USA visitors begin tours this week

The Hamilton County Ramblers: (l-r) Josh Hixson, Roy Curry,
James Kee, Jim Pankey, John Boulware

Thanks to Neil O'Rahilly for the suggestion that as it is now over three weeks since the BIB published the tour schedule of the Hamilton County Ramblers (above) from Chattanooga, TN - and as the tour begins this coming Friday - a reminder of the dates would be appropriate. Neil himself is hoping to see and hear the Ramblers in more than one location.

So here's the information, as shown on the neatly produced flyer available from John Nyhan. The highlights of the band's tour include the three successive weekends performing at the Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree and the Ardara Bluegrass Festival, and instructing at the first Bluegrass Camp Ireland.

Fri. 8th: Parish Hall, Ashbourne, Co. Meath, 8.30 p.m.; 087 9762337
Sat. 9th: Woodbine Bluegrass Jamboree, GAA Centre, Dublin Rd, Athy, Co. Kildare, 8.00 p.m.; 085 1656685
Sun. 10th: Tigh an Cheoil, Ring, Co. Waterford, 8.30 p.m.; 087 921771/ 087 9898560
Mon. 11th: Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; 087 7921771
Tues. 12th: An Spailpin Fanach, 27-9 South Main St., Cork city, 9.00 p.m.; 087 7921771/ 021 4277949
Wed. 13th: Schoolyard Theatre, Charleville, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; 087 7921771/ 087 1804870
Thurs. 14th: Durty Nelly's, Bunratty, Co. Clare, 8.30 p.m.; 087 7921771/ 061 361861
Fri. 15th-Sun. 17th: Ardara Bluegrass Festival, Ardara, Co. Donegal; various times; 087 6900714
Tues. 19th: Clonmel Folk Club, Main Guard, Sarsfield St., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, 8.00 p.m.; 085 8502289
Wed. 20th: Sunflower Bar, 65 Union St., Belfast BT1 2JG, 8.30 p.m.; 0044 7779721643
Thurs. 21st: The Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, 8.00 p.m.; 0044 77797120659
Fri. 22nd-Sat. 23rd: Bluegrass Camp Ireland, Headfort School, Kells, Co. Meath; 087 4110931
Sat. 23rd: Phil Murphy Weekend, Colfer's, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, 11.00 p.m. (concert starts at 9.00 p.m.); 0877928613/ 051 561159

For further inquiries on any of the above, contact John Nyhan by 'phone (087 7921771) or e-mail.

*

This is also a reminder of the tour by Gary Ferguson and Colin Henry (left), beginning a day before the Ramblers (Thurs. 7 July) and extending to 14 July, supplemented by two 'Songwriters in the round' shows.

Full details are in the links provided, and - as with the Ramblers tour schedule - all dates are on the BIB calendar.