Enniscorthy will come alive to the sound of the blues

ENNISCORTHY will come alive to the sound of the blues this weekend as the annual Blackstairs Blues Festival takes place from Friday, September 7, until Sunday, September 11. The festival has become a mainstay on the social calendar of anyone with even a passing interest in blues music over 24 successful years and Enniscorthy has come to be somewhat of a Mecca for the blues over the years with people travelling to the festival from all over.

This year promises to be no different and as well as blues-lovers travelling from all over, the performers at this year’s festival are coming from far and wide as well. Among the main acts this year are Austrian trio Shuffle Truffle, Argentinian blues maestro Daniel De Vita, Polish native Slidin PK as well as a host of wonderful Irish names such as Republic of Loose’s Mik Pyro and his latest project the Dublin Blues Cartel. Also on the bill are Colm Skwirbat, Ada Storm and Paul McMordie, Will Kileen, David King, The Stonecold Hobos and The Delta Dogs.

This year’s festival sees over 30 free gigs take place at venues right across Enniscorthy getting underway with Slidin PK in Alba at 6 p.m. on Friday and rockin’ along until the closing gig with Daniel De Vita at Treacy’s Hotel at 11 p.m. on Sunday night. There will also be a number of fringe events which includes a book signing and performance from Van Morrison’s original guitarist Jackie McCauley and various other workshops and jams. For further details, see www.blackstairsblues.ie or follow the festival on social media.