Athy's powerful programme

The Athy Bluegrass Music Association holds the 18th Athy Festival this week, beginning on Thursday 10 July, with a free concert. This year's programme is arguably the strongest for any Athy festival since 1993, including three fine American acts, all of whom will play different sets on all the main concert nights. Ten other bands will take part, with the welcome reappearance of Martin Cooney - chief organiser of the Festival for its first seven years, and (BIB editor's personal judgment) the best bluegrass 5-string banjo player in Ireland.

Full details, with pictures and bio data on bands taking part, are on the programme page of the ABMA website. Thanks as always to Tony O'Brien and the Festival's sponsors, chief among them being Albert Dunne Car Sales of Athy.

10 July

On the eve of the festival, we record with deep regret the recent death of one of its constant supporters, Donie O'Sullivan of the American Stores, Kanturk, Co. Cork. Donie's big personality and his fine small-body Martin guitar will be greatly missed in future Athy sessions.