Top line-up at Ballymore Country Music Festival

Ballymore Country Music Festival returns this year on Bank Holiday Monday August 1, bigger and better than ever.

Headlining this year's event is Derek Ryan and his band who will perform a 90-minute set at the popular festival which returns following a Covid-19 enforced break. Also on stage on the day is Cliona Hagan, Johnny Brady, Robert Mizzell, Gerry Gutherie, Ciaran Rosney and Brid Shaughnessy. All of the performers will bebacked by the award-winning Sheerin Family Band. Playing support will be Andy Feery and Saddletramp.

Now in its tenth year after being revived from the 80s, Ballymore Country Music Festival has proven to be Ireland's premier country music event with five hours of non-stop music from 1pm to 6pm. This year the organisers have changed from a plastic dance floor to a timber dance floor with will be a huge hit with the dancers. A fully licensed bar, food vendors and children’s entertainment are just a few off the many attractions to families.

The festival takes place at the Ballymore GAA grounds. The gates open at noon and the first band takes to the stage at 12.30. There is a parking on the site, and nearby a second carpark, and there will be a shuttle bus running to and from that carpark and from Ballymore village.

A real community affair, the event is organised by Ballymore GAA and Fr Dalton's Hurling Club, who put in days of effort in the run-up to the concert getting everything ready, and laying out the bales of straw that act as seating.

The local Gaelic for Mothers and Others group will be serving refreshments and freshly-made sandwiches on site. All funds raised from that venture will go towards the development of the local sports facilities and the focus at the moment is on having a gym provided at the GAA Club.

Tickets at €25 are available from www.ballymorecountrymusicfestival.com website. Children under 12 are admitted free as long as they are accompanied by an adult.