This is a subscriber-only article
Strumming, singing and dancing at Bluegrass Omagh
Bluegrass Omagh 2019 is ready to roll. The largest gathering of bluegrass bands and followers on the island of Ireland takes place at the enchanting Ulster American Folk Park a few miles from Omagh this weekend.
They will be strumming on the porches of the log cabins, dancing in the cobbled streets and jamming outside the General Store as aficionados and musicians breathe in the intoxicating sounds of vibrant bluegrass music and song.
One might as well be in the bluegrass state of Kentucky or the hollers of North Carolina as the Folk Park comes alive with this infectious music that is a shared tradition on both sides of the broad Atlantic.
This is the 18th year of Bluegrass Omagh and the festival gets underway in the Park at 12.30pm on Friday 30 August. It will be music, song and celebrations all the way through until 11.30pm with food outlets and bars catering for the revellers who love their country music.
The festival swings back into action just after noon on Saturday with music on all five stages spread through the Folk Park. As usual, Richard Hurst and his co-ordinating team have brought together another fine batch of entertainers from the USA, Ireland, the UK and continental Europe.
The line up for Saturday includes Joe Mullins and The Radio Ramblers, Front Country, Chris Jones and The Night Drivers, Bill and The Belles, Hoot & Holler and Bailey Mountain Cloggers (all from USA), Paris Texas Band (Belgium), The Buffalo Gals (England), Dr Bluegrass (England), Martha L. Healy (Scotland), Geordie McAdam (Down), Broken String Band (Down), Knotty Pine String Band (Tyrone), Northern Exposure (Armagh), Bluegrass Festival Choir (Fermanagh and Tyrone).
Many of the acts featuring at the afternoon sessions on Saturday are also performing on Sunday 1 September. The nighttime concert shows are held at 8pm on all three nights and patrons can look forward to a weekend of world-class Bluegrass and Old-Time music. Further details available from the Ulster American Folk Park or by checking the Bluegrass Omagh website or Facebook page.
English headlines Cootehill
The annual concert in support of Drumlin House Training Centre and St Christopher’s Hospice in Cavan will be staged in the Errigal Hotel in Cootehill on Thursday 12 September. This is the eighth year of the event which is organised by John and Anne McIntyre.
The show attracts a large and loyal clientele from the Cavan region and also from much further afield.
Michael English and his band will once again headline this year’s event as they have done for the past few years. The guest performers who will join them on this occasion are PJ Murrihy from Clare, Mick Mulhern from Mayo and Damian Davis from Monaghan. John McIntyre and his band will, as usual, be also on the bill.
Joe Finnegan from Shannonside Northern Sound Radio is compere for the night. Tickets are €20 and are available from the hotel reception and the usual outlets. The show starts at 8.30pm.
Armagh singer for Scottish Festival
South Armagh singer Kerry Fearon will headline the Maverick magazine acoustic stage at the 25th Millport Country Music Festival on the Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland.
Joining Kerry on stage on Friday night 30 August, will be Newry singer songwriter Tony McLoughlin.
The festival will be staged over three days this weekend and attracts a large gathering to Cumbrae.
SHARING OPTIONS: