Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival line-up complete

Press release


At the launch of the 15th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival: (back row, l-r) Michael Power (Power’s Bar), Mick Daly (chairman, Dunmore East Tourism), Stephen Tabb (Ocean Hotel), Adriano Cavaliere (Azzurro), Joe Fortune (Ocean Hotel); (front row, l-r) Cliften Foyle (Strand Inn), Sharon Kelly (Haven Hotel), Niall Edmondson (Spinnaker)

The line-up is complete and the countdown has begun to this summer's Guinness International Bluegrass Festival in Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.

If banjo pickin', foot tappin' mandolin pluckin', barnstormin', step dancin', fiddle playin', double-bass clawin' sessions are for you, then Dunmore East is the only place to be from 27th to 30th August.

This is the fifteenth year in which roots music pilgrims will flock to Dunmore East for the free, family-orientated festival. All of the famous local hostelries will play host to over fifty free gigs throughout the weekend with local, national, and international bands playing a variety of traditional and contemporary bluegrass music.

After some headline-stealing performances at last year's festival, the Martini Cowboy is back. Described as 'gritty down-home country as it should be' by Time Out New York, the Jack Grace Band brings a unique New York urban style to bluegrass and is definitely not to be missed.

The lure of Dunmore East proved too much for the Jeff & Vida Band from New Orleans, which takes to the Dunmore East stages again this year. Probably one of New Orleans's best known acoustic roots acts, the band will perform a repertoire of original material spanning from Appalachian bluegrass to alternative country.

New to the Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival line–up is Sarah Grey. Although born in New Hampshire, Sarah has spent the last four decades living in Scotland and England and has established herself as one of the most popular singers on the folk scene. Sara needs to be heard to be believed as her melody–laden voice imparts powerful and distinctive ballads.

Apart from some of the biggest US names in bluegrass and country appearing at the 15th Guinness Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival, some well known Irish acts will take to the coastal stages, including Knotty Pine, Cotton Pickin’ Rodeo Clowns, Molly Hicks, and Little Ass Birds among others.

No stranger to festivals in the south-east, the Swingin’ Bluecats will bring a 'big band' feel to the festival with this energetic six-piece 'suited and booted' in 1940s retro-style blue suits. Expect classics by legends such as Jackie Wilson, Bill Haley, Louis Jordan, and many more big names.

The festival has been organised every year since 1995 by Mick Daly [right], a promoter with an eclectic vision; mixing old-time, country, bluegrass, and futuristic newgrass acts. According to Mick,

the festival has evolved organically in the last fifteen years to become one of the most anticipated bluegrass festivals in Europe... With acts catering for the tastes of hardened roots music fans right through to those who just enjoy a great old style, toe–tappin’ tune, Dunmore East has something for everybody this year, and it’s all free.

For those who want to sample what the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival has to offer, many of the bands will be performing in a bluegrass showcase at Blackfriars in Waterford city on Saturday 29 Aug. and Sunday 30 Aug. Bring the kids along for a great afternoon of free family-friendly activities.

For more information about the 15th Guinness International Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival in Co. Waterford, visit the website. Mick Daly is available for interview on 051 878 832 / 087 256 2899 or e-mail.