Guinness International Bluegrass Festival, Dunmore East

The Guinness Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival is becoming a family tradition for those who enjoy contagious music in this picturesque holiday village on the Waterford coast in the sunny southeast of Ireland.

The international festival, held annually the last weekend in August, is famous for its celebration of bluegrass and Americana music in a completely relaxed family-friendly atmosphere. Now in its thirteenth year, the Dunmore East festival provides a safe haven for tourists and music buffs from all over Europe, from the Americas, and even further afield.

Holidaymakers will enjoy the warm ocean breezes and discover a beautiful beach and placid harbour, with a breathtaking view across to the Hook Lighthouse in neighbouring County Wexford. During the day, couples stroll among the thatched cottages, with placid marine views; meanwhile, kids explore the craggy coves, play on the beach, swim and dive into safe, calm waters. Sun-worshippers and beachcombers have always enjoyed the inviting climate of Dunmore East, where there is nary-a-care sunbathing and swimming.

Over four days, the buzz never stops in this off-the-beaten-path paradise, with a dozen delightful bands playing music both indoors and outdoors to enraptured audiences. Spread out comfortably are the festival's six attractive venues: the Strand, Power's, the Ocean Hotel, the Haven Hotel, the Spinnaker, and the Ship.

There are impromptu jam sessions going on all the time, where the performers and audience sit and talk together, relaxing to enchanting fiddle, guitar, and banjo music, or the rich, complex sound of a full bluegrass band, in lovely gardens or cosy pub settings.

There is no admission fee and local and international bands move around from venue to venue throughout the weekend – starting at eight on Friday evening and noon on Saturday and Sunday, and going on till past midnight on all three days.

Several restaurants all specialising in fresh seafood dishes dot this serene fishing village, offering fine dining and tranquil scenery. Stroll down to one of the many bathing places for a swim; or to the harbour for the atmosphere of a real fishing village; or sample the fresh Guinness or huge variety of single malt whiskeys at the grand Haven Hotel. Other activities in Dunmore East include golf, angling, fishing, pony trekking, biking, sailing, and wind surfing. Lovely cottages, fine hotels with magnificent sea views, B&Bs and pubs with friendly staff also recommend this comfortable and idyllic vacation spot.

With so many reasons for holidaymakers and music pilgrims to come to the annual Guinness International Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival, it's not just the same friendly faces who turn up every year – new fans and vacationers keep coming from all across Europe and America to this most hospitable of fiestas that never seems to stop growing and improving. It's hard to imagine a better setting for a music festival and a family get-together.

Review by Tom Hanway, 14 November 2006