Kilkenny on the day and these will also enable anyone who wants to catch the Bob Dylan and Neil Young concert in Nowlan Park to get there in time for that show.”

Tickets are €25 and are available on kilkennycountrymusicfestival.ie and the usual outlets including Porters, Kilkenny, and Rollercoaster Records, Kilkenny, as well as at the gate on the day.

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