Guinness International Bluegrass Festival returns to its roots for 2015!

 Fans of bluegrass, honky-tonk, blues, country, rhythm ‘n’ roots are in for a musical treat as the Guinness International Bluegrass Festival returns for the 21st year to the South East this summer.

Taking place in Dunmore East, the picturesque Co. Waterford seaside village from Thursday, August 27th to Sunday, August 30th, the 2015 line-up is as impressive as ever.

 Making a much anticipated headline debut is Claire Lynch, a bluegrass artist credited by Dolly Parton as being “one of the sweetest, purest and best lead voices in the music business today.”  Having won a host of music awards, along with two Grammy nominations, Claire developed her love of country music and bluegrass, when she moved from New York to Alabama at the age of 12.

In the 1970’s Claire fronted the Front Porch String Band, until forming her own Claire Lynch Band in 2005.  Since then Claire and her band have consistently been in demand with festival audiences across the US.

Festival founder and organiser, Mick Daly, is looking forward to Claire’s appearance.  “Claire is a pioneer of bluegrass and country music and we are delighted that she will be headlining the International Bluegrass Festival in Dunmore East.  Not only has she a couple of Grammy nominations, Digital Journal placed her in the Top Ten of “Most Angelic voices of our time”, putting her on an equal footing with music legends such as Dolly Parton, Sarah McLachlan, Emmylou Harris and Alison Krauss.”

Mick added, “This year is particularly special for the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival.  Now in its 21st year, the line-up features a fantastic mix of pure bluegrass, country, Cajun, newgrass and blues.  Not only have we some of the hottest names on the international bluegrass scene coming to the village in August, we have some great home-grown talent which is making big impressions on the bluegrass music landscape.”

 “Whilst the Claire Lynch Band will play a ticketed intimate gig on Sunday, August 30th, all of the other events throughout the village are free.”

Big name Irish, European and American bluegrass acts playing free gigs include Demolition String Band (USA), New Section (Cze), Cup O’ Joe (Northern Ireland), The Mons Wheeler Band (NI), the Down and Out Bluegrass Band (NI), Land’s End (UK / Ire) and Irish bands Jigjam and Barefoot.

The 21st Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival kicks off on Thursday, August 27th and heralds the start of three days of dozens of bands, playing over 50 gigs in the villages’ pubs, restaurants and hotels.

 For more information about the 21st Guinness International Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival line-up in Co. Waterford visit www.discoverdunmore.com, for ticket information and bookings for The Claire Lynch band, email bluegrass [at] eircom.net or find out more on Facebook and Twitter.