Cobh Blues Festival – 20th – 23rd September

Cobh set to Rock to the Blues as Visitors Spoilt for Choice  – Cobh Free Music Weekend

The Cobh Blues Experience is taking place on September 20, 21,22 and 23rd, its sixth year and attracting players from Ireland and overseas for a weekend of electric and acoustic blues. Sponsored by Guinness with the support of Cobh Chamber and local businesses, the event will provide over a hundred hours of free music at indoor and outdoor venues around the seaside town.

This year’s weekender sees Dave McHugh a highly acclaimed guitarist play a special concert in The Sirius Arts Centre  on Thurs. 20th at 7.30pm. Tickets 15 euro.
Some of Corks finest blues acts, Joe Callaghan Blues Band, The Dizzy Blues Band, and Street Talk will be sure of a warm welcome.

Colin Woolway, founder of Drumsense Drum school in England, will be giving a drum clinic masterclass, as well as performing with The Viper’s.

The Catriona Fallon Band (Cookie) are led by a singer from Riverdance, play at The Commodore Hotel over the weekend.

The Cobh Blues Club, featuring The Viper’s Blues Band and visiting musicians are one of the 30 acts playing indoor and outdoor events over the weekend.

Yossi Valdimar from Israel and Gary Boss from the US are playing in The Bella Vista Hotel.

Saturday afternoon sees family events held in the promenade (including kids events), while The Cobh Blues Club and guests will play on the town’s Victorian bandstand, with free gigs taking place in fourteen venues around the seaside town.

“We’ve had ongoing success with the Blues weekend since we started it five years ago, ” says Paul O’Halloran, the event’s organiser and owner of Ryan’s Bar. “It was originally an attempt to breath life into the town at a quieter time of the year, but the event has gone from strength to strength and we are getting returning groups of visitors here every year now. The event is planned to be relaxed and fun, but with some opportunities to see great music and we seem to be increasing the standard year on year.”

Other bands appearing include Dr Dec and the Side Effects, Cold Shot, The Modern Heirs, Rory Gallagher Tribute, Live Vibe, and many others.

Contact Paul O’Halloran on 087 2073067