Bluegrass Music Weekend at Lakeside Manor, Virginia, Co. Cavan

Woodbine at Bob's Bar, Durrow, Co. Laois, 1 May 2011, with Clem O'Brien deputising for his sister Nicola on bass. Tony O'Brien (centre, with guitar) reports:

The first weekend of bluegrass music in Co. Cavan - held at the Lakeside Manor Hotel, Virginia, last weekend - was a great success. Woodbine were in fine form with Clem O'Brien again filling in for Nicola, and Southern Welfare making a surprise but welcome appearance on both Friday and Saturday night. Pickin' sessions went on till 4.30 a.m. after both shows, and from 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. The weekend wound up with both bands playing together from 12.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. on Sunday.

A big 'thank you!' must go to Jim Brady of the Lakeside Manor for hosting the event and for the hospitality of himself and his staff over the weekend. The entire event was free. We look forward to the weekend becoming an annual event.

BIB editor's note: Coincidence plays another trick - during the weekend P.J. Coleman, a great supporter of bluegrass events, was talking to me about 'Red Hen boogie', recorded by the McCormick Brothers in 1954. On Monday I received this link from Bluegrass on the Tube to the very same recording.