Hot times in Co. Down, 5-10 Sept. 2016

After the 25th Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh, Co. Tyrone, ends on Sunday 4 Sept., there will be plenty of bluegrass activity in Co. Down in the week immediately following, thanks to Cup O’ Joe (above) from Co. Armagh and the Down and Out Bluegrass Band (below) from the Belfast region.

No fewer than three festivals are taking place in Co. Down in that week, starting with the Ards and North Down Ulster Scots Festival. On Monday 5 Sept. Alister McReynolds will be giving a talk on the history of bluegrass in Comber Library from 7.30 to 8.30 p.m.; and from 9.00 p.m. the Down and Outs will be playing in McBride's on the Square in Comber.

As part of the same festival, Cup O’ Joe will be playing at Jonny the Jig in Holywood, Co. Down, on Wednesday 7 Sept. from 9.00 p.m.; and on Thursday 8 Sept. they will be at the Hop House, High St., Bangor, also from 9.00 p.m.

On Friday 9 Sept. (the twentieth anniversary of the death of the Father of Bluegrass Music, Bill Monroe), the Down and Outs will be playing in the Hillsborough Scout & Community Hall from 8.00 p.m. as part of the Jolly Rooks Festival. Admission is £5.

On Saturday 10 Sept. Cup O’ Joe are taking part in two separate festivals, playing on the 'All the Little Lights' stage at the Moira estate, Co. Down, as part of the Moira Calling festival, and in the 'Bread and Blues Night' at the Courthouse/Market House in Hillsborough from 7.30 p.m. as part of the Jolly Rooks Festival programme. Admission (£10) includes supper.

Phew! What it is to be young...