Athy festival - updates

Tony O'Brien, organiser of the Athy Bluegrass Festival, announces that the complete programme for this year's event (10-12 July) is now on the Festival website. Athy is the oldest annual bluegrass festival in Ireland, and this year's festival will be the twenty-fifth since it began in 1991.

The concerts this year will move into the large hall in the GAA Centre, and the club has informed Tony that no children under 14 will be allowed at the night concerts. Also, camper vans are welcome but will be strictly supervised this year. Tony adds that tickets are selling fast, so people should book now to avoid disappointment. Admission to each of the main concerts is €15, and a full weekend ticket is €35. Bookings can be made by 'phone (085 1656685) or e-mail. The Athy Bluegrass Festival Facebook adds that tickets for concerts must be pre-booked and paid for on arrival.

The website gives full details of all bands on the concert schedule - 4 Wheel Drive (NL/D/B), the Patuxent Partners (USA), The Plough (AUS), KingBlue, and the host band, Woodbine. The Patuxent Partners will be playing on all three days; 4 Wheel Drive on Friday and Saturday; KingBlue on Saturday and Sunday; and Woodbine on Friday and Sunday.

The additional free programme includes an 'Absent Friends' concert from 2.00 to 4.00 p.m. at the Athy Community Arts Centre on Saturday, featuring 4 Wheel Drive, The Plough, and Tony with guests, to commemorate friends who have passed over in the 25 years since the Festival began; and acoustic sessions in Pat Dunne's bar - at 10.00 p.m. on Saturday with The Plough, and at 8.30 p.m. on Sunday as the Festival finale.