Athy 08: the ABMA report

Under the sheltering wings: High Country during their gospel set (photo: Dave Byrne)

It has become something of a cliche to say this was the best yet after any of the bluegrass festivals in Ireland, but Athy's '08 festival has surpassed any of the previous seventeen festivals. From 9.00 p.m. on Thursday the opening night to 11.00 p.m. on Sunday the closing night, the weekend was just non-stop bluegrass. Pickin' sessions from 11.00 a.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, great afternoon shows in the hotel bar on Friday & Saturday, stunning gospel sets at noon on Sunday, and just fantastic concerts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with all bands on top of their form and superb performances from Special Consensus, High Country, and LeRoy Mack.

We had our largest audience ever over the three concerts. The atmosphere was just fantastic over the entire weekend.


Martin Cooney & Bending the Strings (photo: Dave Byrne)

Athy is the oldest bluegrass festival in Ireland, and having organised the last ten this year, it just gave me immense satisfaction to see everything just gel and hear everyone leaving the festival expressing the same satisfaction and appreciation of just a wonderful weekend of bluegrass music.


Colin Henry & Leroy Mack (photo: Janet Holmes)

A big thank you to everyone who supported us again, to the bands, and our MC Richard Hawkins. Already planning for '09,

Tony O'Brien


Nicola and Tony O'Brien (photo: Carl Mark O'Neill)

These and other photos from Athy 2008 can be seen here. More photos are welcome.