SOME of Fermanagh’s leading Country music stars are set to join forces for what’s expected to be a week to remember in Bundoran when hundreds go in search of finding their perfect partner.
A large crowd is expected to turn out to the Allingham Arms Hotel in Bundoran next month for the hugely popular North West Matchmaking Festival, with some leading stars set to perform.
Derrygonnelly family band, The McConnell’s, have been confirmed as the first Fermanagh musicians set to appear at the popular festival on the second day of the event, Saturday, September 28.
Since appearing on TG4 talent show, Glór Tíre, Rachel McConnell has won a host of awards and she’s risen through the ranks in the local Country music scene, performing right across the island of Ireland.
The Derrygonnelly singer recently launched her album, ‘Right in the Middle’, featuring some of her hit tracks, including ‘Honkytonks & Heartaches’ and ‘I’m A Little Bit Lonely’, to the delight of her fans.
Carlow singing star Derek Ryan, who has set up home in Enniskillen, is also set to take to the stage at the Allingham Arms Hotel on Sunday, September 29.
The award-winning singer and musician recently teamed up with the legendary and hugely popular ‘Kilfenora Céilí Band’ on his new song, ‘In Between The Jigs & The Reels’.
Ryan’s collaboration with the ‘Kilfenora Céilí Band’, which was founded in 1909 in Clare, has gone down a treat with his large and ever-growing music fan base.
There is going to be plenty of Fermanagh flavour across the North West Matchmaking Festival, with local stars Patrick Treacy and Jacqui Bannon all confirmed as participants at the Bundoran music event.
Donagh singer Treacy has risen through the ranks in the local Country music scene since he released his version of ‘The Legend Joe Mahon’, in dedication to the Irvinestown hotelier.
He has recently built on his newfound fame by releasing his second single, ‘Starting Out’. The former St Kevin’s College student is now a regular performer at some of the biggest venues in the North.
Jacqui Bannon, a singer from Enniskillen who performs at many weddings and services, has also been confirmed as an act at the festival on Friday, October 4.
The North West Matchmaking Festival is set to conclude in style on Saturday, October 5, when Fermanagh’s The Tumbling Paddies make their long-anticipated return to the Bundoran.
The Allingham Arms Hotel is expected to be a sell-out venue when the six-man band headline the final night of the North West Matchmaking Festival.
The Tumbling Paddies recently made the trip to Paris to headline a three-day event at the Irish centre, during the Paris Olympic Games.
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