Ballymore Country Music Festival hopes to dispel the summertime blues in style, when the biggest country event in the Midlands will take the stage on bank holiday Monday, 3 August. And if tradition really does count, Ballymore is on a winner from the outset.

The small Westmeath village, a few miles from Moate, was among the earliest pioneers of the big outdoor country festivals here in Ireland. The local GAA club, fully aware of the central location of Westmeath showed great foresight in launching the Ballymore Country Festival in the late 1970s.

Crowds flocked from all over to enjoy many of the top acts of the era. Local band Ray Lynam and The Hillbillies were a major attraction those days, fresh from their Wembley appearances.

The fame of the small village spread far and wide, and Ballymore became synonymous with county music.

Liam Claffey from Moate, one of the leading men behind the current festival, says Ballymore enjoyed iconic status on the festival circuit back then.

“There has been a strong tradition of country music in this region for many years. Paschal Mooney, who had his own shows on RTE radio at the time, was compere for the annual festivals.

“Toss Martin was very prominent in organising the Ballymore Festival in those years. Brendan Shine is the only direct link between that era and today.

“He has played at every Ballymore Festival and we are delighted to have him back again this year as he is celebrating 50 years in showbusiness. Brendan comes from just a few miles the Roscommon side of Athlone and he still retains a special rapport with audiences. He’s a real trooper and has some great yarns to relate from former times.”

Nathan Carter and Derek Ryan are among the headline acts for Ballymore this year. Carter is truly on the crest of a wave and enjoying a phenomenal year.

Ryan makes a welcome return after appearing on the festival lineup when it was resurrected for the Year of the Gathering 2013.

Both guys have brought a whole new generation to the country genre. Songs like Wagon Wheel and The Belle of Liverpool are sure to be heard from these boys during the afternoon.

Jimmy Buckley will be making his first appearance at the festival. Robert Mizzell, Mike Denver and Johnny Brady are back by popular demand for the third year in a row. Lisa McHugh also makes a return visit, having performed at the 2013 show.

The Sheerin Band is enjoying a major surge in popularity, with a whole new appreciation emerging for this exceptionally talented family combination.

Danny and Tom Sheerin have penned an original song about the festival, called The Ballymore Country Music Festival, and this can now be viewed on YouTube.

The band is assured a warm reception when it performs on home ground at Ballymore.

For Liam Claffey and the organising committee, Monday represents the culmination of many months of planning and hard work.

“It really is a major undertaking and a massive effort has gone into promoting Ballymore this year. Some of us were down in Holycross at its recent festival and it was amazing and wonderful to see such terrific support for the Tipperary Country Festival this year.

“We are hoping for similar success and we have the lineup that should deliver in style. Loads of enquiries have been pouring in from around Ireland as well as the UK. We are using Castle Stage Hire from Armagh and the company has been brilliant in the planning and on the run-up to the big day. The regional radio stations and newspapers are all very supportive of our festival. We are also holding a party night dance with Johnny Brady in The Well (Moate) to round off the festival in style,” says Liam.

The Ballymore Festival committee extends a céad míle fáilte to all patrons on Monday afternoon. Gates open at noon, with live music from 12.30pm onwards. There are full bar and catering facilities on site.

Admission is €25 and under 14s go free. Good stewarding and ample free car parking beside the venue should all play a role in the smooth running of the big day.

Tickets can be purchased in advance by visiting ballymoregaa.ie and they will also be available on the day.