Weathermen promising good weather for Ballymore Country Music Festival on Monday

 

It may be raining today, but the weather forecast is predicting temperatures of between 20 and 22 degrees for Monday, when Ballymore’s Country Music Festival takes place.

 

Lined up to perform at the event are Nathan Carter, Mike Denver, Robert Mizzell, Michael English, Johnny Brady, Brendan Shine, The Conquerors and The Sheerins.

 

Last year’s event was so successful, it stunned even the organisers, Ballymore GAA and Fr Dalton’s Hurling Club.

 

This year’s event will be even better, says festival spokesperson, Dale Greenwood.

 

The festival is the revival of an event that Ballymore GAA originally staged in the 1970s and 1980s, and it regularly played host to crowds of well over 5,000 at the same venue as the club is still using – the local GAA pitch.

 

Gates open at 12 noon for this outdoor event and non-stop entertainment will be provided throughout the day until 6pm.

 

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.

 

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 Ballymore, tickets are on sale from the football and hurling clubs and also in Rooney’s Day Break.

In Mullingar, tickets are available the Sports Outlet, Austin Friar Street and Rochforts newsagents.

Other ticket outlets:

Athlone: McNeill’s supermarket, Dublin Road
Legan: - Whyte’s supermarket
Moate: - The Grand Hotel
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.