Bluegrass festivals, the life blood of the bluegrass industry, are thriving all over the world thanks to the tremendous growth in the popularity of the music outside of the US. Various forms of online communication are surely at the root of this phenomenon, one we warmly embrace.
It is in that spirit that we offer congratulations to Uri Kohen and the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival for their success in hosting this event now for 20 years! Following a format employed by many European festivals, Westport has involved the whole community in their part of western Ireland, which they describe as…
“…a town-wide, multi-venue celebration featuring concerts, sessions, and special events throughout Westport, Co. Mayo. At its heart, the festival continues to provide a unique environment where musicians, audiences, and communities converge—fostering intergenerational and intercultural dialogue through music, and creating opportunities for connection, collaboration, and creative evolution.”
There is a central home for concerts during the festival, the Westport Town Hall Theatre, with other shows, jams, lectures, and symposia taking place simultaneously all over town, in pubs, hotels, and at local universities. Many of the pub concerts are free of charge, helping to spread the bluegrass joy amongst both the local residents and visitors who travel in for this very reason.
Artists from across the island appear on the bill, along with US bands and performers who make the trip over to be a part of the various Westport happenings.
Appearing in 2026 for the June 4-7 festival will be US acts like Compton & Newberry, Vickie Vaughn, Alex Leach, Mason Via, Bigtooth, Big Love, Car Wash, and Empty Bottle String Band. Irish artists on the bill include The Clem O’Brien Band, Luke Murray, Tim Rogers, Rocky Top String Band, Brendan Butler, and the Irish traditional trio, Freda Hatton, Julie Langan, and Declan Askin.
Again this year the Westport promoters will include popular features like the Gospel Hour, where Alex Leach will lead a hymn and gospel song time at Holy Trinity Church, the Big Session, and all-comers jam hosted at McGing’s Pub & Yard Bar, the big Square Dance on Sunday with music from the Empty Bottle String Band, and the favorite annual Mystery Gig at Matt Molly’s Yard Bar, where three acts will perform on Saturday, but no one knows who it will be.
You can find all the details about the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival online.
A hearty well done to Uri, and all who work on the festival, for 20 years of bluegrass in western Ireland!
