The Bannow-Rathangan Show Grounds at Killag, less than two miles from famed Kilmore Quay in the south of the county, will play host to the third annual Southeast Country Festival and the hard-working committee is hoping that the sun continues to shine for the big day.
There has always been a strong appreciation and loyal following for country music in this region of the southeast down through the years.
All the top performers played in Adamstown and places like Kilmuckridge, while the hotels in Gorey have hosted many of the major acts over the last decade.
The late Larry Cunningham enjoyed a number one hit with Slaney Valley, as did Limerick native Tommy Drennan with Boolavogue. The county is home to the Davitt Country Band and the Moynihan Brothers (formerly the Dave Moynihan Band), both based out of Ferns.
The Kinsella Brothers were a hugely popular country band back in the late 1970s and 1980s, and Nick recorded some fine country albums over the years.
Host of the most
Tony Kehoe has become the voice of country music on South East Radio and he will compere the big day in Killag.
Five evenings a week, as well as Saturday morning, Tony brings listeners a great variety of country and his South East Radio top 10 popularity chart has become an institution.
“They have a great committee in place and they really invoke the spirit of Wexford, with the community rallying to the cause in such style.
"It is an absolute privilege to be involved with such a great committee and to be part of the big day in the southeast,” says Tony.
The festival runs from 1pm to 7pm and features five acts, along with the excellent Conquerors Band from Galway.
Mike Denver, who headlined the recent Kilkenny Festival, returns to Wexford again this year. The Galway man loves the big outdoor festivals and has developed a well-chosen repertoire that goes down a treat.
Jimmy Buckley is very much looking forward to his trip. The Limerick native, who resides in Co Galway, has been a major name on the Irish country circuit for the last two decades.
Gerry Guthrie hails from Ballina on the banks of the Moy in Mayo, and he has been blazing his own trail on the country circuit in recent years.
A fine singer and excellent guitar player, Gerry is managed by Henry McMahon, band leader with The Mainliners.
Cliona Hagan has seen her star rise high in the last two years and the young Tyrone singer is sure to delight the audience down Wexford way.
Completing the lineup is another young Tyrone artist, Lee Matthews, who has enjoyed good success, especially up north, with songs like Cotton Eyed Joe and Sadie’s Got Her New Dress On.
Heart and soul
Matt Reville, chair of the committee, represents the heart and soul of what the Southeast Country Fest is all about. He exudes passion for the festival and the music.
“We are blessed with a tremendous committee and a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers who have been planning this festival for months.
"It is an absolute privilege to be involved with such a community event. We are so grateful to James White and his family, on whose grounds this event takes place.
"The White family has been so accommodating to us all and they are such an integral part of the local farming community.
“It is a brilliant venue and parking is so easy, which makes it a joy for all who make the journey to this lovely part of our county.
“We will have a 1,000 sq m dancefloor for those who want to jive, waltz and dance the afternoon away and we have plenty of seating for those who just want to sit back, relax and enjoy the music. There are also full bar and food facilities on-site.
“Tony Kehoe will be doing his show as an outside broadcast from the grounds earlier in the morning before the festival gets underway, he will then compere the proceedings throughout the afternoon.
"We are also very grateful to Johnny Barry on KCLR, John O’Shea on WLR and our friends on Tipp FM, Midlands Radio and East Coast Radio (Wicklow) for their generous support and publicity, as well as our excellent local newspapers that have been so supportive and helpful to us at all times.”
Tickets for the Southeast Country Fest are €25, available from the usual outlets or can be booked online. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. Further details in relation to tickets can be had by calling 089-2029 871. CL
• Check out the Southeast Country Music Festival web and Facebook pages for further news and updates. Read more
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The Bannow-Rathangan Show Grounds at Killag, less than two miles from famed Kilmore Quay in the south of the county, will play host to the third annual Southeast Country Festival and the hard-working committee is hoping that the sun continues to shine for the big day.
There has always been a strong appreciation and loyal following for country music in this region of the southeast down through the years.
All the top performers played in Adamstown and places like Kilmuckridge, while the hotels in Gorey have hosted many of the major acts over the last decade.
The late Larry Cunningham enjoyed a number one hit with Slaney Valley, as did Limerick native Tommy Drennan with Boolavogue. The county is home to the Davitt Country Band and the Moynihan Brothers (formerly the Dave Moynihan Band), both based out of Ferns.
The Kinsella Brothers were a hugely popular country band back in the late 1970s and 1980s, and Nick recorded some fine country albums over the years.
Host of the most
Tony Kehoe has become the voice of country music on South East Radio and he will compere the big day in Killag.
Five evenings a week, as well as Saturday morning, Tony brings listeners a great variety of country and his South East Radio top 10 popularity chart has become an institution.
“They have a great committee in place and they really invoke the spirit of Wexford, with the community rallying to the cause in such style.
"It is an absolute privilege to be involved with such a great committee and to be part of the big day in the southeast,” says Tony.
The festival runs from 1pm to 7pm and features five acts, along with the excellent Conquerors Band from Galway.
Mike Denver, who headlined the recent Kilkenny Festival, returns to Wexford again this year. The Galway man loves the big outdoor festivals and has developed a well-chosen repertoire that goes down a treat.
Jimmy Buckley is very much looking forward to his trip. The Limerick native, who resides in Co Galway, has been a major name on the Irish country circuit for the last two decades.
Gerry Guthrie hails from Ballina on the banks of the Moy in Mayo, and he has been blazing his own trail on the country circuit in recent years.
A fine singer and excellent guitar player, Gerry is managed by Henry McMahon, band leader with The Mainliners.
Cliona Hagan has seen her star rise high in the last two years and the young Tyrone singer is sure to delight the audience down Wexford way.
Completing the lineup is another young Tyrone artist, Lee Matthews, who has enjoyed good success, especially up north, with songs like Cotton Eyed Joe and Sadie’s Got Her New Dress On.
Heart and soul
Matt Reville, chair of the committee, represents the heart and soul of what the Southeast Country Fest is all about. He exudes passion for the festival and the music.
“We are blessed with a tremendous committee and a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers who have been planning this festival for months.
"It is an absolute privilege to be involved with such a community event. We are so grateful to James White and his family, on whose grounds this event takes place.
"The White family has been so accommodating to us all and they are such an integral part of the local farming community.
“It is a brilliant venue and parking is so easy, which makes it a joy for all who make the journey to this lovely part of our county.
“We will have a 1,000 sq m dancefloor for those who want to jive, waltz and dance the afternoon away and we have plenty of seating for those who just want to sit back, relax and enjoy the music. There are also full bar and food facilities on-site.
“Tony Kehoe will be doing his show as an outside broadcast from the grounds earlier in the morning before the festival gets underway, he will then compere the proceedings throughout the afternoon.
"We are also very grateful to Johnny Barry on KCLR, John O’Shea on WLR and our friends on Tipp FM, Midlands Radio and East Coast Radio (Wicklow) for their generous support and publicity, as well as our excellent local newspapers that have been so supportive and helpful to us at all times.”
Tickets for the Southeast Country Fest are €25, available from the usual outlets or can be booked online. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. Further details in relation to tickets can be had by calling 089-2029 871. CL
• Check out the Southeast Country Music Festival web and Facebook pages for further news and updates. Read more
Mairead Lavery: Another field bites the dust
Country Sound: Ireland's going all western
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