Ardara Bluegrass Festival, 18-20 July

Frank Galligan reports:

The first ever Bluegrass Festival to be held in historic and beautiful Ardara in Co. Donegal will take place from 18th to 20th July. Niall Toner will headline the opening Friday night and will also conduct songwriting workshops on Saturday 19th. On Saturday night the Dirty Blues Band and Slim Picken headline, and on Sunday 20th Woodbine and Gary Ferguson (USA) & Colin Henry.

Frank Galligan, who will officially open the Festival and be the MC for the weekend, will give a talk early Saturday afternoon about the historic links between the Donegal fiddle style and Appalachian music. Buskers/bands are warmly invited to play in the bars and streets through the weekend, and further information re accommodation etc. can be found through the Nesbitt Arms website or by e-mail to Marie and Paul Gallagher, telephone 0749541103 or e-mail Frank Galligan.