A great line up of popular Irish bands has just been announced for Euro-festival Athlone which takes place during the last week in July.
The festival, sponsored by Athlone Town Council will host 15 European countries including Ireland for a week of sports, music, cookery demonstrations, street theatre, photography, and art events.
The music line-up kicks off on Saturday July 24 with local firestarters, Ré-Seisiún, playing the early evening gig and popular Dublin band, The Delorentos performing the later one.
The official opening takes place on the Sunday with a parade in the afternoon featuring all the participating European teams, a selection of Irish marching bands, samba artists, street theatre and lots more. After the opening ceremony renowned Galway trad act Alalé will play, followed by European cultural performances, before Portumna native Mike Denver, one of the biggest names on the Irish country scene, takes the stage.
Monday will see Irish dance and European cultural performances leading up to the well known Galway-based headline act, Sean Slattery and The Connections.
Blue Moose, from Wexford will entertain on Tuesday July 27, with Bernard and Patrice Coyle followed by the Fabulous Bonker Boys on Wednesday.
The internationally acclaimed Ragús will perform a show of live, fast moving, traditional Irish music, song and dance on Thursday night, after the various European cultural acts.
The final night will showcase a fantastic line-up of entertainment including traditional Irish music, song and dance and an energetic mix of music for all tastes from the highly acclaimed Keith McDonald and the Showband Show featuring jazz, rock'n'roll, jive, waltz and pop classics.
The celebrations will conclude on Friday night with a spectacular fireworks display from Golden Island, Athlone.
As well as being entertained for the week by our European friends, the festival programme is packed with free events and entertainment every day and night for all ages and interests. A European promotional village promises to give more than a taste of Europe with food, arts, crafts, souvenirs and tourist information on the participating European countries and towns. There will also be sports, cookery, street theatre, photography and painting competitions
Free outdoor performances featuring the best of Irish bands, European cultural acts, traditional Irish music and dance along with upcoming local and Midland bands will entertain you from early evening to late night from Saturday evening, July 24 to Friday night, July 30.
The Festival of Europe is hosted by Athlone Town Council and for further information can be got at www.athlone.ie/eurofestival
