The 7th Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival will be a high-quality 3 day event in Westport, attracting local, national and international artists and audiences. The ethos of the festival is the promotion of musicians - local, national and international, who are committed to the folk and bluegrass genre; the fostering of collaborative, welcoming environments where musicians both professional and amateur can interact, form friendships and learn from one another; the creation of an accessible, warm, enjoyable atmosphere where everyone will feel included, have fun and look forward to the festival as an annual must-see event.
Folk and bluegrass are two closely related genres – the former is a huge part of Irish traditional culture, while the latter is an American music form that grew out of a diaspora informed by the music of Ireland, as well as Scotland, France, Africa and elsewhere. To celebrate this, in the year of the Gathering, there will be sessions & workshops, free concerts, a pay-in concert to conclude the festivities, and much more. Everyone is welcome - from seasoned folk and bluegrass 'buffs' to casual music fans to those looking to discover what folk & bluegrass is all about!
