Country music festivals & weekends

by Roger Ryan

Country music festivals and weekend breaks are now proving very popular with Irish fans. Nowadays you can choose to spend a weeknd at an hotel at home or travel for a week or so to the States, mainly Nashville, or you may decide to do both. The choice is yours and there are lots of them. If you haven't yet decided on your annual break, then the following list of possible destinations and events may be of interest to you.

Mike Denver has quickly established himself as one of the top acts on the Irish country scene and you can join Mike for an entire weekend at Allingham Arms Hotel, Bundoran, Co. Donegal, from Feb. 10th to 13th. A choice of weekend packages is available and you can get all details by phoning 07198-41075.

If you fancy spending the Valentine's weekend in a hotel, then the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Dublin, may just have the package you're looking for. From Feb. 16th to 18th, Hugh O'Brien is presenting a Valentine's Country Music Festival, and has lined up some of the top Irish entertainers to perform for you over the weekend. The impressive list is headed up by Robert Mizzell and Mike Denver, and also includes T. R. Dallas, Gene Stuart, Colette Cavanagh, Marty Daniels, Justin McGurk, The Virginian Marie Boyle, Martin Cuff, Off The Cuff Band, Logue & McCool, and a country music disco. Apart from the excellent accomodation and entertainment, I need hardly remind you that the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre is a mere five minutes away from the hotel. Ring 021-4504841 and 087-6859895 for full details.

Over the weekend of March 3rd to March 5th, the Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, promises to give you the greatest weekend of the year with a lineup of talent that any promoter would be proud to present. Ireland's top attraction Declan Nerney heads up the impressive list which also boasts The Bards, Mike Denver, Patrick Feeney, T. R. Dallas, Brendan Grace, and (adding an international flavour) the American Drifters. A package including two nights' dinner, B&B, and all entertainment is on offer and you can get details from 09066-34663.

If you fancy some craic and sun for the St Patrick's weekend (March 17th) then Enjoy Travel may have just the tonic for you. Promoted by Gerry Flynn, they are hoping to surpass the 600 figure who attended last year's event. The destination is Malaga and among the acts booked to travel and entertain over the weekend are John McNicholl, James and Brendan Quinn, Dermot Hegarty, P. J. Murrihy, Sharon Turley, Curtis Magee, and Johnny Carroll, etc. Full details from 0044-1254-692899.

Following a very successful inaugural festival trip to Salou last year (which attracted over 300 fans) the Billy Morrissey Management will stage their second Annual Country & Irish Dancing Festival at the 4 Star Regina Grand Hotel, Salou, from Friday May 5th to Friday May 12th. This year's lineup is again top-class and consists of Louise Morrissey, Michael English, John Hogan, Trudi Lalor, Tom Healy, Seabreeze, Nicky Kealy, Denis Cary & Denis Allen, and Tommy's Country Roadshow. The super package includes accommodation, food, poolside entertainment each afternoon, dancing and singing 'til all hours of the morning. This is sure to sell out fast so contact Billy Morrissey at 062-63773 if you are interested in travelling.

Ulster Travel have some very attractives packages on offer this year beginning with an eight-day Country, Rodeo and Linedance Tour departing on Sept. 1st. A similar tour will depart on Nov. 17th and both will visit Dallas, Little Rock, Memphis and Nashville. On Sept. 25th and Nov. 6th the same company will depart for a ten-day escorted tour of Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Dollywood, taking in Sun Studios, Graceland, Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry, and lots of shopping. Ring 048-87722985 for details.

Mick Flavin fans are looking forward to spending some time with their hero for the Ultimate Country Tour to Tennessee from Sept 4th to Sept 14th. While Mick has visited Nashville etc many times on his own, this will be the first time that he has taken a group of his fans with him, and he has promised that it will be a trip to remember for them. Apart from visiting all the usual spots in Nashville, Mick will also be entertaining his fans and has lined up some of his friends in Nashville to come out and say hello and maybe sing a song or two. Contact Eugene on 086-8035558 and he will be only too pleased to fill you in on all the details of this exciting trip.

Louisiana-born Robert Mizzell, who has now established himself as one of the top entertainers on the Irish country music scene, is always happy to take a group of his fans back to his homeland and show them some of the sights associated with country music. From the end of Oct. until Nov. 6th Robert will head up a tour of Nashville, Tennessee which he promises will include music, shopping, and a river cruise. Contact Drift Away Travel for full details at 074-9124633.

Cork-based promoter Hugh O'Brien is a well known figure around Nashville now, due to the fact that he has been organising tours to that popular country music mecca for quite some time. Come November Hugh will embark on his tenth tour to Nashville, and proof of the popularity of his annual trips is the fact that a lot of people are making their second and third trip to Nashville with him. The tour will depart on Nov. 1st and return on Nov. 11th, and during that time will visit all the usual attractions in Nashville, Memphis, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, etc. You will also get the opportunity to visit three of the biggest shopping malls in the States. Ring 021-4504841 or 087-6859895 for details of this pre-Christmas trip.