DUNMORE EAST
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2026
31st ANNUAL FESTIVAL
27-30 AUGUST 2026
DUNMORE EAST
★
COUNTY WATERFORD
★
IRELAND
★ LIVE MUSIC ★
ACROSS THE VILLAGE
THE STRAND INN
AGGIE HAYES’ PUB
THE SPINNAKER
POWERS’ BAR
★ FEATURING ★
A VARIETY OF MUSIC GENRES, INCLUDING
BLUEGRASS
AMERICANA
COUNTRY
ROOTS
FOLK
ROCKABILLY
★ Enjoy the best bluegrass music performed across multiple venues in Dunmore East over the iconic four day festival ★
★ 2026 ★
ARTIST LINE-UP
DONEGAN & TULLY
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Donegan & Tully return to Dunmore East Bluegrass this year. Made up of members of the original Bluegrass band Pilgrim St. Hailing from Co. Meath and forged in the vibrant folk scene of Navan, they have built a reputation as one of Ireland’s hardest-working and most revered bands. Deeply steeped in Appalachian bluegrass and old-time country, they also weave in folk traditions from Ireland and beyond. Drawing inspiration from Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions, and Irish folk legends like The Pogues and The Saw Doctors, their sound is both authentic and electrifying
DUBLIN COUNTRY CLUB
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The Dublin Country Club is a live honky-tonk and country music band based in Dublin, Ireland. A honky-tonk, two-step, classic country music group, they are well-known for hosting regular "Honky Tonk Tuesdays" events featuring live music, open dancing, two-step dance lessons, and country karaoke. This is their first time playing at the Dunmore East Bluegrass festival and they will perform a one-off gig at The Strand on Saturday night.
I DRAW SLOW
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I Draw Slow are a Dublin five-piece folk band led by the sibling songwriting duo Dave Holden (guitar and vocals) and Louise Holden (vocals). A unique blend of traditional Irish roots, old-timey Appalachian folk, bluegrass, and American acoustic music. They have toured North America over 50 times, establishing themselves as one of the most captivating live acts on the international stage. Closer to home they recently performed at this year’s All Together Now festival in Portlaw.
LONELY MOUNTAIN MUSIC
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Lonely Mountain Music are an alternative folk-rock duo of two brothers. Archie & Finlay, from North Wales. Archie (vocals, guitar) is the older brother, lead singer and primary lyricist. Archie’s vocal style has often been compared to artists like Wesley Schultz from the Lumineers or Ben Howard; a raw, emotive and expressive Tenor that defines a big part of Lonely Mountain’s sound. Finlay (vocals, lead guitar, banjo, percussion) is younger and writes a lot of the music, riffs, arrangements, with a low baritone warmth that contrasts his brothers voice and provides a different option for backing vocals and occasional lead vocal parts. The North Wales area has been a big inspiration for them. The mountains and the coastal environment has provided the perfect location for photo and video shoots, as well as inspiring the name Lonely Mountain.
LORRAINE NASH
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Irish songwriter Lorraine Nash has been steadily building her audience since the release of her debut EP ‘Wildflower’ in 2020. Quickly attracting the attention of Ireland’s music industry with her evocative songwriting and stunning vocals, while receiving praise for the lyrical beauty of her songs. Lorraine has built a loyal fan base with a string of stunning performances. She has been teasing new music from her upcoming debut album, All That I Can Be, due in May 2023.
At the core of Lorraine’s songwriting is a blend of trad, folk and blues traditions. Drawing on a background of traditional singing, the multi-instrumentalist incorporates the traditional lilt into her live show. Taking inspiration from songwriting legends Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Carole King - fused with contemporary influences like Norah Jones, Gillian Welsh, Billie Marten, Lucy Rose, Gabrielle Aplin and Laura Marling - Lorraine creates stunning, image-laden songs. Lorraine has performed at the Irish music industry event, Music Cork, Autumn Air festival, Tradfest and Galway Folk Festival, and impressed on national Irish TV's Today Show, with her breakout single ‘Winter Sun’. She has shared the stage with renowned Irish musicians John Spillane, Jack O’Rourke and The Lost Brothers
Lorraine has received huge support from Irish radio with her singles ‘Wolves’, ‘Sing With Her’, ‘Winter Sun’, and ‘Changing Tides’ spending many weeks on the national broadcaster’s weekly Recommends Playlist, reaching audiences of 1.5 million listeners. According to the Gender Disparity Data Report compiled by WhyNotHer, Lorraine was one of the most played female artists on RTÉ Radio 1 in 2020.
