Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival from August 23rd to August 26th 2018

Now in its 24th year, the Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival, is still proving as alluring as ever for top music acts, as some of the industry’s greatest bluegrass and country music acts line up for the free four-day festival in the Co. Waterford village from August 23rd to August 26th.

Fans of bluegrass, honky-tonk, blues, country, Americana and rhythm ‘n’ roots are in for a real musical treat as the picturesque village’s International Bluegrass Festival will feature 14 artists playing almost 40 free gigs throughout the village.

Headlining this year’s festival is North Carolina's Amanda Anne Platt and the Honeycutters, an old school country roots band that effortlessly blends rock, folk and country. Making a return to Dunmore East is California’s Whiskey Deaf. Fiddle player Annie Staninec and John Kael, an established songwriter, will give two traditional bluegrass guitar and fiddle workshops on Friday, August 24th. Places are €10 and pre-booking is essential.

Some perennial favourites returning to Dunmore East’s Bluegrass Festival include Demolition String Band, Woodbine, Mons Wheeler Band and the Backyard Band. New acts to line up in 2018 are Brother’s Parker, Pilgrim Street, Kiss My Grass, Bert and Henry, Charlie Reader, Vickers Vimy, and Whistle.

Mick Daly, Festival Organiser is delighted with the calibre of both first-time and returning bands playing at the festival. “We have a great line-up of bluegrass, country, rockabilly, roots and Americana acts this year. We are excited about welcoming the Honeycutters to Dunmore for the first time, but also equally excited about the return of some of the big names that have appeared over the years. Many of the bands that play the Dunmore Bluegrass Festival feed off the fantastic energy of the crowd and the fact that it is set to a stunning coastal backdrop is a bonus.”

The 24th Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival, Co. Waterford kicks off on Thursday evening, August 23rd at the Spinnaker Bar and Restaurant, and heralds the start of 14 bands, playing almost 40 free gigs throughout the village.

For more information visit www.discoverdunmore.com or keep up to date on the Discover Dunmore East facebook page.