Dunmore East Bluegrass returning for 29th year

The Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival is returning for its 29th outing this August. 

The festival runs from this Friday, August 23, until Sunday, August 25 across the beautiful seaside town. 

This year will see Hank Wangford & The Messages taking to the stage at Carbally Community Centre.

Hank has been referred to as the Godfather of alternative country music, whose work has influenced acts such as Billy Bragg, The The and Alabama 3.

The Messages are a band of Donegal and Cavan musicians, made up of Seanen Brennan (Kila) on guitar, bouzouki and harmonies, Fiona Maria Fitzpatrick on guitar and harmony vocals and Denise Boyle (the Henry Girls and others) on fiddle, mandolin and harmonies.

The New York Times said of him: "If you want originality, something that still has the bite and twang that drained out of so much country, the sharp cutting wit and the rawness of hard country, then there is only one man to see. His name is Hank Wangford."

At age 85, Hank is showing no intention of slowing down, coming fresh from his stalwart set at Glastonbury. 

There will be a free shuttle bus to take guests from Costcutters in the village to the venue. Gates are open at 2pm and Mons Wheeler Big Band come on at 3pm for support. Tickets can be booked on discoverdunmore.com.

The festival welcomes musicians from all over the world, bringing their own unique bluegrass/country musical stylings to Dunmore East. 

Coming from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Ashlee Watkins and Andrew Small are an acoustic folk duo who play fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and guitars. 

Favourites like Woodbine and Whistle will also be returning to Dunmore East. 

Along with a diverse musical programme, the festival will also feature free acts along with fiddle and guitar workshops.