High Country at Naul, 7 July

Enda and Geraldine Donnelly were there (Geraldine in foreground, above; apologies to Tom Bekeny on fiddle, who is out of shot. Enda (leader of Fair City Grass) reports:

It was very fitting for us to be there at a great bluegrass night out, being it was our annual wedding anniversary. It was nice to also get a surprise renewed replacement copy of Can't you hear me calling: the life of Bill Monroe, which I lent out some years ago.

While not entirely a full house, nevertheless a very enthusiastic audience enjoyed every bit of the show. All the band members played with great energy, especially after their long drive from Tramore.

May I add they had considerable difficulty finding Naul, which seems to be a problem for a lot of bands, even listeners from time to time. The route can now be Googled from one's home address to there. The best way is not to take any short cross-country route. Take M50, then M1 north & take left turnoff to R122, e.g. it's a 55-mile round trip to & from Knocklyon.

To sum up, it was lovely to renew my acquaintance with original band members Butch, Jim, Larry, & Tom when myself & my first bluegrass band, the Bluegrass Revue, met High Country and shared the lineup of bands at the 2nd North Wales Bluegrass Festival 1991. I believe we were the first Irish bluegrass band to play there, and at the long established Edale Bluegrass Festival.

Jim & Larry remembered it with fond memories. I'm sure everyone will wish them a great trip around Ireland & good luck with their many shows.