Westport - pre-Festival gigs programme

Uri Kohen of Electric Cave Production reports from Westport, Co. Mayo:

As we are shaping the lineup for the 4th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, we will also run another series of gigs to promote the event. The gigs are all at Geraghty's pub on the Octagon in Westport, Co. Mayo, and are free to the public.

First we will see the return of David Hope on Sunday 25 October 2009. David is one of Ireland's finest folk musicians and has earned himself a growing fan base in the town.

On Saturday 28 November 2009 we will host the West of Eden Dublin folk band, with their take on some classics with a taste of their own material.

On Friday 4 December 2009 Ben Reel will make his way to the west. He will arrive as part of a very busy cross-country tour on the back of intensive radio time on the main national stations.

Two gigs are already booked for the new year: on Saturday 30 January 2010 we will give stage for a fine folk/bluegrass trio from Galway, Mad Uncle Harry, performing a raw but beautifully presented bluegrass show.

To finish this series, on Saturday 13 February 2010 we will host Clive Barnes. Clive is one of Ireland's most talented steel guitar players, who wins himself great reviews everywhere he performs.

As mentioned above, all gigs are free as part of a motion of putting Westport on the musical map of Ireland.