Second year of Ballymore Country Festival revival
If ever proof was needed that country music is on the rise once more, the frenzy over the entire Garth Brooks on/off series of concerts at Croke Park should have met all tests.
But Ballymore in County Westmeath was well ahead of the game: it didn’t take a national bout of Garth-mania to let them know country music is on the up.
“We already saw that last year, when we revived our Country Music Festival,” says Dale Greenwood, of Ballymore GAA, which, with the local hurling club, Fr Dalton’s, was behind the event.
“We had people of all ages there - and the atmosphere was truly amazing, and the minute it was over, we had people asking us were we going to run it again this year.”
The answer was that they were, and they are, and so a packed programme of top-class music acts has been put together for the festival, which takes place at Ballymore’s GAA park on Monday 4th August .
“Nathan Carter was a huge hit with the audience last year, and he’s coming back - and doing a longer set than last year,” says Dale.
Also on the line-up are Mike Denver, Robert Mizzell, Michael English, Johnny Brady, Brendan Shine and The Conquerors - not to forget Ballymore’s own The Sheerins.
Music fans travel regularly travel far and wide to see those stars perform individually - but to get them all on the same bill makes it a very special occasion indeed.
“It’s a winning combination,” says Dale. “It’s just a great line-up, and the reactions we’ve been getting since we announced who is playing have been really really positive.”
The Sunday World’s Eddie 'Rockin’ Rowley did a superb job last year compering the show, and he’s agreed to return to the GAA grounds in Ballymore this August bank holiday Monday.
A big hit with the attendees last year was the fact that there was a large-scale, proper, top quality dance floor laid in the field for the event, and the sound and lighting rigs were fantastic.
“People really loved the fact that they could dance and really enjoy the atmosphere,” reports Dale.
Also back on the agenda for this year’s show is a stunning display of American cars – big Chevys and Corvettes and others – displayed at the event by the American Car Club from Kilbeggan.
There’s no need to pack a picnic, as there are on-site catering, bar and shop facilities - with a ban on rip-off prices.
“This is a great family day out - not an expensive day out,” says Dale, pointing out that admission for adults is just €20, while for U16s it’s €15, and U-10s get in free. For the kids, there’s face painting and magicians and various other attractions.
You know you’re doing something right when locals turn out in force to support an event – and last year, there was fantastic local support from right across Westmeath and the midlands generally, while other visitors came from farther afield, many booking in to hotels and B&Bs in Mullingar, Athlone, Moate and Ballymahon.
Fantastic organisation means that visitors to the festival don’t find themselves queuing up in their cars to get in or get out of the concert venue. They can either park on site, or in a nearby designated area from which a shuttle bus will ferry to and from the concert site – and parking is free.
It’s worth commenting that thanks to the top-class organisational skills of the GAA members who oversaw the parking last year, concert visitors couldn’t believe the speed at which they were able to make their way out of the concert field.
In reviving the Country Music Festival, Ballymore was always going to be on a winner, for during the 1970s and 1980s, the event would regularly play host to crowds of well over 5,000 in what was one of Ireland’s premier country music events. “A group of hardworking Ballymore people really put this town on the map back then when they launched this - and that was at a time when festivals weren’t as plentiful as they are now. They really set the standard, and when we decided to revive the event, people still warmly remembered those fantastic concerts that started it all off,” says Dale.
Gates open at 12 noon for this outdoor event and non-stop entertainment will be provided throughout the day until 6pm. In Ballymore, tickets are on sale from the football and hurling clubs and also in Rooney’s Day Break.
They can also be bought online, through the Ballymore GAA website, http://www.ballymoregaa.ie/
In Mullingar, tickets are available from the Westmeath Examiner offices; Sports Outlet, Austin Friar Street and Rochforts newsagents.
Other ticket outlets: Athlone: Westmeath Independent offices; and McNeill’s supermarket, Dublin Road
Tullamore: - The Offaly Independent offices
Legan: - Whyte’s supermarket
Cavan: - The Anglo-Celt Newspaper offices
Navan: - Meath Chronicle newspaper offices
Moate: - The Grand Hotel
Mullingar: - Westmeath Examiner offices; Sports Outlet, Austin Friar Street; Rochforts newsagents.
Alternatively, order your tickets by phone from Donie Glynn on 086 8227258, John Kearney on 087 9160444 or Brian McCabe on 087 6108806. There will also be tickets at the gate on the day.