For music fans, the Howth Roots and Blues Festival is the place to be this weekend as the free music festival kicks off on Friday, with an impressive line-up sure to thrill fans of the Irish roots and the blues.
The festival is the brainchild of Paul Byrne, the founder and drummer of Irish group In Tua Nua. The Howth Roots and Blues Festival is free to the public and will feature 32 different gigs at six venues across Dublin.
Speaking to Dublin Live, Paul explained the background of how the idea for the festival came about: "There were various festivals in Howth over the years, there was a jazz festival for a while. And then in 2017 a couple of the pubs The Summit and McNeills Owen and Tommy put together a festival and got a few bands together.
Read more: The outdoor movie screenings happening in Dublin this month
"But they found it really difficult to do so the following year they brought me in and I changed the whole format. I brought in a lot more local bands because I knew some of the blues bands because I used to book for some of the pubs out here, and it just grew."
Paul, who also works in video production and video marketing, changed the name of the festival to Howth Roots and Blues Festival because he wanted to expand the types of bands they could have. "For example this year we've got Bajina a reggae band, we've got Mules and Men, we've got the Niall Toner Band, we've got lots of different stuff and upbeat and lots of straight blues bands as well," added Paul.
This year they also have a new stage at The Summit the Tramline Stage which is a big open air stage. Other stages also include the Phil Lynott Stage in The Bloody Stream, The Garden Stage at The Harbour Bar, The Smokin’ Stage at McNeills of Howth, O’Connells (Front Bar), The East Pier Stage at O’Connells, and Findlaters.
Meanwhile, Paul and In Tua Nua also recently performed at Forever Young in Palmerstown Estate in Co Kildare last month, and next year they are celebrating 40 years in the music industry. Also set to perform at Howth Roots and Blues Festival 2022 this weekend is Colm Skwirbat, a talented blues/folk tunes guitarist and singer whose unique cigar-box case guitar which has just two strings, is made by his father Juergen, of Skwirbat Guitars.
The Howth Roots and Blues Festival starts at 7pm on Friday 5 August with the gigs starting at 2pm on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August. Tickets cannot be booked in advance and it is recommended that music fans arrive early to get the best seats.
For more information and updates on The Howth Roots and Blues Festival 2022 check out their Facebook page
READ NEXT:
Dublin Krispy Kremes are giving away a dozen doughnuts for just a tenner with magic word
Controversial comedian Dave Chappelle announces Dublin 3Arena show
Walkinstown festival to feature live music, clowns, and community fun
To get the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our free newsletter