MONS WHEELER
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The Mons Wheeler Band is an authentic roots, country, rockabilly, and Americana music group hailing from Northern Ireland made up of frontman Mons Wheeler (vocals and unique yodeling/singing style), Eamonn Lynch (lead guitar), Sean McKerr (bass), and Dean Irwin (drums). 1950s honky-tonk, early rock 'n' roll, and roots music, often compared to a blend of Marty Robbins and Roy Orbison. They tour widely across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and the US. They are long-running festival favorites at events, and have long been supported at the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival where they have performed for over two decades.
NEW VALLY STRING BAND
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New Valley String Band is a Swedish trio in which American old-time music harmonizes with Nordic sounds, performed by three talented musicians. With guitar, fiddle, banjo, and soulful vocals, they will transport you to a place where Appalachian and Nordic mountains meet, and create something new.
Whether you’re a fan of old-time melodies or simply appreciate good music when you hear it, these three musicians have something special in store for you. With their unique blend of styles, they’re taking you on a musical journey that’s both emotional and timeless.
With their debut album released in the spring of 2023, New Valley String Band have been well recieved by audiences both in the Nordics and across Europe.
PRISON LOVE
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Prison Love is an acclaimed Dublin-based roots and string band known for playing a high-energy mix of Irish bluegrass, old-time, gospel, and Cajun music. Celebrated for blistering, high-octane live performances and precise instrumental skills. True to their eclectic style, the band members adopted playful, humorous stage names:
Hurricane Barry (vocals, triangle)
El Nino / David Holden (mandolin, banjo)
Will N. Dowd / Paul Mulcahy (guitar, banjo)
Dancin' Pete (accordion)
Reverend Ex Kon / Konrad Liddy (bass fiddle / dog-house bass)
Beau Breaker / Adrian Hart (fiddle)
Mark O'Mahony (raucous vocals)
RAGDOLL
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Ragdoll is an Irish live music act based in County Wexford that performs as a solo artist, duo, or three-piece band for venues, weddings, and private events. Rag Doll has been touring both high energy & easy listening shows through Ireland & abroad for the past 14 years as a solo performer and as part of numerous duos and three piece bands. With a distinctive voice, style & delivery of each word he sings, the songs take on a life of their own accompanied by both the guitar & percussion he plays at each performance. A set list of hundreds songs of varying genres has allowed him to play for all types of venues who have welcomed him back time & time again!
THE BACKYARD BAND
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The Backyard Band are one of the OG performers at The Dunmore East Bluegrass festival, entertaining guests here since the festival’s incarnation. They are an Irish live music group featuring former members of the band Tweed, known for playing classic favorites, original tracks, and regional pub gigs.
THE BLUE STACK MOUNTAIN BOYS
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Bluestack Mountain Boys are a Dublin based Bluegrass Jam Band with a network of talented picker's that play "Classic Bluegrass and Beyond!" play hard driving, classic Bluegrass music with influences including Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, The Stanley Brothers and hero, Jimmy Martin. They play weekly at various locations around Dublin and have participated in many festivals around Ireland, Europe and the USA since 2014. These legendary marathon sessions have been host to a network of virtuoso musicians and throughout the years have influenced many beginners and have seen some of the World’s finest touring Bluegrass Musicians! This is honest, authentic music, rich in history, originating in a blend of American, Irish, Scottish and English fiddle folk music from The Appalachian Mountain region of the US, mixed with some Blues and Gospel, and made famous by Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys in the 1940s. The current line up is as follows:
Patrick Simpson, Vocals and Guitar (Toronto, Dublin)
Simon Humphries, 5 String Banjo (Dublin)
TJ Screene, Double Bass (Dublin)
Gerry Fitzpatrick, Dobro (Dublin)
Kevin Sheahan, Guitar & Dobro (Wicklow)
Paddy Kelly, Mandolin, Guitar & Vocals (Dublin)
THE CLEM O’BRIEN BAND
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Clem O'Brien Band features Clem O'Brien, widely recognized as Ireland's premier bluegrass vocalist and guitarist, alongside top veterans of the Irish bluegrass scene. The first incarnation of “The Clem O Brien Band“ playing outside “The Strand“ at the 1998 Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival. The same three plus Gerry Madden on Mandolin will be back for this year’s festival.
WHISTLE
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Whistle is a lively Dublin-based folk, bluegrass, and Americana band active in Ireland for over 15 years. They are a foot-tappin', hand-clappin' Bluegrass & Country-based band from the hills'n'hollers of Dublin City. A mix of original songs and classic old-timey, country, and bluegrass tunes. Five to six members who all contribute to multi-part vocal harmonies. Their album Seven Long Years was released in 2025
★ FESTIVAL ★
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